This article is part of the GM Authority Wish List series for the Cadillac ATS — a collection of changes, updates, and modifications we’d like to see made to the family of compact luxury vehicles. The purpose of the Wish List is very simple: to create awareness of the issues we have found with the vehicles so that Cadillac can address them in the future, whether via a refresh or a next-generation model, all in an effort to make the best luxury cars on the market, bar none.
The GM Authority staff has collectively spent a significant amount of time with the ATS, both as drivers and as passengers, in both Sedan and Coupe body styles, with all four engines, all five trim levels, and with various degrees of features and equipment. In other words, this wish list is not the result of a knee-jerk reaction after a day or two with the car. It’s the result of living with the cars, sometimes for several months. In fact, one of our founders happens to own a 2015 ATS 2.0T Premium with the six-speed stick.
We should note that at times, the Wish List series might appear like nitpicking, as it will point out the smallest features, characteristics, or components. If it seems that way, it’s for a reason, since we believe that the devil is in the details, especially when it comes to prestige luxury vehicles. As such, we honestly believe that addressing these issues will improve the product, grow the brand, and — ultimately — lead to an uptick in Cadillac sales. And as journalists who also happen to be GM and Cadillac enthusiasts, few things would make us happier. If nothing else, it would result in a Cadillac we’d be proud to buy, to own, and to show off to anyone willing to look and listen.
Keeping in mind that this wish list is by no means in order, here goes our first item: the exhaust note.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the exhaust note of the Cadillac ATS leaves a lot to be desired.
This is true for any engine offered in the ATS, be it the “base” naturally-aspirated 2.5L LCV, the 2.0L Turbo LTG or the up-level 3.6L LFX that was recently replaced by the new 3.6L LGX. It also applies to the range-topping 3.6L Twin-Turbo V6 LF4 in the ATS-V. All four engines have a lackluster exhaust note, which is an integral part of the driving experience that’s vital to the type of luxury cars Cadillac is creating. After all, Cadillac is not making land yachts anymore, but rather precisely-engineered sport-luxury vehicles that are as luxurious as they are fun-to-drive. As such, a playful, communicative, and confidence-inspiring exhaust note is a must.
Now, notice we have not used the word “loud” or describe the exhaust note. That is on purpose; we are not advocating a loud, obnoxious, intrusive, or otherwise irritating exhaust note that sounds like a freight train. Not at all. Instead, what we’d like to see is a sound that’s just right: it lets you know what the engine is doing at all times, while putting a smile on your face. Why a smile? Because you feel — by hearing — that you are driving a precisely- and carefully-engineered sport luxury machine, allowing you to appreciate the experience, the engine under the hood, and all that went into its development and into its production. It’s a big part of that smile-inducing intangible feeling that comes with one of the ATS’ German rivals that we can only described as “nice”.
Speaking of which, this balanced exhaust note we are discussing here has been achieved by other luxury automakers, including BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and even Infiniti in their compact entries. Of course, the ATS-V should have the meanest-sounding exhaust of the lineup, but even it lacks the kind of deliciousness heard from the pipes of the Mercedes-Benz/AMG C63, BMW M3/M4, and Audi RS4/RS5.
One final thought on this is about how Cadillac could improve the exhaust. One way is to do it mechanically by engineering the exhaust system, while another is to do so digitally by piping engine/exhaust sounds into the cabin using speakers. We’re fans of the former, but the industry appears to be (quickly) moving in the direction of the latter.
In Summary
What we wish for: a pleasant, communicative, and sporty exhaust note, not matter the engine or trim level.
Why we wish for it: because the exhaust note of the current Cadillac ATS range has a lot of room for improvement in putting a smile on the driver’s face, while also not being very effective at communicating to the driver what the engine is doing.
Who to look to for examples: BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Infiniti.
- BMW, in particular the 328i/428i, 340i/440i, and M3/M4
- Mercedes-Benz, in particular the CLA250 AMG, C300, C450 AMG, and AMG C63
- Audi, pretty much any engine available in a new Audi on sale today
- Infiniti, in particular vehicles with the 3.7L V6 VQ engine
Stay tuned to subsequent parts of our Cadillac ATS wish list.
Comments
I agree, to a degree. The 2.5 L was useless. The time liter turbo that I had until recently was a great engine but the exhaust know it was terrible. We recently got The special edition midnight package with the 3.6. That thing sounds incredible when you shift with the paddle shifter. I honestly can’t get enough of how great it sounds. Part of that may be due to the fact that the template or turbo was so anemic . It’s one of those things I’ve brought up before another posts. This car is incredible, but an incredible exhaust note and standard incredible daytime lending rat it’s one of those things I’ve brought up before another posts. This car is incredible, but an incredible exhaust note and standard incredible day time running lights send a message to every other car owner they come across. It makes a bold statement, dare greatly if you will. But all these base and luxury etc. ATS is driving toward you look like a late model cars. And when they drive by there not even noticeable from an exhaust standpoint. I really hope Cadillac addresses it. when you’re the underdog being subtle is not going to help. And I’d be pushing this midnight package we got with the blacked out sportier look. I can’t believe the attention this car is getting even though I loved our last one .
And to think, I was was resoundingly down voted when I said the same thing about the ATS-V. But the truth is the truth. 50% of the driving experience is how the engine sings to the driver as the car goes about it’s business.
The ATS fails across the board. Even Magazines are dinging it:
“The engine feels almost deliberately devoid of character, laggy at low revs then tunelessly whistling up some boost to speed the proceedings along.” ~ courtesy of Road & Track
And that was in this months 2016 Road & Track Performance Car of the Year article. Needless to say; it didn’t win.
