Last Friday, August 15th, 2014, GM Shanghai launched the 2015 Cadillac ATS-L in China — finally giving itself a player in the country’s popular stretched compact luxury car segment. The stretched compact sport-luxury sedan retains the sportiness, balanced proportions, and world-class performance of the ATS (which is also sold in China) with additional room, more convenience, and safety features for passengers in the rear seat. It is priced between RMB 288,800 and RMB 448,800, or approximately $47,000 and $80,000 (based on current exchange rates).
“The ATS-L will strengthen Cadillac’s position in China’s mainstream luxury car market,” said Shanghai GM President Wang Yongqing. “With its dynamic and fashionable styling, our newest Cadillac model will especially appeal to younger customers.”
Based on the 2015 Cadillac ATS Sedan already sold in global markets, the ATS-L was developed with a focus on enhanced luxury and comfort along with uncompromising driving dynamics. It features a wheelbase that is 85 mm (3.34 inches) longer than its non-L brother, maximizing legroom and headroom for passengers riding in the back seat. This gives second-row passengers an additional 27 mm (1 inch) of headroom and 73 mm (2.87 inches) of legroom.
The vehicle also delivers several ergonomic enhancements to its the rear seats, with nine major storage compartments, including additional compartments on the rear doors, a redesigned central armrest console in the rear seat, as well as a cup holder with a removable cover.
And just like its non-L sibling, the ATS-L delivers a nimble and balanced ride thanks to its 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution made possible by a high-strength and lightweight architecture, Brembo Brakes, Magnetic Ride Control suspension, and high-performance run-flat tires. It is available with a choice of two high-performance turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four engines that generate segment-leading power. Paddle shifters on the steering wheel enable the driver to select manual, comfortable, sporty or anti-skid driving modes.
Interestingly, the ATS-L does not utilize Cadillac’s revised Crest logo, instead launching with the outgoing Wreath and Crest emblem.
Moving opposite to market trends.
With four model years recommended for purchase.
This example is a former NCRS award winner.
Many automakers oppose right-to-repair laws citing cybersecurity concerns.
Breaking out the spec sheets for a comparison.
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Why does it take the Chinese to finally get the proportions right for the ATS ?? The look is more balanced , more headroom , rear legroom . Last time I looked there was reportedly 215 days supply of 2014 ATS model in the States . Sales had tanked , it would appear and when you look at the overall presentation of that vehicle , in my opinion , it should have never got to market . The ATS-L is a superb design , so a big thank you to the Chinese at GM Shanghai . There was a rumor that Cadillac might move some offices etc , to New York . If there is some truth to the rumor , perhaps GM management should consider sending the staff right to Shanghai , instead ??
Excellent point. The ATS-L's size should be sufficient for those customers who bought the last gen CTS; who can no longer afford the current model due to its repositioning as a full-fledge, midsized sedan. In my opinion, I think the CTS should stretch its wheelbase to match that of the XTS, this way, its interior dimesion can increase.
Whoa! Hold on a second!
"The look is more balanced".
As always, design is subjective. Now on to the less subjective items: rear-seat legroom is one of the least-considered factors in this vehicle class. Nearly no one one cares about it... with the exception of the Chinese market that buy the stretched compacts to be driven in. It's a non-starter.
The real reasons behind the ATS' slowing slowing are threefold, but neither has reason has anything to do with product. Instead, it is all about:
1. Weakness of brand among established luxury players.
Cadillac needs a better image and more cachet to continue attracting conquest buyers. And it can't do that without 1) time to build image/cachet and 2) more product (LTS, more crossovers, wagons for Europe, a roadster or two, etc.). The "new" Cadillac is in it for the long term. Sales won't increase over night, and neither will its image.
2. Incentives.
BMW is practically giving the 3 Series away, while Mercedes and Audi are selling out stock of the outgoing C-Class and A4 with huge incentives.
3. Lack of portfolio "depth".
The ATS is the only player in the segment that didn't even have a coupe variant until now. Meanwhile, BMW has a 4-door Wagon, 4-door GT (3 Series Gran Turismo), 2-door coupe (4 Series Coupe), a 4-door "Gran Coupe" (4 Series Gran Coupe). All of these variants might not sell in big numbers, but they add depth to the lineup, which gives them incremental sales and raises the lineup's image.
Overall, it will take time for Cadillac to do #1 and #3. It's a long-term game.
With the recent comments coming out of GM management concerning enlarging the ATS to make room for a subcompact RWD model - adopting the Chinese ATS-L stateside seems realistic. And why not? All the fuss around backseat lack of room might go away. I thoroughly enjoy my 2013 ATS Performance Edition 3.6. A couple of Magnaflow mufflers added a sharpness to performance and a more mature exhaust sound. In addition, I ordered lower door trim thru CarID.com which looks very much like the ATS-L trim.
Given that the subcompact Caddy will probably arrive around the time of the next-gen ATS, that will probably result in the next-gen ATS growing just a bit in length.
Glad to hear you're enjoying your ATS. What's funny is I was just looking about that lower door trim piece on the ATS-L, as it accentuates the side profile quite nicely. How did you install yours? Is it a stick-on or is there hardware involved?
Bring it to the North American market, and use the normal ATS as a coupe and convertible variant.
What for? Do Audi, Mercedes, BMW, or Volvo offer their stretched compacts in the U.S.?
No, they don't. Because there is literally no market for them here, or consideration for rear-seat legroom. It would be a fruitless endeavor. I'd rather see Cadillac focus on building an ATS convertible (another model missing from the lineup right now) or even a wagon (for Europe).
No market?
I can tell you that the laughable back seat is the main reason I didn't buy one.
This is the car we should have gotten. GM is trying to hard to follow European sizing standards.
Caddy needs to present itself as an alternative to the segment status quo--an American brand that isn't afraid to shy away from American tastes regarding size. The longer wheel base has almost no effect on fuel economy, and is a lot more sensible for NA.
But as I've stated earlier in the comment thread, buyers in this segment pay nearly no consideration to rear-seat legroom. It's consistently either the last or second-to-last point of consideration for the segment. Offering a larger rear seat doesn't offer any competitive advantage. In fact, buyers here want a truly compact car... not a car that's between compact and midsize; 1st and 2nd generation CTS and the STS come to mind... neither of which were astounding sales successes because they were neither here nor there.
If nothing else, the new subcompact Caddy could make the next-gen ATS grow in length a bit... but it will grow in tandem with other segment competitors from The Germans, who will also offer subcompacts of their own (CLA, A3, 1 Series).
If there is so little consideration for rear seat leg room, why buy a sedan anyway? I agree with your assessment, in this segment NONE of the cars are designed with rear seat passengers in mind. Riding in the rear is damn near torture.
That said, i don't believe GM or any other manufacturer should be designing incompetent sedans simply because the core buyers are idiots.
The ALS stretch should have been the standard ALS PERIOD.
Did I see a 2.5 T logo on the trunk lid ? Could it be a new 2.5 turbo 4 cylinder engine ? Could that be the 4 cyl engine to battle with the 2.3 Mustang for 2016 ? I also think the ATS should have been 3.34 inches longer to start with ( as my Verano turbo ) its great looks is unchanged !
I have my doubt but we'll see