The Cadillac DPi-V.R is amazing, despite its clunky name

This is the Cadillac DPi-V.R.

It's set to compete in the Prototype class in the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

This represents Cadillac's return to prototype racing after a 14-year absence.

Power comes from a 6.2-liter, naturally aspirated V8.

Output is pegged at a specified 600 horsepower.

The whole thing weighs just 2,050 pounds, which is less than a new Mazda MX-5 Miata.

All that power heads to the rear wheels by way of a paddle-shift transmission.

It looks like a Cadillac, as manufacturers are allowed to create bodywork reminiscent of road-going models.

Cadillac worked with Dallara on this car, which supplied the automaker with the chassis.

Keep on scrolling to check out even more great pictures of this prototype racer.

The all-new Cadillac DPi-V.R race car is propelled by a race-prepared, normally-aspirated Cadillac 6.2 liter V-8 engine which shares inherent architecture with the engines of the third-generation Cadillac CTS-V (640 horsepower) and fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade (420 horsepower).

The Cadillac DPi-V.R race car is equipped with the new Rear Camera Mirror, first seen on the Cadillac CT6 Sedan and available on the Cadillac CTS, XT5 and Escalade for the 2017 model year.

The design details giving the Cadillac DPi-V.R race car its distinctive Cadillac’ appearance and presence include the vertical lighting signature; the sheer, sculptural quality of the body and bold bodyside feature line, V-Performance wheels with Brembo brakes, V-Performance emblems and a canopy graphic inspired by the Cadillac daylight opening.

The front of the all-new Cadillac DPi-V.R race car. The design details giving the DPi-V.R car its distinctive Cadillac’ appearance and presence include the vertical lighting signature; the sheer, sculptural quality of the body and bold bodyside feature line, V-Performance wheels with Brembo brakes, V-Performance emblems and a canopy graphic inspired by the Cadillac daylight opening.

The rear of the all-new Cadillac DPi-V.R race car. The design details giving the DPi-V.R car its distinctive Cadillac’ appearance and presence include the vertical lighting signature; the sheer, sculptural quality of the body and bold bodyside feature line, V-Performance wheels with Brembo brakes, V-Performance emblems and a canopy graphic inspired by the Cadillac daylight opening.

The profile of the all-new Cadillac DPi-V.R race car. The design details giving the DPi-V.R car its distinctive Cadillac’ appearance and presence include the vertical lighting signature; the sheer, sculptural quality of the body and bold bodyside feature line, V-Performance wheels with Brembo brakes, V-Performance emblems and a canopy graphic inspired by the Cadillac daylight opening.

The all-new Cadillac DPi-V.R race car has been designed to contribute to the functional performance of the prototype using elements gleaned from the current line-up of Cadillac V-Performance models, especially the CTS-V supersedan. Above all, the DPi-V.R was developed to perform, via testing in the wind tunnel and engineering development.

A sketch of the all-new Cadillac DPi-V.R race car from Cadillac designer Dillon Blanski. The design details giving the DPi-V.R car its distinctive Cadillac’ appearance and presence include the vertical lighting signature; the sheer, sculptural quality of the body and bold bodyside feature line, V-Performance wheels with Brembo brakes, V-Performance emblems and a canopy graphic inspired by the Cadillac daylight opening.