 2013 Cadillac ATS. Click image to enlarge |
|
Manufacturer’s web site |
Article and photos by Grant Yoxon
Detroit, Michigan – Cadillac unveiled an all new compact luxury sports sedan at the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) that the company hopes will attract buyers who might normally be more inclined to buy German – as in BMW 3-series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-class.
On paper, the 2013 Cadillac ATS has the attributes to do just that. It has rear wheel drive (AWD available), has a choice of three engines ranging from 200 to 318 hp, tips the scales at just 1,542 kg (3,400 lb.), and has a driver adjustable sport suspension to complement a nearly perfect 50/50 weight balance.
The power options include a standard 200-hp, naturally aspirated 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine, a 3.6L V6 that produces an estimated 318 hp and the new 2.0L turbocharged engine, which debuted in the 2012 Buick Regal GTS. With 270 hp (135 hp/L) and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, it is one of the most power dense engines in the industry.
The ATS will be available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive versions, along with a choice of a Tremec M3L TR3160 6-speed manual transmission or a Hydra-Matic 6L45 automatic transmission with six speeds. The Buick Regal GTS is not available with the automatic, so it can be safe to assume that the Cadillac ATS with 2.0-litre turbo will be only available with the manual transmission.
 2013 Cadillac ATS. Click image to enlarge |
A low weight was a goal from the beginning of development – as is evident in some components such as the aluminum hood, magnesium engine mount brackets and natural-fibre door trim panels – but not at the expense of drivability or fuel economy. For example, engineers found they could save more fuel with a cast iron differential than with a lighter aluminum version.
The rear suspension is mostly steel, which helps offset the weight of the engine and transmission at the front of the vehicle giving it a near perfect 50/50 front to rear weight balance. But to achieve the goal of lighter weight without sacrificing handling, Cadillac’s engineers focused on load management and straight links to achieve significant weight savings without using alternate materials. The rear suspension is Cadillac’s first five-link independent rear suspension.
Front suspension is a multi-link double pivot MacPherson-strut design with direct-acting stabilizer bar. Drivers will be able to adjust damping with ATS’s FE3 sport suspension featuring Magnetic Ride Control real-time damping and a mechanical limited-slip differential. The standard FE2 suspension features an open differential. The ATS’ power steering is electric.
Though more compact than the CTS, the ATS shares many of the design elements of the former. More than one journalist at NAIAS mentioned to me that the new car resembled a three/quarter CTS. I’m fine with that, as I have always admired the angular shapes and sharp creases that characterize current Cadillacs, but some feel the brand-specific design is becoming dated and this might work against the ATS in a market that values leading edge design.
 2013 Cadillac ATS. Click image to enlarge |
However, step inside the ATS, you will find an interior designed to appeal to drivers. Everything from the placement of the pedals to the position of the shifter is designed for effortless and intuitive performance driving. Available performance seats have power-adjustable bolsters to optimize lateral support during high-load cornering. Interior materials include real wood, plated metal and carbon fibre trim, giving buyers a choice of interior design ranging from light and traditional to bold and sporty . Like other Cadillacs, the ATS has the signature “cut-and-sew” (visible stitching) dash top, console and doors.
New audio and infotainment technology promises to get system complexity under control. The quantity of buttons used to operate a typical audio and infotainment unit in a luxury car today numbers about 20. With CUE (Cadillac User Experience), there are only four.
CUE is “a comprehensive, in-vehicle experience that merges intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and entertainment data.” Essentially, it is a highly intuitive, touch-screen controller for multiple audio and information inputs. It can handle up to 10 Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, USBs, SD cards and MP3 players. Complexity is reduced through customization. It is designed to be unique for each owner, from the simple user to the fully connected super user.
 2013 Cadillac ATS. Click image to enlarge |
Advanced technology is not limited to infotainment. Safety gets a healthy dose as well. Among the variety of active safety features available to the ATS are: full speed range adaptive cruise control; intelligent brake assist; forward collision alert; brake pre-fill automatic collision preparation; lane departure warning; side blind zone alert; rear vision camera with dynamic guidelines; adaptive forward lighting; and hill hold/start assist for vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. Among the most sophisticated of the features is automatic Brakes. This relies on short-range radar technology and ultrasonic sensors to help the driver prevent front and rear low-speed collisions via a progression of alerts that extend to complete braking, if necessary.
Cadillac hopes to crack a tough segment – the compact luxury sports sedan – with the ATS. It is an important vehicle for General Motors if it hopes for Cadillac to compete on a world wide scale with the German luxury car manufacturers. We can’t wait to get our hands on the car which will go on sale in Canada during the summer of 2012.
