Cadillac reveals liveries of its three V-LMDh race cars
Cadillac today revealed the liveries for the three all-new electrified V-LMDh race cars that will make their competition debut at the Rolex 24 At Daytona this month.
📷 © Courtesy of Cadillac Racing: The three cars at Daytona
The three distinctive designs represent the teams campaigning the all-new Cadillac V-LMDh, each with a different bold color from the Cadillac V-Series emblem.
“Cadillac is ready to compete against the very best in North America and internationally — including one of the world’s toughest races, the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said Global Vice President of Cadillac Rory Harvey. “As Cadillac builds toward an all-electric future, the all-new V-LMDh furthers our dedication to exploring new advanced performance technologies.”
Three Color’s for two Championships: IMSA & WEC
📷 © Courtesy of Cadillac Racing: #01 Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac V-LMDh for IMSA.
Cadillac Racing will be competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the # 01 Cadillac Racing and #31 Whelen Engineering V-LMDh cars and in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the #2 Cadillac Racing V-LMDh. The three liveries share a V-Series graphic-and-color theme. Each car wears one of the primary colors of the V-Series logo, including #01 in gold, #2 in blue and red on the #31.
The V-LMDh is powered by Cadillac’s all-new LMC55R 5.5L DOHC V-8 that’s paired with the LMDh common hybrid system. Developed in-house, the naturally aspirated racing engine is rated up to 670 horsepower, per series specifications, and is backed by a seven-speed sequential gearbox.
📷 © Courtesy of Cadillac Racing: #2 Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac V-LMDh for WEC & Daytona.
Co-developed by Cadillac Racing, Cadillac Design and Dallara, the final Cadillac V-LMDh design was informed by the Project GTP Hypercar that debuted in June 2022. It incorporates distinctive Cadillac design elements such as vertical lighting and floating blades.
"From an aesthetic point of view, the LMDh regulations allowed us to create a vision for the car that is clearly Cadillac," said Chris Mikalauskas, lead exterior creative designer, Cadillac. "And that's really exciting for fans and for people who are true enthusiasts, every car is unique.”
📷 © Courtesy of Cadillac Racing: #31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh for IMSA.
The team
Each Cadillac Racing driver contributed to the V-LMDh’s development. Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook will co-drive the #2 Cadillac V-LMDh in FIA WEC competition, including the centenary Le Mans 24 Hours, and the Rolex 24 At Daytona, where the car will compete as #02. The #2 is in homage to the first Cadillac entry at Le Mans in 1950, Briggs Cunningham’s “Le Monstre.”
Additionally, Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande will drive the #01 Cadillac V-LMDh in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. They will be joined by six-time INDYCAR champion and four-time Rolex 24 At Daytona winner Scott Dixon for the 2023 Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Pipo Derani and Alexander Sims will drive the #31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Throughout the season they will be joined by Jack Aitken.
A history of racing success
Cadillac’s expanded 2023 racing program builds on a long history of racing success. In fact, Cadillac is the only high-volume luxury American manufacturer to compete at Le Mans for the overall win since 1969.
The brand has competed since 2017 at the forefront of American sports car racing in the Cadillac DPi-V.R. Before that, Cadillac Racing scored several wins in the Pirelli World Challenge. Recent highlights include:
* Winning the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship three times: 2021, 2018 and 2017
* Winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona four consecutive times: 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017
* Winning the Michelin North American Endurance Cup four consecutive times: 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017
* Earning five Pirelli World Challenge Manufacturer Championships (2015, 2014, 2013, 2007 and 2005) and five Driver Championships (2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2005).
This rich history influenced the Project GTP Hypercar that previewed the all-new Cadillac V-LMDh prototype race car. It is Cadillac’s third-generation prototype race car and represents the start of the fifth generation of the brand’s storied V-Series.
Since 2004, V-Series has embodied Cadillac’s commitment to performance, on and off the track. When it comes to road-going models, the lineup has grown recently to include the 2023 Escalade-V. It joined the CT4-V and CT5-V, along with the track-capable CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing.
The Rolex 24 At Daytona kicks off an action-packed racing season that will see the trio of race cars continue to compete around the world. Following Daytona, Cadillac Racing will compete at the 1000 Miles of Sebring on March 17 with the No. 2 car, with the No. 01 and 31 competing in the Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 18.
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