Earlier this afternoon, Cadillac unveiled the V-ONE Concept, a customer track car inspired by the V-Series.R that competes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
The V-ONE Concept bears many similarities to its racing counterpart, featuring a “tweaked V-ONE’s V-8 and hybrid system to make the car more user-friendly,” according to Cadillac’s press release.
While the V-Series.R is built to comply with racing regulations, the V-ONE Concept features a hybrid system designed more as a boost to engine power, producing approximately 830 horsepower.
Other notable design features include the all-new V-Series emblem on the side of the car, along with a specific wheel design that previews what is to come on future V-Series production models from Cadillac.
Rather than featuring a wrapped livery, the V-ONE is painted with a rich silver finish at the front that fades into a very dark Caspia Blue at the rear. According to Cadillac, the design references the “day-to-night transition of a long endurance race.”
While the new customer track car showcases several differences from the V-Series.R, the V-ONE also shares several key components with its racing counterpart. The car utilizes the same chassis, including a carbon-fiber tub built by Dallara. The V-ONE’s bodywork is also molded from the race car, while its distinctive naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V-8 is derived from the V-Series.R.
Cadillac is targeting lap times for the V-ONE that are within approximately 10% of those produced by the V-Series.R. While the V-ONE has more power than its racing counterpart, it utilizes a lightly simplified hybrid system and a unique aerodynamic package that combines elements from different V-Series.R iterations.
The V-Series.R currently competes in IMSA with Wayne Taylor Racing and Whelen Cadillac, while Hertz Team JOTA fields a pair of V-Series.Rs in WEC. Wayne Taylor Racing most recently secured a victory at IMSA’s six-hour Road America round with its Cadillac V-Series.R.
“It’s about as close to the race car as you can get,” said Sean O’Shea, Cadillac LMDh Propulsion Manager and one of the minds behind the V-ONE Concept, in the release. “The idea behind the V-ONE is simple: Create a car that allows the driver to tap into the competition-proven performance of the V-Series.R on track.”
