Cadillac ATS

The Cadillac ATS is a compact executive car (D-segment) manufactured by General Motors and marketed by Cadillac from 2013 to 2019 model years, available in both four-door sedan and two-door coupé body styles.[7][8][9] In the US, it is the brand's first locally-built entry-level premium car since the Cimarron, and in Europe, it is the successor of the Swedish-built Cadillac BLS. The ATS was developed at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan and assembled the ATS at the Lansing Grand River Assembly plant in Lansing, Michigan.

Using General Motors' Alpha platform, the ATS is offered in either rear- or all-wheel drive configurations. The ATS base engine had been a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter I-4 gasoline engine that produces 202 hp, until the 2016 model year. Optional engines include a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 gasoline engine that produces 272 hp and a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine that produces 321 hp. The 2.0-liter engine replaced the 2.5-liter engine as the base engine for the 2017 model year. All versions were equipped with a 6-speed GM 6L45 Hydra-Matic automatic transmission as standard until the 2015 model year. An 8-speed automatic transmission was introduced for the 2016 model year. The 2.0-liter turbocharged, rear-wheel drive version can be mated to an optional 6-speed Tremec M3L TR-3160 manual transmission.

Prior to the debut of the ATS, Cadillac's smallest vehicle was the E-segment CTS.[10] The CTS was comparable in price to D-segment competitors like the Audi A4, the BMW 3 Series, the Lexus IS and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, however was comparable in size and weight to the more expensive BMW 5 Series. Although Cadillac believed that customers would favor a Mercedes-Benz E-Class-sized sedan at the price of a 3 Series, this assumption was proven to be incorrect. Cadillac's research found that target customers who already owned vehicles like the 3 Series or A4 did not want a larger vehicle.[11]

Cadillac debuted the ATS to the press in the United States in January 2012, placed the ATS into production in July 2012 and began selling the ATS in the United States in August 2012 as a 2013 model. GM began selling the ATS in China in November 2013. Cadillac sold the ATS in the United States, Canada, Mexico,[12] Europe,[13] the Middle East,[14] China,[15] Japan,[16] and South Korea.[17] The ATS was replaced by the Cadillac CT4 in 2019 for the 2020 model year.[18]

Development

Cadillac, upon discovering that the public wanted something small and designed with consideration, began full-scale development of a compact car from 2009; that car being given the designation "ATS".[11] The ATS was developed by GM engineers working principally at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, United States.[19] General Motors invested US$190 million to upgrade the Lansing Grand River Assembly plant for ATS production which created 600 jobs in the result of a second shift of workers.[20][21] GM began assembling vehicles intended for sale to customers on 26 July 2012.[22] In August 2009, vice president of design Edward Welburn revealed a full-size styling buck of the ATS alongside the XTS luxury saloon.[23]

To establish parameters around which they would design the ATS, GM engineers benchmarked the 1999-2006 BMW E46 3 Series, which ATS chief engineer Dave Masch and his team regarded as the most dynamic and driver-focused iteration of the 3 Series.[24] The engineers emphasized low weight when developing the ATS and their efforts resulted in a finished vehicle that weighs less than the BMW E46 benchmark.[11] To achieve this result, Masch suggested that the engineering team disregarded certain GM product development rules that, had they been followed, would have resulted in a heavier vehicle.[25]

During the early development of the ATS, GM engineers determined that downsizing the GM Sigma II platform that underpinned the second-generation CTS would make the car too heavy, and that using an economical, front-wheel drive platform would sacrifice performance expected of a Cadillac sedan. Under the leadership of Dave Leone, GM engineers created a brand-new platform which was designed to be light and compact, to be capable of handling both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations and to have a near 50/50 weight distribution. The new platform developed by the GM engineers for the ATS was called the GM Alpha platform.[26]

Cadillac took two years to conclude the development of the ATS. Ken Kelzer, engineering executive for GM,[27] said that it would have been possible to simply cut down a CTS, which would have resulted in what Kelzer calls a "pretty good car". However, he states that as the BMW 3 Series was its direct competitor, a unique platform would be optimal.[28] Larry Craig, the ATS Program Engineering Manager says that several iterations were completed until a compromise was made between manufacturability, weight and strength. Consequently, the lightest ATS weighs 3315 lb, compared to a BMW E46 328i at 3461 lb.[29] Dave Leone, vehicle line executive for rear-wheel-drive and performance cars, knew that downsizing the larger CTS would result in a small car not able to deliver the performance wanted in the segment. Leone states, that he and his team established a dollar-per-kilogram strategy to measure the cost-effectiveness of weight-reduction.[26] The engineers made sure to monitor materials used in developing the ATS; this resulted in an almost-perfect weight distribution figure of 51 percent and 49 percent for both front and rear, respectively.[30]

