Buick Set To Launch GTP/Hypercar Program (Updated)

GM looks set to make a big splash in the high-end sports model racing community.

With the future of Cadillac’s GTP and Hypercar plans soon to be revealed, the focus shifts to if and when GM will address the latent demand for customer sales for their flagship model.

Currently, only Porsche has chosen to sell and support LMDh-legal customer cars while Ferrari now also present a private entry in the FIA ​​WEC, with their factory supplier AF Corse and factory talent leading the #83 499P .

On- and off-the-record comments from GM top brass have confirmed that there will be no Cadillac “customer cars” for the 2025 season as they continue to work to better understand the current platform and create a planned 2025 V-Series upgrade package. R.

Although there is a surprise package in store for the effort as GM looks to add another brand to their repertoire and this could emerge as a parallel plan to increase the customer market in the top class of racing cars.

The key to unlocking this deal came with the original confirmation from Dallara sources that while the supply chain remains a problem for the entire industry, the supply of chassis to GM is not part of it, in fact a surprising number has already been released.

DSC now understands that a second GM GTP/Hypercar project being pursued by Dallara is set to emerge soon with plans to campaign in the 2025 season under the revived Buick brand. The car featured a mildly modified and retuned 5.4 liter version of the current 5.5 liter naturally aspirated V8.

DSC has reached out to GM for comment but has yet to hear back, but reliable sources suggest that the Buick Endure 54 GTP will have a marketing focus primarily on markets that GM believes are ripe for Buick’s resurgence as a sport. a brand with a limited semi-factory presence planned to be sought, as early as 2025, in selected IMSA races, and, according to an agreement with the FIA ​​WEC, in selected rounds of the World Championship as well.

DSC believes that, for now, the plan is focused on the Detroit Grand Prix, the Sahlen Six Hours of The Glen and Petit Le Mans in IMSA while the Fuji and American rounds of the WEC are set to be the topics of discussion with LMEM.

With places severely limited on the WEC grid, and with the complexity of the regulations currently prohibiting race-to-race entries in the WEC’s top class Buick’s pursuit of a single entry for the Japanese round is by no means certain. . Fuji circle is targeted as it is geographically and temporally closer to the Chinese market zone.

China is one of only two markets where Buick is currently sold, the other being North America, although the brand’s resurgence could lead to GM looking for additional markets with the traditional V8-loving markets of Australia and South Africa high on appetite. list.

The name, “Endure 54 GTP,” although it seems obvious, is a continuation of their home versions. The Endure GTP will join the existing Enclave, Envision, Encore, and Envista nameplates. The ’54’ aspect of the name refers to the engine size and the average age of Buick’s customers. It is expected that the hybrid part of the LMDh platform will feature heavily in the company’s marketing efforts and, as per the image above, Buick is considering selling a very limited number of ‘halo’ track only versions of the car like Ferrari have with their 499P Modificata .

Interestingly, a Le Mans program is not believed to be on the cards. GM wants to shine a spotlight on their Cadillac and Corvette brands at Le Sarthe.

Sources suggest that a number of recent GM stars have been approached to gauge interest in being involved with ex-Corvette, ex-Cadillac pilot Johnny O’Connell and racing legend Oliver Gavin both still highly capable drivers. very much in the target population.

This was, of course, DSC’s April Fools story – If you enjoyed it, you’re welcome, if you were fooled by it we’re sorry*, and if you don’t like April Fools, then please enjoy the next 364 days of free DSC and our congratulations, again!

* Not true!

Anthony Florio