2013 Cadillac ATS Compact Luxury Sedan Revealed

[omoderncultureo]

General Motors has done a stellar job of bringing the Cadillac brand back from the brink of death. The Art & Science design language — now ten years old — still seems fresh, new and young in an absolutely American way. The upgraded interiors finally make you feel like you might actually be sitting in a real luxury vehicle.

That said, Cadillac has always been an "odd" luxury brand — never having quite the right product to match up to the competition. The 2013 Cadillac ATS, aims to change that. For the first time in a generation (Do you remember the horrific Cadillac Cimarron of the 80s? We try not to.) GM's gonna have a true "compact" luxury sedan. Well, it's as "compact" as any "compact" can be these days. You know, something to compete with the Johann's of the world — the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C Class and Audi A4.

Well, on paper anyway.
Unlike past attempts in the class, on paper, the ATS looks like it can compete. Rear wheel drive? Check. It's supposedly got a nearly 50/50 weight balance. Check. It has Cadillac's first five-link independent rear suspension. Check. Multi-link double-pivot MacPherson strut front suspension with direct-acting stabilizer bar, Corvette ZR1-derived driver-adjustable FE3 sport suspension with Magnetic Ride Control real-time damping, four-channel ABS with optional Brembo brakes and available all-wheel drive? Check, check, and check.

Power? It'll compete there too with three powertrain options for the U.S. — two four-cylinder engines and a V6. A base 2.5-liter inline-four engine that nobody should buy and two optional engine options — an all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 270 horsepower and the 3.6-liter V6 that GM currently estimates will throw down an amazing 318 horsepower.


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Fuel economy? The peak fuel economy of one of the engine options will hit more than 30 MPG. But nevermind that. You're buying a luxury car. Better stats to look at include things like the number 135 — the number of horses produced for each of that turbocharged four-banger's liters. That's some serious Euro-beating power density.
Will the ATS offer both manual and automatic transmission options? Yes. There's a Tremec-sourced fully synchronized six-speed manual with single overdrive along with a Hydra-Matic six-speed, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive auto tranny with a torque converter clutch.

Toys? Yes, the ATS will have those too — Cadillac's new CUE system, as we first showed you last year, is the brand's new Apple-like infotainment system. And yes, it looks like it could be amazing.

But like everything with this car — we'll have to see how it all works together — because that's the true test of a luxury car. And Cadillac still needs to prove it can provide the same experience its German competitors do in a segment GM's luxury brand had long since abandoned.

Also, they'll need a coupe, a convertible, a wagon, and -V versions of all of the above. You know, for kids! Stay tuned for at least some of that.

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[Lorenmws]

All Cadillac's look the same

[Smoltz]

Ehhh.... bring on the ATS-Z and then we can talk.

[Mazda 3s]

Nevermind, side shot posted. Like it better now.

Still think that the grille is too small and oddly positioned in relation to the headlights.

[EKaru]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[SuperFly_Mofo]

The proportions, details, and exterior look well-executed to me. Can't wait to hear how it drives.

[VarianceVQ]

I thought I wouldn't like this because it would look like a shrunken CTS (which I'm not nuts about).

But it looks better than the CTS by miles. The grille is less messy, the headlights have more style, the interior has a good sport luxury look to it and the exterior is more trimmed.

[LoudTIGER]

looks like a cts

[Mike!]

****ing love it. The proportions just look like they took an E90 (or W204) and made it a Cadillac, with a better interior to boot.

I, for one, look forward to driving it. I'm sure it's no Cimarron.

[SuperFly_Mofo]

All Cadillac's look the same

Looking forward to more complaints from you regarding Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, and well...damn near every other manufacturer.

[JustinCSVT]

Good looking car. Have no doubt that it'll be able to go toe to toe with the 3, A4, and C-Class.

Now it's time for GM to debut the halo car. Where's my C7?

[Jrod511]

Looking good. Can you get a proper "lux" color scheme for the interior? I suspect it will have "presence" in real life.

[92VR6C]

Looks athletic, I hope they don't add anymore chrome or side portals / vents (whatever they are called) to the final product.

[konkomania]

I don't think it looks bad at all. In a day of big, "look at me" grilles, I'm surprised that they gave it a smaller two-part grille. But, I suspect that it's to make it look a little different from the current CTS.

