2013 Cadillac ATS 3.6 Tested

After five years of development and countless Nürburgring Nordschleife hot laps, Cadillac engineers finally handed over their new ATS to us for a few hours of road driving and instrumented testing. One day with GM’s first Alpha-platform car was enough to confirm that the ATS is the real deal—a true compact sports sedan with the size, specs, and speed to run with the segment’s aristocracy, especially BMW’s 3-series. 

The ATS offers three engines, two transmissions, rear- or four-wheel drive, four trim packages, half a dozen wheel and tire combinations, and a tempting list of infotainment options capable of lifting the $33,990 base price above $50,000. Because the turbocharged 2.0-liter stick-shift ATS we begged for wasn’t ready, we tested what Cadillac’s vehicle line executive Dave Leone considers his hot setup: a rear-drive, 3.6-liter ATS equipped with 18-inch summer run-flat tires, Brembo brakes, and adjustable magnetic-ride-control dampers. The top engine, a $3605 option, comes standard with a six-speed automatic. Loaded with Premium Collection trimmings, including Cadillac’s new CUE (Cadillac User Experience) center-stack interface and heated seats and steering wheel, our test car’s sticker read $48,190. 

With or without traction control enabled, the ATS bolts from rest with a growl. The 3.6-liter, DOHC V-6 makes 321 horsepower (21 more than a 335i) and 267 pound-feet of torque (33 less than the BMW’s turbocharged 3.0-liter six). The Hydra-Matic transmission upshifts crisply at the engine’s 7000-rpm redline, pushing the ATS to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 14 flat with a trap speed of 102 mph. Those figures are dead even with the Infiniti G37 Sport’s and within a couple of tenths of the aforementioned 335i’s, though well behind the performance of the torque-and-traction-rich Audi S4. The ATS tops out at a governed 152 mph, which is within a couple of ticks of the key incumbents. 

Circling GM’s perfectly smooth, 300-foot-diameter skidpad, the ATS ran out of grip at 0.88 g with the same juddery understeer we’ve seen in the F30-generation 3-series. Modulating the throttle helps tighten the line by sticking the front tires, but that technique works only up to a point. Likewise, a heavy foot on the gas won’t swing the tail. While the grip levels provided by the ATS are a touch lower than major competitors’, every last bit of its lateral traction is within easy reach, bolstering real-world confidence.

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED: $48,190 (base price: $37,595)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve 3.6-liter V-6, aluminum block and heads

Displacement: 217 cu in, 3564 cc
Power: 320 hp @ 6800 rpm
Torque: 267 lb-ft @ 4900 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic 

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 109.3 in
Length: 182.8 in
Width: 71.1 in Height: 55.9 in
Curb weight: 3561 lb 

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.4 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 13.3 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 25.0 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.7 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.1 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.8 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.0 sec @ 102 mph
Top speed (gov ltd): 152 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 158 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.88 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 19/28 mpg (mfr's est) 

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First drive: the new Cadillac ATS

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)

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Cadillac's Plans for the 2013-15 Model Years

The next 24 months will be a busy time for Cadillac in terms of new products as the Detroit automaker has plenty on its plate including the presentation of a flagship limousine loosely based on the well-received Ciel convertible sedan concept. 

A report from Automotive News (sub. required) citing sources from within General Motors outlines Cadillac's plans for the 2013-15 model years. 

According to the insiders, GM has given the green light for the development of a full size, rear-wheel drive luxury sedan that will sit atop of the range rivaling the Audi A8, BMW 7-Series, Jaguar XJ and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. 

This model will be built on a new platform codenamed Omega and is expected to be offered with a choice of V6 and V8 engines, possibly in supercharged form, an eight-speed automatic transmission and the option of all-wheel drive. The styling will draw heavily from last year's Ciel study. The as-of-yet unnamed flagship is said to arrive sometime in 2015. 

Putting aside the new 2013 XTS front- and all-wheel drive sedan that is currently Cadillac's largest saloon model and which went on sale in June, the wreath and crest brand will launch the updated SRX crossover this fall and the BMW 3-Series-rivaling ATS sedan in August.

The Alpha rear-wheel drive platform-based ATS will likely spawn a V-Series Performance model and a coupe within the next two years, while Autonews reports that plans for a convertible variant have been put on hold for the time being. Cadillac will not be making a sport wagon variant. 

Next up for Cadillac will be a replacement for the all-important CTS that is due to arrive in sedan guise in the second half of 2013 as a 2014MY. It will grow in size to better compete with the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

The CTS Coupe and V-Series performance variant will follow by 2015, while sources state that there won't be a station wagon model. 

Other models planned by Cadillac are said to include an all-new SRX crossover in late 2014 or early 2015, a larger crossover based on the Lamda platform that underpins the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia, a replacement for the Escalade SUV built on the next Chevy Tahoe / Suburban and GMC Yukon platform, and the ELR Coupe equipped with a similar electric propulsion system to the Chevy Volt in late 2013.  

