Cadillac plans to build an F1-inspired road-going hypercar

ABU DHABI: Cadillac, synonymous with high-performance and luxury vehicles, is hinting at entering the hypercar market. Although the brand has the interest and expertise to pursue such an ambitious project, official development plans have not been announced yet. The design of this hypercar will be inspired by top-tier motorsports, including Le Mans endurance racing and Formula 1.

In November 2023, Cadillac partnered with the Andretti race team to apply for Formula One entry. However, F1 management rejected the bid in February 2024. 

The Project GTP racecar, rebranded as the V-Series.R or Cadillac V-LMDh, highlights Cadillac's presence in endurance racing. This racecar, built for endurance racing, could lay the groundwork for a road-going hypercar. Historically, the endurance series focused on road-going hypercars, making this a cost-effective and plausible pathway for Cadillac's entry into the hypercar market.

In recent years, car manufacturers involved in F1 have leveraged racing technology to create hypercars, utilizing their access to motorsport engineers. The Mercedes-AMG Project One features an F1-derived hybrid V6 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, while the Aston Martin Valkyrie has a naturally aspirated V12 6.5-liter engine. Cadillac has made notable strides in many championships, including the Hypercar World Endurance Championship.

If Cadillac proceeds with the hypercar project, it will need to stand out in a competitive market. Its competitors are exploring diverse powertrain options, from electric and hydrogen to traditional gasoline engines. Cadillac's aspirations in Formula 1 and endurance racing indicate its goals, suggesting that a hypercar could introduce new levels of luxury and innovation to the market.

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