IMSA: Cadillac reveals DPi-V.R for Prototype class

Cadillac is bringing its new 2017 Cadillac DPi-V.R racecar to the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series Prototype class.

The 2017 DPi-V.R – which will make its debut at the Rolex 24 At Daytona with Wayne Taylor Racing and Action Express Racing – is the first prototype race car from the New York-headquartered manufacturer since 2002. Action Express, which has won the last three WeatherTech Championship Prototype titles, will run a pair of Cadillacs, while the Wayne Taylor Racing team will continue its one-car effort and longstanding relationship with General Motors.

"It is not possible to overstate how thrilled all of us at IMSA are to officially welcome Cadillac, one of the world's most respected premium automotive brands, back to Prototype racing in the WeatherTech Championship," said IMSA President Scott Atherton. "This is exactly the type of program we had in mind when we announced the Daytona Prototype international concept last year.

"As we open a new era of Prototype competition in 2017, we now have three benchmark examples of manufacturers using this platform to showcase their impressive and unique technology at the highest level. We cannot wait to get the new era underway in just a few short weeks at Daytona."

The DPi-V.R is propelled by a race-prepared, normally aspirated Cadillac 6.2 liter V-8 engine that shares inherent architecture with the engines of the third-generation Cadillac CTS-V (640 horsepower) and fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade (420 horsepower). The engine produces approximately 600 horsepower when tuned for racing as defined by IMSA-mandated air restrictors, with a maximum allowable RPM of 7,600. The engine transfers power to the rear wheels through an X-TRAC paddle-shift transmission.
2

"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. The Cadillac DPi-V.R further strengthens our V-Performance portfolio, placing Cadillac into the highest series of sports car racing in North America."

"The DPi-V.R race car was an exciting new canvas for the Cadillac design and sculpting team," said Andrew Smith, Global Cadillac Design executive director. "The studio embraced the opportunity to interpret the Cadillac form language, line work and graphic signature for this premier prototype racing application. Every detail of the final design was selected to support the car's on-track performance and unmistakable Cadillac presence."

Cadillac and its designers collaborated with key partners including chassis builder Dallara, ECR Engines and race teams to prepare the 6.2-liter V-8- powered Cadillac DPi-V.R over the past year.

The DPi-V.R will make its public on-track debut during a two-day IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona on Dec. 13-14.