Cadillac unveiled the 2013 ATS to a select group of automobile aficionados last night, on the opening day for media at the NAIAS (North American International Auto Show) in Detroit. “Big Al” the car guy was on the guest list, and what I saw will knock your socks off. The 2013 ATS is Cadillac’s entry into the compact luxury car division, and they have entered this category with a big splash.
“For us, the 2013 Cadillac ATS represents our entry into the largest luxury car segment, which is compact luxury. It is the luxury car segment in the United States and the largest luxury car segment around the world. This is probably our most significant vehicle launch in decades,” stated Cadillac’s VP of marketing, Don Butler.
BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, watch out! You might ask why I single out these automobile manufacturers, because currently they own this segment of the automobile market. Cadillac went back to the drawing board and built this vehicle from scratch. The ATS is not a revamped version of the CTS. The 2013 ATS is a vehicle with a purpose; it was built to not only eat but to take your lunch. Cadillac is positioning itself to go out and conquer the compact luxury vehicle market, and it’s taking no prisoners. Cadillac was so serious about this vehicle that they tested the ATS’s performance tuned powertrain, chassis and suspension on Germany’s famed Nurburgring Grand Prix style track. Just check out a couple of the features of the forthcoming vehicle:
- Cadillac’s first five-link independent rear suspension using lightweight, high-strength steel and efficient straight link designs
- A multi-link double-pivot MacPherson-strut front suspension with direct-acting stabilizer bar
- Driver-adjustable FE3 sport suspension with Magnetic Ride Control real-time damping
- Underbody aerodynamic shields
- Four-channel ABS with available Brembo performance brakes
- Available all-wheel drive
- Broad lineup of engines, including two four-cylinders and a V-6 for North America, capitalizes on lightweight structure for performance with efficiency
“Designed with quick, nimble and fun-to-drive dynamics, ATS expands Cadillac’s portfolio into a crucial global segment. For a new group of luxury consumers, this is a car that will fit their lifestyle and challenge the segment’s status quo,” Butler further explained.
I’ve only seen this one, so until I drive it, I can’t give you a full review, but if it only delivers on 80 percent of the expectations, the 2013 Cadillac ATS will conquer the compact luxury car category.
–al weems
