PWC: Cadillac reveals GT3-spec twin-turbo V6 ATS-V.R

PWC GT champions Johnny O'Connell and Andy Pilgrim will spearhead the development as the veteran drivers prepare the factory ATS-V.R platform to make its series debut the weekend of March 7-8 at Circuit of The Americas. Prior to COTA, Pratt & Miller Engineering will continue to hone the chassis, which was built to global FIA GT3 specifications, during pre-season testing.

"What we love about sports car racing is it is production-based. We are moving to a coupe variant off of the ATS with our third-generation V series cars. It made sense to move to that platform. With the CTS-V racecar, we had a great thing. The vehicle was great to us, winning three consecutive Drivers' and Manufacturers' championships," Cadillac global marketing director Jim Vurpillat told RACER.

"As we looked at what we wanted to do going forward as a brand, there's no secret we're trying to grow Cadillac on a global basis and a GT3-spec racecar would give us options and flexibility. Obviously, with the influx of GT3 cars in Pirelli World Challenge and some of the advantages that those bring, we thought to stay on that competitive curve, it was time to make a change."

The decision to shift from the CTS-V.R's PWC-specific construction to the adopting full GT3 regulations for the ATS-V.R was done with the future in mind. The initial outlet for the new car will be in PWC, according to Vurpillat, but sales of the homologated ATS-V.R for use in any of the 30 different international series that accept GT3 cars was an underlying motivation.

"Whether we want to start to expand our racing exploits in Europe, in Asia, or the Middle East, the easiest thing to do is create a vehicle that the specs and the homologation allows you to do it very efficiently and easily, as opposed to trying to do one-off cars for any series you might want to enter," he said.

"We believe that a strong factory effort is key to the success of any racing program. So for 2015, it will be a factory-based program in the Pirelli World Challenge. We're going to be back in that series to defend our title. We like the growth of the series, we like what's happening there."

Vurpillat expects customer cars to be made available for 2016, which would align with the TUDOR Championship's move to full GT3 specs in the GTD class, and allow teams outside of North America to purchase the ATS-V.R for use in the Blancpain Endurance Series, among others.

"If people picked up the phone and called us for '15, I would say no. It's a development year for the car, really," he explained.

"But we do see opportunities out there in the rest of the world. There are other series in the U.S. to maybe start customer support racing. We have nothing to announce on that but, clearly, we think that is a way. That model is a very efficient and effective way to grow your performance footprint and we'll definitely explore those opportunities."

Transitioning from the one-of-a-kind rumble produced by the V8 CTS-V.R (see gallery below of the various iterations of the CTS racecar through the years, Marshall Pruett photos) to smaller 3.6-liter TTV6s follows GM Racing's recent emphasis on promoting its forced-induction technology. Through its longstanding relationship with racing engine builder Ilmor, GM uses a 2.2-liter TTV6 Chevy powerplant in the Verizon IndyCar Series, and with its ATS-V.R motor, Vurpillat says the decision was made to keep the project in-house and in the hands of GM Racing's powertrain experts.

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"What we really like is the heart of the racecar being the 3.6-liter twin turbo, there's a production variant of that, and I love that linkage between the two of them," he adds, referencing the 600hp production-based LF4.R engine. "I think that gives us a great marketing story to talk to our owners, to talk to dealers, to talk to prospective buyers. The whole idea of racing for us is growing the Cadillac brand and the performance credentials. If you can tie the racecar to the streetcar, you just get more credibility."

Seeing a Cadillac motor by in PWC will have a different audio experience beginning in 2015, and Vurpillat expects the ATS-V.R to make just as big of an impression as its predecessor.

"I think it'll be a new sound for the fans to love," he enthused. "Having heard the car – and it is different than the previous car – it is definitely distinct and it is definitely still loud. You'll still be able to tell the Cadillacs when they go by. It is a unique sound signature, and it's something that we are excited about."

Andy Pilgrim has already fallen in love with his new racecar, and thinks it could continue Cadillac's championship-winning ways next season.

"This car sounds wicked and screams like it's ripping holes in the air. I love it," he said. "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."

Cadillac ATS-V.R specifications