Cadillac unveils Wayne Taylor Racing's Le Mans livery
Cadillac unveiled the livery in which the Wayne Taylor Racing squad will make its maiden assault on the Le Mans 24 Hours next month.
WTR's solo V-Series.R LMDh entered for the double-points round of the World Endurance Championship on 14-15 June will be backed by oil company Mobil 1.
Advertisement
The primary sponsorship by Mobil 1 of the Cadillac WTR Hypercar class entry follows the extension earlier this year of the partnership between Cadillac's new full-season representative in the WEC, the British Jota team which has moved across from running a pair of customer Porsche 963 LMDhs.
It takes the place of DEX Imaging, the sponsor of WTR's two-car assault on the IMSA SportsCar Championship this year.
The car was given a shakedown in its new livery at the Putnam Park circuit near Indianapolis last Friday prior to its shipment to Europe.
The #101 WTR Caddy, to be raced by team founder Wayne Taylor's sons Ricky and Jordan and Filipe Albuquerque, is one of two additional entries from the General Motors brand at Le Mans this year.
Advertisement
It is joining Action Express Racing, which like WTR competes full time in IMSA.
Action Express raced at Le Mans alongside Chip Ganassi Racing, which represented Cadillac in the WEC in 2023-24.
Manufacturers contesting the full WEC are allowed to file additional entries for Le Mans, but do not score points with the extra cars.
Mobil 1 strategic global alliance manager Tony Esposito said: 'This new livery reflects what our work with Cadillac is all about – performance, passion and pushing boundaries.
'We're thrilled to see it come to life on track at Le Mans, where our legacy in motorsport continues.'
Jota's cars will retain the usual livery
Jota's cars will retain the usual livery
Paul Foster
Paul Foster
Advertisement
Jota's pair of V-Series.Rs, #12 and #38, will continue in the livery in which they have contested the opening three rounds of this year's WEC.
The Action Express car, entered under the Cadillac Whelen banner, will run in the same colours as at Le Mans last year and with the race number #311 again.
WTR is going to Le Mans for the first time with an impressive pedigree in North American endurance racing.
It won the Daytona 24 Hours four times in five years between 2017 and 2021 with Cadillac and, in the last of those seasons, Acura, as well claiming Sebring 12 Hours victories with both manufacturers.
Advertisement
Wayne Taylor has made no secret that his desire to take a team he established in 2007 to Le Mans was one of the reasons for his return to the GM fold for this season after four years with Honda brand Acura in IMSA.
He contested the race 13 times as a driver between 1987 and 2002, scoring a fourth on debut in the Kremer-run Porsche 962C and an LMP1 class victory driving a Doyle-Risi Racing Ferrari 333SP in 1998.
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Newsweek
38 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Mercedes Formula One Team Reports Massive $120 Million Revenue Boost
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Mercedes Formula One team has reported a significant revenue increase of approximately $120 million (as per today's exchange rates). Sixty percent of the earnings come from sponsorship and licensing. From the data published by the UK's Companies House, as published by Mercedes Grand Prix Limited, the parent company of the Mercedes F1 team, reported a turnover of approximately $856 million (£636 million) in 2024, which is a stark increase from 2023's $735 million (£546.5 million). Consequently, profits too have jumped significantly. Mercedes recorded an approximate $112.7 million (£83.8 million) net profit in 2023, with the number rising to $162 million (£120.34 million) in 2024, an increase of approximately $50 million. Mercedes' British driver George Russell pulls into pit lane after winning the 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on June 15, 2025. Mercedes' British driver George Russell pulls into pit lane after winning the 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on June 15, 2025. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images It is noteworthy that Mercedes received a significant share of the F1 prize money for securing second place in the 2023 Constructors' Championship, which increased its revenue in 2024 since payments are processed the following year. As a result of the positive earnings, the team's three shareholders, Mercedes-Benz Group, team principal Toto Wolff, and Ineos, will receive an ordinary dividend of approximately $168 million (£125 million). However, it remains to be seen what impact Mercedes' performance in the 2024 season will have on its earnings, considering it secured fourth place in the championship. In addition, it would be interesting to see a change in the percentage of earnings from sponsorships, given seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton's exit from the team after the 2024 season. Speaking of 2025, the season has been dominated by McLaren thus far. Mercedes achieved its first win in the previous round in Montreal, where the team's lead driver, George Russell, started from pole position and led the race for the majority of the laps to secure his first win of the year. However, rumors are doing the rounds that Russell is on Aston Martin's radar for the 2026 season, when the sport enters a new era of regulations. Newsweek Sports reported Russell's comments, who confirmed the interest shown by other teams but emphasized his intention to continue racing for Mercedes. He said: "No, I'm not talking with anybody else and any teams who have shown interest. I have been quite open to say my intentions are to stay with Mercedes. That's always been clear. "And, you know, I am loyal to Mercedes. They gave me this chance to get into Formula 1. There haven't been any hard feelings with any of the talks that have been going around, you know, especially around Max because, like I said numerous times, why wouldn't teams be interested in Max if everybody could, if every driver had a clean, no contracts for next year, Max would be the number one for every single team. And that's understandable. "But ultimately there are two seats for every race team and I knew if I continued to perform as I'm doing, my position would not be under threat whatsoever. So, I feel in a good place. We're in no rush to do contract negotiations."

Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
Nissan Rogue Generations Overview: How It Became The Top-Selling Nissan
Many years after Honda and Toyota established their grip on the compact crossover segment with the CR-V and RAV4, Nissan arrived on the scene with the Rogue. Like those crossovers, the Rogue aimed to be a little bit of everything to buyers: Cheap enough, practical enough, and with a bit more rough-road capability than a sedan or hatchback. Over three generations, the Rogue has gone on to become Nissan's best-selling model in the United States; only the Sentra is anywhere close to it in 2025 so far. Here's an overview of each Rogue generation and how the crossover has changed through the years. This Nissan Rogue's model years were from 2008 to 2013, after going on sale in 2007. It had slightly oddball styling from the front, even after a mid-cycle refresh for 2011. Power comes from a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, with front-wheel drive being standard and all-wheel drive an option. From the Nissan Rogue's first year, all models used a CVT, and this has generally been one of the Rogue's weak points. Not only did the CVT create a noisy, unrefined driving experience, but this transmission was unreliable, even leading to a class-action lawsuit filed against the brand. If you're willing to live with the CVT and keep up with maintenance, the rest of the Rogue package is pleasant enough. Efficiency was good, crash-safety scores were high, and the Rogue was practical enough. It's a pity that this model was held back by a lackluster powertrain. Related: Toyota RAV4 Generations Overview: Evolution Of The Crossover Pioneer Manufactured for the 2014 to 2020 model years, the second-gen Rogue was a larger and more handsome crossover. Nissan managed to free up enough space for an optional third row, something that set apart the T32 from most rivals, although it could only offer up 31.4 inches of legroom in this back row. The company persisted with its CVT transmission and the same 170-hp four-cylinder engine, so there was no improvement in performance. Reliability remained an issue with the CVT, so much so that Nissan extended the warranty on second-gen Rogues, but that was merely a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. For the 2017 model year, the Rogue gained a hybrid model with 176 hp - it returned up to 34 mpg combined, as opposed to the non-hybrid model's 29 mpg. Overall, the second-gen Rogue was more practical but continued to be let down by sluggish acceleration and CVT issues. Despite this, Rogue sales in the USA reached over 400,000 annual units in 2017 and 2018, the last time it achieved this level of sales success. Related: Hyundai Tucson Generations Overview: How This RAV4 Rival Has Evolved On sale since the 2021 model year, the T33 is the current generation of the Nissan Rogue. Inside and out, this is a big leap forward, with the T33 boasting the smartest of all Nissan Rogue body styles and a