{"id":11591,"date":"2012-01-08T17:53:39","date_gmt":"2012-01-08T23:53:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/caddyinfo.com\/wordpress\/?p=11591"},"modified":"2012-01-08T17:53:39","modified_gmt":"2012-01-08T23:53:39","slug":"cadillac-ats-sheds-weight-gains-agility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.caddyinfo.com\/wordpress\/cadillac-ats-sheds-weight-gains-agility\/","title":{"rendered":"Cadillac ATS sheds weight, gains agility"},"content":{"rendered":"

DETROIT<\/strong> \u2013 <\/strong>From the very outset of development, engineers focused on making the Cadillac ATS one of the lightest cars in the compact luxury segment. Its curb weight of less than 3,400 pounds (1,542 kg) is a key contributor to a world-class driving experience and helps make the new sport sedan more efficient.<\/p>\n

An aluminum hood, magnesium engine mount brackets and even lightweight, natural-fiber door trim panels contribute to the ATS\u2019s low overall mass \u2013 and reflect the systematic approach of evaluating every ounce that goes into the car.<\/p>\n

\u201cLow weight helps enable the ATS\u2019s driving experience, making it feel more nimble and controllable,\u201d said Dave Masch, ATS chief engineer. \u201cMass efficiency helps the car respond more immediately and precisely to driver input, and improves fuel efficiency.\u201d<\/p>\n

Discipline to mass efficiency was a driving force in the development of the ATS. The engineers and designers stayed true to the performance goals and desired driving character. The development team\u2019s culture was also instrumental, as everyone from engineers to suppliers and leadership kept mass as a primary consideration.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe thought about grams, not pounds, and looked at how even the smallest of changes could contribute to the overall mass goal,\u201d said Masch.<\/p>\n

Load and space management \u2013 what engineers and mathematicians call topology \u2013 was applied during the design of the car\u2019s structure. That helped ensure mass efficiency was built into the very foundation of this all-new architecture. Advanced computational development helped determine the most efficient design, emphasizing strength and stiffness via the use of high-tech materials. High-strength steel (HSS) and ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS) are used most effectively to reduce mass and optimize crash protection.<\/p>\n

The ATS features UHSS in areas such as cross-vehicle beams around the \u201csafety cage\u201d of the body structure.<\/p>\n

Compared to conventional steel used in most body structures, the yield and tensile strength of HSS is about four times better, while UHSS \u2013 which can include boron steel \u2013 is up to four times stronger than high-strength steel. That allows these strategic parts to be made of thinner gauges for reduced weight, while still offering the same \u2013 or greater \u2013 strength of bulkier structures made of conventional steel.<\/p>\n

ATS powertrain and suspension systems feature extensive use of aluminum, another material that offers an excellent blend of strength and low mass. Many of the links for the front suspension are aluminum, as well as the front suspension cradle on both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models. Also, the design of each component was carefully studied to optimize size and form.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe design of each part was refined carefully, so excess material that didn\u2019t contribute to function or strength was eliminated,\u201d said Masch.<\/p>\n

The aluminum-intensive powertrains not only helped minimize overall weight, they are instrumental in favorable power-to-weight ratios that contribute to the ATS\u2019s willing feeling of performance. With the 3.6L V-6, for example:<\/p>\n