Cadillac whets appetites for the 2016 ATS-V with the ATS-V.R racer

By Stephen Edelstein November 17, 2014

Cadillac isn’t quite ready to revealed its steroidal 2016 ATS-V, but it’s offering a major tease in the form of the ATS-V.R race car.

Unveiled at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, the ATS-V.R is the track-going counterpart to the ATS-V, which will debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show later this week.

Based on the ATS Coupe, the ATS-V.R is built to FIA GT3 specifications, meaning it can race in a wide variety of series for production-based cars around the world.

Power comes courtesy of a tuned version of the 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6 used in the larger CTS Vsport. In this case, though, it makes up to 600 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque. Output may be restricted based on the rules of specific race series.

The engine uses the same aluminum block and heads as production versions, and is lashed to a six-speed sequential gearbox.

The rest of the car gets leaner and meaner bodywork, including a carbon fiber hood, deck lid, doors, and fenders that have been enlarged to house bigger wheels and tires.

There are also the requisite aerodynamic aids for keeping the ATS-V.R glued to the track, and plenty of ducting and vents to facilitate cooling.

The interior is stripped of all of its luxuries and fitted with an eight-point roll cage. No CUE infotainment system here.

Cadillac hasn’t said exactly where the ATS-V.R will race, but it currently campaigns the outgoing CTS-V Coupe in the Pirelli World Challenge.

That series sees everything from Lamborghini Gallardos to Kia Optimas duking it out on the track, and the ATS would be a great addition to the mayhem. It’s also possible that the new car will race overseas as Cadillac works to build up its credibility in Europe.

It’ll also make for some great publicity photos once the street-legal ATS-V arrives. Available in both coupe and sedan forms, it’s expected to pack a similar 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6, but with a less ferocious 420 hp.

Check back here for more on the ATS-V later this week as we roll through our 2014 L.A. Auto Show coverage.

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Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

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