[nopal 6.0]

Looks good, love the softer lines and that interior is down to business can't wait to hear how it drives and can't wait to see what the ATS-V is packing.

Those exhaust tips look too small and too centered, that's the only issue I have with it as of now.

[Saintor]

Refresh of the original 2003 CTS. Bof.

[VeeDubDriver]

I can't say it excites me, but I have learned to reserve judgment on such things until I can see it in the real world, in three dimensions.

[LuckyDogg]

I think it looks good. I personally would have preferred it to have sharper angles, such as the grille corners not being rounded, etc., but I think this is a good finished product.

I'm sure the ATS-V will bring in more aggressive design elements too, and if Cadillac wants to follow the lead of MB, Audi, BMW then they'd be wise to offer a more aggressive appearance package to boot.

[big byrd]

Nice Also noticed the one pictured is an ATS4, all wheel drive from the jump Bring on the V

[someguy123]

This isn't going to be able to compete with anything.

[Turbio!]

All Cadillac's look the same

Says the guy who owns a VW.

I'm not sure I'm a fan of the same sausage, different lengths approach, but don't pretend the Germans didn't invent that game.

[helement2003]

I may have breezed over it in other threads, but what is the ATS supposed to compete with? 3 series?

If so, I thought the CTS was their 3 series competitor?

[JustinCSVT]

This isn't going to be able to compete with anything.

Right, because the CTS which wasn't optimized for the class couldn't compete either.

[Robski92]

Looks pretty good, it isn't ZOMG!! amazing but definitely classy. American manufacturers are really on a roll these days.

[Turbio!]

Well....it's quite conservative. But what vehicle in this segment isn't? It's surprisingly different from the CTS, which is far more brutal-looking than this surprisingly softened, refined bit of work. Interesting trunklid contouring, and I rather like the headlights. And I really, really don't like the magenta paint...but in a more conservative color, it'll look the business.

It's nice. It's not for me, but I think it'll bring new customers to the brand - and from all reports, and from the 'Ring videos I've watched, it can hustle.

[Nourdmrolnmt]

I may have breezed over it in other threads, but what is the ATS supposed to compete with? 3 series?

If so, I thought the CTS was their 3 series competitor?

ATS = 3
CTS = 5
XTS = 7(ish)/Livery

[someguy123]

Right, because the CTS which wasn't optimized for the class couldn't compete either.

This shiz looks like it can compete with the last-gen C-class,3-series, B7 A4......

But can't hold a candle to the current generations.

[Turbio!]

I may have breezed over it in other threads, but what is the ATS supposed to compete with? 3 series?

If so, I thought the CTS was their 3 series competitor?

No. The CTS is really more in the 5-series and A6 size class, but a little smaller and priced lower.

The CTS will grow when it's replaced in a year or so, and this slots in underneath as a true C/3/A4 competitor.

[Nourdmrolnmt]

This shiz looks like it can compete with the last-gen C-class,3-series, B7 A4......

What are you basing this assertion on?

[JustinCSVT]

This shiz looks like it can compete with the last-gen C-class,3-series, B7 A4......

But can't hold a candle to the current generations.

Right.

[Mazda 3s]

What are you basing this assertion on?

Reality Distortion Field

[Nourdmrolnmt]

Reality Distortion Field

Are you reading the Steve Jobs biography or something?

[Turbio!]

This shiz looks like it can compete with the last-gen C-class,3-series, B7 A4......

But can't hold a candle to the current generations.

And you're deriving that penetrating insight from....what? Your expensive seat time? The dozens of reviews that have been published about it? Your close in-person examination of the car?

You're not "some guy." You're "that guy."

[Jrod511]

This shiz looks like it can compete with the last-gen C-class,3-series, B7 A4......

But can't hold a candle to the current generations.

I think it's just a more conservative design than some of the new Germans. It should age well and there are probably plenty of people who want a restrained, adult looking design. I don't know the pricing on this thing but I am going to just brainthink it to be a solid 15% cheaper than the Germans when equipped similarly.

[someguy123]

We'll let pricing and sale figures(future) to determine if it can compete.

Don't all just hop on the bandwagon now.....