Cadillac ATS Reviews Coming In...

[GTaudiophile]

Autoblog.com First Drive

InsideLine Full Test

Seems like the overall conclusion is, "Close but no cigar!" in regards to 3-series competition. The big let down appears to be the powertrain options relative to price.

To fix...

1. Sounds like the 2.0T engine needs to go to finishing school to add some refinement.
2. The NA 4-banger should be ditched completely.
3. The 2.0T should be the entry-level engine and priced a good $5-10K below a similarly-equipped 328i.
3. The V6 model should also be priced $10K below a similarly-equipped 335i.
4. The V6 should permit a MT as an option. It currently does not.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

$47K fully loaded seems like a bargain compared to a 335. That's almost $10K cheaper than a comparably equipped BMW.

ATS will most likely come in 2nd or 3rd behind the BMW and perhaps the G37 in a 6cyl or 4cyl turbo comparo.

Good looking car!

The magazine rags want the 6spd, the public would order them with maybe a 3% take rate on the V6. Should be an option, but GM's not losing any sales by not offering a manual trans.

 

[PricklyPete]

It seems it already is 10K less than a similarly equipped BMW. I like the look from the front..but the rear is just too ugly. Too bad they don't have great things to say about the manual either. Still interested to see how these do...an ATS-V seems like it could be very promising.

 

[Throckmorton]

American carmakers refuse to understand that a manual transmission is preferred by enthusiasts, not by people who don't have the money to spend on an automatic.

 

[Mermaidman]

LOL Motor Trend

http://jalopnik.com/5921693/journalist-flips-cadillac-ats-in-crash-17-miles-from-race-track

 

[KDKPSJ]

Personally, I just cannot find any reason to choose ATS over G37.. Even with leaving my personal view of ATS looks ugly out.

 

[NutBucket]

American carmakers refuse to understand that a manual transmission is preferred by enthusiasts, not by people who don't have the money to spend on an automatic.

The problem is, I doubt BMW is really selling that many cars with manuals. Its hard to blame GM/etc for not offering more manual options when it really won't equate to a huge sales increase.

 

[LTC8K6]

GM should buy the 2.0T that BMW has in the 328i. :biggrin:

 

[LTC8K6]

How is the mileage? The 328i gets 23/27/34 with the 2.0T 6M, 23/26/33 with the 2.0T 8A.

 

[LTC8K6]

The Verano with the 2.0T 6M gets 20/24/31 for comparison.

 

[LTC8K6]

Looks like the 328i 2.0T is just as fast as the ATS with the 3.6 V6...

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2012-bmw-328i-sedan-manual-first-drive-reviews

 

[GTaudiophile]

Looks like the 328i 2.0T is just as fast as the ATS with the 3.6 V6...

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2012-bmw-328i-sedan-manual-first-drive-reviews

Nice.

Since I hate the look of the new 1-series, I wish it was possible to buy the outgoing model with the new turbo four. Too bad.

 

[KentState]

Seems like a good car and fits in well with the competition. Yes, the 3 series is the target, but a lot of C class and A4's are sold each year as well. I also see many times more 328i, C250 and base A4's on the road than anything else. If this car can match the performance of the entry and mid tier variants while beating them on price it should be a good seller.

 

[Howard]

ATS-V please.

But, the Ecotec does have a large tuner following...

 

[KentState]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1207_2013_cadillac_ats_first_test/

From the article...

Has Cadillac really done it?

The answer is yes.

I don't feel that the car will top the 3-series in this generation, but it's a good foundation to build on. The goal should be to come high in the mix with others in the class and start building on that reputation. Look at how the CTS is slowly becoming a contender going into it's third revision. BMW has built a reputation and gone from there which GM needs to do for it's car lines.

 

[YBS1]

American carmakers refuse to understand that a manual transmission is preferred by enthusiasts, not by people who don't have the money to spend on an automatic.

"Enthusiasts" refuse to understand that the reason manual transmissions may not be offered on such cars is because manufacturers already know it won't sell in a luxury sedan. I simply wouldn't purchase a sports car without a manual transmission, but this isn't a sports car. Even in a high performance luxury sedan such as the CTS-V I wouldn't purchase a manual.

 

[Pariah]

American carmakers refuse to understand that a manual transmission is preferred by enthusiasts, not by people who don't have the money to spend on an automatic.

How many cars does Mercedes offer with a manual? I don't think any of their sedans offer one in the US. Copying Mercedes should rarely be considered a bad thing. They know a thing about selling high performance luxury vehicles.

 

[evident]

im sorry but the ATS is a really boring and ugly car compared to the CTS from what the pictures show.

 

[iamwiz82]

How many cars does Mercedes offer with a manual? I don't think any of their sedans offer one in the US. Copying Mercedes should rarely be considered a bad thing. They know a thing about selling high performance luxury vehicles.

Heck I do not think that any of the cars in the AMG line in the US have manual transmission as an option.

 

[NutBucket]

I believe that is correct. Hell, even BMW is moving away from MTs in their M cars.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

BMW > UAW junkies.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

It looks weird from the back, that ducktail 3rd brake light looks out of place.

Interior looks kinda cheezy (OMG MAKE EVERYTHING TOUCH SENSITIVE)

 

[Anubis]

.

Interior looks kinda cheezy (OMG MAKE EVERYTHING TOUCH SENSITIVE)

this is a horrible trend that is starting, the touch interface FLAT OUT SUCKS for adjusting pretty much everything while driving, turning a knob or pressing buttons is so much better for the user.

 

[NutBucket]

Except when voice command works. I've tried Sync and whatever Acura calls their system. Being able to control almost everything with simple voice commands is quite nice.

 

[exar333]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1207_2013_cadillac_ats_first_test/

From the article...



I don't feel that the car will top the 3-series in this generation, but it's a good foundation to build on. The goal should be to come high in the mix with others in the class and start building on that reputation. Look at how the CTS is slowly becoming a contender going into it's third revision. BMW has built a reputation and gone from there which GM needs to do for it's car lines.

Agree.

The first-gen CTS wasn't perfect either and they kept improving. This will be a good platform to keep making better over time.

GM needs to trim engine choices to 2 per model. A 4cyl NA, 2.0T and V6 are one too many. Drop the NA 4-banger and offer a MT on both engines, for an extra cost. Keep it simple!