CADILLAC V-SERIES: RACETRACK TO THE ROAD

Year-long celebration commemorating 20 years of CADILLAC V-SERIES: RACETRACK TO THE ROAD kicks off at Sebring where it all started in 2004.

CADILLAC V-SERIES: RACETRACK TO THE ROAD

As three Cadillac V-Series.R hybrid race cars prepare to start the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship races at Sebring this weekend, Cadillac is also kicking off a year-long celebration for its V-Series performance sub-brand, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024.

The Cadillac V-Series performance sub-brand was launched at Sebring International Raceway in March 2004 with the race debut and subsequent first win of the CTS-V.R racecar in the SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge GT race. This forged a transformative legacy at Cadillac, driven by a symbiotic relationship between the brand’s championship-winning motorsports program and the road vehicles it influenced.

CADILLAC V-SERIES: RACETRACK TO THE ROAD“Nearly 20 years ago, Cadillac made a bold move with V-Series that continues to resonate,” said Global Vice President of Cadillac Rory Harvey. “From the racetrack to the road, V-Series has transformed Cadillac and helped redefine performance luxury for thousands of enthusiasts. Over the next 12 months we will celebrate V-Series with a number of significant moments.”

The 20th year of V-Series is also a big one for Cadillac Racing, which has expanded with the all-new, electrified Cadillac V-Series.R prototype racecar competing internationally in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship. The V-Series.R represents the start of the fifth generation of CADILLAC V-SERIES: RACETRACK TO THE ROAD

In addition, Cadillac will return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June for the first time in more than 20 years, competing with three cars for the overall win in the historic endurance race.

The inaugural production V-Series – the 2004 CTS-V – was developed on the racetrack and previewed on Germany’s famed Nürburgring circuit. It was the first of 13 V-Series sedan, coupe, roadster and SUV models to follow. All V-Series vehicles benefit from the performance technologies and learnings from nearly 20 years of winning on the racetrack.

“Our championship-winning race team brings an uncompromising eye for detail that is channeled into every production model,” said Brandon Vivian, executive chief engineer, Cadillac. “The result are vehicles that weave power, craftsmanship and innovative technologies into engaging, involving driving experiences.”Today’s lineup includes the CT4-V and twin-turbocharged CT4-V Blackwing, the CT5-V and the supercharged CT5-V Blackwing, and the supercharged Escalade-V. With 682 horsepower (508 kW), the Escalade-V currently wears the crown of Cadillac’s most-powerful production model ever, while the CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing models offer the ultimate balance of road-going performance luxury and track capability.

20 Years of CADILLAC V-SERIES: RACETRACK TO THE ROAD Production:

First Generation – 2004

  • CTS-V
  • XLR-V
  • STS-V

CADILLAC V-SERIES: RACETRACK TO THE ROADSecond Generation – 2009

  • CTS-V
  • CTS-V Wagon and Coupe

Third Generation – 2016

  • CTS-V
  • ATS-V

Fourth Generation – 2019

  • CT6-V
  • CT4-V
  • CT5-V
  • CT4-V Blackwing
  • CT5-V Blackwing
  • Escalade-V

The 20th anniversary celebration will conclude at Sebring in March 2024 – 20 years after the first CTS-V won on the track. More information about the anniversary will be shared on Cadillac’s website and V-Series Instagram account throughout the year. New products and features commemorating the 20th anniversary of V-Series are planned over the next 12 months, with more information to be announced throughout this period.

For more information about the latest luxury and performance vehicles from Cadillac, please visit https://media.cadillac.com/media/us/en/cadillac/vehicles.html

CADILLAC ELECTRIFIED V-LMDh RACECARS

Cadillac reveals the liveries for the three all-new CADILLAC ELECTRIFIED V-LMDh RACECARS that will make their competition debut at the Rolex 24 At Daytona this month.

CADILLAC ELECTRIFIED V-LMDh RACECARSThe 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.”

Cadillac Racing will be competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the No. 01 Cadillac Racing and No. 31 Whelen Engineering V-LMDh cars and in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the No. 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 No. 01 in gold, No. 2 in blue and red on the No. 31.

The CADILLAC ELECTRIFIED V-LMDh RACECARS are 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.

Co-developed by Cadillac Racing, Cadillac Design and Dallara, the final Cadillac V-LMDh design was influenced by the Project GTP Hypercar that debuted last summer. 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.”

Each Cadillac Racing driver contributed to the V-LMDh’s development. Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook will co-drive the No. 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 No. 02. The No. 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 No. 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.

CADILLAC ELECTRIFIED V-LMDh RACECARSPipo Derani and Alexander Sims will drive the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Throughout the season they will be joined by Jack Aitken.

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, which debuted in June 2022 and 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 Blackwing1 and CT5-V Blackwing1.

The Rolex 24 At Daytona kicks off a 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.

1Extremely limited availability

Check out video of 2023 CADILLAC ELECTRIFIED V-LMDh RACECARS @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAR3FBnFSeU