Cadillac Reportedly Testing New ATS-Based GT3 Racecar

Not long ago we speculated what might be Cadillac’s next move in regards to its GT racing efforts. Cadillac Racing’s CTS-V.R racecar is aging and is becoming increasingly less competitive now that the more FIA GT3-spec cars like the McLaren 12C GT3 have begun to compete in the Pirelli World Challenge. General Motors knows this and is currently developing an all-new racecar based on the two-door 2015 ATS Coupe, Racer reports.

The new racecar, which we figure could be called ATS-V.R, is being joint developed by GM and their racing partners, Pratt and Miller Engineering. A prototype version of the car was allegedly putting in testing laps at Gingerman Raceway in Michigan recently, but a Cadillac spokesperson declined to comment on the topic when asked by Racer.

While Cadillac won back-to-back PWC GT championships in 2012 and 2013 with their CTS-V.R, the car is beginning to shows signs of its age. An influx of GT3-spec cars with superior aerodynamics from Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin and others is making the 2014 season more difficult for Cadillac, especially on the road courses where the GT3 cars can take full advantage of their aerodynamic superiority.

The GT3-spec ATS will likely be rear-wheel drive and equipped with a 3.6-liter twin turbocharged V6 engine derived from the impending ATS-V. Racer says it’s currently unclear if Cadillac will offer a customer program with the car and sell it to race teams, unlike the CTS-V.R which is solely a manufacturer effort.

Cadillac Racing’s Johnny O’Connell is currently leading the PWC GT standings ahead of Hawk Performance’s Mike Skeen in his GT3-spec Audi R8. Two double header events at Sonoma Raceway and Miller Motorsports park are left in the season and will be the deciding factor in whether Cadillac will take home the GT championship for the third straight year.