Cadillac Hybrid Battles Ferrari 296 GTB in Epic Drag Race – You Won't Believe the Result

The Cadillac V-Series.R is a groundbreaking piece of automotive engineering, defying expectations by veering away from Cadillac’s traditional image. Unlike its production counterparts, this machine isn’t derived from a hefty pickup truck nor does it boast a series-production engine. Instead, it’s a hybrid endurance racer, outfitted with a roaring V8 engine. Competing in the IMSA SportsCar Championship and the World Endurance Championship, this Dallara-based hypercar operates under the scrutiny of Balance of Performance (BoP) regulations.

Balance of Performance: Levelling the Playing Field

BoP ensures fairness by tweaking power levels and weight, among other technical adjustments. Jason Cammisa provides intriguing insights, noting that the V-Series.R’s power output ranges between 645 and 700 horsepower, channeled exclusively to the rear wheels. Weighing in at a mere 2,270 pounds (1,030 kilograms), this machine is a beast of lightweight engineering.

The Challenger: Ferrari 296 GTB Assetto Fiorano

In this drag race spectacle, the V-Series.R goes head-to-head with Ferrari’s entry-level hybrid supercar, the 296 GTB. Sporting the Assetto Fiorano package, this Ferrari variant is lighter and more agile than its standard counterpart. With an eight-speed transmission, it cranks out a mind-boggling 819 horsepower, all routed to its rear wheels. However, it’s relatively hefty at 3,530 pounds (1,601 kilograms).

The Drag Race Showdown

From a standstill, the Ferrari 296 GTB Assetto Fiorano quickly establishes its dominance. Rocketing to the quarter-mile finish line in just 10.0 seconds, it reaches a top speed of 144 miles per hour (232 kilometers per hour). Although the Cadillac V-Series.R clocked a respectable 10.3 seconds, it crossed the line at a blistering 161 miles per hour (259 kilometers per hour). Remarkably, no other road-going vehicle tested by Hagerty has breached the 160 mph mark.

Why the Delay?

It’s worth noting that the V-Series.R’s slower acceleration to 60 mph – taking 3.6 seconds compared to the Ferrari’s 2.6 seconds – is due to technical regulations. This racecar begins in electric mode and only triggers its naturally aspirated cross-plane V8 at 60 kilometers per hour (97 miles per hour). This mode of transition slows it down initially, and moreover, endurance cars typically lack launch control.

Rolling Start Showdown

The playing field shifts dramatically in a rolling start. With Sebastien Bourdais behind the wheel, the lighter Cadillac easily outpaces the Ferrari 296 GTB, even though the latter hooks up strongly at the beginning. Additional drag races against the McLaren 750S and 911 Turbo S further illuminated the nuances of these beasts. The Porsche, heavily loaded at 3,650 pounds (1,656 kilograms), clocked an astonishing 2.4 seconds to reach 60 mph. Yet, both it and the significantly lighter McLaren, at 3,150 pounds (1,429 kilograms), ended up with nearly identical quarter-mile times of 10.4 seconds, with the McLaren narrowly edging out its rival.

Conclusion

This extraordinary drag race event showcased the interplay between power, weight, and technology. The Ferrari 296 GTB Assetto Fiorano may have triumphed in pure acceleration, but the Cadillac V-Series.R made an equally impressive statement with its top-end speed. Moreover, rolling starts displayed the Cadillac’s superior agility. These head-to-head battles underscore the ever-evolving tango between engineering marvels and regulatory boundaries, making for a spectacle that not only excites but deeply intrigues automotive enthusiasts worldwide.