Last place is becoming all too familiar for the 2017 Cadillac ATS-V. Among its peers, it continues to shine with a buttoned-down chassis and superb driving dynamics. Its weak link continues to be a coarse 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 engine.
Car and Driver rounded up the 2017 ATS-V, BMW M3, Mercedes AMG C63 S and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio for yet another round of playing with four-door toys. However, the Alfa was the newcomer this time, after the BMW M3 walked away the winner in a previous comparison. The ATS-V also placed last then, too.
Again, the Cadillac’s biggest fault is the engine. It’s not down on power, but it’s lacking refinement, and we can agree, the engine does not sound very nice under throttle.
And the interior continues to remain ho-hum. Clashing material usage and strange analog gauges don’t portray the Alpha platform’s sporting intentions well at all.
It sure would be nice to see how a 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine and a spruced up interior would benefit the ATS-V. For now, those are only dreams, though.
Comments
Giulia is exactly what this segment needed! Newcomer eating everyone’s lunch. Go bold, make no apologies. #IntermissionIsOver
Cadillac has a new benchmark and ATS-V 2.0 will not disappoint. Just think, the hard part- ride and handling- is done! Styling, Interior and Engine will not disappoint on Gen 2.
Praying next ATS is more AR Guilia than Jag XE.
V series performance model thru and thru, CT3/ CT3-V Replacement for these ats/ats-V.
This is another mistake caused by Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen who appears absolutely clueless as to what Americans want and one has to wonder how long will it be until GM CEO Mary Barra kicks de Nysschen to the curb and install someone like Chevrolet Camaro Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser to lead Cadillac.
I’d rather have the investment be made in CT3-V than refreshing ATS-V.
It’s to late for a refresh of the ATS.
They need a complete redesign to have it leapfrog the growing competition.
The ATS is still an impressive car now heading into it’s 6th year on the market.
Cadillac waited too long to give it a major refresh.
Still think a V-Sport model should have been done in year 3.
Even for 2016 they could have dropped the 3.0TT under the hood to do an intermediate sport model between the 3.6NA and 3.6TT.
That ship has sailed for this gen. ATS though.
If I am not mistaken the ATS hard points were pre J D.
You are completely correct but most people forget or ignore that.
Blame him for marketing and programs like Pinnacle but not for product developed and engineered before he was employed by the company.
You appear clueless as to product development cycles. This all predates him. When the AT3 comes out, then you can start questioning or praising his decisions.
ATS is not JDN cars. These will be replace with CT3/CT3-V, new/upgade alpha chassis, CT2/CT2-V compact( sedan/coupe/convertabile )new/upgrade alpha chassis. A E-AWD system is said to be for these V series models. JDN understands vseries models, and on record saying these alpha chassis and omega chassis are only for Cadillac outright performance.
Yet another unfair comparison where the American entry gets screwed by the Euro-trash loving auto journalist, in this case, Quiroga.
Let’s forget that the Mercedes was a V8 , and $17,000 more than the ATS, in fact, the ATS was the cheapest and down on horsepower to the Alfa , and MB.
Let’s forget, …and I quote the Mag…”As before, it proved superior to the German Sedans in ride and handling.”….”Cadillac’s magnetroheological dampers balance both wheel control and comfort better than the AMG and the M car. The steering feel earned top marks.”….”We didn’t find a road in our travels that the ATS-V couldn’t master”
Let’s forget the M car cost $10,000 more than the ATS.
Let’s forget,….and again I quote the article ” There are a few things the Giulia doesn’t do well”
There were problems with the back tracking seat mechanism, with the remote start and restarting the car with several “Service Electronic Throttle control”…”Service Engine”, the car wouldn’t move out of its low boost advanced-efficiency mode and eventually an OBD scanner had to be plugged in to clear all the codes. The problems returned and the article suggested that Alfa include an OBD scanner as standard equipment with all Alfas. There were also problems with the seat cushions, “B” pillars, the nav screen is “years behind” the competition.
