Category Archives: ATS / Alpha

Re: W.Pa. ‘gearhead’ styles for GM – ATS Rumor

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Nice local boy makes good article here about GM Designer Dave Ross: W.Pa. ‘gearhead’ styles for GM – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

My favorite part:

“I recently took a tour of the Warren design center with (GM vice president, Global Design) Ed Welburn, and we saw everything out through 2014,” said John Wolkonowicz, auto analyst at IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Mass. “GM is doing absolutely fantastic design work.”

Wolkonowicz signaled out one model of the 2013 model year Cadillac he and his IHS colleagues have dubbed the ATS. Due out in mid-2012, the Cadillac will be the size of a BMW 3-series, and styled and given the performance to compete with that vehicle, acknowledged as the world’s best selling luxury car.

I am (as always) ready for the ATS to be out now now now, but good to hear more rumors on when it actually WILL arrive.  Previously we thought the ATS would arrive in 2012 or 2013, so this is right in line.

Please see our ATS / Alpha coverage.

Cadillac has not said the vehicle would be called the ATS yet, but the press has been using that as a likely name.  The new 270hp  3L (LF1) premium DI V6 seems a natural powerplant for the ATS, but I would also like to see an up-power option.

CTS 3L Direct Injection V6

CTS 3L Direct Injection V6

Original Article referenced: W.Pa. ‘gearhead’ styles for GM – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Re: Can I drive a Caddy and still be cool?

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What a terrific response to this question:

What do you think about a younger man driving a Cadillac – am I wandering into my Grandpa’s territory?

I suggest you read the entire response, but there is the flavor:

These days, Cadillac has re-emerged. GM has worked with a vengeance towards correcting their late-century faux-pas. They’ve done well, and not just in my opinion. The 2008 CTS received the Motor Trend car of the year award. And if it’s luxury you’re after, of course you’ve got options — Mercedes, Jaguar, Infiniti and Lexus, to name a few. But if you want distinction, and something none of your friends drive? A newer generation Cadillac is a great way to go.

Read more: Can I drive a Caddy and still be cool? – The Globe and Mail.

What people don’t yet ‘get’ is that Cadillac is making some of the finest luxury and performance automobiles available today.  If you are young, if you are old, if you LOVE automobiles, if you objectively consider Cadillac I think you will be pleased with what you find.

My only quibble is that I would say 1992 was the beginning of the recovery, and that the ‘start’ of the trouble was in the early 80s, not the early 90s.  For the whole post-war story, see this book.

Also on the horizon of interest to car lovers is the upcoming CTS Coupe due at the end of the summer of 2010.  In 2011 we should hear more about the new ‘smaller than a CTS’ model, the ATS, or Alpha Cadillac.  As it will be less expensive, but still bring the performance, it may be VERY popular with the out of college and got a great job crowd.

Re: Some highlights from General Motors CEO

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This is good thinking.  AutoBird Blog skimmed the best rumors from Tell Fritz Henderson site and put them together in one blog post:

Where does the XTS fit into Cadillac’s lineup? The XTS will fit in the market focused on comfort, luxury, interior space, and fuel efficiency, for a mid-luxury market price of $50,000 – $60,000. The XTS won’t be marketed as an ultra-luxury flagship sedan (e.g. BMW 7-Series, Mercedes S-Class). Sales volumes of 7-series and S-class sized cars are very small, in GM’s judgment, declining based on the economy and consumer need for more practical and environmentally-oriented solutions. The XTS will use a Premium Epsilon platform (derivative of the Buick Lacrosse platform). It will feature front-wheel and all-wheel-drive, high-feature V6s, turbocharged V6s and possibly a V8 powertrain.

AutoBird Blog:  AutoBird Blog » Tell Fritz Henderson: Some highlights from General Motors CEO.

Alpha = Cadillac ATS Illustration

Alpha = Cadillac ATS Illustration

Here was a new question I like, about the upcoming smaller-than-a-CTS Cadillac ATS:

When will the BMW 3 Series-size Alpha RWD Cadillac come out. I would love to see this happen its a winner. If priced right it will be hard to beat even for a BMW 3 series which is over priced. So I think it should be a go for this car. Hope you agree.

Dear Craig – I very much agree. While I can not answer exactly for competitive reasons, I can assure you that it is in development right now and that it will be an absolute winner. Thanks for your enthusiasm for Cadillac. Tell your friends to keep an eye on us!
–Bryan Nesbitt, General Manager, Cadillac

I am glad that GM and Cadillac are trying so hard to communicate with the Buying public through a variety of means.  The more Cadillac Information we can get out to people the better they will appreciate these great vehicles!