Back in May, GM Authority was first to report on the introduction of the Midnight Edition for the Cadillac ATS. Now, we’re first to report that, unfortunately, the ATS Midnight Edition has been discontinued for the 2016 Cadillac ATS range.
The optional package was available for the 2015 ATS Sedan (at $1,695) and 2015 ATS Coupe (at $600), the Midnight Edition offered blacked-out components such as window trim, wheels, front grille, and rear accent, plus several interior components such as the microfiber shifter, steering wheel, and the cold weather package. While the majority of the options could have been obtained as standalone options or accessories, it was the blacked-out window trim (also known as daylight opening window moldings, or DLO) and blacked-out 18-inch wheels that made the car unique. Neither equipment is no longer available, either as a standalone option or accessory for 2016.
However, Cadillac continues to offer the Black Sport Appearance Package on the 2016 ATS. The $3,870 package essentially consists of gloss black wheels, grille, and rear molding accent that are otherwise available as standalone ATS accessories. More importantly, the Black Sport Appearance Package does not offer the blacked-out window moldings that were offered by the ATS Midnight Edition.
The GM Authority Take
The move to discontinue the Midnight Package is disheartening to many ATS enthusiasts that have written in to us about this. But what may be even more sorrowful is that the ATS is now the only compact sport-luxury vehicle (among full-line luxury automakers) to not offer blacked-out elements like window moldings, making the model less competitive in the marketplace. By comparison, ATS’ direct rivals from BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus all offer black-out packages, which have been becoming more popular in the sport-luxury space, especially among younger buyers.
We reached out to Cadillac for comment and were pointed in the direction of the Black Sport Appearance Package, despite it being significantly more expensive than the Midnight Edition while offering significantly less content. Unfortunately, the black window moldings are not even available as Cadillac accessories, despite being standard on the 2016 ATS-V, including the ATS-V Sedan and ATS-V Coupe.
Cadillac ATS Midnight Edition Content
- Black chrome and dark accented front upper and lower grilles (TSA)
- Dark finish exterior content, including gloss Black DLO window moldings and Black chrome rear fascia appliqué (BC9)
- 18″ “After Midnight” dark finish aluminum wheels (PXW) wrapped in all-season, run-flat tires
- Sueded microfiber shifter (5CS)
- Sueded microfiber steering wheel (53S)
- Cold Weather Package (Y19)
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated driver and front passenger seats
- Only offered with exterior colors:
- Crystal White Tricoat (G1W)
- Red Obsession Tintcoat (G7E)
- Phantom Gray Metallic (G7Q)
- Black Raven (GBA)
- $1,695 option on ATS Sedan, $600 on ATS Coupe
Black Sport Appearance Package Content:
- 19″ gloss Black premium painted aluminum wheels
- Rear spoiler
- Black chrome front grilles
- Black chrome rear bumper fascia molding appliqué
- Wheel locks
- Available with any exterior color
- $3,870 option on ATS Sedan; not available on ATS Coupe (though possible to assemble using accessories)
Comments
Maybe no one bought it?
Did anyone even know about it outside of core ATS owners and fans?
The value was beyond excellent, and the look was stunning.
More importantly, this was probably put together with spare/parts bin DLO from the ATS-V and someone didn’t order enough for the V and the Midnight.
Too bad… this is an especially important feature for buyers who are new to the 3 series, A4, C-Class, etc.
I’m surprised, as well, that this was discontinued, but what the ATS desperately needs, is a little more performance upgrade, if the aim is to appeal to younger buyers. They don’t need to go overboard by getting close to the the ATS-V territory, but say a 30 to 40 hp bump and a quality catback exhaust would get younger buyers interested. The sound of a sports car is just as important as the performance, as the sound gives you that emotional connection to the car. The problem though, is that 2 of the 3 engine options are naturally aspirated, which makes things harder, and I wonder if the 2.0T is really making the advertised 272hp, as it seems to be no match for BMW’s 2.0 turbo, making only 240hp. I suppose the rumoured V Sport model is just that, a rumour
If you look most special trim packages tend to run 6 months and a new one comes out to replace it at some point.
Look a the trucks and Camaro and most are limited runs of 6 months.
I noted many also run from January to June or June to December.
I have seen this on many models including the Hot Wheels Camaro.
I would be shocked if we do not see some kind no new package put out in January.
