It’s no secret that General Motors aims to continue getting up BMW’s nose a bit with the 3-Series rivaling Cadillac ATS. But in order to really dethrone the king of the C-segment performance sedans, Cadillac must inject enough performance into the impending 2016 ATS-V to compete with the new F80 BMW M3 and its two-door counterpart, the M4.
BMW has officially announced the performance versions of its 2015 3 series and 4 series which launched earlier this year, and the performance figures are even greater than what we reported back in September.
The new twin turbocharged 3.0 liter inline six produces 425 horsepower across a broad rev range from 5,500 rpm to a high-pitched 7,300 rpm. That’s only five more horsepower than the outgoing e92, but the M3 has never been about raw grunt in the first place. That said, the turbo six delivers more in the way of torque too, producing 406 lb-ft from 1,850 rpm all the way up to 5,500 rpm.
On top being more powerful than the e92’s V8 (an amazing engine, that was also a total gas hog), the new inline six is more economical as well. BMW claims a fuel efficiency increase over the outgoing M3 of 25 percent as well as a 25 percent drop in emissions.
Another contributing factor to the performance of the M3 will be it’s low curb weight, tipping the scales at an impressive 3,300 pounds, or about equal to that of the 2014 Corvette Stingray. The increase in power and decrease in weight translate to a 0-60 time of  4.1 seconds for the standard manual transmission and 3.9 seconds for the available dual clutch.
BMW used a carbon fiber reinforced plastic in certain components to save weight, including in the driveshaft and front strut-tower brace. Additionally, the roof is carbon fiber and the suspension components are aluminum, all in the pursuit of lightness.
The M3 also makes use of aerodynamics for improved downforce, while not appearing to come off too much as a raw race car. The front apron, smooth underbody and integrated rear spoiler provide equal downforce in the front and the rear, while the M gills in the side help expel air from the front wheel arches.
While we don’t know too much about the impending ATS-V, we’re confident that Cadillac is keeping a close eye on the new M3 while continuing to develop it’s mid-size performance offering. The ATS-V will reportedly have as much as 500 horsepower, so it might already have the straight-line speed bragging rights in the bag.
The new M3/M4 is set to bow at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month and is expected in BMW dealers by early Summer. GM has remained tight lipped about the ATS-V, though it’s only a matter of time before a tale of the tape for the two welterweights is conjured.
Comments
you know what, i dont think Cadillac should be worried….they have there eye on the game and kno what their doing and what they want to do…..the ATS is already the best handling car in the segment (so, is the CTS) so with the right amount of weight reduction and engine in place the V should reign supreme amongst all other offerings….i will note that Cadillac should be worried about their launch time, since the V will likely be the best car to drive around any track getting of the line will be the problem seeing as though it will be RWD and the BMW will likely have more power (underrating) and AWD……but to me that is not important it is the overall driving experience….so to cadillac, make sure those tires are sticky, that torque band is low , shed some pounds and what the V excel to excellence !!!!!!!
The German companies are now taking Cadillac serious. In the past BMW would never speak of the C word and just recently Benz said they are watching for the CTSV as they have great interest in it.
The best compliment to the legitimacy and relevance of Cadillac is the big boys are speaking of them. When was the last time either German firm showed any interest in Cadillac.
As for Cadillac they are not worried as they are the underdog here and they have nothing to lose and only one way to go up.
What they know is what we know GM has one of the best power train divisions in the world. Now that they have money the engines and Trannys are getting the funding they lacked before. Both German MFG know what GM is capable of and now they have money they now have to take them serious.
Also know that Porsche and others I am sure have a Stingray ordered or in hand and they are taking it apart to see just what all is in it. They have done it before and they keep doing it.
Benz I am sure has done the same with the new CTS already.
Both Benz and BMW have grown stagnate and they are both trying to get back on track. It has to kill BMW to hear the reviews of their recent car being compared to the CTS. Nearly all say the CTS drives like the BMW used too.