Pretty damning issues, and yet this piece of junk finished 1st. Who the hell wants to be running an Alfa back and forth to the dealer (try to find one, their as scarce as an honest Republican) when you shelled out $80,000 for this POS.
So, what were Cadillac’s faults…..
Quiroga didn’t like the engine sound compared to the others. He also didn’t like the dash, and complained about inter blending of wood, leather, carbon Fiber, and Suede. He also complained about a cramped rear seat (it’s the segment stupid, they all have cramped rear seats), and finally added that it has a “lack of refinment”
Of the four dash treatments, the ATS is the only that is uniquely different. I hate pop up nav screens. They are way too easy to damage, and, if the screen fails to come up, your screwed….
There will be no “fixes” to the ATS, V or other ATS models, as the CT3 is well under development. And , are you listening Quiroga, it will have a V8. But I’m sure you’ll find other things to piss your pants about…..
Small correction. None of these cars use pop up nav screens that may fail to come up, they are all fixed screens. Many manufacturers are using this to keep the dash low for improved visibility, and also to keep the screen in the drivers line of sight. The upcoming CT3 will have a V8? Where did you get this information from? Wishful thinking? We all would love a turbo V8, but I highly doubt that we will see one in the CT3, or whatever it is called.
GM/Cadillac is working on two, exclusive to Cadillac, V8 engines. One sits in the Escala, but will get further refinement. It 1st appeared ( or didn’t appear, exactly, in the ElMiraj) it will be TT. The second is smaller, lighter, and also TT. That’s all I can tell at this time.
There will be another, more powerful, and used in some cases, with PHEV technology, later. It will mainly appear in the CS1* (*name subject to change) but also in a larger, more competitive to S Class, sedan, and XT9. Current thinking is it will be TT also……..
I don’t know your sources, so I can’t contradict your information. It’s common knowledge that GM is working on a new (most likely 4.0L) turbo V8 for their larger vehicles. I find it hard to believe that they will put this V8 in the ATS-V replacement, in the days of downsizing, but, let’s see, I hope u are right.
Great points and the “coarseness” of the engine isn’t that bad. I prefer that to the exhaust sound coming from the Alfa. I also like the mix materials of the ATS and the flow of the dash. The only real demerit should be the gauge cluster which is inexcusable when you can get better gauges in a Buick or GMC
Just did the auto show and I sat in the above cars. Sad to say that Cadillac isn’t even in the game. The awful dashboard, interior and dated exterior styling is an immediate turn off especially when compared back to back.
ATS and ATS-V can’t be replaced soon enough.
The Alfa is an object of desire even if I’m biased against Italian reliability.
Caddy…CAN FIX THIS VERY EASILY. BY
1ST Both CTS & ATS have Base, Vsport, & there’s the V
2. Ats Vsport gets the 3.0tt@ 400 & 400 & its ATSV LT1 (BTW BUILD A DAMN COUPE!!)
3 CTS Vsport gets LT1 & CTSV LT4 ALSO(BUILD A DAMN COUPE& both pose some wt) also fans loved the Wagon so just build why we as in for.
Also love styling from nose to thru the front door then its like designers got lazy & then kinda woke up again in the rear where it def could use some sportier & agressive looks esp on the Vsport & the V
Explained perfectly..the atsv is still priced too high for me but the other contenders are stupidly over priced
Awesome. More bad reviews = lower prices on the used ones. You guys are crazy these ATS-V are bad ass cars! A simple tune puts this car over 500hp!! This is coming from a Shelby GT350 and 911 GT3 owner.
CTSV 650hp!! 0-60 = 3.7 sec
ATSV 454hp 0-60 = 3.8 sec
That’s damn impressive!!
But the rest of the car stinks. Numbers don’t make up for refinement and modern designs.
If HP was the only thing that matter in this segment, the ATS-V wouldn’t have a problem.
There’s a lot of other things that are taken into account at this level. Not everyone gives a damn about 0-60 times, and these cars have to do much more than put down good numbers. They all need to do more than the average car. It’s just that some do it better than others.
