Cadillac: All New ATS-V Race Car for FIA GT3
By Mike Garcia
Cadillac is making a race version of their entry-level ATS model.
The new, up-to-600-horsepower ATS-V.R meets international FIA GT3 specifications.
"”The V-Series is the highest expression of Cadillac’s rising product substance,” said Johan de Nysschen, Cadillac president. “Elevating and expanding the V-Series is the next logical step in Cadillac’s growth, including this new race car developed in GT3-specification, enabling us to pursue racing on a more global scale.”"
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The ATS-V.R includes a 3.6 liter V6 with twin turbos, built to racing specifications. Larger, twin BorgWarner turbo chargers, larger intercoolers, competition engine management systems, and a side exhaust are included upgrades for the GT3-spec car.
The lightweight aluminum block and heads are counterbalanced by a rear transaxle unique to the race car, giving the ATS-V.R a weight distribution of 49 percent front, 51 percent rear.
Cadillac ATS-V.R Specifications
Model | Cadillac ATS-V.R |
Construction | Reinforced eight-point welded roll cage; carbon fiber hood, deck-lid, front fenders, doors, rear fenders |
Engine | LF4.R 3.6L, Twin-Turbo V-6 with production aluminum block and heads, up to 600 HP@7400 RPM torque 520 ft-lb (unrestricted), developed and built by GM Powertrain |
Fuel supply | 120 liter (31.7 gallons) fuel cell |
Engine management | Bosch MS5.1, programmable |
Turbocharging | BorgWarner EFR Series twin-turbochargers, boost set to FIA specifications |
Intake | Carbon fiber with integral high-capacity water-to-air-intercoolers |
Exhaust | Side exit direct exhaust from turbos, no mufflers |
Transmission | Xtrac sequential six-speed rear-mounted transaxle; steering wheel-mounted paddle shift; no lift shift; limited slip differential with 3.13 final drive |
Traction control | Electronic, driver adjustable |
Brakes | Brembo, six-pot front with 380mm rotor, four pot rear with 355mm rotor; Bosch ABS M4 controls with driver-adjustable modes |
Suspension | Three-way Penske adjustable shocks, front and rear independent SLA suspension |
Chassis | Reinforced production unibody with race-designed safety cage |
Pedals | Close-ratio foot pedal box, accelerator, brake, clutch pedals |
Steering | ZF hydraulic power-assisted rack and pinion steering |
Wheels | BBS 12” x 18” aluminum front and 13” x 18” rears |
Tires | Racing tires, front 315/680 x 18, rear 325/705 x 18, series spec |
Aero kit | Carbon fiber five-piece aero kit including side skirts, front splitter, fascia and dive planes, rear diffuser and rear bumper cover |
Dry weight (lb/kg) | 2,900 /1,315 |
Other features | Motorola two-way radio; Pratt & Miller-developed side-impact-reducing crush box, carbon fiber custom-molded cool seat and competition driver air conditioning system; Willans six-point racing driver seat belts; dash display rearview cameras |
Since its inception in 2004, Cadillac Racing has amassed 26 wins, 91 podium finishes (including wins) and 22 pole positions with the CTS-V sedan and CTS-V Coupe race cars. Cadillac is a five-time winner of the Pirelli World Challenge Manufacturer Championship, including the series’ past three seasons, as well as 2005 and 2007. Team Cadillac drivers won the Pirelli World Challenge Driver’s Championship in 2005 with Pilgrim and in 2014, 2013 and 2012 with driver Johnny O’Connell.
The curb weight of the vehicle after the modifications is 2,900 lbs. That is considered lightweight considering the curb weight of the ATS is 3,461 lbs. for the base model.