Cadillac is getting into prototype racing after a 14-year absence.
The American brand has announced that it will be competing in the new Daytona Prototype international (DPi) class in the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship with the all-new Cadillac DPi-V.R.
Powering the race car is a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter dry-sump V8 which should make around 600 horsepower. A sequential shift gearbox operated by paddles gets the power to the rear wheels while a viscous mechanical limited-slip differential helps evenly spread that power. The car’s chassis, which is built by Dallara, weighs in at 2,050 lbs.
The two teams that were running Corvette Daytona Prototypes in the race series, Action Express Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing, will both be campaigning the new Cadillacs.
Those racing in the new DPi class will have to obtain their body from one of four approved constructors (Dallara, Onroak Automotive, ORECA or Riley/Multimatic), which can then be fitted with manufacturer-designed engines and electronics. This is different than the standard LMP2 class, which had every manufacturer using the same engine and electronics package.
DPi cars will also be able to have specific areas of custom bodywork to reflect each individual brand.
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“Cadillac is proud to return to the pinnacle of prototype racing in North America after a 14-year absence,” said Johan de Nysschen, president of Cadillac. “Cadillac’s V-Performance production models — the ATS-V and CTS-V — are transforming our brand’s product substance, earning a place among the world’s elite high performance marques.”
Although there is no mistaking this car for a prototype racer, there are some borrowed design cues from the ATS-V and CTS-V, like the angular body lines, V-Performance wheels, Brembo disk brakes and more. The race car also uses a camera system to provide the driver with a view behind his car, just like new Cadillac vehicles.
