The global stage is set, and the thunder of American V8 power is about to echo through the historic hills of Emilia-Romagna. Zohari Cars is thrilled to cover the critical next steps for Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA as they head to Imola, Italy, for the start of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season. The team is preparing for a double-header event at the iconic Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, beginning with the official pre-season test—the WEC Prologue—immediately followed by the season opener: the 6 Hours of Imola. This is the moment for Cadillac to assert its dominance in the hypercompetitive Hypercar class.

The V-Series.R: Forged for Endurance

Cadillac’s weapon for WEC glory is the formidable V-Series.R, a specialized hybrid LMDh prototype built on a Dallara chassis. For the 2026 season, Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA will field two V-Series.R Hypercars, powered by a purpose-built 5.5-liter naturally aspirated DOHC V8 engine. This engine is integrated with a spec hybrid system that meets the 670 HP (500 kW) regulations. To support this grunt, the V-Series.R features specialized aerodynamic bodywork designed for maximum downforce at technical circuits like Imola, ensuring the Cadillac remains as precise through the twists as it is powerful on the straights.

Strategy and Synergy: The JOTA Edge

The expanded partnership with Hertz Team JOTA gives Cadillac a significant operational edge. For the first time, Cadillac will campaign two full-season entries in WEC, doubling its data acquisition and strategic options. To manage this massive scale, JOTA has implemented an all-star driver lineup, blending established Cadillac V-Series drivers with JOTA’s race-winning talent pool. Furthermore, the V-Series.R features specialized ccNC infotainment integration for real-time race telemetry access, ensuring the engineering crew can make split-second strategic calls that prioritize performance and fuel efficiency above all else.

At Zohari Cars, we view the collaboration between Cadillac and Hertz Team JOTA as a defining force in modern endurance racing. By combining GM’s legendary engineering might with JOTA’s proven operational excellence, Cadillac is ensuring that "sheer racing pleasure" remains a dominant force. With 3 million miles of prototype proof behind the V-Series platform, the expectations for Imola are higher than ever. Stay tuned as we go "On-Grid" for an exclusive retrospective on the standard assist and safety tech that defines the Cadillac hypercar. The future of racing has a new beat.