BREAKING: 2013 Cadillac ATS unveiled, ready to take on BMW 3 Series
Cadillac pulled the virtual sheets off of its latest attempt to dethrone the proverbial BMW 3-Series in its segment today ahead of its full world debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show: the new 2013 Cadillac ATS.
“Designed with quick, nimble and fun-to-drive dynamics, ATS expands Cadillac’s portfolio into a crucial global segment,” said Don Butler, vice president of marketing for Cadillac. “For a new group of luxury consumers, this is a car that will fit their lifestyle and challenge the segment’s status quo.”
And we’re not going to beat around the bush. Cadillac has thoroughly showed the world that they can make quality automobiles that are very worthy opponents and alternatives to the already established foreign makes and models. This new compact luxury ATS is no different.
Check out more news on the Cadillac ATS.
Thus far on paper, the baby CTS promises to make the compact luxury segment much more interesting. Donning what Cadillac calls one of the lowest curb weighs in the segment—less than 3,400lbs—combined with rear-wheel drive and a near 50/50 weight balance, the ATS looks like that it ain’t no slouch, especially when compared to the last compact Cadillac had attempted decades ago, the Cimarron. And as majority of us driving enthusiasts know, the less weight, the better the car in nearly all respects.
“Low weight gives the ATS a more nimble and controllable feel, while also optimizing the performance and efficiency of the powertrains,” said David Masch, ATS chief engineer. “But we were careful to manage the weight while maintaining Cadillac’s signature levels of refinement.”
Also bolstering the ATS’s potential is Cadillac’s first ever five-way multi-link independent rear suspension, with multi-link double-pivot MacPherson struts up front—all technology that has had the Germans riding on a wave of success since the 1980s.
Powering the new ATS is a selection of three engines: two four-cylinders, with one to be turbocharged, and Cadillac’s tested and proven 3.6L V6 for the North American market only. 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be available along with standard rear-wheel drive and optional all-wheel (Check out the spec sheet after the jump for a complete breakdown).
“More than just another new entry, the ATS aims to change the status quo of the European-dominated segment,” said Butler. “That is why our approach in all elements of its development is so extensive and focused.”
More details will be announced later on at the full presentation debut of the 2013 Cadillac ATS. Either way, this latest effort from America’s top brass has us postulating up the wazoo as to how many variants Cadillac could potentially come up with, especially since Caddy clearly has the ATS’s sights set on the BMW 3-Series. An ATS coupe/convertible? Or what about a wagon? An ATS-V in multiple forms like the CTS-V coupe, sedan and wagon? Hell, forget that. It’s already hard enough waiting to drive one.
2013 CADILLAC ATS PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
Overview
| Model: | Cadillac ATS Sedan |
| Body style / driveline: | 4-door luxury sport luxury sedan, RWD/AWD |
| Construction: | Unitized welded steel body with direct-mounted front cradle and rubber-isolated, multi-link independent rear suspension |
| EPA vehicle class: | small car |
| Manufacturing location: | Lansing Grand River Assembly, Lansing, Mich. |
Engines
| 2.0L Turbo DI VVT | 2.5L I-4 DI VVT | 3.6L V-6 DI VVT | |
| Displacement (cu in / cc): | 122 / 1998 | 150 / 2457 | 217 / 3564 |
| Bore & stroke (in / mm): | 3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86 | 3.46 x 3.97 / 88 x 101 | 3.7 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6 |
| Block material: | cast aluminum | cast aluminum | cast aluminum |
| Cylinder head material: | cast aluminum | c ast aluminum | cast aluminum |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC, four-valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing |
