Monday 17th November 2014
Cadillac ATS-V.R racer launched
V6 GT3 car to be shown alongside road car at LA this week
It's LA show week and with PH in attendance bear with us if at times we take a bit of a Stateside focus on cars that may, or may not, have any relevance for European markets. This debut is one we think you'll like though.
Your eyes don't deceive you; it's that big
The ATSdashVdotR is relevant because it's built to international FIA GT3 spec. Ergo it can compete in races across the globe, including events in Europe like the Spa and Nurburgring 24 Hours plus the Silverstone round of the Blancpain Endurance Series. It also means there's the potential for this Cadillac to race against the Bentley Continental GT3, the Mercedes SLS GT3 and various others sports cars from Europe's best. This we want to see.
Cadillac claims the ATS-V.R will produce 'up to 600hp' at 7,400rpm from a 3.6-litre twin-turbo V6. Yep, this feast of stars 'n' stripes motorsport power doesn't even have a V8. The LF4.R engine is based on the unit found in the CTS V Sport but with new Borg Warner turbos, bigger intercoolers and a host of other competition mods. There is of course a side-exit exhaust too. This is a racing car after all. Expect the standard version of this engine to feature in the roadgoing ATS-V also making its debut at LA this week. So it does have at least one link back to the road car.
Styling like this needs a V8, surely?
2014 in fact marks a decade of Cadillac Racing and the team has amassed 26 wins and 22 pole positions in that time with coupe and saloon versions of the old CTS-V. Cadillac President (ex of Infiniti) Johan de Nysschen says "Elevating and expanding the V-Series is the next logical step in Cadillac's growth, including the new race car developed in GT3 specification." Nice to see a manufacturer still prioritising motorsport. For a more honest appraisal of the ATS-V.R, here's what racer Andy Pilgrim thinks "The car sounds wicked and screams like it's ripping holes in the air," He says. "I love it." He should work in sales...
Cadillac says the ATS-V.R is set to race in 2015. More details on the car and the roadgoing ATS-V as they're available.