GM does have a great power train division! But what I don’t understand is why they don’t put VVT, SIDI, AFM and iVVL in all of their V6’s and V8’s? I know it costs money, but they clearly have t now! I4’s should have VVT, SIDI and iVVL. I think they should also make a new I6. Don’t know what car for, but just make one. .
Note too while the public perceptions may have not fully changed toward Cadillac the perceptions of BMW and Benz to Cadillac have.
+6
425hp is all well and good for BMW to put down on paper, but they have always been known to run conservative with the true power of their cars. I wouldn’t be surprised if true crank HP was 460-475. The Alpha platform is good, MRC suspension is good, everything is good, but Caddy still has their work cut out for them. Being *just* as good isn’t enough, they have to do it better and do it better consistently. Their easy out for the past 10 years for anything that isn’t up to par with the competition has been “we’ll we are thousands cheaper” that isn’t the proper attitude of a luxury brand, especially when it comes to their range topping halo models and won’t be true this time around as prices run in parallel to BMW and Merc.
It’s not really the power figures, or suspension of the F80 that I’m wondering if Cadillac will beat. It’s the weight. It’s about being better all around.
Cadillac has been winning the magazine comparisons. Cadillac also has package right now that is much more fun to drive in a very well engineered package.
This is all good but they still have to earn the desire and respect of the public. The ATS is only step one and the CTS is step two. GM is building a path to the top and the other understand this. At this point they know this is a serious threat and have taken note. Each of these cars have good and bad points. While the Cue needs fixed the BMW just is a turd to drive compared to what it once was.
The LTS will build on this as will the sport SUV we will see. The V series is going to blow some minds in the A and C cars and the competition already knows it.
With each and every model GM is showing they have the ability to compete on most levels and with very good product. The left over stuff like the Malibu will be replaced with better cars much sooner than you think.
Folks things are just getting to the point were it will get interesting with cars like the Buick flagship coming, the New Camaro and the LTS. These are only a couple of the new models we will see and there is so much more to come.
5 more years people will have a much more different perception of GM than they have had. You can already see the other MFG put up a defense pose now.
The fact is the ATS was as good but we are finding the CTS to be a little better and the next step is for models that are a lot better. It can and will happen just watch. Who 20 years ago would have ever thought we would have a CTS like we have today.
Lance the BMW M cars (the real M. Not the knock off M sport versions), have always been and probably will remain rear wheel drive only. RWD only is lighter and allows for a better front suspension setup as well as lower center of gravity which equals better handling. A sub 4 second 0 to 60 tells me that traction is not a problem. Especially with today’s tires and balanced weight distribution and mandatory traction and stability control systems.
BMW, and the General, have strengths and weaknesses, but the differences are in technology. BMWs strength is it’s jump into carbon fiber weight savings, while GMS strength is electro magnetic suspension. Both strengths are crucial to performance, but so is overall balance.
Whoever adopts the strength of its competitor will win, albeit by a narrow margin, but a win is a win. GM, has little to lose, but BMW has allot to lose… and they know it.
What is BMWs worst nightmare, is that GM has proven they can compete… it’s gonna be fun.
It will take a lot more than just horse power to beat this M3. I’m not saying GM can’t do it, but if anyone think just throwing 500hp in the ATS-V is the answer, tell them to ask the last C63 AMG. We all know that BMW cars are underrated by at least 50hp, but with this kind of power to weight ratio, technology, and the sublime handling that the M3 (not so much the other M cars) is noted for, I’m sure both GM and AMG bosses are having sleepless nights over this latest M3
As those at GM should be restless. They can’t reasonably have believed that BMW would sit still while the ATS came out.
The people at BMW aren’t stupid; they knew an ATS-V was a given. Everyone knew.
Autopal GM has already done it as the new CTS driving dynamic has been declared better than the BMW no matter what engine the CTS has. The BMW loving media almost universally have declared the CTS the better handling and more fun car to drive. They all say this is what BMW used to be like and has lost their way.
The power GM has is not an issue as most GM engines are underrated and often have built in room to grow power easily.