plush interior, especially on top trims, which get features like quilted leather upholstery. Initially, Nissan stuck with its 2.5L four-pot with 181 hp, but this was soon replaced by an all-new 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine. This smaller mill had variable compression technology, allowing for a better balance of power and economy. Its 201 hp and 225 lb-ft were better than before, and FWD models can achieve 33 mpg combined. Unfortunately, Nissan continued to stick with a CVT, spoiling the driving experience. In December 2013, an investigation into engine failure was also opened, concerning the 1.5-liter unit, continuing a theme of powertrain maladies that have affected all generations of the Rogue. We do know that a new Rogue Hybrid is on the way, and this will fill a major gap in the Rogue lineup, since the RAV4 and CR-V both have more powerful hybrid options. We only hope this model achieves the performance, refinement, and reliability to match the many strong attributes of the T33. Related: This Is The Most Reliable Nissan Rogue Model Year Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Best budget luxury cars for 2025: Affordable elegance under $45K
For those searching for a luxury badge on a budget, the cheapest luxury cars remain an enticing group — less expensive than SUVs yet just as nice as entry-level SUVs from major luxury brands, they're the perfect entry point for those looking for fancier wheels. Many renowned brands offer these entry-level luxury sedans for much less than the average new car sells for, and some of these inexpensive luxury-branded models offer genuine luxury. Some are just a cash-in relying on the badge, but there are several that offer real luxury comfort, technology and performance for affordable prices. These are the ten most affordable luxury cars you can buy in 2025: 1. Acura Integra - $34,195 The least expensive luxury car by a solid margin is the 2025 Acura Integra, and it manages that while still being solidly built and plenty comfortable — if not as luxurious as it could be, thanks in part to its Honda Civic bones. Is a gussied-up Civic good enough to cross-shop against an entry-level Audi or BMW? By our evaluation and testing, it's more than that, and absolutely. The Integra's 200-hp base engine does have lower performance than the cars above it on this list, but it's much more practical thanks to its large hatchback trunk area. Overall comfort isn't lacking, its fuel economy is great, and its driving dynamics are fun. Read our experts' full Acura Integra review 2. Cadillac CT4 Luxury Sedan - $36,490 There are very few fancy cars available for under $40,000, and fewer that are worth it. The 2025 Cadillac CT4 straddles that line. Handling and chassis dynamics are excellent, even in the base car without any of the performance enhancements available further up the range. Almost anywhere in the range, the Cadillac is noticeably cheaper than its rivals; the CT4 is the cheapest RWD luxury car you can get, in fact. But the back seat and truck are cramped, and the base engine doesn't stir the soul like its competitors do. Read our experts' full Cadillac CT4 review 3. Audi A3 40 Premium Sedan - $39,495 While expensive for a subcompact car, the 2025 Audi A3 is the third-cheapest luxury car currently available in the U.S. The cabin remains tight, and it isn't as well isolated as larger and more expensive Audis' interiors, so it's relatively loud on the freeway. Also, the trunk is small, and the regular A3 isn't particularly fun to drive — that's what the pricier S3 performance model is for. Read our experts' full Audi A3 review Finding the car for you: The best compact pickup trucks you can buy in 2025 4. BMW 228i Gran Coupe - $40,775 As the least expensive car in the BMW lineup, the 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe has some genuinely impressive upsides, including a segment-busting amount of interior space and a pair of good powertrain options (the more affordable of which is the 228i's turbo four), though its potentially harsh ride does not help its luxury car credentials. We'll have to see for ourselves if the 2025 refresh addresses that. Overall, the rest of BMW's lineup makes the Gran Coupe somewhat redundant, as those going for fun will opt for the two-door 2 Series Coupe, and those seeking practicality will likely just get an X1 SUV for roughly the same price. Read our experts' full BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe review 5. Lexus IS300 Sedan - $41,360 The 2025 Lexus IS still looks good, even though it's getting on in years. The entry-level IS300 model's turbocharged four-cylinder engine is fine, but the up-level IS350's 311-hp V-6 is more