Cadillac has finally confirmed it will compete in the IMSA LMDh category in 2023 with a fourth-generation Cadillac V-Series prototype. Taking full advantage of the IMSA/ACO regulatory convergence, the car will also run for overall honors at Le Mans. The brand’s silence on the matter at the recent Le Mans 24 – with a planned press conference on the Friday before the race canceled and an announcement reportedly not due until September – suggests that last-minute wrangles over the deal were dealt with in France.
The new car will be built to conform to the IMSA and ACO Le Mans Daytona hybrid specifications, due to replace the current DPi class from 2023 onward. As with the other competitors in the series, it will be based on a standardized chassis and incorporate the spec hybrid powertrain system but will feature a unique combustion engine and distinctive bodywork. As with its current DPi program, Cadillac will use Dallara’s LM P2 chassis as a base, clad with manufacturer-designed bodywork.
“For nearly 20 years, Cadillac V-Series has brought winning technologies from the racetrack to our performance cars on the road,” said Rory Harvey, global vice president at Cadillac. “We look forward to continuing that heritage by competing in this exciting new chapter at the highest level of international motorsport.”
Cadillac also confirmed it will partner with Chip Ganassi Racing and Action Express Racing (AXR) to run the cars. “We are looking forward to the new international prototype formula and running the Cadillac LMDh,” said Chip Ganassi. “We have had a great relationship across three different racing disciplines with GM and we are looking forward to developing the car with Cadillac and Dallara over the next year and a half.”
“The IMSA LMDh category is looking to be very competitive with multiple manufacturers,” added Gary Nelson, AXR team manager. “We’ve had a lot of success running the Cadillac DPi-V.R as one of the original teams since 2017, and we are looking forward to being a part of the next chapter of Cadillac Racing.”
The impact of this decision on the racing program of fellow GM brand Corvette, coupled with the demise of the GTE class in 2024, remains to be seen. At Le Mans, GM’s sportscar racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser noted that the marque was still awaiting clarification on the exact nature of new GT3 rules for the WEC and Le Mans, specifically the inclusion of a Pro class, before finalizing its intentions.