| Fuel delivery: | direct high-pressure fuel injection | direct high-pressure fuel injection | direct high-pressure fuel injection |
| Compression ratio: | 9.2:1 | 11.4:1 | 11.5:1 |
| Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): | 270 / 201 @ 5300 (est) | 200 / 149 @ 6200 (est) | 318 / 237 @ 6800 (est – gas) |
| Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): | 260 / 353 @ 2400 (est) | 188 / 255 @ 4500 (est) | 267 / 362 @ 4900 (est – gas) |
| Recommended fuel: | premium recommended but not required | regular unleaded | regular unleaded or E85 |
| Maximum engine speed (rpm): | 6350 | 7000 | 7200 |
| Estimated fuel economy: | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Transmission
| Tremec M3L TR3160 | Hydra-Matic 6L45 | |
| Type: | fully synchronized six-speed manual with single overdrive | six-speed, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive with torque converter clutch |
| Gear ratios (:1): | ||
| First: | 4.12 | 4.06 |
| Second: | 2.62 | 2.37 |
| Third: | 1.81 | 1.55 |
| Fourth: | 1.30 | 1.16 |
| Fifth: | 1.00 | 0.85 |
| Sixth: | 0.80 | 0.67 |
| Reverse: | 3.75 | 3.20 |
| Final drive ratio: | 3.27 | 3.27 (2.5L, 3.6L) 3.45 (2.0T) |
Chassis/Suspension
| Configuration: | rear-wheel drive |
| Differential: | open (FE2 suspension); mechanical limited-slip (FE3 suspension) |
| Front: | MacPherson-type with dual lower ball joints and direct-acting stabilizer bar; Magnetic Ride Control (FE3) |
| Rear: | independent five-link with monotube shock absorbers; Magnetic Ride Control (FE3) |
| Steering type: | ZF rack-mounted electric, power-assisted and variable assist |
| Steering ratio: | FE2: 16.8:1 FE3: 15.3:1 |
| Steering turns, lock-to-lock: | FE2: 3.16 FE3: 2.86 |
| Turn circle (ft / m): | FE2 RWD: 36.38 / 11.09 FE3 RWD: 35.99 / 10.97 FE2 AWD: 38.05 / 11.60 |
| Chassis control: | four-channel StabiliTrak w/ brake assist and traction control |
Brakes
| Type: | four-wheel disc with sliding calipers on base; four-channel ABS/TCS w/ DRP; Brembo brakes with fixed calipers on Luxury, Performance and Premium collections |
| Rotor type and thickness (in / mm): | Standard front: 11.8 x 1.02 (300 x 26) vented, with Ferritic Nitro Carbunized process for corrosion resistanceStandard rear: 12.4 x 0.90 (315 x 23) vented, with Ferritic Nitro Carbunized process for corrosion resistanceUplevel front: 12.6 x 1.18 (321 x 30) vented, with Ferritic Nitro Carbunized process for corrosion resistanceUplevel rear: 12.4 x 0.90 (315 x 23) vented, with Ferritic Nitro Carbunized process for corrosion resistance |
Wheels/Tires
| Wheel size and type: | 17×8-inch aluminum (painted) 17×8-inch aluminum (polished) 18×8-inch aluminum (machined-face) 18×8-inch aluminum (polished) |
| Tire size: | P225/45R17 90H all-season P225/45R17 90V run-flat all-season 225/40R18 92V run-flat all-season 225/40R18 88W / 255/35R18 90W run-flat summer-only 225/35ZR19 88Y / 255/30ZR19 91Y run-flat all-season (LPO) |
Dimensions
Exterior
| Wheelbase (in / mm): | 109.3 / 2775 |
| Length (in / mm): | 182.8 / 4643 |
| Height (in / mm): | 55.9 / 1421 |
| Width (in / mm): | 71.1 / 1805 |
| Track (in / mm): | front: 59.5 / 1512 rear: 60.9 / 1548 |
| Curb weight (lb / kg): | less than 3,400 / 1,542 (approx.) |
| Weight distribution (% front / rear): | 51 / 49 |
Interior
| Legroom (in / mm): | front: 42.5 / 1079 rear: 33.5 / 851 |
| Headroom (in / mm): | front: 38.6 / 980 rear: 36.8 / 935 |
| Shoulder room (in / mm): | front: 55.2 / 1345 rear: 53.9 / 1370 |
| Hip room (in / mm): | front: 53.0 / 1345 rear: 52.3 / 1328 |
Capacities
| Seating capacity (front / rear): | 2 / 3 |
| EPA passenger volume (cu ft / L): | 90.9 / 2573 |
| EPA trunk volume (cu ft / L): | 10.2 / 290 |
| Trailer towing maximum (lb / kg): | 1000 / 454 (3.6L) |
| Fuel tank (gal / L): | 16 / 60.5 |
| Engine oil (qt / L): | TBD |
| Cooling system (qt / L): | 8.1 / 7.7 (2.0T) 7.1 / 6.7 (2.5L) 11 / 10.4 (3.6L) |
– By: Chris Chin
