Performance sedans are a tricky bunch these days. Manufacturers have gotten incredibly good at offering up sports car thrills in luxurious, four-door packages.
That’s why Motor Trend rounded up the latest trio for a good ‘ol fashioned comparison test. The contenders were the king of sports saloons, the BMW M3, BMW’s bavarian competition, the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and the American party-crasher, the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V.
We’ll spoil some of the writeup for you. The 2016 ATS-V hits its target in taking down the BMW M3, but doesn’t cinch the win for the home team this round.
MTÂ cites only a little more tweaking would make the Cadillac ATS-V the all-around, luxury sports sedan champion. Critiques of the car fell on a low engine redline, as the engine was out of breath towards the end of the quarter mile. Engine refinement was a biggie, too, with a desire for a better exhaust note. But, let’s get serious, it’s very difficult for a TTV6 engine to sound better than the C63 AMG’s twin-turbo V8.
We can’t help but wonder what the enthusiast publication would have ranked the ATS-V if it had a similarly-powered, but better sounding/revving 6.2L LT1 V8 from the Corvette Stingray (or 2016 Camaro SS), instead of the force-fed LF4. Some of us internally also have similar feelings about the engine after wheeling the 464 hp Bavarian bunker buster after a day, as well.
But, the 2016 ATS-V hits the bullseye in nearly every category. Braking is better, acceleration is better, chassis feel is superb. As MT puts it, “For better or worse, it seems that Cadillac engineered the ATS-V to be sport sedan first and a luxury car second.”
Meanwhile, the Mercedes C63 AMG seems to have won because of its overall creature comforts, while offering the meanest drivetrain of the lot. Even though it was by far the heaviest.
Comments
GM must understand that high performance is not all in a car, specially in the luxury segment.
Luxury is good space, good trunk, performance, comfort, security, cool design in a out…………………..
Of what you just said from your logic, what is the point of having a V series if GM is not going to put all of their might and effort into the program?
GM did an excellent job with the ATS-V and this car will have it’s followers which I am not worry one bit.
The difficulty with a car in this segment, is that it have to be able to do multiple things very well. It has to be competent on the racetrack, hold its own against out an out sports car on the drag strip, sound fantastic when the owner is in the mood, but most importantly, a pleasant daily driver, and a true luxury car with a fabulous interior for the other 80% of the time. That is the reason why I agree with the results of this matchup, and why I would buy the C63. I hope I don’t see all the fanboys start whining about how much cheaper the ATS-V is, compared to the Benz, as the Cadillac should not enticing just because of its price, you should buy your Cadillac if you think it is the best, not because it is a cheaper alternative to the germans
Yea. Turbo v8.
Where is the intercooled chevy/GM turbo LS3?
No where.
Mercedes only won because of it’s “Race Mode”!!
Have you seen the interior in the new C class. It blows everything out of the water and the ATS has limited head room inside with very tight rear seats. The C class won because it is the best and it’s selling like crazy.
Coming in 2nd in that crowd is something Cadillac could never have done just a few years ago . Just being able to put up their product against the best shows just how serious Cadillac is . I dont think price in this segment is anything to be concerned with , if you have the cash to buy in this segment you will buy what you think is the best .
Nothing says luxury, performance and exclusivity like today’s banner ad that reads:
“Whopping Discount on 2015 Cadillac! Get a Cadillac Internet Price Now”.
what happened to the Northstar Engine ??
Stone age.
GM has chased BMW first and foremost for the better part of the last decade. With BMW’s slipping QC, and worrying about expanding the choices and models as opposed to making the existing models better, it’s a hollow victory over them. You have to play the game against BMW however, to get the attention of the automotive media.
But then any cache around MT or C&D wins in lost when buyers are waiting around for $5k+ off MSRP or better.
Btw GMA, Stuttgart is not in Bavaria….
Just goes to show you that there is NOTHING better than a good old V8 engine. enough said