Last year, Porsche built the 963 RSP for Roger Penske-after that, Cadillac apparently said, "we want a toke."Unveiled on the manicured lawns of The Quail during Monterey Car Week, the Cadillac V-One Concept is what happens when you yank an LMDh prototype race car out of the hauler, uncork the powertrain, and bolt in a bespoke leather-trimmed single seat inside.Its 830-horsepower, unrestricted hybrid powertrain makes the CT5-V Blackwing look like an airport shuttle. Because it doesn't have to play by IMSA or WEC Balance of Performance rules, the V-One throws the standard 670-horsepower LMDh power cap straight out the window.Cadillac V-One Concept: All The DetailsCadillac V-One Concept: All The DetailsView GalleryAdvertisementAdvertisement12 photosThe underlying hardware remains pure prototype-anchored by a Dallara carbon-fiber monocoque, sprung with pushrod-actuated suspension, center-lock wheels, active aerodynamics, and massive underbody venturi tunnels that carry over virtually unchanged from the race car."It's about as close to the race car as you can get," says Sean O'Shea, Cadillac LMDh Propulsion ManagerGM's naturally aspirated LMC55R 5.5-liter DOHC V8 stays, but the hybrid electric setup-including a motor generator from Bosch and a Williams Advanced Engineering System battery-has been uncorked."It takes 160 hours of build time just to assemble the engine," adds O'Shea. "It's all done in Pontiac, Michigan by people that have built race engines their whole careers. They're hand-picked for the job."AdvertisementAdvertisementTotal system output has been juiced to 830 combined horsepower, all sent straight to the rear tires via an Xtrac seven-speed sequential gearbox. "You get on the straightaway, hit a button and get an extra 134 horsepower," O'Shea explains."I couldn't even imagine that. These things are already so fast, adding a bunch more power with the press of a button is incredible."Cadillac won't explicitly say the car is street legal, but there seem to be clues. Inside the cockpit, the typical barren race controls get swapped for soft Cadillac Collection fabrics, a custom digital user interface display, a yoke-style steering wheel, and tailored switchgear to the individual owner.There's even a little shelf with an integrated strap to hold your helmet in place as you travel to the race track."The interior of the car is one of the main selling points with the car," said O'Shea. "You open the doors and you look inside and it's a clean, purpose-built race car with a bespoke Cadillac interior."AdvertisementAdvertisementOutside, a gradient paint scheme shifts from bright silver at the nose to deep navy blue at the tail-a nod to the day-to-night transition during 24-hour endurance races. A small serialized door plaque hints that Cadillac plans to build more than just once. The automaker certainly missed a trick through, the Porsche has a cup holder.Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
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