interesting (and the IS500's V-8 even more so). Of course, those IS models cost more money. All IS models have cramped back seats and a general lack of refinement when compared to the competition, which, again, largely comes down to this sedan's age. It also still uses Lexus's maligned touchpad-operated infotainment system, and not the newer, crisper touchscreen setup found in newer Lexus models. Read our experts' full Lexus IS review 6. BMW 230i Coupe - $40,375 Confusingly, there are technically two wholly different BMWs under the 2 Series banner. As it happens, the very slightly more expensive model with two doors is simply called the Coupe, and it's not just one of the least expensive BMWs, but the lightest and smallest sportiest coupe in the company's lineup. The base 2 Series Coupe has nice front-engine, rear-drive dynamics and a good powertrain, with our main complaint being a lack of standard driver assist features like adaptive cruise. For a car with two more doors and less sporting intentions, you can spend a few hundred dollars less and get the four-door Gran Coupe, which is a front-wheel-drive vehicle that shares a platform with the BMW X1 and the Mini Cooper Countryman. Read our experts' full BMW 2 Series Coupe review In case you missed it: See the 10 dumbest cars of all time 7. Lexus ES350 - $43,215 The Lexus ES is a surprise entrant on this list, and a must-see if you're hoping for a luxury sedan that's both attainable and much, much larger than anything else at this price point. Unlike virtually every other luxury car on this list, which fall into the entry-level subcompact and compact size classes, the ES is a large car, a sort of plus-size midsize sedan. At its most affordable, the ES comes with a smooth and powerful V-6 engine (in ES350 guise) — but a much more efficient hybrid (ES300h) is available for about a thousand bucks more. The ES350 is a true luxury machine, with a quiet cabin, cosseting ride, high-class materials throughout, and the scale one expects from an executive sedan. Soon, the ES is being replaced by a new-generation model that's only available as a hybrid ES350h or an all-electric ES350e or ES500e for 2026, making this 2025 ES350 your last chance for a six-cylinder ES. Read our experts' full Lexus ES review 8. Genesis G70 2.5T RWD Standard - $43,850 Beautiful design and dynamic poise make the 2025 Genesis G70 an easy recommendation for those unattached to a European luxury badge. More exciting to drive and look at than most of its competition, the G70's negatives are related more to practicality than passion. The trunk doesn't offer much space, and the gas mileage (21/29 mpg city/highway for the base four-cylinder model) is middling at best. But for those more interested in the ways a luxury car can excite, the powerful 300-hp turbocharged I-4 will do the trick. Read our experts' full Genesis G70 review 9. Volvo S60 - $43,795 Meet the only Swede on this list, Volvo's handsome S60 sedan. This four-door competes in the compact luxury sedan segment against the likes of the Lexus IS above, BMW's 3 Series and others. That makes it more usefully sized than some of the smaller subcompacts on this list, though it's not as spacious as Lexus's big ES350. Every S60 comes with Volvo's aura of safety, as well as a comprehensive list of actual safety equipment, plus understated, almost elegant styling inside and out. The entry-level S60 gets a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with mild hybridization. Read our experts' full Volvo S60 review 10. Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD - $44,130 We recently found that getting the maximum everything variant of an EV is by no means a necessity, including for the 2025 Tesla Model 3. This refreshed Highland model gets better driving dynamics and plenty of targeted improvements, though range and performance are similar to their already good original numbers. The optional (and expensive) Full Self-Driving feature remains untrustworthy, the lack of an instrument cluster is still a bad idea, and Tesla continues to overestimate the range; we managed only 211 miles on a charge when cruising at 70 mph in the entry-level single-motor, Long Range Model 3. Charging speed is quite reasonable, with a Supercharger able to replenish 118 miles of range in 15 minutes or 184 miles in 30 minutes. If you can look past the brand's current woes, given its CEO's polarizing turn in government, the Model 3 remains a premium long-range EV sold at mainstream prices and a thorn in the sides of de-facto competitors such as Hyundai's Ioniq 6. Read our experts' full Tesla Model 3 review The cheapest luxury cars you can buy in 2025 Photos by MotorTrend Staff, Manufacturer, Ryan Lugo