Alex do you still have your stang?
Nope, just the ATS now. Actually, I replaced the Mustang with another Mustang, and then the second Mustang with a 2014 Audi A4. And then the ATS.
Yeah I think I remember you have your mustang pics on your Facebook so thought I would ask. Now, would you think the ATS should have the TFT display on the dash?
Yeah, no thanks, I’d prefer a subtle V8 rumble over sporty fartcan sounds.
The ATS does not offer any of those V8s… and isn’t likely to. But a V8 exhaust isn’t the only engine that sounds good… especially to buyers in this segment.
Besides, we are talking about improving the entire range here. Not just the V.
I have driven the BMW M4 and I have to say I think it’s exhaust is a little too loud. In any case I think Jaguar have the best V6 exhaust notes. Maybe Cadillac could take inspiration from Jag for the ATS-V.
I personally like the M3/M4 exhaust note. But anything would be better than the current setup in the ATS-V
The current M3/M4 does sound OK at full shout…because it is the speakers playing exhaust sound pre-recorded from the factory. If you ever had the chance to stand very close to the startup of a BMW M4 & then repeat the process next to the current C63 AMG, the BMW sounds pathetically plain in comparison. For the lack of a better comparison, the M4’s exhaust sound is as fake as a hooker’s smile.
I haven’t heard the Jag v6 in person as of yet, but I did hear the F-type V8 by chance when the driver gunned it when I was at the the stoplight intersection. All I can say is good job Jaguar.
Well, my experience is both inside and outside the new M3/M4… And I do like how it sounds in both environments, despite the cabin enhancement. But I agree, the new C63 AMG does have the best note in this segment.
If you want a really quiet Cadillac buy an ELR, and don’t mention the P-word here.
BTW, why doesn’t Cadillac get an aftermarket exhaust specialist to design the system with the right note, then offer it as a factory install kit, similar to what GM does with Brembo for the braking system?
Cadillac used to offer dealer-installed, GM-approved accessory aftermarket cat-back exhaust systems in their brochures from Corsa. I had them installed on a CTS-V and XLR; both were a night-and-day change from the anemic-sounding stock exhaust systems.
CCC
And those are great. But what I am campaigning for is to improve the sound of the anemic stock systems, too. Doesn’t have to be loud, or obnoxious. Just more classy than what is currently available.
so so many good exhaust notes is different car manufactures
audi rs3 2.5liter
renault clio 1.6
astra opc 2liter
insignia opc 2.8
The new camaro’s exhaust note is great. Cadillac can just put that into their 2.0 and 3.6 cars. Hell, it’s the same ATS platform and same engines.
What I would like to see in the ATS coupe ( now that the cts coupe is discontinued , I own a 2012 & love it)
Mine has a 32 gig hard drive , a DVD player, a dvr, and I don’t have to go in the glove box to play a cd .
All of these reasons are my reason why I won’t be trading my cts coupe premium for an ATS till they come back with the features I have enjoy the past 4 years ….
Also are they ever coming out with a cts or ATS convertible
We won’t see a hard drive coming back; not just for Cadillac, but for the industry as a whole. The overwhelming prevalence of brought-in media on smartphones killed optical media, and other forms of managing said media in the car (CD player, hard drive to rip CDs to, etc.)
The Smart phone and the fact they had issues with Hard Drive failure. Cars are one of the toughest enviroments for a Computer and the hard drives had a higher than expected failure rate.
Add to this the added cost and weight.
The customer brings his own hard drive so so speak with the smart phone and it is all solved with a improved interphase.
There has been many projections how they will eleinate the radio at some point and it will all be smart bases.
Also companies like Apple and others are working on intelligence bans like the smart bans at Disney partks. It would be programed with all you need like music and music web sites. CC info and what ever else you need and the screen in the car would carry it. It could also be contained in a key fob. So what ever car you get in it becomes yours.
What’s with the German plates on the car? D 2013 ATS? The other one looks French (the blue and yellow plate)?
I don’t get it.
Good eye! They’re pictures of the ATS that happen to have been taken in Europe.
GM has often taken photos in Europe for new models like this and the Corvette when they are targeting Import buyers.
I have seen it even with the lesser models too.
Some new Malibu Photos do not have the plates but the homes look like they are outside N America.
It is marketing kind of like the old Pontiac ads painted in Monte Carlo or other exotic locations. Today they just fly the car there.
Also they are setting the stage for a return to Europe and may have given the media a taste of what we have now too.
Yes, no surprise there. Although I can’t imagine Europe is priority one for Cadillac right now.
And the cars, to me, anyway, look cooler with Euro plates. But are we to read anything into the plate ID info?
ATS 2013? Not losing sleep over it, but are the photos 3 years old? The ATS still has the wreath around the (old) shield …
Anyway, I wondered the same thing too …
Well the truth is you are not going to get rumble on all model. This is not a Camaro or a Camaro buying segment.
You will get noise on any V and V sport but the standard models will remain somewhat quiet with noise cancelation.
Now note GM has used the stereo to enhance noice for drivers who want it in the V sport as it is.
This is a segment of many taste and not all are wanting noise.
Also as a owner of a Turbo 4 it is not one of the more pleasant sounds you would like to hear. You can make a Turbo run but it is very difficult to make it sound good.
Besides there have been enough after market exhaust to address this if needed for the minority of the segment.