The Cadillac V-LMDh will make its competition debut at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January. To build hype for the new race car, a video shows the aggressive looking machine on the track. The design differs slightly from previous teasers for competition machines (see side by side below).
The version that will actually race has a flatter nose by removing the slanted crease from the previous rendering. The more prominent spoon is at the back of the roof. The taillights had a more conventional design than the fin-like vertical lights on the previous car.
The Cadillac GTP Hypercar LMDh project
The V-LMDh uses a 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine with dual overhead camshafts and a general racing category hybrid system. Cadillac’s competitors, on the other hand, opted for engines with forced induction. Porsche uses a 4.6 liter twin-turbo V8 engine. BMW has a 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 engine. Acura uses a twin-turbo 2.4-liter V6 engine that rotates up to 10,000 rpm.
Cadillacs are among the first vehicles to receive homologation in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship LMDh class. In order to get the stamp of approval, the company had to send one into series so regulatory agencies could ensure the body met aerodynamic guidelines. The vehicle also undergoes a complete disassembly to ensure all parts are in accordance with the documentation.
Cadillac began testing the V-LMDh on the track in July. Since then, the car has covered about 11,800 miles (19,000 kilometers). This includes a 24 hour development running around Sebring.
Chip Ganassi Racing and Action Express Racing each will race one Cadillac V-LMDh in the IMSA series. Ganassi will also be running his second in the Daytona event.
Separately, Ganassi will also campaign for the single V-LMDh at the FIA World Endurance Championship. This will include a race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans where Cadillac will try to have three cars competing at the event.
