Cadillac Drops New Press Shots and a Video of 2013 ATS Sedan

While we're still waiting for Cadillac to announce pricing for its new entry-level model that will arrive in U.S. showrooms this summer, Detroit's most premium brand released a dozen or so new photos of the ATS along with a video that highlights the sedan's "lightweight chassis". We also discovered a somewhat incomplete table on Cadillac's consumer website, which compares the ATS 2.0-liter Turbo to the new 2012 BMW 328i that's powered by a 2.0-liter force-fed four as well.

Aside from the turbocharged engine, the 2013 ATS will be offered with a base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four delivering 200HP and 255Nm (188 lb-ft), and a 3.6-liter V6 with an output of 318HP and 362Nm (267 lb-ft) of peak torque.
All three available engines can be combined with either a 6-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.

Cadillac Drops New Press Shots and a Video of 2013 ATS Sedan

T. Chin Renders the Cadillac ATS into a Hatchback and Wagon

Hatch and Wagon variants of the Cadillac ATS courtesy of the cats at Theophiluschin.
The Cadillac ATS stole the show at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show and rumors have been abound as to where Cadillac will go from there with their ground-breaking sedan. The car that was developed on the Nurburgring could make its way to the market in possible hatchback and station wagon forms, and the guys at Theophiluschin have jumped the gun as to what they could look like.Both renderings keep the ATS' distinctive front and the rears are pretty much self-explanatory.
The hatchback features a slick back-end while the wagon's is much more pronounced.Check out the renderings of the Cadillac ATS' cousins and let us know what you think about their vision of these variants.

Cadillac ATS to Challenge the BMW 3-Series

The new ATS is just the cornerstone of Cadillac’s strategy to become a serious player in the luxury segment and improve GM’s overall profits.

So far, the Detroit Auto Show has been a success for Cadillac: at its main exhibit, the new ATS received a standing ovation from the media who have high expectations of the resurgent car maker.Throughout its development, the ATS was compared to many rivals, particularly BMW. Now that the new car has been unveiled, more questions were raised to Cadillac senior management about the company's future targets and how it is going to challenge BMW and its fellow Germans, as well as Japanese brands.
One aspect of it going global is to have a more substantial presence in more markets around the world and offer cars that can compete in the luxury segment.For that to happen, the ATS alone won't be enough; in fact it should be Cadillac's opening assault. One of the rumors doing the rounds at Detroit was that a new small Cadillac SUV should be challenging the BMW X3.That makes sense; the only problem is that such a vehicle isn't available today at Cadillac showrooms. So Cadillac will have to make one, a process that takes time and consumes lots of money.

"We're looking at options there," Kurt McNeil, Cadillac's vice president of sales was quoted as saying by Bloomberg.com. "I think it would go a little bit more head-to-head with the X3. The fact that Cadillac is becoming more of a global brand will certainly play a role in that decision."What makes BMW such a target are twofold: first, last year it became the biggest luxury brand by sales in the US (though it was the target even before this achievement).More symbolic though is their reputation as great driving machines (rather than status symbols as is the case with Mercedes Benz vehicles).
Lately BMW has revived its legendary slogan "the ultimate driving machine", under which it is going to launch fourteen new models in 2012, compared to Cadillac's one. So if Cadillac's target is challenging BMW it really has to start developing new and more sophisticated vehicles.And if it wants to wrest the slogan from BMW, than we are in for a fascinating duel between the might of old corporate America against the potency of modern Deutschland AG.
Photos displayed are of the 2013 Cadillac ATS and BMW 3-Series.

The 2013 Cadillac ATS: The New Standard of the World

This is the American sport sedan that will take on the German luxury brands. Let battle begin. 

Just a few days before Christmas, automakers began to shut down their operations for the holiday. However, Cadillac's new car test team was at the Nord Schleife, the famous picturesque track around the Nurburgring castle in western Germany.They brought with them a prototype ATS with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 270hp and a second ATS packed with a 3.6-liter V6 equipped with the second- generation Cadillac Magnetic Ride Control suspension.

Two weeks before the opening press day of the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, the test run on the Nurburgring, the home track and development center of German luxury brands, further clarified a point that became even more evident before its Detroit premier: the ATS is going to beat the Germans at their own game.

"The ATS marks the debut of this brand's new rear-wheel drive architecture that's been optimized for agile, quick and fun driving dynamics," said David Leone, global vehicle line exec at Cadillac, adding that this platform was fine-tuned on Germany's Nurburgring. "We spent countless hours behind the wheel of this vehicle perfecting the final execution."

