Cadillac ATS-V.R racer hits the track

Almost as wide as it is long, the new hugely bewinged ATS-V.R racer heralds several key new developments in Cadillac's history. First, it confirms the rumours that the American firm is swapping to the smaller model for its production race car.

Second, by running in FIA GT3 spec, the ATS-V.R is eligible for up to 30 race series around the world, meaning more people should be getting their close-up with the Caddy race cars soon. And third, it means the 2016 ATS-V road car is almost here.

Beyond its eligibility for GT3 races, the ‘up to 600bhp' ATS-V.R features a number of firsts for a production Caddy racer, most notably paddle shifters and a twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre V6 engine, borrowed and uprated from the production baby V.

Weighing in at 1315kg - or 318kg below the road car - the ATS-V.R replaces the V8-engined CTS-V.R, three-time winner of the Pirelli World Championship. But don't worry about its V6 turbo engine being as muted as those of the F1 cars- we've heard them both run, and this LF4.R engine is just as loud and raucous as the outgoing naturally aspirated bent eight.

More details of the production M4-troubling ATS-V road car will be unveiled at the LA Auto Show next Weds. We will be there to bring you all the news on this, and everything else, as it happens.