2013 Cadillac ATS revealed

The just-unveiled Cadillac ATS compact sports saloon has an important job to do for the brand.

As Don Butler, vice president of marketing for Cadillac, says, “the ATS aims to change the status quo of the European-dominated segment.” And that means it’ll have to steal customers from the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4... not an easy task.

The new arrival could also allow Cadillac to re-launch itself in Europe with a credible product offering. Apparently, it has been engineered to accommodate a diesel engine (although for North America three petrol engines will initially be available), and there’s even the possibility of a right-hand drive version.

Based on an all-new platform, the ATS is claimed to offer superior driving dynamics combined with lightness. Certainly, a kerb weight of less than 1,542 kg (3,400 pounds) is similar to the latest generation BMW 3 Series, and a 51% front / 49% rear mass distribution should help the car’s handling prowess. Buyers will have a choice of either rear- or all-wheel drive drivetrains.

The styling represents the latest interpretation of Cadillac’s ‘Art and Science’ design language, typified by taut, angular bodywork and strong vertical light clusters front and rear. It works well, and the long wheelbase and wide tracks give the ATS pleasing proportions.

While an on-sale date and pricing have yet to be confirmed, Cadillac has announced that as well as a standard version, the ATS will be available with Luxury, Performance and Premium Collection trim packs.

2013 Cadillac ATS - Preliminary Technical Specifications
Body
Type	4-door luxury sport sedan
EPA vehicle class	Small car
Construction	Unitised welded steel body with direct-mounted front cradle and rubber-isolated, multi-link independent rear suspension
Drivetrain	Rear- or all-wheel drive
Engines
2.0 litre turbo DI VVT
Displacement	1,998 cc (122 cu. in.)
Bore and stroke	86 x 86 mm (3.39 x 3.39 in.)
Block material	Cast aluminium
Cylinder material	Cast aluminium
Valvegear	DOHC, four-valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing
Fuel delivery	Direct high-pressure fuel injection
Compression ratio	9.2:1
Power	270 bhp (201 kW / 273 PS) @ 5,300 rpm (est.)
Torque	353 Nm (260 lb/ft) @ 2,400 rpm (est.)
Maximum engine speed	7,000 rpm
Recommended fuel	Premium unleaded recommended but not required
Estimated fuel economy	TBD
2.5 litre I-4 DI VVT
Displacement	2,457 cc (150 cu. in.)
Bore and stroke	88 x 101 mm (3.46 x 3.97 in.)
Block material	Cast aluminium
Cylinder material	Cast aluminium
Valvegear	DOHC, four-valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing
Fuel delivery	Direct high-pressure fuel injection
Compression ratio	11.4:1
Power	200 bhp (149 kW / 202 PS) @ 6,200 rpm (est.)
Torque	255 Nm (188 lb/ft) @ 4,500 rpm (est.)
Maximum engine speed	7,000 rpm
Recommended fuel	Regular unleaded
Estimated fuel economy	TBD
3.6 litre V-6 DI VVT
Displacement	3,564 cc (217 cu. in.)
Bore and stroke	94 x 85.6 mm (3.7 x 3.37 in.)
Block material	Cast aluminium
Cylinder material	Cast aluminium
Valvegear	DOHC, four-valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing
Fuel delivery	Direct high-pressure fuel injection
Compression ratio	11.5:1
Power	320 bhp (238 kW / 324 PS) @ 6,800 rpm (est.)
Torque	362 Nm (267 lb/ft) @ 4,900 rpm (est.)
Maximum engine speed	7,200 rpm
Recommended fuel	Regular unleaded or E85
Estimated fuel economy	TBD
Transmissions
Tremec M3L TR3160
Type	Fully synchronized six-speed manual with single overdrive
Gear ratios (:1)	First: 4.12; second: 2.62; third: 1.81; fourth: 1.30; fifth: 1.00; sixth: 0.80; reverse: 3.75
Final drive ratio	3.27
Hydra-Matic 6L45
Type	Six-speed, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive with torque converter clutch
Gear ratios (:1)	First: 4.06; second: 2.37; third: 1.55; fourth: 1.16; fifth: 0.85; sixth: 0.67; reverse: 3.20
Final drive ratio	3.27 (2.5L, 3.6L); 3.45 (2.0T)
Chassis
Differential	Open (FE2 suspension); mechanical limited-slip (FE3 suspension)
Front suspension	MacPherson-type with dual lower ball joints and direct-acting stabilizer bar; Magnetic Ride Control (FE3)
Rear suspension	Independent five-link with monotube shock absorbers; Magnetic Ride Control (FE3)
Steering type	ZF rack-mounted electric, power-assisted and variable assist
Steering ratio	FE2: 16.8:1; FE3: 15.3:1
Steering turns, lock-to-lock	FE2: 3.16; FE3: 2.86
Turning circle	FE2 RWD: 11.09 m / 36.38 ft; FE3 RWD: 10.97 m / 35.99 ft; FE2 AWD: 11.60 m / 38.05 ft
Chassis control	Four-channel StabiliTrak with brake assist and traction control
Brakes
Type	Four-wheel disc with sliding calipers on base; four-channel ABS/TCS with DRP; Brembo brakes with fixed calipers on Luxury, Performance and Premium collections
Disc treatment	Ferritic Nitro Carbunized process for corrosion resistance
Disc size and thickness, standard	Front 300 x 26 mm (11.8 x 1.02 in.); rear 315 x 23 mm (12.4 x 0.90 in.)
Disc size and thickness, up-level	Front 321 x 30 mm (12.6 x 1.18 in.); rear 315 x 23 mm (12.4 x 0.90 in.)
Wheels / Tyres
Wheel sizes and types	17 x 8-inch aluminium (painted); 17 x 8-inch aluminium (polished); 18 x 8-inch aluminium (machined-face); 18 x 8-inch aluminium (polished)
Tyre sizes and types	P225/45R17 90H all-season; P225/45R17 90V run-flat all-season; 225/40R18 92V run-flat all-season; 225/40R18 88W / 255/35R18 90W run-flat summer-only; 225/35ZR19 88Y / 255/30ZR19 91Y run-flat all-season (LPO)
Exterior dimensions
Wheelbase	2,775 mm (109.3 in.)
Length	4,643 mm (182.8 in.)
Height	1,421 mm (55.9 in.)
Width	1,805 mm (71.1 in.)
Track	Front 1,512 mm (59.5 in.); rear 1,548 mm (60.9 in.)
Approx. curb weight	Less than 1,542 kg (3,400 lb)
Weight distribution	51 % front / 49 % rear
Interior dimensions
Legroom	Front 1,079 mm (42.5 in.); rear 851 mm (33.5 in.)
Headroom	Front 980 mm (38.6 in.); rear 935 mm (36.8 in.)
Shoulder room	Front 1,345 mm (55.2 in.); rear 1,370 mm (53.9 in.)
Hip room	Front 1,345 mm (53.0 in.); rear 1,328 mm (52.3 in.)
Seating capacity	2 front / 3 rear
EPA passenger volume	2,573 litres (90.9 cu. ft.)
EPA trunk volume	290 litres (10.2 cu. ft.)
Capacities
Trailer towing maximum	454 kg (1,000 lb) (3.6L)
Fuel tank	60.5 litres (16 US gallons)
Engine oil	TBD
Cooling system	2.0T 7.7 litres (8.1 qt.); 2.5L 6.7 litres (7.1 qt.); 3.6L 10.4 litres (11.0 qt.)

Images © GM Company.

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