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.

  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
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