Chevrolet baked a very exciting, enthusiast-friendly feature into the Corvette C7 for the 2015 model year: PDR, or Performance Data Recording. It functions much like the performance data loggers already available from third-party manufacturers like Racelogic, with a front-facing camera to record video of the track, and real-time logging and saving of relevant numbers such as G-forces, GPS-acquired position, etc.
It’s an invaluable tool for those who take their cars to the track, and now, President of General Motors North America Mark Reuss has hinted at the possibility that the tech could also be featured on the coming 2016 Cadillac ATS-V performance sportscar.
Mark Reuss spoke with Autoblog on the matter, confirming with some certitude that the technology is too good to waste on a single model, and that it will indeed be incorporated into some future performance GM vehicles. When asked point-blank if that assertion conjured the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V, Reuss slyly replied, “There will be other uses, and it won’t be that far away. How’s that?”
The 2016 Cadillac ATS-V is set to debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show next week – certainly not that far away. But of course, Mr. Reuss can’t spill the beans prior to its public debut.
So, we’ll take it as a “probably.”
Comments
well this and the upcoming ctsv of course. Why WOULDNT you put a performance data recorder in the more track-oriented versions of certain vehicles (z06 and v-series). I’m fully expecting the ctsv to also have this along with the PTM from the C7 as well as the AFM too.
anyone know if there’s going to be a live stream for this reveal?
Not a bad looking car overall. Looks fabulous particularly in White and Silver. Modern, with nice clean lines, no clutter, no gimmick. Everything but that rear spoiler looks great. The spoiler looks tagged on and do not integrate well with the rest of the car — something like the previous gen CTS-V Coupe would have been much, much better. It looks like something from Pepboys really… but, the spoiler probably wouldn’t cost more than $500 to remove, have a body shop weld up the mounting holes, smooth and repaint the trunk lid. Given the excellent handling characteristics of the regular ATS the fact that GM took their time to tune and sort of the V-car before launching it — two full years. I am confident this car will have no trouble keeping up with the Ultimate Driving Machines in the twisties.
Absolutely lousy power train choice though. The 3.6L (LF3) Twin-Turbo V6 is in every way inferior to the 6.2L (LT1) V8 from the Corvette. The V6 weighs more than the V8 (485 lbs vs 465 lbs), it takes up more room under the hood than the V8, it cost more than the V8, it has some turbo-lag whereas the V8 has none, it makes no more power than the V8, it makes less torque than the V8 and it’s fuel economy numbers are no better than the Pushrod V8. Being turbocharged, GM is also opening itself to warranty abuse by individuals who will reflash the ECU with some aftermarket hack which over-boosts the engine, shorten the life of its components, then — when times go awry — revert to stock programming and show up at a dealer for warranty repair. In short, it is inferior in every measure. This is before we even take into account the desirability of 8-cylinders with certain buyers and more importantly the lack of competition fielding 8-pots and a large swept volume. The Pushrod V8 is a technological marvel that dominates DOHC designs in terms of making the most power from the most compact and lightest engine package while delivering superior fuel economy. GM should embrace it not run away from it just be be more like the Europeans.