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Cadillac ATS-V.R is a FIA GT3 Twin-Turbo Monster

With the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe set to take the Los Angeles Auto Show by storm on November 18th, the poshest carmaker in the General Motors portfolio isn't going to let it at just that. The new performance coupe also spawned an ATS-V.R FIA GT3-spec racer and good Lord does it look like it's ready to rumble.
Cadillac ATS-V.R GT3 Racecar 11 photos
Photo: Mac Morrison on Twitter
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For the better part of the last decade, Caddy thundered the Pirelli World Challenge series with the V8 burble, ginormous rear wing and muscular shoulders of CTS-V.R coupes. For 2015, however, there's a replacement model dubbed the ATS-V.R and its twin-turbocharged mill is nothing short of exciting.

It's an LF4.R V6 job, the racing variant of the 3.6-liter V6 of the production-spec engine of the ATS-V, but this bad boy makes a berserk "up-to-600-horsepower," which is a lot for a car that was stripped of all comfort features. Upgrades include bigger twin BorgWarner turbochargers, more capable intercoolers, a competition-spec ECU and a direct side-exiting exhaust.

The lightweight aluminum block and heads are counterbalanced by a rear transaxle unique to the ATS-V.R. Couple that with a weight distribution of 49 % front and 51 % rear, an Xtrac sequantial six-speed box, a limited slip diff with 3.13 final drive, SLA suspension and Penske adjustable shocks and let's hear jaws drop.

“This car sounds wicked and screams like it's ripping holes in the air. I love it. We have paddle gear shifters for the first time, and I'm enjoying the new tools. The engine torque is remarkable, as always, pulling strongly out of the corners.” said Andy Pilgrim, Cadillac Racing driver. Teammate Johnny O'Connell added that “On top of its power, its aerodynamic package should pay off in the fast corners and I’m looking forward to unleashing it.”

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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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