Going fast round the Nurburgring requires a lightweight car combined with a potent engine and an able suspension system. And the ATS is committed to fulfill each of those requirements. When it goes on sale in the second half of 2012, it will be, according to Cadillac, the lightest car in its segment with curb weight of 3,400 pounds.It will also have a sophisticated suspension system that will be offered in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive. The bottom line is that the ATS is based on a new platform that will hopefully give Cadillac a better shot at their German rivals.

Weight reduction was achieved through the use of an aluminum hood, magnesium engine mount brackets and even lightweight, natural-fiber door trim panels."Low weight helps enable the ATS's driving experience, making it feel more nimble and controllable," said Dave Masch, ATS chief engineer. "Mass efficiency helps the car respond more immediately and precisely to driver input, and improves fuel efficiency."

The ATS's exterior design betrays its segment origins: its shape is more angular than any comparable German car.

The grille is almost rectangular and the headlamps are modern but, unlike their competitors, are in a portrait position rather than a landscape one.The interior design also carries Cadillac hallmarks and it should be nothing less, since the ATS is still an all-American car, after all.

The aluminum-intensive powertrains not only help to minimize overall weight, they are instrumental in favorable power-to-weight ratios that contribute to the ATS's willing feeling of performance. The 3.6-liter V6 is constructed of cylinder block and heads that are cast in aluminum.

A composite intake manifold saves approximately 5.5 pounds and an integrated cylinder head/exhaust manifold design saves approximately 13 pounds. The connecting rods are made of powdered metal with a higher ratio of copper, which makes them stronger and helps to reduce weight even more. The pistons are made of lightweight cast aluminum, which means there's less reciprocating mass in the engine for less inertia and greater operating efficiency.
At first, the ATS will be offered with three engines. A 202hp 2.5-liter four a 270hp comes standard and there's another, but more advanced, 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo with more of a European flavor.

And finally there's the familiar 320hp 3.6-liter V6 as the more traditional American engine. The smallest engine, the 2.0-liter turbo, will be available with either a six-speed manual while a six-speed automatic transmission remains an option. The latter gearbox is standard for the 2.5 and 3.6 versions.

What's clearly still missing is an optional diesel engine. Mark Reuss, GM North America president, has promised that a diesel will soon be available. And in a very short time, we'll know for sure whether Cadillac has done their homework properly and whether they can truly reestablish themselves as the standard of the world.

The Detroit Motor Show: New Cadillac ATS Sedan

We've been following the development of Cadillac’s all-new premium mid-size sedan for almost a year now but at long last, and after the first photos showed up online earlier today, the Detroit Motor Show-bound 2013 ATS has been officially revealed. The design is what you'd expect from a 21st-century Cadillac, full of sharp creases and vertically stacked rear lights, with the exception of the headlights that extend back into the front fenders.

The interior offers a few surprises as well, including the instrument panel with a reconfigurable 5.7-inch display, though some of us found the center console and steering wheel bearing a passing resemblance to the Chevrolet Cruze.
Another highlight of the interior is the Cadillac's new CUE technology that pairs entertainment and information data from up to 10 Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, USBs, SD cards and MP3 players with a vehicle infotainment system that includes an eight-inch LCD multi-touch sensitive screen.
Moving on to the Cadillac's hardware, GM stresses that the Nürburgring has been one of the ATS’ main testing grounds to ensure that its handling is more than a match for the best in its class – meaning the BMW 3-Series its German cousins.
Key features of the Cadillac’s 3-Series fighter include standard rear-wheel drive, a 2,755 mm (109.3-inch) long wheelbase, wide front and rear tracks, a near 50/50 front/rear weight distribution and the brand’s first-ever lightweight five-link rear suspension. The front also gets a multi-link suspension, while there's an available driver-adjustable FE3 sport suspension with Magnetic Ride Control real-time damping.
The ATS is equipped with a ZF variable-assist steering system, Brembo brakes and is optionally available with all-wheel drive.
Cadillac claims that its curb weight of 1,542 kg (3,400 pounds) is one of the lowest in the class. This has been achieved thanks to a “weighed” approached that resulted in the ATS having an aluminum hood, magnesium engine mount brackets, lightweight and natural-fiber door trim panels.
“More than just another new entry, the ATS aims to change the status quo of the European-dominated segment”, said Don Butler, Cadillac’s vice president of marketing. “For a new group of luxury consumers, this is a car that will fit their lifestyle and challenge the segment’s status quo. That is why our approach in all elements of its development is so extensive and focused.”
Buyers of the ATS will be able to choose between three all-aluminum, direct injection gasoline engines.
These include a base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four with 200HP and 255Nm (188 lb-ft), a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270HP and 353Nm (260 lb-ft) of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with an output of 318HP and 362Nm (267 lb-ft) of torque. All engines can be combines with a 6-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.
Pricing and fuel economy figures will be released closer to the ATS's launch date this summer.