The point is that this should not have been a “special” package. It should be part of the lineup as a regular production option, as it is on models offered by the German 3 and on the Lexus IS.
Alex lets see just what they bring out and it may resolve your issue with the elimination,
It is not always what you know but what you don’t know ties this all together.
There may be a new package after the first of the year that will address this even better than it was.
Who knows GM may make even the darker trim standard for all we know at this point.
Arrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One step forward two steps back should be Cadillacs motto, I swear.
Alex is right 100%. I’m sitting in the car at my gym surrounded by imports with dark accessories, dark wheels and fancy Drl’s!! I wish I could post a picture showing just how incredible my midnight edition ATS looks!? Even after having a beautiful Luxury package, we cannot believe the looks etc. we get from this car! It looks like a mean machine. Exactly what the younger folks want. Yet there are none on the road as the dealers did not push them whatsoever. I know this having spoke to a few dealers about the package. One hardly knew anything about it!?! And what marketing was done on this awesome package?? Try a Google search… When we were shopping around at Mercedes BMW etc. these type of packages were in the bloody show room !?!? Why? Because their target audience wasn’t 68 years old !? And why the hell is Cadillac advertising in my newspaper great deals on an ATS, but the picture shows a basic entry package with crappy wheels, and no DRL’s. There is absolutely nothing in this ad that makes a person aspire to get into this car. Nothing…It looks like a Malibu with a different badge essentially.
Meanwhilel BMW ads in the same paper espouse the legendary three series like they were selling you a race car built by scientists, Cadillac is offering me a base ATS that’s cheap …. Seriously, why the hell would anyone get out of their current luxury vehicle for that ?? There is nothing daring or great in when I’m looking at right now.
Yet my car is a walking billboard for what the brand could be. It looks unreal without having to pay 80 K + for the v series. I shake my head
Entirely there with you, Namarow. As a fellow ATS owner, I am disappointed by the discontinuation. In fact, I’m disappointed by Cadillac’s approach to taking on the competition.
Black-out options should not be a part of a limited-time, special edition package. They should be part of the vehicle build just like the Germans and Lexus do it. Even worse is that these are very easy things to do and change mid-cycle. Cadillac already has the black door trim/window surround on the ATS-V, built at the exact same plant on the exact same line as the non-V ATS. Cadillac/GM can order the wheels coated in black, they are the same wheels as offered on the ATS Premium, just painted black/dark grey.
Lets first wait to see what the next step really is. You do not know what their plans are and they very well may address all your disappointment.
right there as well, even the dare greatly ats ad shows a base black ats. why not show a performance model or a luxury model.
Maybe they stopped the midnight package because it was eating into the ats v-sport sales……. OH WAIT 3 years waiting and no such thing exist.
Yet GM gives a midnight / black out package to a Chevy Trax?
It’s like with all the improvements to the new Camaro and yet no adjustable lumbar seat support?
This package was not marketed well internally to the dealers. It was poorly communicated, hard to order, and difficult to price.
Cadillac just doesn’t assign enough resources to make it successful. Just look at the state of the LPO program, it is pretty sad.
So Cadillac and cheaps Chevys both were offering the same package and calling it the same exact thing ” Midnight Edition” Who approves these awful ideas.
Unfortunately, that’s a relic from when Cadillac was still a GM-central operation. This probably won’t be the case going forward.
That said, it should simply be called “Dark line” and be offered as an option on all ATS trims, for the same price as the chrome bits.
The ATS + CTS are supposed to be classy sports cars. The midnight packages make them look like teenager cars. They are a waste of $$.
Use the $$ to buy a model that is a step up, instead of putting worthless black stuff on the car.
I’m sorry but it’s that way of thinking that caused Cadillac to lose younger customers hand over fist for so long. They need to offer both options just like their competition does or they will not even considered by those who expect their sport sedan to actually look sporty.
This is so stupid. First of all they didn’t advertise the package at all, even the dealers knew nothing about it. My cadillac dealer looked at me like I had two heads when I asked about it.
Cadillac seems to have just given up when it comes to competing with its rivals even though they have a phenomenal car. Lexis is selling the heck out of the F-sport line and Audis S-line is huge. BMW and Mercedes both have a sport appearance package and Cadillac can’t even keep this package, which at least came close to being more sporty.
I love my ATS coupe but it needs more oomph in the looks department and they don’t even make a aero kit for it like the sedan. So frustrating.