- Cadillac LMDh May Not Use C8.R’s LT6.R After All
- Different Powerplant
- Brand New
- Few Differences
- Stretching the Truth?
- Trickling Down
- Form and Function
- Continuing the Legacy
Cadillac LMDh May Not Use C8.R’s LT6.R After All
The forthcoming next-gen racer’s powerplant won’t be identical to the Corvette’s.
Different Powerplant
Cadillac recently unveiled the new Project GTP Hypercar, a concept of sorts previewing the luxury brand’s third-generation prototype race car that will compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, starting in 2023. However, while most expected the LMDh to utilize the same LT6.R present in the Corvette C8.R racer, that doesn’t appear to be the case, according to Road & Track.
Photos: Cadillac
Brand New
The LMDh will be equipped with a 5.5-liter DOHC V8, which is what led to many assuming that it would indeed be the same unit present in the C8.R. Laura Klauser, GM’s head of sports-car racing, told Road & Track that the LMDh’s racer will utilize a “brand-new” engine that the automaker is developing in house.
Photos: Cadillac
Few Differences
“One of the things we’re most excited about is to hear the thunder of a Cadillac V8 that will be in this car, a 5.5-liter joining our other V8 that we bring over to Le Mans,” Klauser said. Cadillac also showed off what appears to be a cross-plane crank design – not the flat-plane crank utilized by the Corvette racer.
Photos: Cadillac
Stretching the Truth?
Of course, Cadillac could be stretching the truth a bit here, and these two engines could be essentially the same, albeit with a few notable differences including the crank design. LMDh cars are pretty wide open when it comes to regulations, so the team does have some creative freedom here.
Photos: Cadillac
Trickling Down
Cadillac has been competing in the IMSA manufacturers championship with the DPi-V.R since 2017, so it’s certainly time for some change in that regard, even after achieving quite a new notable wins and podiums. Cadillac also notes that the new LMDh will feature styling and performance elements that will trickle down to its road-going cars, which will benefit all of us.
Photos: Cadillac
Form and Function
“The Project GTP Hypercar is a unique convergence of form and function and showcases Cadillac’s future performance aesthetic,” said Chris Mikalauskas, lead exterior creative designer, Cadillac. “We have plenty more to come, from the upcoming race car to amazing production vehicles.”
Photos: Cadillac
Continuing the Legacy
“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.”
Photos: Cadillac
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Keyword: Cadillac LMDh May Not Use C8.R's LT6.R After All