Cadillac's->ke18 venture into racing with the CTS->ke1200 began in 2004, when GT3-spec sedans->ke142 were fielded in the SCCA World Challenge series. The CTS brought home the manufacturer's championship in 2005 and 2007 before switching to a coupe body style. Equally successful, the second-gen CTS-V.R won back-to-back Pirelli World Challenge titles in 2012 and 2013. As manufacturers like Mercedes,->ke187 McLaren,->ke284 Lamborghini,->ke44 Porsche->ke1 and Bentley->ke15 joined the PWC in 2014, the CTS-V.R became less competitive in the series. Although it eventually managed to clinch its third consecutive title, it became rather clear that the CTS would fail to do the same in 2015. As a result, Cadillac decided a new race car->ke148 has to be built, this time around based on the smaller 2016 ATS-V Coupe.

Rumors of Cadillac's plans to drop the CTS-V-R in favor of an ATS-V-based coupe for the Pirelli World Challenge surfaced back in August 2014, with a prototype spotted in a shipping yard a month later. As we're heading towards the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show->ke211, Cadillac has finally confirmed it will return to the PWC with the brand-new race car in the form of a menacing ATS-V. Dubbed ATS-V.R, the new racing coupe follows into the footsteps of its predecessor as far as aerodynamics go, but features updated technology and, more importantly, a brand new engine under the hood.

A lightweight, twin-turbo, 3.6-liter V-6 comes to replace the previous naturally aspirated, 6.2-liter V-8, as the racing scene loses yet another manufacturer using all-motor motivation. Despite this decrease, the ATS-V.R is equally powerful when compared to the CTS-V.R. The new unit cranks out up to 600 horsepower, a figure that's sure to give Caddy's rivals a lot to think about.

Updated 11/14/2014: Cadillac has revealed all of the details on the 2016 ATS-V.R race race. Check out all the information after the jump.

Updated 01/23/2015: We've added a series of new images from the car's official debut at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Check the new images in the "Pictures" tab.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Cadillac ATS-V.R Race Car.

2015 Cadillac ATS-V.R

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Cadillac ATS-V.R
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 600 @ 7400
  • Torque: 520
  • Transmission: Xtrac sequential six-speed
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Although Cadillac ditched the CTS-V body for an ATS-V shell, the brand-new race car received body upgrades similar to its predecessor. The aero kit includes ultra-wide fenders, a beefier front bumper, a revised vented hood, a massive rear diffuser, and a large, fixed rear wing. A full under-tray ensures the air beneath the car is directed to the rear diffuser for an optimum downforce-producing effect. The side mirrors have been replaced as well, with the new ones keeping aerodynamic drag to a minimum.

The lowered suspension, the wider, 18-inch tires, and the side-exiting exhaust contributes to the ATS-V.R fast and aggressive appearance. Naturally, the body is wrapped in a colorful livery that blends black, gray, yellow, orange, red, brown and blue. Expect this presentation livery to be replaced by racing decals throughout the season.

Interior

Cadillac had no details to share about the car's interior, but it's safe to assume the automaker ditched all the luxury features coming with the road-legal ATS-V. In exchange, the coupe was fitted with a host of GT3-spec racing gear, including bolstered seats with multi-point harnesses, a multifunctional steering wheel, an FIA-approved full roll cage, new pedals, and a race-specific shifter.

Drivetrain

Powering Cadillac's brand-new track machine is the LF4.R, the racing version of the twin-turbocharged, 3.6-liter, V-6 engine found in the Cadillac CTS Vsport. The mill is also similar than the one motivating the road-legal ATS-V, but with upgrades for extra horsepower and enhanced durability. Race-spec updates include larger, twin BorgWarner turbochargers, increased-capacity intercoolers, and a competition engine management system.

Cadillac says the six-banger cranks out up to 600 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque, in accordance to FIA GT3 specifications. The ATS-V.R is more powerful than both the Audi R8 LMS Ultra and the McLaren 650S GT3, two of its most coveted rivals for the 2015 season.

The engine isn't the only unique component of the ATS-V.R's drivetrain. The race car also receives a bespoke, Xtrac sequential six-speed transaxle, giving it a weight distribution of 49 percent front and 51 percent rear. A limited-slip differential with 3.13 final drive keeps all that power on its best behavior.