If 0 to 60 times don’t matter to that person then don’t buy a V!
They do matter, along with the rest of the experience, which means the interior and comfort. These cars have a lot to do to make the owner feel exceptional, not just pull fast track times.
Waiting for my ct3-V8 with upgraded dash. Everything else is done.
You’ll be waiting a long time as it was postponed back in July 2016. *2019 model if you’re lucky….
Want a coupe with an 8
I am always amazed at what people complain about when it comes to cars, I think they go out of their way to find things not to like about a car.
The engine sound! Not the performance but the sound! When I read stuff like this I just throw the mag in the trash and move on.
Cramped back seat! They think that the back seat matters first of all, then they rate one car higher because it has 1 inch more room.
Why do these magazine publications even exist anymore?
It’s performance AND sound!
The competition has both.
The cheap plastic interior in the ats is pathetic.
And don’t forget the horrible GM paint “quality”.
The ats is just crap, period.
Right!
The ATS should at this point serve as the reminder what happens when you get too focused on one aspect of a sport sedan while the rest gets unnoticed & unanswered. Yes the ATS has a superb chassis but outside of that is falls far behind in use of space, interior appointments (both quality & design), powertrain options and above all, optimistic pricing.
The Alpha platform handling did give the ATS an edge, but this is more desirable in a performance coupe like the Camaro than a luxury sport sedan. Without the cache of more performance oriented options from Europe & the established Japanese, it is hopeless that with near 1 to 1 pricing that Cadillac can hope to sell in any large number
Focusing on what is really important is exactly right, not worrying about how big the back seat is, not worrying about how much noise is coming from a engine, not worrying about every square inch of the interior, not worrying about if the gauges aren’t pretty enough.
This is a V series car the performance should get the most attention! Does the car measure up performance wise? If the answer to this question is yes then I don’t see where the complaints are coming from!
If you want a plush, comfortable, laid back, smooth car then don’t buy a V series car. It’s supposed to be a sports car pushed to the furthest extent.
I disagree, these are not just sports cars, they are luxury sports cars. If all that’s important is the performance, then a Camaro or Corvette would be a better option. The vast majority of these cars don’t see a track, so when you are spending that kind of money on a luxury sports car, everything is important. The frustrating thing is, Cadillac have nailed the hardest part, with the chassis and track focus handling, but if you are an objective person, without any biases, and spend an hour or two with these cars, in any setting other than a race track, you will be hard pressed to pick the ATS-V over the others. So yes, the small stuff matters, especially when you are the new kid challenging the established icons like the M3 and C63
The ATS V is coming home with me no matter what car is in the comparison. (Apples to apples)
This objective stuff is ridiculous because there is no way to ever please everybody. And if somebody simply doesn’t like the car for whatever reason then it’s easy to point out a spot on the dash or door panel and say the car is junk because of this or the other car is better because their center console is done better.
Performance numbers don’t lie! And you can’t fudge them. They should determine which PERFORMANCE car wins the comparison.
Full agreement. While the M3, C63, Giulia Quadrifoglio & ATS-V truly shines in the racetrack, I bet only 1 of 10 sold will ever see track time; most of these ultra high performance sedans are generally used as showy & powerful street machines brought by those who have the money & want the street cred that comes with the performance.
What people want to show off isn’t always what they always want in a car; I see rich middle-aged ladies in E63 using them as grocery getters in some neighborhoods. Obviously she would probably be happier in a E350 or equivalent, but then she would have to settle for a cheaper (and more common) car and good luck convincing her to do that.
Knowing this it is not only important to make a car perform, but also take care of the fact 90% of the time it will be used as a road car and there is where the Caddy falls down compared to its rivals. In this sport luxury sedan segment, I argue as good interior, infotaiment, design & badge objectivity is in every manner as important as its performance & lap times. Since Cadillac is nowhere near as prestigious as it was 70 years ago nor seen in as a ‘high performance’ brand, it has to compensate somehow (read lower its prices) to give it leverage against its more known competitors.
