Tag Archives: Cadillac ATS

Cadillac ATS the Journey – The Transcript

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Cadillac has begun a series of video previews for the upcoming Cadillac ATS smaller-than-a-CTS model on youtube.

Interestingly, Cadillac had previously said that the ATS name was not final, but certainly they are using it here to refer to this model (along with everyone else), so perhaps it is becoming more final now.

Here is a transcript from the audio:

Dave Mikels, Energy & Powertrain Integration Engineer:

This is like the Mecca for auto enthusiasts.  It was labelled by Jackie Stewart as ‘The Green Hell’.  Its an experience like no other.

Chris Berube, Lead Development Engineer:

These trips to Germany and the Nurburgring are extremely special to me.  I like the culture’s focus on everything being right and precise.

Mark Reuss, President, GM North America:

If you want to compete with everybody who’s the best in the world, this is where they do it.

Dave Mikels, Energy & Powertrain Integration Engineer:

Making a car that is great on the ‘Ring, you will disappoint no one.  And that is the whole reason we come here.

Chris Berube, Lead Development Engineer:

The Nurburgring itself is special in a number of ways,  It’s not the fact that its famous — in some cases it is infamous — once you enter the track and you start driving it, it requires and demands your full attention.

Our test period here is a 2 week period.  We work through the weekend; we basically maximize our time here. There is certainly a lot of pressure on this program.  We are targeting some competitors who are known to be leaders, and have been for quite some time.  If I had to describe the ATS to someone, I’d really focus on the low mass, agile, fun to drive — yet at the same time, it is a Cadillac, and it will have luxury appointments in it.

We want to come out of here having pushed the boundaries, increased the strength of  the car, and be able to demonstrate that when we get home.

Dave Mikels, Energy & Powertrain Integration Engineer:

Being successful here is what makes our cars successful.

Next on ATS:  Rear toe?

Cadillac ATS-2T4 or ATS-2T6?

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The powerplant rumor mill for the upcoming Cadillac ATS is now in full swing.  The original favorite was the 3L V6 for around 270hp.  This engine was mostly dropped from the Cadillac line, being supplanted by a variant of the 3.6L V6 in the SRX where it makes 304 hp.  The 3L is still the ‘standard’ engine in the CTS.

The export version of the ATS will likely have the new 2.5L Ecotec 4 cylinder for 190 hp.  The base engine for the US market Cadillac ATS may be a 2L Turbo 4-cylinder making 270-290 hp (2-T4 for twin-turbo 4 cylinder?)  An upcoming twin-turbo 3L or 3.6L V6 perhaps making around 400-425 hp may be the either the Premium ATS engine, or perhaps reserved to the ATS-V, (2T-6 for Twin Turbo 6 cylinder?)

I would still like to see an LSX V-8 variant of the ATS as the ATS-V, with 450+ hp.  So I am hoping that the twin-turbo V6 is the premium powerplant.  A lot will depend on the shipping weight for the ATS as to what engine at what power output works well for the new Sports Sedan.  The target is BMW 3-Series performance, so unless the weight comes in at the same point as the 3-Series then the engines will need to rev up to compensate.

The price point will also be interesting; the standard Cadillac ATS needs to arrive as a beautiful, athletic package at under $30K if it is going to be successful in hitting 3-Series sales levels.

Cadillac ATS Export Model 2.5L 4-cyl?

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Is this the base engine for the export variant of the upcoming Cadillac ATS? (ATS name not final)

4 Cylinder Ecotec LCV Engine

 

GM Powertrain has updated the excellent 2.4L Ecotec 4 to a new 2.5L Ecotec 4 cylinder.  This engine family comes in a variety of tunes to fit different applications, but generally horsepower is up from 177 hp to 190 hp, while fuel economy may be up as well with this more efficient engine.  The Ecotec family has the smaller displacement 2L turbo models, and the larger displacement now 2.5L normally aspirated models.

Will this be the export engine for the upcoming Cadillac ATS?  Here in the USA a 190 hp engine would not sell well, but in Europe higher relative fuel prices may make a 190 hp ATS an attractive package — a good mix of performance versus fuel economy.  I hope we will also see a small turbo diesel, but time will tell.

The overall US engine range is likely to include a 3.6L flexfuel V6 engine making 300+ hp, a twin turbo 3.6L V6 making 400+ hp, and eventually a hybrid variant.  It may also include a 2L turbo 4 making 280hp, although the case for doing both a turbo 4 and a normally aspirated 6 seems weak.  In fact, I would be tempted to make the turbo 4 the standard engine, and the turbo 6 the ‘V’ engine.  I would still prefer to see a normally aspirated V8 in the mix, but an all-turbo lineup has a nice appeal.

Press clip on the new Ecotec engine:

MILFORD, Mich. – Chevrolet today revealed details of the all-new Ecotec 2.5L four-cylinder engine. More efficient, refined and powerful than its predecessor, the new power plant will be the standard engine in the 2013 Malibu.

The 2.5L is expected to deliver an estimated 190 horsepower (140 kW) and 180 lb.-ft. of torque (250 Nm) – about 12 percent more horsepower and 16 percent more torque than the current Ecotec 2.4L, while offering estimated highway fuel economy of more than 30 mpg (final fuel economy numbers are pending).

The new 2.5L will be available next summer, marking the debut of the all-new Ecotec engine family. Increased efficiency was the top development priority, achieved in part through lower engine friction. It was reduced by an average of 16 percent across the entire speed range, using new technologies such as a variable-displacement oil pump and an actively controlled thermostat. GM proprietary computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis techniques were used to develop an all-new combustion system with a higher compression ratio, which also helped boost efficiency.

The new combustion system features improved knock resistance and higher-flowing intake and exhaust ports in the cylinder head, which help increase efficiency, power and torque. The new Ecotec also has increased-authority cam phasing to minimize any compromise between efficiency, performance, emissions and driveability. Like the current generation of technically advanced Ecotec engines, the new 2.5L also features a high-pressure, direct-injection fuel system, dual overhead camshafts with continuously variable valve timing, electronic throttle control and pistons with jet-spray oil cooling.

It is also expected to be one of the quietest and most refined engines in the segment.

“The noise intensity is 40 percent less than our 2.4L direct-injected engine, which was named one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines,” said Mike Anderson, global chief engineer. “Engineers also tuned the 2.5L to deliver more of its torque at lower rpm, giving the Malibu a stronger feel at launch and during on-demand maneuvers, such as passing or accelerating on a freeway entrance ramp.”

Several new features give the 2.5L its segment-challenging refinement:

  • Balance shafts relocated from the block to a module with an integrated oil pump in the oil pan to reduce noise and vibration
  • A stiffer and stronger forged steel crankshaft that enables quieter and smoother engine operation at high rpm
  • Inverted-tooth chains for the camshaft and balance shaft drives for quieter operation
  • A unique, two-piece oil pan design, with an aluminum upper section to provide structural support and a stamped steel lower section to dampen overall noise
  • A cast aluminum bedplate with cast iron bearing cap inserts to help increase dynamic stiffness and reduce noise and vibration
  • Key sound attenuation enhancements such as a structural front engine cover, structural cam cover and lightweight composite acoustic intake manifold cover.

The new Malibu will be sold in nearly 100 countries on six continents. It is available in LS, LT, ECO and LTZ models in North America. Malibu will be built in multiple locations around the globe, including the Fairfax, Kan., and Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plants in the United States. Pricing will be announced later this year.