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2013 Cadillac ATS

Prying satisfied customers out of their Audi A4s, BMW 328s, and Mercedes-Benz C350s might seem tougher than establishing democracy in Afghanistan, but conquest sales will have to play a huge role in the success of the new Cadillac ATS. The brand desperately needs a successful entry-luxury car because that’s the bestselling segment in the premium-car world. And since Cadillac has been moving in a sporting direction, it’s taking on these European sedans rather than targeting real-estate-agent buggies like the Lexus ES or the Lincoln MKZ. 

Off to a Good Start

We went into deep detail with the ATS earlier this year and were impressed with its design and engineering. Based on the brand-new Alpha platform, the ATS features a front-engine, rear-drive layout, as well as four-wheel independent suspension, the latest ZF electric power steering, and four-wheel disc brakes. Motivation comes from a choice of three engines, with an available manual transmission, and optional all-wheel drive. It’s all wrapped in modern and attractive sheetmetal styled with a softer take on the Cadillac Art and Science design language. The whole shebang is 8.5 inches shorter than the CTS. We got a chance to drive it last month, and now we can finally tell you about it.

From behind the wheel, the car makes an excellent first impression, with a good driving position combined with superb sightlines delivered in part by reasonably thin A-pillars. Models with sport seats have adjustable thigh support as well as adjustable side bolsters. You can choose from among seven interior color and finish schemes, including ones with aluminum trim and genuine carbon fiber. The overall ambience feels stylish and rich, and we were immediately able to find a comfortable driving position.

Good visibility extends to the information displayed to the driver, although the tachometer is tucked a bit far to the left on the instrument cluster and can fall out of your vision when driving hard. A head-up display is available, and there are three customizable windows below the central speedometer that can be configured using a large toggle switch on the right steering-wheel spoke; the control can be manipulated easily without looking down at it. Another toggle on the left spoke operates the cruise control.

The 8.0-inch LCD touch screen for the new CUE (Cadillac User Experience) system looks great and remains highly visible even when hit by direct sunlight. It has a number of clever features, such as a function that only brings up additional buttons only when a proximity sensor detects your hand nearby—this allows the screen to stay uncluttered most of the time. You can change the map scale by squeezing or spreading your fingers as you do on a smartphone, and the nav system can pull contact address information directly from a paired phone. We appreciate not having to manually enter an address that already exists in a connected device.

Overreaching Engine Lineup

We first drove an ATS with the base engine, a 202-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder with direct injection. It’s basically a slightly updated version of Chevy’s workhorse engine and is available only with a six-speed automatic and rear drive. This engine won’t generate envy among any Audi or BMW owners. It delivers no better than adequate performance (claimed 0 to 60 in 7.5 seconds, which we think is about right on the nose) and it feels slower than it is, as the transmission resists downshifting as you toe the throttle. The big four-cylinder also is fairly loud at high revs. Were we in charge at Cadillac, we would have introduced the ATS without this engine, then slipped it into the lineup several months down the road if a less expensive entry-level model was deemed necessary. 

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear- or 4-wheel drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

BASE PRICE: 2.5 $ 33,990; 2.0T, $35,795; 3.6, $42,090

ENGINE TYPES: DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter inline-4, 202 hp, 191 lb-ft; turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 272 hp, 260 lb-ft; DOHC 24-valve 3.6-liter V-6, 321 hp, 275 lb-ft

TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode 

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 109.3 in
Length: 182.8 in
Width: 71.1 in Height: 55.9 in
Curb weight (C/D est): 3350–3700 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 5.4–7.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.0–15.7 sec
Top speed: 130–152 mph

FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST):
EPA city/highway driving: 19–22/28–33 mpg

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2013 Cadillac ATS Scores 22/33-mpg EPA

The version of the ATS that Cadillac meant to spice up the company’s overall fuel-economy numbers has simply received a rather lackluster rating from the EPA. With a Two hundred-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, the ATS is rated at simply twenty two town mpg and thirty three highway.

These are solid numbers, however a trifle disappointing in context. The Brand new BMW 328i scores EPA ratings of 23/33 and provides drivers 240 hp and 255 lb-ft to play with. The stick-shift 328i scores a trifle higher, however considering the two.5-liter ATS comes solely with an automatic, we tend to went for an apples-to-apples comparison. Even Audi s s 4 year-old A4 is rated at 20/30, and will therefore with eleven a lot of hp, seventy a lot of lb ft of torque and all wheel drive.

Numerical negativity aside, EPA ratings aren’t continuously indicative of real-world performance. Even a lot of vital, the ATS could be a comparatively little rear-wheel-drive sedan from Cadillac; we’re principally simply glad it exists. search for our 1st drive of all the ATS variants soon.

Source

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