After the American carmaker proved that it can stand up to the high quality German models with the Cadillac CTS, the 2012 Detroit Motor Show marked the debut of Cadillac’s offensive in the mid-size sedans segment with the new Cadillac ATS, a car which will compete the German trio made of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes Benz C Class and Audi A4.
Visually, the new Cadillac ATS seems to have a lot of advantages: a sporty front part, a dynamic and modern profile and a rear part that gives the car a touch of force and elegance. Overall, the new ATS easily shows it’s a Cadillac, a brand that is almost synonymous with “luxury” on the United States market.
On the interior, the new ATS is not as impressive as the exterior but still manages to keep a strong sporty note associated with luxury, features which will definitely please luxury sedan fans. The symmetric central console is dominated by the large 5.7 inch central touchscreen display and thanks to the generous size the passengers have enough space. The new ATS features a 4.775 meters (188 inches) wheelbase, a little shorter than the BMW 3 Series, and the total length is 4.64 meters (182.6 inches).
However, the most important highlight of the car is its dynamics. According to the official press release, Cadillac engineers developed a lightweight structure for the new ATS, the car’s total weight being just a little over 1.5 tons, which is an impressive value for the segment it competes in. Being a rear wheel drive model, the engineers optimized the car’s settings (after countless testing on the famous Nurburgring track in Germany), achieving an almost perfect 50:50 weight distribution over the axles.
Another reason the German carmakers should fear the new Cadillac ATS is its suspension system. The American sedan comes with an independent suspension on the rear and a MacPherson system on the front with active stabilizing bar and electronically controlled shock absorbers (the Magnetic Ride Control technology). The optional list also features an all wheel drive system and an upgraded Brembo braking system.
Under the bonnet, the new Cadillac ATS will be available in the United States with three gasoline engines, two four cylinder units and a V6. The first two are a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated unit that delivers 200 hp and 255 Nm and a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that offers 270 hp and 350 Nm of torque, while the V6 is a 3.6-liter unit that produces 318 hp and 362 Nm of torque. All three engines come with a six speed manual transmission, but customers will also be able to choose a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission.