A few quick shots of the Cadillac ATS during testing, as shared by the Cadillac team. I love seeing more and more of this exciting new model before it hits showrooms in late August.
Cadillac ATS during the testing journey
Cadillac ATS testing
Cadillac ATS testing – heading into the sand
Visit all of our Cadillac ATS and Alpha stories here.
Love that we get these at all. Not a criticism at all, but I suggest that next time we send the team with a higher resolution camera.
Can you buy a Cadillac ATS 2.5L and imagine you are getting a modern E30 M3? How does the upcoming Cadillac ATS compare to the original 1986 E30 BMW M3? The Cadillac ATS 2.5L is the standard version of the upcoming ATS sports sedan. The E30 BMW M3 was the original M3, created in 1986 to race against the Mercedes W201 190E (1982-1993).
BMW M3 E30
The first M3 was something of a parts bin special, with bits of this BMW and that BMW to form an interesting new street fighter. It used the 4-cylinder engine from the 320 of the time, reinforced, and with valvetrain from the M1 supercar. The engine was designated S14. The 2.3L E30 M3 four-cylinder produced 192 hp at 6750 rpm and 177 lb ft of torque at 3750 rpm.
The all-new Cadillac ATS navigates through the turns and straightaways at Atlanta Motorsports Park during performance testing Tuesday, May 8, 2012 in Dawsonville, Georgia. The Cadillac ATS is engineered to be the lightest compact luxury sports sedan, reducing weight through the use of advanced materials – but not at the expense of performance. (Photo by Sam Sharpe for Cadillac)
The Cadillac ATS 2.5L utilizes the new for 2013 GM 2.5L four cylinder. It produces 202 hp at 6300 rpm and 191 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm. Very light for a Cadillac, but bearing the improved safety and chassis rigidity of a modern car, the Cadillac ATS is heavier than the 1986 E30 M3. The new Cadillac ATS weighs in at 3,315 lbs, or 449 lbs more than the first gen BMW M3.
The E30 M3 could do 0–62 mph: 6.9 s. Top Speed: 146 mph
The Cadillac ATS 2.5L is projected for 0-60: 7.5 s. Top Speed: not announced. However, since we know it comes with P225/45R17 90H all-season tires then expect a speed limiter at 128-130 mph. Advantage: BMW
Skidpad numbers for the BMW are uncertain, but likely 0.87g or so.
Skidpad numbers for the ATS 2.5L are uncertain, but likely 0.85g or so.
Advantage: uncertain
Tip-top condition 50K mile M3: $37K+
Brand new Cadillac 2.5L: $34K+
Advantage: Cadillac
Luxury, features, interior space, MPG, etc all advantage Cadillac.
Appearance a matter of taste.
2.5L Cadillac ATS “LCV” Engine Dyno
Okay, Bruce, Why did you slog through this comparison at all?
It occurs to me that although the 2L Turbo Four and 3.6L V6 versions of the Cadillac ATS will get the enthusiast attention, and the 2.5L Four regarded as ‘to be avoided’, the standard 202 hp four may give an experience more like the original M3.
Yes although the ATS is physically bigger than the E30 M3, it will have similar performance, and may be regarded to have similar charms. It will be easier to find a nice, unmolested example, and easier to keep up. But just as much fun on track days.
Cadillac ATS available in late August according to Cadillac. Cadillac is sharing some new photos with the message,
Sun sets on Patagonia. The all-new ATS, available late August.
We knew the Cadillac ATS was due at the end of the Summer, and August sounds good for when that might be. Here was a previous example mention:
ATS goes on sale this summer, but already the new sport sedan is positively impacting Lansing, Mich., where more than 410 new employees have been hired at Cadillac’s Lansing Grand River plant where the ATS will be assembled. A total of 600 new employees are expected to be part of Cadillac’s $190 million investment in the facility.
But now have an update: the Cadillac ATS available in late August.
Gallery of Cadillac ATS Tour shots:
At under 3,400 lbs, new power trains, new Cadillac User Experience (CUE), the Cadillac ATS promises to bring new levels of Sport and Luxury to the Sports Luxury class.
The Cadillac ATS is already highly anticipated among auto enthusiasts. The ATS brings a new level of power to weight and performance at a entry-level price for Cadillac.
Quick pricing summary:
After the Cadillac ATS arrives in late August we should hear more about the 2014 Cadillac CTS redesign, as well as Escalade and ELR.
Even with the Cadillac ATS available in late August it may arrive to some dealers in early-to-mid September. That is late for new graduate sales as a first college car, and it misses the fun in the sun summer sales.
I am looking forward to the Cadillac ATS, especially in a V-Series variant.