Cadillac is out for blood. Not only do its upcoming 2016 Cadillac ATS-V and 2016 CTS-V outperform their respected German rivals on paper, but they also undercut them in the price category. Cadillac President, Johan de Nysschen, says the latest V-Series Cadillacs are the nightmares of German performance fanboys, and we think they may be keeping engineering teams in Deutschland up at night too.
We already heard Cadillac plans on expanding its current V-Series lineup to include a possible CT6-V and adding the V badge to incoming product, but Cadillac may have plans to hone in the current 2016 ATS-V for a legitimate AMG Black Series rival.
Car and Driver spoke with Cadillac chief engineer Dave Leone, and asked whether an even more aggressive version of the ATS-V will show face.
“We might have something down the road that is a little bit more aggressive.” Talk about piquing our interest.
Another unnamed source in the report says this vehicle may surface around 2017, right in the midst of Cadillac’s portfolio revolution, which will include new crossovers, and a sub-ATS sized vehicle.
But don’t expect it to feature all-wheel drive or a dual-clutch gearbox. Leone says both were considered for the 2016 ATS-V, but ultimately, in the name of weight savings, they were scrapped.
“They carry a certain mystique,” said Leone, “but it wasn’t worth it.”
Specifically, the addition of all-wheel drive would have added up to 200 pounds to the 2016 ATS-V, all at the front wheels, according to Leone.
It sounds like the ATS-V may find a V8 powerplant under the bonnet sooner rather than later if you ask us. We think the LT1 6.2-liter V8 would sit quite well with the car’s alpha-platform bones, as it will in the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro. The platform does support V8 engines after all.
It’s a good time to be a Cadillac fan ladies and gentlemen.
Comments
More /V/ models? ok, with lots of luxury and technology over the extreme horsepower.
The power is fine, but these high-end cars sold best in materials, the best in comfort, the best technology and most customized equipment and design
The rich do not like to run. but they like to show that their product will get stares and admiration.
GM can be offer all of this and more, only do it
We have a Cadillac and without all wheel drive they are 2nd rate to the competition without all wheel drive if you live anywhere that it snows or rains.