Notice : 2013 Cadillac ATS Revealed at Detroit

Eat this Germany: the 2013 Cadillac ATS arrives to take on the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. 

It's been a long time since Cadillac announced they had begun development on their long awaited ATS sport sedan. And this time they promised it was going to be different. Forget their misgivings of the past, which can be difficult for anyway who's driven a Catera. But this time it's different. The automotive world is different. GM is different.
The all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS is the American luxury brand's lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sport sedan we've been craving for too long.

Weighing less than 3,400 pounds (roughly 100 pounds less than an Audi A4); it's powered by a broad lineup of engines, which includes an optional all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270hp.A second 2.0-liter four banger, the 2.0T with 135hp, will be offered in Europe and it's one of the most power-dense engines in the industry. The base engine for North America is a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated inline-four with 200hp which GM claims is capable of 30 mpg on the highway.For those who have a thing against the concept of a four-cylinder powering a luxury sport sedan, then you're in luck.

The optional engine will be the familiar direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 with 318hp. As of now, no V8 will be offered, but Mark Reuss, GM North American President, has confirmed that a diesel option is on the way soon. No specific details have been announced just yet. Transmission options include a six-speed manual or an automatic.

And in their quest to take on the likes of the BMW 3-Series and the Audi A4, Cadillac proudly notes that the ATS has a nearly 50/50 weight distribution, available all-wheel drive, a multi-link doubt-pivot MacPherson-strut front suspension with a direct-acting stabilizer bar, and available Brembo performance brakes.

"Designed with quick, nimble and fun-to-drive dynamics, the ATS expands Cadillac's portfolio into a crucial global segment," claims Don Butler, vice president of marketing for Cadillac.
Exterior styling is a clear evolution of the brand's famous and striking Art & Science design language. Combined with standard 17-inch wheels and optional 18s, the ATS's presence is very much felt and when compared to say, the A4, and even the 3-Series. The front-end features new LED front signature lighting details and even the grille shutters close at certain highway speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag. Without question, Cadillac has some of the best exterior stylists in the industry.
Stepping inside, it has a driver-focused interior with integrated technology and crafted materials throughout.Cadillac claims that everything from the placement of the pedals to the position of the shifter has been designed for effortless and intuitive performance driving.The instrument panel wraps into the doors and the center stack flows into the center console, all of which is unmistakably Cadillac. Along with real wood, plated metal plating and carbon fiber trim, the whole interior is just as attractive as the bold exterior.

So how does it drive? According to Cadillac, the ATS is one of the segment's lightest cars which optimizes performance and efficiency of powertrains.
Lightweight components include an aluminum hood, magnesium engine mount brackets, and even lightweight, natural-fiber door trim panels.The rear suspension is mostly steel which helps offset the weight of the engine and transmission at the front, thereby helping the ATS deliver its near-perfect weight balance. And as we know from the many spy shots, GM has conducted plenty of testing on the Nurburgring. In other words, we have high hopes.
No official pricing has been announced, but we're guessing that the base model with the 2.5 four banger will start at around $33-35k.Will all of this be enough to take on the best of Germany? And can the ATS firmly give Cadillac the foothold in the global sport sedan market they've coveted for so long?Only time, testing, and comparisons will tell but from we see here today, Cadillac has finally designed and built from scratch what could turn out to be their best model in decades.

2012 Cadillac SRX Review

Review: The 2012 Cadillac SRX has a sleek look, plenty of power and a sunroof that seems to stretch for miles, but has a hard time stacking up beside many more advanced luxury competitors for the price.

For those who love the crossover segment, every other car is a niche. Those sporty sedans from BMW and Mercedes, the full-size SUVs, or the economical commuter cars all seem like minor blips. The only car worth buying has the styling of something like the Cadillac SRX: big enough to carry a few passengers (but not too many), room in the back for a few bookbags (but not everyone’s luggage), and a drive that seems at once sure and secure but not so sporty that you’ll do an unwanted jack-rabbit start.
That’s what makes the 2012 version of the Cadillac SRX a bit hard to review. This is the type of vehicle that people actually buy, not just dream about owning. Starting at $35,185, the price is not unreasonable, especially if you use the car for business to impress clients (or the teens you pick up from basketball). With a solid 3.6-liter V6 engine running at 308-horsepower, yet with a respectable 23MPG highway, the SRX has power when you need it but not so much power that you’ll live at the pump.
For this model year, Cadillac made the V6 a standard engine for each versions of the SRX. There is now a Hydra-Matic 6T60 six-speed automatic transmission with a push-button Eco option. The Eco feature reduces fuel consumption by altering the shift points in the transmission. Other additions: Bluetooth is now a standard offering (finally) on all SRX models, the heated steering wheel is standard, and there are a few extra fit and finish options like 20-inch wheels and an all-black interior.

