NAIAS Preview: Cadillac ATS

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

The Cadillac ATS was revealed this morning amid a torrent of lewd headlines and premature requests for an ATS-V wagon. Visually identical to the CTS, the ATS is supposed to be a competitor to the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4, with the biggest question being what the hell is going to be done with the CTS?

Powering the CTS will be a 2.5L 4-cylinder as the base engine that will likely make 190 horsepower, 180 lb-ft and return 30 mpg on the highway. This engine will likely end up in Hertz Premium Collection editions of the ATS, but there’s also a 2.0L 270-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder, and a 3.6L V6 making 318 horsepower. A 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic will be offered.

Vague mentions of a 3,400 lb curb weight were thrown around, but nobody has determined what engine or transmission combinations were in reporting this figure. The 2013 BMW 3-Series, for reference, weighs in at 3311 for a manual 328i at its lightest, while an automatic 335i tops out at 3509, the heaviest car in the range. The ATS will have a multilink rear suspension, available Brembo brakes, all-wheel drive and magnetic ride control. Cadillac’s CUE system will also be offered.






Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Zackman Zackman on Jan 09, 2012

    Looks fine to me, but I'm not a Caddy customer. Hope they sell a million of 'em.

  • Kenzter Kenzter on Jan 09, 2012

    Great job GM! Pending a test drive, this is likely to be my next new car.

  • Lorenzo Yes, they can recover from the Ghosn-led corporate types who cheapened vehicles in the worst ways, including quality control. In the early to mid-1990s Nissan had efficient engines, and reliable drivetrains in well-assembled, fairly durable vehicles. They can do it again, but the Japanese government will have to help Nissan extricate itself from the "Alliance". It's too bad Japan didn't have a George Washington to warn about entangling alliances!
  • Slavuta Nissan + profitability = cheap crap
  • ToolGuy Why would they change the grille?
  • Oberkanone Nissan proved it can skillfully put new frosting on an old cake with Frontier and Z. Yet, Nissan dealers are so broken they are not good at selling the Frontier. Z production is so minimal I've yet to see one. Could Nissan boost sales? Sure. I've heard Nissan plans to regain share at the low end of the market. Kicks, Versa and lower priced trims of their mainstream SUV's. I just don't see dealerships being motivated to support this effort. Nissan is just about as exciting and compelling as a CVT.
  • ToolGuy Anyone who knows, is this the (preliminary) work of the Ford Skunk Works?
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