Car Specs

The Cadillac V-Series.R features a purpose-built Cadillac 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan. The common energy recovery system was developed by Bosch, WAE and Xtrac.

Cadillac is only LMDh manufacturer with a naturally aspirated engine and its sound is unmistakable and a fan favorite. And Cadillac is the only LMDh manufacturer to have started with a clean sheet (not using a previous iteration engine architecture).

Utilizing advanced materials and manufacturing techniques allows the engine to be a structural body of the car while weighing at the rule-set minimum weight.

The Cadillac prototype racecar began on-track development in July 2022 and logged more than 20,000 kilometers on racetracks in the U.S. leading into its competition debut in January 2023.

Cadillac V-Series.R
Wheelbase: 3,148mm (123.9 inches)
Length: 4,990mm (196.5 inches)
Width: 1,996mm (78.6 inches)
Engine name: LMC55R V8 (Le Mans Cadillac Racing)
Induction: Naturally aspirated
Engine type: Cadillac V8
No. cylinders: 8
Torque: Series specified
Power: Series specified up to 670hp (500kW) including the hybrid system
Weight: Series specified 1030kg minimum (without fuel and driver)
Gearbox: 7 speed sequential
RPM max: Series specified 8,800
Lubrication: Dry sump
Fuel cell: 29 U.S. gallons (110L)

Cadillac Racing engines through the years
V-Series.R - 5.5-liter, DOHC V8; naturally aspirated ... up to series-controlled 670hp (500kW) including hybrid system (similar in IMSA and WEC)
DPi - 5.5-liter DOHC V8; naturally aspirated ... approximate 600hp (controlled by IMSA)
LMP - 4.0-liter, twin turbocharged ... 650hp rating (controlled by American Le Mans Series)
CTS-V.R Sedan (2004-07) - 5.7-liter V8... approximate 500hp (controlled by Speed World Challenge)
CTS-V.R Coupe (2011) - 6.2-liter V8 ... 505hp (controlled by Pirelli World Challenge)
ATS-V.R (2014) - 3.6-liter, twin turbocharged V6 ... 600hp (controlled by Pirelli World Challenge)

About the development of the powertrain
“Cadillac has a history of developing incredible performance V8s, beginning with the Cadillac OHV in 1949 which powered our first Le Mans entries, the Briggs Cunningham ‘Le Monstre’ as well as the ‘Petit Pataud.’ We made the decision to continue with the V8 with the all-new NA 5.5L V-8, as we feel it is the best solution for this application. The sound is also unmistakably a Cadillac, which is hard to not to love.” – Russ O’Blenes, director, GM Performance and Racing Propulsion Group

Cadillac V-Series.R design
The racecar – codeveloped by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and longtime GM chassis constructor partner Dallara -- was informed by the Project GTP Hypercar that was unveiled in June 2022. The car incorporates key Cadillac V-Series production car design elements, such as vertical lighting and floating blades.