While the new Cadillac ATS-V Coupe road car continues to lurk in the shadows, the new GT3-spec race car based on the upcoming performance coupe has emerged. The race car was spotted in full camouflage at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport by Sportscar365, which speculates that the racer is headed for the FIA's 2015 Balance of Performance testing regimen at the Michelin proving ground in Ladoux, France.
Certification there would allow the ATS-V to compete in a number of international race series. All GT3-category cars designed to compete in FIA-governed races must attend the Balance of Performance testing, which allows regulators to set a baseline for the new season and ensure close competition.
The ATS-V Coupe GT3 will most likely replace the CTS-V Coupe as Cadillac's entrant in the Pirelli World Challenge, but given the recent growth of the GT3 category, with even Bentley now fielding a GT3-spec car, General Motors Company [NYSE:GM] may be looking at other race series as well. Expanding beyond the U.S.-based Pirelli World Challenge would also raise Cadillac's profile in other markets.
Even with the dazzle camouflage applied, the ATS-V Coupe racer's swollen fenders and added air intakes are apparent, and there's no hiding that massive rear spoiler. The racer is based on the ATS Coupe, although both coupe and sedan versions of the production ATS-V will be offered.
Underneath the skin, it's unclear how much hardware the GT3 will share with the ATS-V road cars, which is expected to use an upgraded version of the 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 from the CTS Vsport and XTS Vsport models.
More details on the Cadillac ATS-V Coupe GT3 will be released closer to the start of the 2015 Pirelli World Challenge Season, while the road car will debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show in November.
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