In just its second public coming-out after an unveiling at last month’s Detroit auto show, the 2013 Cadillac ATS still was under scrutiny at the Chicago auto show this week – that’s Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik sneaking a peek in this underexposed snap – and we picked up a few interesting new details from global Vehicle Line Executive Dave Leone.
Chief among these new product details: At some point in the future, Cadillac will offer a full-blown torque-vectoring system for the ATS in either of its rear- or all-wheel-drive configurations. Torque vectoring will not be available when the ATS hits showrooms in early summer, however. “That comes later,” Leone said, adding, “Is it necessary? No. But it’s the next step in (driveline) refinement.”
We say the ATS torque-vectoring is a “full-blown” arrangement because it will not be the simpler, pinch-a-brake setup that many automakers describe as torque-vectoring. Instead, Leone said, the ATS differentials will be able to deliver extra torque to an individual rear wheel (or front wheel in the case of AWD models) when required.
Leone also said Cadillac expects AWD to account for 35-40 percent of all ATS sales. All-wheel-drive demand “is very regional,” he said. The AWD system – which he said is all-new and not based on the unit currently used for the CTS – is tuned for a default torque split of 70 percent to the rear wheels and 30 percent to the fronts, but 100 percent of torque can be apportioned to either axle. All-wheel-drive models will only modestly shift the ATS’s BMW-baiting 50-50 front-rear weight distribution, too: Leone promises AWD versions of the ATS will have about 52 percent of the car’s weight on the front wheels.
And speaking of the BMW 3 Series – which Cadillac has openly named as its development target, including in its recent Super Bowl ad – Leone revealed that Cadillac development engineers did not benchmark the current 3 Series, which BMW at this moment is superseding with an all-new model. Instead, their development bogey was the E46 3 Series (the generation that ran from 1999-2005). Apparently, like many enthusiasts, Caddy’s car guys believe the E46 was the best example of BMW’s seminal compact sport sedan.
Cadillac still isn’t divulging pricing for the ATS, but Leone is sticking with a starting point somewhere in the mid-$30,000 range, saying the 2013 ATS pricing will be “very competitive with the 3 Series and Audi A4.”
Bill Visnic, senior editor, Edmunds.com
nissanmasttech says:
08:12 AM, 02/ 9/12
Just like a JUKE!
sniperruff says:
08:27 AM, 02/ 9/12
I may agree that last gen's BMW 3-series is vanilla, but I wouldn't say the E46's are better than the E90's overall. The all new F30 is receiving glowing reviews from the automotive press lately.
Besides, why stop at E46? Some may even consider the E30 to be a more purist car.
transpower says:
08:28 AM, 02/ 9/12
The secret of the BMW 3-series is the precise front/rear weight balance. GM has never before been known to accomplish this feat, so the ATS should be very interesting.
blueguydotcom says:
08:46 AM, 02/ 9/12
ATS is so intriguing. After 3 BMWs and only 1 I loved (e46 ZHP) to hear someone is aiming for that car makes me smile. If BMW sold the e46 ZHP brand new today next to the F30, I'd take the e46 without pause.
merc1 says:
08:52 AM, 02/ 9/12
I have to finally give it to Cadillac, this car sounds like the real deal. What GM apologist have never been able to grasp is that GM has never, ever sweated the details like this. This car should finally put Cadillac in the right light for people who won't go near one currently. GM has seemingly tackled every issues that ruins their other cars. Unbelievable. Now can't wait to see how it drives and of course compares to the 3-Series.
M
stovt001 says:
08:54 AM, 02/ 9/12
The E46 target makes me smile too.
2011supercrew says:
09:14 AM, 02/ 9/12
Cadillac, please: I am your target, this car was made for the likes of me. I have one request... AWD ATS Wagon with Torque vectoring and 300+hp.
I love my WRX, but I need to grow up a bit. I love to drive, I'm willing to pay for a car that's made to be driven. I live up north, we have snow... lots of it. This car has so much potential, it cannot be overstated. The new BMW leaves me cold, the Merc's just don't do it either.
For the love of god, focus on the steering. Skip the electrics and stay with a clean hydraulic setup and give it enough feel that I can sense that penny I just ran over. If you get this right, victory will be yours.
If you can achieve all this, with quality and style, you will have my Benjamin's.
gregnv says:
09:44 AM, 02/ 9/12
Darn, all this performance talk probably means the landau roof is not going to be on the option list. >;-)
half_ton says:
09:50 AM, 02/ 9/12
I would LOVE to be in earshot of the the Hyundai exec looking at this car!!
