Motor Trend Pits Cadillac ATS 2.0T Against BMW 328i: Video
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The Cadillac ATS and BMW 3-Series finally have their highly-anticipated title fight, courtesy of Motor Trend, with no pulled punches.
Right from the get-go, it seems that the BMW 328i is faster off the line from 0-60 and in the quarter mile by a significant margin, as the gearing of the ATS 2.0T’s current six-speed manual transmission apparently has to shift just before the car can reach 60 mph.
Host Johnny Lieberman hopes that the manual transmission he was using in the ATS was some sort of lemon model, and that a normal shifting experience would be much more enjoyable. Meanwhile, the chassis dynamics of the new 3-Series are not as exciting as those found in the sharp Caddy, as the ATS 2.0T seems to steer and hug the road better than anything else in the segment.
As an aside, we would like to point out that the Bimmer doesn’t use electric power steering, but an electro-hydraulic power steering system. There is a difference.
Without giving it all away, you should watch the video:
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Gm are you watching this? Fix the manual and put an 8-speed rather than a 6 speed.
I didn’t notice the transmission faults when I drove the ATS but that may be because I didn’t push it. Will need to try it again.
As much as I believe that Cadillac can and has actually built a better car than the 3-Series, there are a few things that Johnny Lieberman has said that I’ve never heard said before about a BMW. He says that the manuals in BMWs have never been that good. I’ve always heard that BMW had the definitive manual shifter. I’ve even heard it described as being “rifle-bolt accurate”. He even criticises the accelerator pedal of the 3-Series. The floor-mounted pedal has long been the standard by which all other pedals are supposedly judged. Isn’t it ironic that as soon as a serious contender comes around that all of sudden the truth about BMWs are starting to come out? I’m just waiting for the crappy quality of BMWs to be finally spoken about by the magazines out there that are clearly under the BMW spell. At the end of the day though (as per usual) BMW gets the win on an issue that not even Lieberman is sure is a production item. A notchy shifting transmission. Did you notice how he uses the words “I’m thinking it’s the Cadillac” as if he’s afraid to admit that their precious 3-Series has been trumped. I’ve driven every single model of 3-Series, except the E30 and I can say with authority: over-rated garbage. The loyalty that people have to them is just puzzling.
I, too, find it ironic that the decision comes down to a highly subjective and possibly non-production-spec item. That, and every BMW I’ve ever driven with a manual had excellent manual; rifle-bolt accurate is a good way to describe it.
People just love BMW……..can’t blame them… until it is time to take to garage for the repairs…..
Cadillac was robbed worse than the green bay packers monday night! Why are these writers so scared to debunk bmw off their throne?! This guy wants so badly to declare the ats the winner and debunk their vaunted german engineering. Once again another engineering tour de force from gm along w the chevy volt. The best part of it all is that the alpha platform which the ats is built on was engineered right here! Once the 8 speeds start hitting gm vehicles bmw is running for the hills
Well, I guess BMW won
I am not sure but as much as I like the ATS I think the 3 series might have won, the ATS manual was a kind of notchy I think but then the 3 series manuals have never been very good I am kind of thinking, but I am not really sure. But at the end of the day the BMW won, I think. Oh wait but dont hold me to that…
yabadabadoo…I was kidding you; ATS did just fine.
Time will tell for this car…..dealers have them on lots but I don;t know if they are selling
OK, The reviewer says the ATS beats the 3 series. Wow. Then he says the tranny has some shift issue on the manual that just keeps him from buying it over the 3 series but does say it might be a single car issue.
Did some research and I found only one manual shift comment from Popular Mechanics that shift engagements could be more positive. BUT was not a game changer for them.
Sounds like ATS is a winner. GM just needs to improve the shifter on the Manual (which will probably be low volume anyway)
Even if the ATS did not truly beat the 3, it is nothing to be ashamed of. As the man said, the ATS had a mountain to climb, and it climbed it. Did you really expect the ATS to beat the 3 on the first try? I expect an easy pass come the next generation. Cadillac can now experience and learn from their mistakes in this segment, the transmission being one of them. Also, remember that there are many different cars in this segment, including the Mercedes C, Audi A4, Lexus IS, and Infiniti G. The ATS surely beats each of those vehicles.
Well, no people have a choice to buy an American car that is really very good
In my training, GM seriously boasts about the Tremec manual they put in the ATS. I bet they were surprised to find it being their only downfall! However, I dont know if this reflects poorly on me – or rather im right on par with Jonny, I too felt the notch of reverse from the 1-2 shift. Annoying. And all you have to do to put it in reverse is apply little – and I mean almost spongy feeling – pressure to shift into reverse. It could have been the beaten-on overly ridden tester of theirs as well. Can’t wait for the 2.0T’s to arrive and PLEASE, ditch the 2.5! Only RWD and probably only available now because of the constraint of the new turbo. Otherwise, what a ride.
Also, remember that we probably have a 3.6TT in the works, an opportunity to re-vamp the tranny in the assumed 2014 V-series and that 90%+ of these buyers are going to get the auto in either the BMW or ATS anyways! Win: ATS. Great job, Caddy.