Drivetrain Specifications

Type

LF4.R 3.6L, Twin-Turbo V-6 with production aluminum block and heads

Horsepower

600 HP @ 7,400 RPM

Torque

520 LB-FT

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

Top Speed

170 mph


Suspension and Brakes

The ATS-V.R is equipped with independent front and rear SLA suspension and three-way Penske adjustable shocks. That's one of the best packages you can have on a race car nowadays and it proves Cadillac is aiming for its fourth consecutive Pirelli World Challenge title next year. The electronic traction control system is adjustable from the cockpit.

Stopping power is provided by six-piston calipers with 15-inch rotors up front and four-piston calipers with 14-inch rotors on the rear. Power is transmitted to aluminum BBS wheels wrapped in race-spec tires measuring 315/680x18 front and 325/705x18 rear.

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


Competition

Audi R8 LMS Ultra

The Audi R8 LMS Ultra is the car to beat in the Pirelli World Challenge for 2015 after the Germans narrowly missed on winning the manufacturer's title. Based on the familiar R8 supercar, the LMS Ultra is the lightest and most powerful iteration of Audi’s halo vehicle. The lightweight shell is packed with aerodynamic bits, while the upgraded, 5.2-liter, V-10 engine sends no less than 562 horsepower to the rear wheels. That’s 12 ponies more than the R8 V-10 Plus.

The engine mates to a six-speed, sequential gearbox operated by paddle shifters located behind the steering wheel and a host of race-bred systems and electronics. Three teams have used the R8 LMS Ultra throughout the 2014 Pirelli World Challenge season.

McLaren 650S GT3

Much like its predecessor, the MP4-12C, the McLaren 650S also evolved into a GT3 racer. Set to hit the track in 2015 as a replacement for 12C GT3, the 650S also marks the introduction of McLaren’s new racing technology, which includes a revised suspension system, new-generation tires for the track and a cockpit updated to FIA’s latest requirements.

Just like the 12C GT3, the 650S GT3 makes use of the same twin-turbo, 3.8-liter, V-8 engine found in its road-legal sibling. The eight-banger has been detuned to crank out only 493 horsepower, but that should be enough for the carbon-fiber McLaren to hit mind-boggling speeds on North American tracks. A six-speed sequential transmission is in charge with routing the ponies to the rear wheels, with a state-of-the-art braking system to provide the much-needed stopping power.

Lamborghini Huracan GT3

The Huracan is the latest sports car to join GT3 ranks, and although Lamborghini has yet to confirm it will join the Pirelli World Challenge, but it's likely to cross the pond for some high-speed action. Very little is known about the Huracan GT3 as of November 2014, but we expect it to resemble the Huracan Super Trofeo in terms of aerodynamic updates, with emphasis on FIA’s GT3 regulations. An aggressive front bumper with a large splitter, beefed-up side skirts, a menacing rear diffuser, and a massive rear wing are likely to be the highlights of the GT3's exterior.

A no-nonsense cabin with the latest in terms of safety will await its drivers, with the same 5.2-liter, V-10 engine under the hood. Output is still a mystery, but even if the GT3 boasts less power than its road-going sibling, the lightweight body and chassis will help it achieve lightning-fast sprints and mind-boggling top speeds.

Conclusion

Looking at a grid that also includes the Audi R8, the McLaren 650S and the Porsche 911, you might be tempted to believe the ATS-V has no chance at winning the Pirelli World Challenge for the fourth time. And I wouldn't blame you for thinking that way, because the ATS-V.R is the only race car in its category that's not based on an actual sports car. But this was the case with the CTS-V.R too, which speaks volumes about Cadillac's incredible skill to turn a luxurious coupe into a true-blue race car. Getting it to the track is impressive enough, but the CTS-V.R has no less than three manufacturers' titles to its name.

The ATS-V.R was developed with the same purpose in mind: Porsche-, Audi- and McLaren-badged sports cars a run for their money. Cadillac's mission for 2015 is far from simple with so many great machines ready to hit North American tracks, but I'm sure the American brand will put up a good fight. The ATS-V.R needs to win more than just a few races to live up to its successful predecessor.