Mallard Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 http://jalopnik.com/5874063/2013-cadillac-ats-suck-it-germany 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 335i-beating 318 horsepower. View the gallery 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 for motivating a car that weighs "just" 3,400 lbs. That's right, the curb weight is under 3,400 lbs, which means it's lighter than the BMW 335i. Yeah, you heard me right — GM built a car that's lighter than the competition. That alone just blew my mind. 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. Awaiting the base price.... http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/images/12/2012/01/xlarge_bb01ee7d860d3724a471f788d3711b10.jpg http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/images/12/2012/01/xlarge_74643c0d82e80e64817513a8b575bb1d.jpg http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/images/12/2012/01/xlarge_508963b1d648df8bfa662ced415d0411.jpg http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/images/12/2012/01/xlarge_f0a0a4efeb38d28bb3acd9ae6a0e5762.jpg http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/images/12/2012/01/xlarge_edb9d0dfc5fcfc7195ff0a249b2b4682.jpg See all interior options http://jalopnik.com/5874062/2013-cadillac-ats-press-photos/gallery/1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Scott is always saying how reliable the 3.6 is. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 I didn't realize GM had changed the spelling of "Buick Regal" to "Cadillac ATS" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallard Posted January 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Not even close. The Regal is a bigger car, so even if you think they visually look similar from these pics, the proportions are way different in person. Not to mention this is RWD and the Regal is FWD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoostedAce Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 3.6l are problematic. Might as well call it a bigger cruze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangsn95gt Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 I like the interior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaplay1647545503 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 I am waiting on Clays assesment of his test drive before I decide if I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontiacfreak142 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 this is a "redesigned" 3.6 from the current cady/camaro one. we shall have to wait and see how it does with timing chains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Jones Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Def has potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Brian Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 That interior is smothered in hawt sauce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Wat. Am I the only one confused at the CTS/ATS relationship now? I thought the ATS was going to be a FWD/AWD Regal-esque chassis design, like the A4... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 ats will compete with new a3 and 1 series, its just the first to market of this new entry level class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airwg2189 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Call me a hater, but I certainly wouldn't buy it for it's performance specs. Everything in bold has been done years ago, albeit not at 30 MPG. I am impressed by that. Is under 3400 pounds supposed to be some grand achievement? 270 HP out of a 2.0L engine? 318 out of a V6? Brembo brakes? Six speed transmission? All wheel drive? I'll take an Evo IX to the track instead. It is a gorgeous car though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallard Posted January 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 It's 3 series sized, not 1 series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallard Posted January 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 (edited) Call me a hater, but I certainly wouldn't buy it for it's performance specs. Everything in bold has been done years ago, albeit not at 30 MPG. I am impressed by that. Is under 3400 pounds supposed to be some grand achievement? 270 HP out of a 2.0L engine? 318 out of a V6? Brembo brakes? Six speed transmission? All wheel drive? I'll take an Evo IX to the track instead. It is a gorgeous car though. In this segment 3400 lbs for a car like this, with this amount of equipment is good. That's less than a C-class, less than a BMW 335, and in the neighborhood of a 328, depending on what the final figure is. Among the most sophisticated of the features is Front and Rear 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. Optional advanced safety features include: • 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 • Hill Hold/Start Assist (Standard, manual transmission) 270 HP out of a 2.0L is still more than most of the competiton, and it can run on regular fuel (premium recommended for max performance). Plus, the engine was tuned for a flat torque curve, so it makes peak torque (260 ft-lbs) from ~2500 rpm to near redline, which on this engine is 6300 rpm. The low redline is mostly due to the fact that the turbo is out of breath on the top end as a result of the fasts spool. 318 HP out of a n/a 6 cylinder is also up there with the best of the competiton. Hyundai upped the ante though but they have more displacement too. Edited January 9, 2012 by Mallard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 It's 3 series sized, not 1 series. Current 3 series, right? The new one will increase in size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 Nice, but let's see what the price is before we put value on it. IMO a 4cyl pulling that car will be adequate but not likely as fun day to day as a 6. Too bad the 3.6l doesn't have the reliability of the older 3800 series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got-Boost? Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 It looks ok but its a Cady......I don't have anything nice to say so I'll stop... With those options it better not start in the $40k's... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRocket1647545505 Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 The front end looks just like the new C-Class Benz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperhead Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 Might be a fun beater as a 3 year old lease return for $9,000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneRunnin72SST Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 I like the red leather interior. It has potential. -Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwashmycar Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 The interior looks very very similar to the Equinox I drove over Xmas for a week. Was a nice interior but if it is anthing like the V6 it had... L-O-fucking-L, it was such a huge slow POS 2012 vehicle. (I know maybe a bit heavier) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallard Posted January 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 The interior looks very very similar to the Equinox I drove over Xmas for a week. Was a nice interior but if it is anthing like the V6 it had... L-O-fucking-L, it was such a huge slow POS 2012 vehicle. (I know maybe a bit heavier) The Equinox V6 is the 3.0L 260 HP engine, it weighs 4000 lbs, and is geared pretty tall for fuel econ. The V6 is the Equinox is only ~0.1 sec faster 0-60 than the 4 cylinder. The V6 in the Equinox is not worth it unless you need to tow. Even driving a CTS with that engine is a completely different story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 I'm not a fan, but I'll hold off on final judgement to see if they come out with an M3-killing -V model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Pomade Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 Looks great on the inside, looks kind of boring on the outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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