The exterior was designed by a team under the direction of Bob Boniface. Boniface says the well-designed exterior was due to its well-constructed interior and chassis, and so the design team desired to make its exterior as quality as its system. The design team worked closely with the engineering team to make sure its exterior design met all of the performance metrics they set out.[31] Taki Karras, ATS design manager, stated that it was significantly harder to make an entirely new architecture rather than reskinning something else.[31] Cadillac previewed a two-minute video, which featured an interview with General Motors North America President Mark Reuss, test-driving a pre-production development variant of the ATS, along with the ATS engineers and developers David Leone, Chris Berube, and Kevin Zelenka.[32]

Kelzer states that it took two years to develop kinematics models and building six mules to test theories, and additionally an extra three and a half years to go from formal program approval to production.[28] Tony Roma was the chief engineer of the ATS-V, which has 25 percent greater structural stiffness than a non-V ATS.[33] Cadillac debuted the production ATS to the press on 8 January 2012.[34] General Motors began selling the ATS in the United States in August 2012 as a 2013 model. Sales in China began on 21 November 2013.[35] Chinese-market vehicles were initially imported from the United States by Shanghai GM.[36] The Chinese-assembled ATS-L was launched in China in August 2014.[37]

Trim levels

In North America, and other countries excluding China, at the time of the model's introduction, the 2013 ATS was available in four trim levels: Standard, Luxury, Performance and Premium.[56] Standard features on the base trim include 17-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, automatic headlights, aero grille, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, six-way power front seats with power lumbar, vinyl upholstery, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, General Motor's OnStar system, Bluetooth connectivity, a seven-speaker Bose sound system with satellite radio, and an auxiliary audio jack.[57] On the base ATS, optional features include Cadillac User Experience infotainment system and an upgraded sound system, which adds HD Radio, an 8-inch touchscreen audio display, 10-speaker Bose sound system with a CD player, and a rear-view camera.

Cadillac User Experience comes standard on the Luxury trim, which additionally adds run-flat tires, keyless entry and start, remote engine start for automatic transmission models, eight-way power front seats, front and rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, leather seating, memory functions and a 60-40 split-folding rear seat.[57] Adding to the Standard and Luxury trims, the Performance trim adds dual exhausts, a Driver Awareness package which comes with a variety of safety systems, xenon headlights, an upgraded 10-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system, and sporty front seats.[57] The Premium trim adds 18-inch wheels, navigation system, and a color head-up display. Rear-wheel-drive Premium trim levels additionally feature with run-flat summer tires, a sport-tuned suspension, adaptive suspension dampers and a limited-slip rear differential.[57]

In China, at the time of the model's introduction, the ATS is available in five exterior colors and two interior colors over four trim levels: Standard, Luxury, Elite and Comfort.[58]

Powertrains

In mid-December 2011, Cadillac unveiled the newly-developed 2.0-litre engine, intended for use in both the ATS and the Chevrolet Malibu. Extensive efforts went into minimizing friction, resulting in the engine being able to produce 90 percent of its torque at just 1,500 RPM.[59] At the time, the ATS' 276 hp 2.0 engine had the highest specific output of any General Motors engine, and is the most power-dense engine certified by the Society of Automotive Engineers, at 138 hp per litre.[60]

The ATS initially offered three engine options and two transmissions;[61] the range started at the entry-level 2.5-litre LCV inline-four engine producing an output of 202 hp and 190 lbft, available with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Its top speed is limited at 220 kph and it has a 0–100 km/h acceleration of 7.5 seconds.[62] A 2.0-litre LTG inline-four model available with either a 6-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual producing 272 hp and 260 lbft was available at launch; its acceleration was rated at 5.9 to 6 seconds for rear-wheel drive models, while it was rated at 6.1 seconds for the all-wheel drive 6-speed automatic model. Each model had a top speed of 225 kph.[63] Lastly, a 3.6 LFX engine, benefitting from a V6 configuration, was available which produced an output of 321 hp and 274 lbft. Its 0–100 km/h acceleration was rated at 5.4 seconds, while its top speed was limited to 245 kph.[64][65] General Motors had stated at debut that a diesel model would be available of both the ATS and the CTS, however these plans had never came to fruition.[66][67]

