What's this ATS all about? Looks like a shrunken Cadillac
CTS.
And that's essentially what it is. Only it isn't as the ATS is an entirely
new car built off a completely, all-new-from-the-ground-up platform. Car
companies, least of all luxury ones, don't get to build new platforms - the
basic fabric of a car other than the body - very often as they cost an immense
amount of time and cash. So this ATS saloon is not the only car that is going to
be built off it. Apart from all the ATS model derivatives, the ATS's skeleton
and nervous system will be reworked for the next Camaro, the refreshed CTS and a
new Chevrolet compact coupe, which we know only as the 130R concept car so
far.
OK, so it's the smallest Cadillac?
Yes, think of the ATS as a BMW 3 Series competitor. As that's exactly what it
was conceived and designed to beat. Cadillac has watched as the 3 Series has
become the default luxury compact car in the US, and has had to wait until now
to bring the fight to it. It's a massive task to try and topple the Bavarian
uber saloon, but Cadillac reckons the rear-drive ATS is the car to do it.
See more pictures of the Cadillac ATS
OK, but it's not just about performance models, what are the regular
cars like to drive?
Good to great. We got to drive everything from the base 2.5-litre manual
model all the way up to the 3.6-litre V6 variant and the general impression on
the road is that the chassis guys have really done their homework. Super smooth
ride, good steering feel and quiet, finely controlled suspension let you know
immediately that this car means business. The base engine is a little coarse
when extended and the smooth 3.6 bent six will please the more mature driver,
but the sweet spot is the two-litre turbo unit, especially when it's mated to
the tap-shift auto gearbox. In this configuration the ATS gels into a back road
weapon that has you snipping up and down gears and slicing through corners just
for fun. Word of caution: do not spec the manual.
How do you know that?
We got to drive the ATS on a short race track in Atlanta that felt like it
had been designed - by F1 guru Herman Tilke, no less - after a blast across some
hilly British countryside. Just fewer sheep on the road. The 50/50 front/rear
ATS was completely linear and rock solid throughout, to the point that you start
to think you are a better driver than you are. That kind of flattery is always
welcome - and rare.
So, better than a 3 Series then?
At the limit, it really does feel that way. On the road, the fight is more
even. The ATS's cabin doesn't have the BMW's super modern feel, settling for a
more traditional stitched leather approach, which will please some and deter
others. But it does have some nice, unique touches. The CUE control centre is
big, bold and easy to use with words - it understands ordinary language instead
of expecting you to speak like a robot - or fingers. And there is BOSE active
noise cancelling, which keeps the cabin free of unwanted noise, just like your
headphones on an aeroplane.
Specs (as tested)
2,457cc, 4cyl, RWD, 260bhp, 353lb-ft, 27mpg, CO2 n/a, 0-60mph 5.7secs, 155mph
(est), 1530kg
Price
From $33,990 (£21,883)