I'm also eagerly awaiting the A4, ATS, C Class comparision . . . let the games begin!!
bankerdanny says:
09:51 AM, 02/ 9/12
Mike, I was bummed that you didn't do another reader event this year.
vvk says:
10:36 AM, 02/ 9/12
> Caddy’s car guys believe the E46 was the best example
Smart people. If they don't overlook the fact that E46 came with a full size spare tire, I may have a good reason to use my GM Card...
gregnv says:
11:46 AM, 02/ 9/12
+1 on vvk's comment - full size spare please...
rl5 says:
11:55 AM, 02/ 9/12
transpower:
CTS is very close to 50/50 with the V6. I wouldnt see any reason the ATS wouldnt be similar. Vette also has near perfect distribution.
hondacura4 says:
02:09 PM, 02/ 9/12
So Cadillac is taking notes from the mechanical/electronic system that Acura put on the market in 2005? Awesome! This should be interesting as Acura's new eSH-AWD aka Sport Hybrid AWD is lighter vs the current mechanical system yet aids in power, acceleration and efficiency.
autopal says:
06:08 PM, 02/ 9/12
I am very interested to see the ATS fuel economy numbers. I'm sure the GM guys were blown away, just like most of us, when the new 3 series numbers on fuel economy were released. The 3 series seems to be a moving target!
noburgers says:
06:25 PM, 02/ 9/12
I look forward to seeing this car in person. My favorite pick in the show so far
roadburner says:
09:05 PM, 02/ 9/12
I too prefer the E46 to the E9x; the ZHP and M3 were instant classics. I may still end up with a ZCP, although a Z4 M Coupe may be more to my liking...
fordson1 says:
05:45 AM, 02/10/12
I dunno - people liked the E46 when it was current. So? You like everything when it's current, because that's all there is - the next gen is not out yet.
I don't think that's a good reason to benchmark at 2-generation-old car. They should be benchmarking the very latest stuff then can get their hands on or get reliable intelligence on.
As autopal says, the new 3 series is a moving target.
rl5 says:
06:26 AM, 02/10/12
I think the "target" is only referring to feel and handling. Obviously the power and tech in this car is way beyond whatever the Exx (dont know the codes) offered from 1998-2005. If you look at the powertrains and tech its apparent the ATS is in a different league from a 3 series that was last sold 7 years ago.
24/36 is going to be hard to top with a 6 speed, but with the light weight mileage should beat everything but 3 series. Lets not forget new 3 series is WAY ahead of C class, IS, etc. in mileage. The C class gets a mediocre 21/29 with a 1.8L turbo. Id expect base ATS to be in the 23/33 range with the turbo being right behind that figure.
blueguydotcom says:
07:10 AM, 02/10/12
@ford - F30s are on lots right now. The new F30 reviews point to improvements but nobody has said it's as fun as an e46. I know the e90 never was...
bimmerjay says:
09:51 AM, 02/10/12
I'm not digging the 'botox'ed CTS' look of this car but I bet it will drive really well. Looking forward to wringing one out.
rl5 says:
11:19 AM, 02/10/12
botoxed meaning it looks like a smaller CTS? I would think anyone who doesnt like the CTS design probably wont like this car. They share much design DNA afterall. I wasnt moved by the "is it really new?" styling of the new 3 at the autoshow. Its a mild evolution at best.
bimmerjay says:
01:21 PM, 02/10/12
"botoxed meaning it looks like a smaller CTS"
That it looks like a CTS with the headlights stretched back at the top.
"Its a mild evolution at best."
Given the popularity and passion for the 3-Series it would have been foolish for BMW to majorly deviate styling-wise for the F30 generation. You don't fix what isn't broken. See also: Porsche 911, Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, Jeep Wrangler. All long-running successful cars that have an iconic look that gradually evolve stylistically with each subsequent generation.
rl5 says:
08:24 AM, 02/13/12
well they changed styling pretty drastically on the last two 5 and 7 series redesigns so this is too modest for my tastes. Obviously the overall shape of any iconic car isn't going to change THAT much- afterall its still a compact RWD sedan but the 2012 isnt even distinguishable from the 2011 to casual observers. Can't say that about the 5 and 7 relative to their predecessors. But it will surely not matter to the BMW faithful. Im glad customers have options and after seeing ATS and 3 series in person I see no compelling reason to go with the predictable looking 3 series over the Caddy.
ATS and CTS are supposed to look similar, thats what brand consistency is all about. The details between the two cars are actually very different but from 100 feet away the ATS does look like a shrunken CTS.
bimmerjay says:
11:34 AM, 02/13/12
"after seeing ATS and 3 series in person I see no compelling reason to go with the predictable looking 3 series over the Caddy. "
Of course you don't, 1487, even though you haven't even driven either car. Oh wait I mean "RL5". Let me guess, Buick Regal CXL RL5? Looks like you're keeping a lower profile this time, but it's still blatantly obvious that it's you under yet another new screen name.
agentorange says:
10:22 PM, 02/13/12
I am wavering about the E46 thing. The E36 was such a huge step up from the E30 at the time that the E46 was a bit derivative by comparison. On top of that the lard was starting to pile on with the E46 but with no real improvement in passenger space. The E46 was also dead to me for the armrest layout in the front. Not desert or front passenger friendly because of the way it killed the cupholders.