Performance

The SRX is not known for a highly spirited drive. In our tests, we found the V6 to be capable and powerful at times when we needed to pass someone on the highway, but this is not a sporty crossover. The similarly sized Lexus RX-350 has a 275-horsepower engine, and the Audi Q5 has just 211 horsepower. But, at 308 horsepower, this 4,442-pound crossover still felt a bit sluggish at times. In fact, we were reminded a few times that the drive is not that different from a Chevy Equinox. Even the interior styling, while branded thoroughly as a Cadillac with a pop-up nav system and an analog clock, has more than a hint of the Equinox’s slanted dashboard layout, similar buttons, and even similar control features.
Understanding that the SRX is not intended to be sporty, we still felt the drive was a bit lethargic at times – but wondered if this is by design. Sportier crossover models, including the Ford Edge, have a similar horsepower rating but just seemed to have better acceleration and a sportier feel. That’s a bit surprising for Cadillac, the company that makes the CTS-V sport sedan, but the goal was to make the drive refined and elegant, not so you can win a race at the shopping mall.

We didn’t find as many pleasant surprises when driving the SRX, either. The Lexus brand does a better job adding a few extras to their crossover and SUV models. The GX460, for example, has tiny sprayers that rise up above the headlights to wash them off. The heated steering wheel on the GX460 also heats up much faster and stays hotter than the one on the SRX. In terms of the sound system, the 10-speaker Bose premium audio on the SRX is loud enough and distinct, but lacks the spatial audio of the Mercedes GL350 where you can hear parts of a song in different areas of the interior cab.

Pricing considerations

There’s also an issue with price. The model we tested, the AWD Premium, costs $51,550 with additions for the Bose audio ($1,395) and a black ice metallic finish ($495). That pushes the price well over the $39,075 base price of the similarly style 2012 Lexus RX350, which also has a V6 and gets 25MPG highway. The 2012 Audi Q5 Premium Plus, which has a 3.2-liter V6, costs $43,000. Even the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK with the AWD option costs $37,900. The SRX base price of $35,185 falls under each of these models, but that’s without the AWD or any of the premium features.
That’s not to say we were disappointed with the SRX. For one thing, the safety tests on the SRX are class-leading. The SRX also lets you use E85, which is a bonus in some areas where the price of that fuel will get you some relief in the pocketbook. (Unfortunately, not in our area.)

The ride on the SRX is also a notch better than the RX350, but not as smoother as the Mercedes GL350. Cadillac improved the suspension with variable damping to smooth over ruts and potholes. (That option is only available in the costlier Performance and Premium versions, though.) Computer-controlled AWD worked surprisingly well on an icy road, keeping the car straight in the same condition where a GX460 felt a bit unsure. The computer automatically pumps more power to any slipping wheel.
Some of the luxury features on the SRX seem a bit common now, even on Buick and Chevy models. On the SRX, you can adjust the foot pedal, there’s a rain sensing system for the wipers, and an interior lighting system that fades out like you’d expect from a luxury car. The truly notable feature, though, is the amazing sunroof, which stretches from one end of the car to the other.

Conclusion

When you start adding up the costs for the SRX, the highest end Premium model is a bit more expensive that the higher end models of several other crossover models. That means the SRX needs more than just an expansive sunroof. We felt the SRX offered a comfortable ride, but not as many unusual tech features that give you the feeling of superior craftsmanship. For example, there’s no lane departure warning, and no adaptive cruise control. The headlights do adapt to the terrain, and there is a headlight washer button (even if you don’t get the sprayers that rise up from the hood as you do with the GX460).
That makes the SRX a good buy for those who want the extra power of a V6 with 308 horsepower, even if that still means the acceleration was not remarkable. We liked the smooth ride of the SRX. The price tag and lack of extra tech features were the main turn-offs compared to other crossover tests.

Cadillac CTS Touring Package

Cadillac takes inspiration from German automakers to release an aesthetic package for the CTS sedan, coupe and sport wagon equipped with V6 engines, called ‘Touring Package’. 

Its most distinctive features are the performance Recaro seats, microfiber suede-trimmed steering wheel rim and shift knob, aluminum pedals and its set of painted pearl nickel alloy wheels. The package also includes an exhaust system with double muffler, burnished front grille and more sporty suspension setting.
The Touring Package costs 2,065 $ for the CTS 3.0-litre e 2,810 $ for the CTS 3.6-litre, with also a 19″ polished aluminum wheels option for the latter. The CTS Model Year 2012 gets standard Bluetooth connectivity as well as RainSense Wipers whereas the coupe version receives the Side Blind Zone Alert on the top of that. More colors for the livery are also available, namely Opulent Blue Metallic, Black Diamond Tri-Coat and Mocha Steel Metallic.