GM is not sleepless as they are the underdog and if they come close but short they will still reap praise but BMW of late has been taking hits left and right for losing their way with the line they have now. many feel that BMW is the new old Cadillac and Cadillac is the new BMW.
Cadillac will only get more power and lighter even as their cars are already lighter. GM is close to bringing in the Molded Carbon Fiber as it has finally cut production time to where it is affordable to use in greater quantities.
The one losing sleep is the guys at BMW as they are working over time to catch up. Don’t’ believe me read all the road test and seldom is the BMW in the top three anymore unless there is only three in the test.
Scott, you are missing the point. Nowhere in my post did i suggest that GM can’t compete with BMW. Anybody who still think that, is living in the past. My comments regarding handling, etc, was about the E90 M3, and not the other BMW’s that have been drawing flak from automotive journalist. My daily driver is a 2009 BMW 335i with M sport package, the last 3 series with the superb hydraulic steering, which, in my opinion, is the last great 3 series.
I will be replacing my car next year, and the mere fact that i plan to check out, not just the M3 and C63, but also the upcoming ATS-V, before making my decision, shows how far GM has gained on the Germans.
We will all know in due coarse, but my suspicion is this new M3 will be very good, (unlike the poor effort they made with the M5), and it will be tough for all the rivals. Who knows, i could be very wrong, but we will see
Agree with a lot of what I’m seeing here but it’s about the complete package. Yes the M3s power is underrated, probably closer to 470 hp at the crank and the weight really surprised me. I was thinking 3,400 would have been realistic (and impressive) based on the weight of the other 3 series but 3,300 is a little shocking. But I’m confident the LF3 (not buying the 3.0 or 3.2 nonsense) can easily be boosted to over 500 hp. The weight concerns me but I don’t think the caddy needs to match it to be honest. If we learned anything from the ZL1 vs. GT500 comparos the lighter car isn’t always the best handling. A decent diet, some wide and sticky michelins, MRC, the E-diff out of the C7, PTM, and proven superiority of Alpha should be enough. It’s going to come down to unquantifiable differences such as brake and steering feel, which the ATS has consistently been noted for leading the segment buts need to be razor sharp to bring down the M3.
I understand what you are saying but you assume too much. While BMW is not totally out of the equation they have shown great weakness of late.
In your first post you speak as if Cadillac is just trying to out muscle BMW with power and to this point That is not even where the trouble is for BMW.
BMW has a rep to protect and GM has one to build It should be a fun challenge and at this point I would not count either out. At this point BMW has a lot more too lose and at this point we have yet to see all the cards from Cadillac. I think there are many sleepless nights in Germany in two towns not just one.
Sorry but you post reeked of smug BMW bias. If I took it wrong sorry but that is just the way it read.
Might take note that the CTS and ATS handling will only improve and with a Coupe we may see a drop in even more weight.
GM is not longer lets just put the big engine in and some big tires with stiff springs. GM has learned the less is more and add in the new shocks it makes for endless combinations of excellent handling under many conditions.
Also now that these teams are also enabled to do their job with out waiting from on high approval things can finally get done right the first time. Ehh except for the Cue LOL! No one is perfect.
GM has released an amazing new stingray, an awesome but heavy zl1, an outstanding z/28, and the amazing cts and ats. I am confident GM can make a much better performance car than BMW in the shape of the ats-v. Now, this isn’t going to be a walk in the park for GM engineers, but I think they now what they’re doing, and can make something crazy happen.
Next to the SS vs SRT comparison, this is the comparison that I am anticipating most.
The SS walked all over the SRT8 in Car and Driver. While it was a tick slower it was a much better car in all other ways. They made the SS the clear choice. They said it was as if a BMW and Camaro mated.
Yeah, the review isn’t available online yet. That’s no surprise to me…considering what the G8 did to the RT in 2008.
They said the SS was down some power but they said it was a much more refined and better car inside and out. It also road and handled better.
The only they did say was the styling was a little more plain but they also said that was not all bad.
Truth is the Charger is a old car and not a very refined car. Chrysler/Fiat is just lucky GM did not have the Alpha edition ready yet.