Cadillac’s seventh-place finish at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans may have been a disappointment, but it will be back next year and is launching two special edition production cars celebrating its history in the event.
The 2025 Cadilac CT5-V Blackwing ‘Le Monstre’ and CT4-V Blackwing ‘Petite Pataud’ are inspired by the cars that the brand entered in the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The original ‘Le Monstre’ (The Monster) was a highly modified prototype with a streamlined body while the ‘Petite Pataud’ (Little Clumsy) was a race-prepared Cadillac Series 61 Coupe.
Both cars feature their standard specifications, which include a 668 hp supercharged V8 in Le Monstre and a 427 hp turbocharged V6 in the Petite Pataud.
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The exteriors combine a Magnus Matte silver with blue-tinted carbon fiber pieces, gloss black mirror caps, blue brake calipers, black badges and number inlays on the door with the No. 2 and No. 3 from the race cars.
The numbers are embroidered into the seats and the upholstery accented with blue leather inserts and stitching.
The cars also get commemorative 3-D printed shifter inserts, sill plates and numbered plaques.
Pricing hasn’t been announced, but production of the Le Monstre will be limited to 101 units and Petite Pataud to 50.
The standard CT5-V Blackwing currently starts at $96,990 and the CT4-V Blackwing at $62,890. Both are offered with the choice of a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission and are only available with rear-wheel-drive.
Cadillac’s V-Series.R prototype race car competes in the IMSA GTP class and in select WEC Hypercar races.
Cadillac head designer, Michael Simcoe, recently told Drive that the addition of a supercar to its production lineup is a possibility.
“Could we build one? Yes. Would we like to? Yes. Are we building one? That would be giving too much away,” Mr Simcoe said coyly.