Cadillac ATS-V.R GT3
A typical car enthusiast thinks of Cadillac as a classic American brand from the past with enormous cars, chrome fins and soft suspension. A Cadillac in motorsport? Practically impossible! However, you will be surprised since in the last few years, Cadillac has been one of the most successful manufacturers in Pirelli World Championship, a GT3 class endurance series in America. With a brutal CTS-V.R, it has won three championships in a row.
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Cadillac ATS-V.R GT3
New age Cadillac race car
In late 2014, the new addition to Cadillac performance line-up was added – the ATS-V a BMW M3/4 fighter with bi-turbo V6 engine and world class road holding and manners. Very soon after the presentation of the street version a racing model was introduced – the Cadillac ATS-V.R. The new car is built to FIA GT3 specifications so it is eligible for over 30 racing series around the world, including the famous Blancpain GT Series.
Cadillac ATS-V.R GT3 in action
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The team behind fantastic Corvette C7.R designed this Caddy
The specifications of Cadillac ATS-V.R are very interesting and this racer is built in cooperation with renowned company Pratt &Miller Engineering, known for their success with the Corvette racing program. Pratt &Miller Engineering are responsible for the chassis and suspension components and the Cadillac racing division did the rest.
The engine is a 3.6 bi-turbo V6 unit is based on the production engine and it is limited to 600 bhp, a GT3 standard. The gearbox is six speed sequential unit which is controlled by shifters on the steering wheel. In construction, modern materials were used, so the race-ready car weighs only 1300 kilograms. The old CTS-V R model had a naturally aspirated V8 engine and conventional manual transmission, so the new ATS-V.R is a big step forward in terms of construction, components and engine technology.
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Cadillac ATS-V.R GT3
Although the new ATS-V.R was introduced in late 2014, the 2015 season is reserved for testing and selected race events with full first season in 2016. The Cadillac racing division’s plan is to promote the car in Europe, Asia and the Middle East where Cadillac has big presence but not in motorsport. However, looking at the initial response its looks like this car is going to change that.
Since the ATS-V.R is interesting for Blancpain GT Series, we could expect this Cadillac in Europe next year. The customers can expect first deliveries of the new American racer in late 2015. It would be very interesting to see a Cadillac fight on Europe’s best race tracks with the Europe’s best racing cars. In regards of news coming from America which include a Ford GT, Shelby GT350R, Corvette and now Cadillac racing program, it looks like a big American racing attack is coming in near future.
Photo: autowp.ru
