Earlier this month, we told you about some interesting changes to the Cadillac order guides that hinted at a Cadillac ATS Vsport. We also told you about two new ATS appearance packages — the Midnight Special Edition and Black Sport Appearance Package. Now, we’ve discovered another noteworthy item — a seemingly upcoming black window molding accessory for the Cadillac ATS.
Here’s the deal: Cadillac recently updated its website to include some new ATS accessories. One of the updates included a photo of a 2015 ATS Coupe with black window molding and some other accessories. We’ve included the picture and associated text in question just below (highlight, ours):
Shown with 18 inch Spectra Gray Wheels, Black Window Molding, Accessory Spoiler and Accessory Grille
The picture of the ATS Coupe in question, as found on the official Cadillac ATS Coupe Accessory page. Note the black window molding.
What’s interesting about the picture and its description is that neither the ATS Sedan nor the ATS Coupe offer the black window molding in their accessory books at the time of this writing. However, both vehicles recently began offering the Midnight Special Edition package that blacks out several chrome pieces on the vehicle, including the DLO (Daylight Window Opening, otherwise known as window molding elements). In addition, the Cadillac ATS-V Sedan and ATS-V Coupe have been photographed with black chrome window moldings, though the online configurators for both vehicles don’t make the option available at the time of this writing.
The GM Authority Take
It would appear that existing owners of the ATS Sedan and ATS Coupe will soon be able to purchase the black window molding for their vehicles as an official Cadillac accessory, finally ending the need to plastic-dip or tape the elements. We assume that Cadillac is making the accessory available thanks to its inclusion in the Midnight Special Edition package or its availability in the ATS-V range.
Whatever the case may be, the news is welcome to many ATS owners, as the blacked-out look is growing in popularity on luxury vehicles. Cadillac has been notably absent from the black-out game, whle Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Lexus all offer a black-out package or trim level in their luxury compact cars, making it a vital option for Cadillac to offer as well.
And with a black front grille, black rear fascia molding, black wheels, and now black window moldings available installed at the factory and also as accessories, the only item that Caddy has yet to black out on the ATS are the external mirror caps. Here’s to hoping that those are next, as that would complete the black-out look.
Comments
seems like they are trying really hard to make the ATS cool for younger ppl.. my young self is still more interested in the big body ct6..
They need to offer as many black parts and accents as they can to compete with the Germans, especially BMW and Audi. They also need to offer ATS-V goodies as accessories for existing customers and as factory optiojs for new buyers. The black trend on luxury cars is new but it it is here to stay when you consider demographics.
Can we please get a better gauge cluster for this vehicle?
Concur, at the very least make the reconfigurable LCD cluster that is available on the CTS (and I think the upcoming Camaro) an Option on the ATS. There would be no re-engineering, this unit fits the ATS without modification.
Same for the existing ventilated seats and the upcoming “360 camera system” that will be available on the CTS and the Escalade. I wish Cadillac would quit trying to force ATS customers to purchase a CTS by restricting options that are becoming available on much less expensive cars. Find it hard to believe that they actually make more money / satisfy customers with this tactic.
Not bad, but these little stuff will mean nothing, sales wise, until Cadillac update their engines. The 2.0 turbo is the only competitive one, the weak sauce 2.5 NA needs to go, and they also need a turbo 6, pushing about 350 hp and 350 tq, if they plan to compete with the Germans. The chassis on this car is so good, it’s a shame the engines doesn’t match
Cadillac is playing up some cheap black plastic moldings as gee whiz stuff. In the meantime, check out the new E class Mercedes. Coming out with technology that Cadillac can’t even dream about. And they wonder why their cars are sitting unsold on dealer lots?
E class doesn’t compete with ATS sir!
Hey Rick! No one is “playing up” anything. The black window molding (which isn’t plastic, by the way) is also available on the C-Class, 3 Series, and A4/S4, and it’s an important part of satisfying the customer in the compact sport-luxury segment.
Now if you want to talk about “technology that Cadillac can’t even dream about”… care to mention any specifics? How about remote start? Oh, right — Mercedes doesn’t even know what that means.
The black treatment looks nice , but it won’t work on all paint colors . Maybe black chrome is a better idea for colors other than the black . Chrome or polished stainless will still be the preferred trim for luxury cars .Even backed out wheels have morphed into diff colors . Plastic dip is just a fad .
Black treatment options are only good on a
black car, if you want a all black look.
The 18″ black crome wheels look good, but
the 19″ 5-spoke looks like a teenager car.
Completely disagree that black elements are only good on a black car. More and more, consumers in the compact sport-lux segment want to replace the chrome elements with black ones… and that’s across the board, not just on black models.
So, what you’re saying was true 10 years ago but it no longer holds true today. Consumer desires, preferences, and general market demand have changed a lot since then.
About the wheels: to each his own. Have you seen the 19″ 5-spokes in person? They looks amazing. And if you don’t want black, you can get them in two different silver options.