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2016 Cadillac ATS-V Faces 2016 Mercedes AMG C63 S In Latest Head 2 Head: Video

A lot of manufacturers have tried cracking the BMW M3’s sport sedan formula. Some have had good luck. Others? Not so much.

The 2016 Cadillac ATS-V sits as the first true competitor to the BMW M3 in size and specifications, letting the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V go larger, and square its sights on M5 territory.

Motor Trend decided to find out whether the 2016 ATS-V, or the 2016 Mercedes AMG C63 S, came closer to besting the BMW M3 in its latest Head 2 Head comparison. Spoiler alert, the publication says both are better than the M3.

But, it’s same old, same old for the 2016 ATS-V. Cadillac’s latest V-series vehicle loses points for CUE’s lackluster performance, and a not-so-special feeling interior. It’s something we’ve detailed, too, in our first drive of the 2016 ATS-V at Road America. The chassis? Sublime. The finer details? Almost there.

In comparison, or contrast, rather, the 2016 AMG C63 S employs a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 making 503 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, besting the ATS-V’s LF4 twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 and its 464 hp and 445 lb-ft.

There’s more contrast from the AMG, too. Hands down, the interior is a nicer place to be, we’ll echo MT on that. But, the publication calls it a close one on both cars, calling the 2016 ATS-V one of the best driving cars ever made. It becomes clear the M3 has had a target on its back for much too long, and the Americans, as well as cross-town rivals, have earned their slice of the sport sedan market.

Who was the true winner? We’ll invite you to click play above, and find out for yourself.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. ‘ATS-V beats the C63AMG S in every performance metric’ but is not the winner??
    Huh!!!
    For my money ATS V all the way. Better performance and looks plus I keep an extra $17000 in my pockets.

    Reply
  2. They just think the ATS is not good because of the interior pretty much which is just really stupid

    Reply
  3. Awesome comparison! I virtually see no losers here; although I too favor the C63 AMG S for the same reasons MT does. They lost all cool points with me when they said the C63’s exterior design didn’t look that well! No doubt, the C63 is the most attractive high performance compact sedan on the market! Not to mention its world class interior and seductive V8 sound! Despite the price difference I’d be more than happy to fork over $89K for one. Like MT pointed out, I too favor the Benz’s woodgrain interior over everyone else’s heavy carbon fiber trimming! To me, carbon fiber trimming looks better in exotics and non luxury high performance cars.

    It’s awesome to see this Caddy not only hang with the Germans, but beat them in the performance metric; though by the slimmest of margins! Now that GM has successfully conquered their most hated rival, BMW, in the performance metric, hopefully they’ll turn their sights on Mercedes Benz and benchmark them for interior quality and refinement!

    Reply
  4. For me, it’s not a matter of winner or loser, they are both different. The Cadillac is clearly the better track car, whilst the AMG, with it’s lovely V8 and world class interior, is the better and more liveable car as a daily driver. It’s just a matter of what is more important to the buyer, and unfortunately for Cadillac, majority of people shopping in this segment are not taking their cars to the track, at least not regularly

    Reply
  5. The key to the Cadillac is they have the mechanics right but there is still some work to do in some areas. That is what the CT5 will represent.

    The key is not to just be close or beat them in some areas but to make a car that is undisputed superior. That is what they will do and we will see in the near future.

    They got it damn close but the car was short changed in areas buy the board. Now with the independent people running the company and away from the Detroit meddling we shall see some even greater cars.

    To be the Standard you must set the Standard not just benchmark the others.

    Keep in mind Cadillac was treated as something’s were good enough and now with the new management they are fixing these things that were considered good enough.

    Reply
  6. ” The chassis guys at Cadillac need to sit down with the designers. An intervention is in order. Maybe we can help. ”

    Extracted from the C&D article.

    Reply
  7. AMG

    Reply

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