Cadillac VSR concept--photos
General Motors had taken a lightweight and stripped-down aluminum hot rod chassis and slapped a thoroughly modern 6-liter, 400-horsepower Cadillac V-8 engine under its clamshell hood.
The Cadillac of hot rods
Take a large displacement, high powered engine, and drop that puppy under the hood of a stripped down chassis. That's the hot rod formula. That's also what makes the Cadillac VSR concept so interesting to a gearhead like me.
Lightweight chassis
The VSR starts with an aluminum and fiberglass chassis laid low to the ground.
Open wheel thrills
All four of the VSR's corners are independently suspended with air suspension. Up front, a pair of 20-inch wheels is connected to an electronic power steering system.
Meaty rear wheels
Out back, huge 22-inch wheels put the power to the road.
6-liter Cadillac V-8
The huge engine in question is a 6-liter Cadillac V-8, outputting 400-horsepower.
Four wheel disc brakes
Look carefully and you'll see cooling ducts on the backside of the wheels that divert air over the 13-inch, six-piston disc brakes.
Single seat configuration
The VSR was displayed in a single-seat configuration, but the passenger-side tonneau cover can be removed to reveal a second seat.
Cabin technology
Behind the scissor doors, you'll find a pair of carbon fiber bucket seats and a digital instrument cluster. An iPhone compatible audio system and rearview camera round out the admittedly limited cabin tech package.
Heat shielding
GM really had to cram the V-8 into the narrow engine compartment along with the radiator, so gold foil heat shielding is used to protect the air suspension components.
Clamshell hood
When can you expect to see the VSR concept on the road? Our CNET Magic 8-ball tells us "almost certainly never."
Stay tuned to our continuing coverage of the 2009 SEMA Show for more hot rods and concept cars.
Stay tuned to our continuing coverage of the 2009 SEMA Show for more hot rods and concept cars.
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