Detroit 2012: Cadillac ATS Takes On 3-Series

One of the most anticipated debuts at Detroit is the Cadillac ATS.  We've been hearing rumors and catching slow leaks of information about GM's first credible 3-series challenger for ages now, and today GM released pictures of the whole thing.  On paper, it's a match for Bavaria's best - but that's not the first time we've heard that.  Does the ATS have what it takes?

The ATS is part of GM's plan to flesh out the Cadillac brand as a more direct competitor.  The XTS fits above the CTS as a relaxed luxury car, and the ATS below it as a sportier small sedan.  All three of them are remarkably similar-looking, with the ATS resembling the XTS more than the mid-sized brother.  Headlights that pull back to a point along the hood give it something of a Japanese appearance from the front, but the overall design is quite clean and sparse - especially next to it's heavily adorned CTS sibling.

The ATS has more than good looks though-  all the good stuff resides under the attractive skin.  Cadillacs of years gone by would brag about their climate control systems, gold trim packages, and old-people-friendly buttons.  With the ATS, they're more interested in telling us about how the chasssis was developed on the Nürburgring.  The ATS boasts a 50/50 weight distribution front-to-rear, and at 3,400lbs (presumably for a 4cyl model) it's among the lightest in it's competitive class.  The front suspension is double-pivot MacPherson struts with a direct acting swaybar, while the rear is 5-link independent (Cadillac's first 5-link setup), with the front mostly constructed of aluminum.

An FE3 performance package is optional, and from the specs it sounds like it's worth getting.  It includes a limited-slip rear differential, Magnetic Ride Control shocks, and a quicker steering rack gear (15.3 instead of 16.8).  Upper-end cars get Brembo brakes standard, with a 12.6" rotor and fixed caliper in the front.  Standard brakes are 11.8" sliding-caliper front, and both get 12.4" sliding-caliper rear brakes.  Weight reduction techniques were built in from the start of the ATS project, rather than applied afterwards: perhaps this is why the ATS is the first GM car in recent memory that doesn't have a weight problem.  Things like an aluminum hood, magnesium motor mounts, and natural-fiber door panels show the focus on light weight - something it seems GM is just now understanding.

There will be three engine choices for the US Market:  two four cylinders (2.5L N/A, 2.0L Turbo) and a V6 with power ranging from 200-318bhp.  The chart below has the basic engine specifications.

The 2.5L I4 is probably not going to be a strong seller; it's up against low-output turbo four's from Audi (A4 2.0T), BMW (328i 2.0L) and Mercedes (C250 1.8L) that all make more torque.  Only requiring 87 octane and less maintenance/reliability issues is a plus, but stuffing a Malibu engine in as the base probably won't bring a lot of sales.  The 2.0L (LNF) Turbo surely will.  This is the same motor that powers the Buick Regal GS, just facing the other way and driving the rear wheels - lots of low end torque, plenty of high-end wail, and lots of headroom for aftermarket tweaking.  The V6 is the latest revision of GM's High-Feature DI V6, featuring integrated exhaust manifolds and other lightweight technology, and with 318bhp it's got more punch than everything in it's class - except for the Infiniti G37, the perennial badass of sports sedans.

There will be two transmission options, both sporting 6 gears.  The Tremec TR3160 is a fully synchronized manual with a single overdrive ratio - unusual for GM's 6-speed manuals, where 4 is normally the direct drive, and 5/6 are both overdrives.  That's how the Corvette avoids a gas guzzler tax.  The automatic is a Hydra-Matic 6L45 with a conventional torque converter.  2.5L and 3.6L ATS's carry a 3.27:1 final drive in manual or auto, while the 2.0T gets a shorter 3.45:1 for better acceleration.

What else?  Well, standard ATS models will be rear-wheel-drive, but AWD will be an option as well.  No word on what engines/transmissions the AWD will be available with (yet), but if it's a six-speed with the 2.0T, Audi might engage in fits of conniption.  The ATS is a remarkable facsimile of the new F30 3-series in it's general dimensions: a 109.3" wheelbase (F30: 110.6"), 182.8" long (to 182"), 71.1" wide (to 71.3", this is getting spooky), and 55.9" high (to 56.3").  Thus more firmly enforcing the idea that the CTS has been a 5-series competitor all along; much bigger than a 3.  17" wheels will be standard, with 18's optional or standard on upper-end models.

The interior continues GM's home-run streak of attractive places to sit.  Just the various permutations available (you can see all of them in the gallery at the bottom of this post) are impressive - with the first CTS, you could have an ugly black plastic dash and a few colors of fake leather. With the ATS, GM seems to realize (like BMW and the others have) that various buyers find various interiors appealing, even if it's in the same car.  That's how you get the sporty red/black/carbon fiber (above) and the sedate brown/tan/wood (below.)  The ATS incorporates Cadillac's new CUE system (Cadillac User Interface), which is a delightful shift away from the "more complicated = better luxury car" theory that ze Germans subscribe to.  It's got an 8" touch screen, can pair with up to 10 Bluetooth Mobile devices, and is said to be a model of simplicity and clarity.  Bravo.  It's configurable from "grandpa will love this" to "I'm a sysadmin and only run Linux."

In addition to this system, there are other expected luxury touches.  Audiophiles can input music via Bluetooth, USB, or a standard Auxiliary port - as well as an SD Card port.  Satellite radio, keyless entry and push-to-start, OnStar, a full-color heads up display (fighter jet!), and a reconfigurable 5.7" display in the cluster mix old-school luxury and new tech.  There's an optional Bose stereo, too.  On the safety front, the ATS is well equipped, including auto-braking, adaptive cruise, lane departure warning, blind spot alerts, adaptive lighting, a color rear-view camera, and even a hill holder for manual models.

The only remaining questions are: what will be under the hood of the inevitable ATS-V model?  You know GM won't leave the M3 unanswered.  And on paper, does the ATS have what it takes to go head to head with the new F30 3-series?  Sure, they don't have the model spread yet - the 3-series will spawn a number of bodies, including a coupe/wagon/hatchback, but in the US the meat is obviously the sedan.  Vote in the poll below!