Cadillac to Return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans After 22 Years

Batmobile or bat out of hell?

Cadillac today revealed its Project GTP Hypercar that shows the third-generation prototype race car from the American luxury brand. During 2023, Cadillac will contest the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was developed by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and Dallara.

The announcement was clearly timed to coincide with this year’s race where Cadillac will watch from the sidelines as Corvettes thunder around the Circuit de La Sarthe. The prototype has a new Cadillac 5.5-liter DOHC engine package working in conjunction with the LMDh common hybrid system. (AutoInformed: Daytona This Weekend Starts 2022 IMSA Racing Season; Corvette Racing at Daytona – Same or Different?)

“Competing for the overall win at Le Mans with an iconic American brand like Cadillac is an honor,” said Laura Wontrop Klauser, GM sports car racing program manager. “The entire team is excited to continue building Cadillac’s racing legacy by competing against the very best internationally and in the world’s toughest race.”

The engineering challenge remaining – of course – is to bring the old success of Cadillac’s DPi V.R, which won two titles and four consecutive Rolex 24s in its six years in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship, to the new car.

Last year, Cadillac said that it would compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Automobile Club de l’Ouest or ACO Grand Touring Prototype category in 2023 with a fourth-generation Cadillac V-Series prototype. Notably, this will mark the brand’s return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans after 22 years. (ACO is the sanctioning body of the Le Mans 24-hour race) (AutoInformed IMSA Petit Le Mans Sees Cadillac, Corvette, Win Season Titles)

“By competing in both the 2023 IMSA and WEC championships, Cadillac Racing has the opportunity to demonstrate its capability, craftsmanship and technology,” said Rory Harvey, Vice President Global Cadillac.