In 2014, for the 2015 model year, Cadillac had made minor engine adjustments. General Motors increased torque figures to the 2.0-litre model by 47 Nm, representing a 14 percent increase over the previous model.[68] This was achieved by engine calibration that resulted in increased boost pressure for better performance.[69] In 2015, for the 2016 model year, Cadillac had redesigned the 3.0 V6 engine, which features a new paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-litre turbo and the 3.6-litre V6 models both introduce Stop/Start technology, while the 3.6 model adds Active Fuel Management, a technology initially used by GM cars such as Holden, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles which allows the V6 engine to "turn off" half of the cylinders. This technology, General Motors says, enhances fuel economy up to a company-estimated 9 percent over the previous V6.[70] The 2-door coupe variant went on sale in Q2-Q3 of 2014 as a 2015 model.[71]

Due to the 23 percent decrease in sales of the ATS through May 2016, Cadillac had decided to streamline the lineup for 2017 by discontinuing the 2.5-litre engine,[72] which had left the 272 hp 2.0-litre turbo inline-four engine as the ATS' entry-level offering.[73]

• EPA estimated fuel economy

Model year changes

ATS-L

In July 2014, Cadillac announced that it would be producing a long wheelbase version of the ATS for the Chinese market known as the ATS-L.[3] The ATS-L has a wheelbase 85 mm (3.3 in) longer than the standard ATS sedan and was manufactured in China by Shanghai GM.[82]

Prior to the introduction of the ATS-L, standard wheelbase vehicles had been imported to China from GM's Lansing manufacturing facility in Michigan. However, models from 2014 destined for the Chinese market were built at a recently established factory in Shanghai. General Motors invested approximately US$1.3 billion on building the factory, for which the ATS-L, exclusive to the market, would be produced in.[83] The 2.0litre LTG turbocharged petrol engine is standard across the range producing 230 and 279 horsepower. The ATS-L previously ran on the GM 6T70 automatic gearbox for 2014 and 2015 and used the GM 8L45 automatic gearbox from 2016 to 2019. Trim levels are known as the 25T and 28T.[84] Production ended in September 2019.

Coupe

The 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe debuted at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.[86] Cadillac had made the two-door ATS to compete with the German Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe and the BMW 4 Series. It went on sale in the summer of 2014 as the 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe.[87] Slightly longer and wider than the sedan model, two models were available at launch; a 2.0L four-cylinder engine with 272 hp and 295 lbft of torque, and the other with a 3.6L engine with 321 hp and 275 lbft of torque. Buyers have a choice of six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, and standard rear-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive. The wider track of the ATS Coupe improves the steering precision and response. The roof has been lowered, thus contributing towards a lower center of gravity, reducing roll and improving steering response.[87] The 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe is the first production model to wear Cadillac's newly revised brand logo without its previous laurel wreath, and was first shown on the Cadillac Elmiraj concept car. The ATS coupe received 4G LTE connectivity with a WiFi hotspot, CUE interface with Siri Eyes Free, and a Bose stereo with 12 speakers. GM discontinued the ATS compact executive coupe after the 2019 model year without any replacement planned due to poor sales and the growing popularity of crossovers and SUVs. However, the sedan version of the ATS was replaced by the Cadillac CT4 sedan for the 2020 model year.[88]

ATS-V

The Cadillac ATS-V is the high-performance variant of the ATS compact executive sedan and coupe. The coupe variant was revealed in early-November 2014,[91] while the four-door was revealed eight days later. Designed to compete with the Mercedes-AMG C63 and the BMW M3/M4 (for the coupe), the ATS-V is available exclusively in a rear-wheel drive configuration. The ATS-V had opened orders in February 2015, and had started production in March of that year.[92] Tony Roma was the chief engineer of the ATS-V, who had also chief engineered the third-generation CTS-V.[93] The ATS-V is available with settings that allows the driver to adjust vehicle parameters, like steering, suspension, and throttle. Offering a 0 to 60 time of 3.9 seconds, its tested top speed is rated at 189 mph. Power and torque outputs are rated at a SAE-certified 346 kW and 603 Nm respectively.[94] The hood is made of carbon fiber, which has an air-extraction vent that removes hot air out of the engine compartment.[93]The ATS-V features a Brembo high-performance brake system developed to provide durability and capability for track day car performance. The transmission options are a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual with active revolution matching and launch control or a HydraMatic 8L90 eight-speed automatic with launch control and Performance Algorithm Shift.[93][95]

Motor Trend conducted a comparison between the BMW M3, ATS-V, and Mercedes-AMG C63-S. The Cadillac managed to accelerate faster than both German vehicles and was the fastest around Willow Springs International Motorsports Park; it was also the least expensive in the test.[96]

The ATS-V sedan was replaced by the Cadillac CT4-V.[97] The coupe ATS-V was discontinued without replacement.

Motorsport

Sales

The following table represents sales figures for the ATS in both the United States and other markets.

External links