When the 2013 Cadillac ATS launches in the next couple of months, it will have an official curb weight of 3,315 pounds (1,503.7 kilograms) when equipped with the 2.5 liter Ecotec engine and six-speed automatic gearbox — making it the lightest vehicle in the U.S. sports-compact luxury segment consisting of the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4. But the good news doesn’t end there, as the model powered by the 3.6 liter LFX V6 and six-speed auto will also be the lightest in its class, weighing in at 3,461 lbs (1,573 kg) and being able to achieve 60 MPH from a standstill in a short 5.4 seconds.
2013 Sport Luxry Compact Sedan Stats
| VEHICLE | CURB WEIGHT - AUTO (POUNDS) | 0-60 MPH (SECONDS) |
|---|---|---|
| CADILLAC ATS 3.6 V6 | 3,461 | 5.4 |
| BMW 335i | 3,545 | 5.4 |
| MBZ C350 | 3,615 | 5.9 |
| AUDI S4 | 3,935 | 4.9 |
*Table date source: respective manufacturer brochures, websites
The light weight of the ATS equips it with quickness and agility — key characteristics of the segment. These defining qualities will also be complemented by slippery aerodynamics that result in a GM-estimated fuel economy of 32 MPG highway and 22 MPG city for the 2.5L and 2.0L turbo (EPA estimates are not available at time of publication).
Part of the way in which the ATS achieves its weight advantage is by using an aluminum hood and front suspension parts, magnesium engine mount brackets, as well as natural-fiber door trim panels. The engineering team, which — according to GM — counted grams rather than kilograms during the car’s development, also reduced weight in the rear suspension by implementing specially-engineering straight steel links with mass-reducing holes instead of utilizing aluminum.
The light weight, coupled with the ATS’ near-perfect 50-50 weight distribution, should make for one refined driving experience — and we can’t wait to get behind the wheel of one of these babies in the near future. In the meantime, all we can do is configure Caddy’s newest sedan to our heart’s content.
The GM Authority Take
It always helps to start with a clean slate, as Caddy did with the ATS. By doing so, decisions could be made early on to do things right — rather than shoehorn and eliminate features at some point along the vehicle’s development. We, however, wonder about the stats of the ATS cradling the 2.0 liter turbo engine, which haven’t been released yet.And while the ATS doesn’t disappoint in the 0-60 department, every auto enthusiast undoubtedly understands that these vehicles are much more than straight-line acceleration.
Looks like Karl-Friedrich Stracke — in his role as GM’s VP of vehicle engineering — wasn’t just spouting hot air, after all, when he said that Cadillac will beat BMW on unsprung weight. Kudos!
Comments
I don’t think it’s very fair to compare the RS4. Audi should never rank at the top amongst the likes of BMW, Mercedes Benz, and now Cadillac.
Justin — we don’t have the RS4 listed, just the S4, which is the market competitor to the vehicles listed ever since Audi discontinued its weak V6 in the A4 like.
This is good. Finally we get a true class leader from GM. And while I respect Audi, I don’t think their cars have the performance to keep up with BMW, Benz and now Cadillac. Maybe on paper but not in the real world.
The 2L Turbo ATS does 5.7 sec auto or 5.8 sec manual according to Cadillac per the ATS specifications sheet
http://caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/2013-cadillac-ats-specifications/
Thanks for the specs!
3.6 then bolt on an IPF supercharger and you’re looking at power just shy of 450rwhp. Volant intake, B&B long tube headers and exhaust, and you’ll get that 450rwhp mark (well more than 500+HP at the crank!). And it’ll still weigh less than the C350. And unless you really get on it, it will still be pretty damn efficient.
All the talk is about engines. What about gearboxes? Are we going to see those 8 speed type boxes behind the engines on these vehicles?
Add one of those and light weight we’ll be looking at a performance leader on 0-60 and mpg.
the first application of the 8spd rwd autos is set to go in the next gen truck twins. And I bet they will debut the 8spd in cars when they launch the 3.6L twin turbo, so maybe watch for it in the ATS-V. the C7 will get it at some point too.
I’m a little disappointed with only 32 highway miles for the 2.0T. Anyone else?
Genesis Coupe with equal engine spec gets lesser. Remember the ATS has 270hp. It isn’t a 2.0T only putting out 220hp.
Disappointed? I know that over the past few years mpg had increased dramatically and so have our expectations , but to be disappointed at 32 for a performance car with 270hp, a feat that’s downright impressive, is going too far.
And the mpg is in line with the 3 series, despite GM built cars being considered gas hogs and BMW s to be relatively efficient.
Not a huge deal but I was hoping for around 34 mpg. I guess we’ll find out the official number from the EPA soon enough. I’m still buying a 2.0T manual next spring so its not a make or break type of issue.
Checkbook ready for 2.0 Manual RWD. The best balanced of the bunch and the ‘driver’ version.
This makes me wonder what the fuel efficiency of the ATS will be compared to the 3-Series. The ATS is lighter, but the BMW has a smaller engine, although it is evidently more powerful since the Caddy and Beamer have equal 0-60 times.