Well for those commenting about there being no v8 option ever coming for the ATS.
THAT MAY BE TRUE, HOWEVER these sights and their comments sections. Serve one real purpose.
Giving GM a place to hear our thoughts. For them I say “great that the v6 sits lower and balances the car better then a v8.”
BUT FOR ME TO BUY A CAR THAT SHOULD BE PRICED AROUND $40K FOR CLOSER TO $80K OUT THE DOOR.
I WANT A F***ING V8 ,I WANT THE SOUND AND FEEL OF THE V8.
For those of us that have been GM loyal from the start. We had some ROUGH DECADES of eating crow. Only thing we could fall back on for a LONGTIME was hey we have some nice classics (chevelle,camaro) and a Corvette and Escalade.
While everybody else seemed to be passing us by. Then 2003 Cts and changes began.
Now after ALL THAT STUBBORN COMMITMENT AND FOLLOWING AIMLESSLY FOR SO LONG.
You want to convince me to enjoy my GM toys in Ricer form.
No thanks. If I wanted to learn to love the V6 , I would have left GM long ago. Been driving foreign by now.
I’m glad you cought up for that Tuner crowd to have a Cadillac and GM option.
Howeverlet’s not forget about the loyalists that stood by so you could remain alive.
Bring on the manual v8 Cadillac option or begin LOSING US.
MUCH LIKE THE V WAGON.
EVEN IN LOW SELLS VOLUME YOU MADE PROFIT AND LEGACY.
SO DON’T FALL OFF NOW.
If you want a V8 then buy a CTS V! This just screams at being cheap! People want a level of performance but they are not willing to pay for it.
The ATS V has 460 hp plus and has track times that anybody would be impressed with. But people get stuck on how it sounds or feels.
Jason is 90% on point, those of us that grew up favoring GM usually want the raw power of cubic inches for a good price, and also in lighter smaller form factors. Even not using LS-style 4 & 6-cyl. engines last decade bothered me.
It can mean a de-emphasis on infotainment/connectivity/creature-comfort/bells&whistles and an antipathy toward tuner-style engines and also the nebulous idea of luxury refinement. A great platform is welcome, but it doesn’t need Nurburgring chassis tuning.
I would go as far as to say in hindsight, the Art & Science (vertical headlights/edgy looks) theme should have went to reviving Pontiac and moving Holden, Vauxhall and GMC toward that. Cadillac selling to the small-block V8 crowd wasn’t good planning long-term.
‘GM Losing us’ to me means conceding a car can only be just an appliance.
You’re NEVER going to get a V8-powered, manual ATS for $40K.
You’re not going to get the a similar car from the Germans, the Italians, the Japanese, or the Koreans.
None of those companies are worried about your low-ball demands. They’ve all made exceptional cars, all you have to do is reach for it. $65K+ is right where they start, and your $40K low-ball is pretty insulting for the effort GM made with he ATS-V.
Lastly, no automaker is ever going to reward you for your ‘loyalty’. They make cars, and people buy them. That’s it.
This isn’t a marriage, or a blue-collar factory job that you’ve worked for 35 years. There never was a promise given at the beginning that you would be rewarded for giving up your money for their cars. There is no reason for them to reward you or anyone with anything for simply buying their products.
ALL CAPS ON A GM NEWS BLOG WON’T GET GM’S ATTENTION.
That’s why next generation of Cadillac’s’ will not be just about performance, but be more of refinement, engine, transmission, electric drivetrains,interior and exterior wise.
FOR CRYING OUT LOAD…..almost every luxury brand is about performance these days….you can’t find a true comfy Amarecan luxo boat these days….everything doesn’t have to be about Euro wannabe performance.
The Europeans and the Japanese already make comfortable “Amarecan luxo boats”. Where the hell have you been for the last 40 years?
Buy XTS or CT6
The reality is the Europeans lead and own the luxury market. Cadillac volume is low in the US and almost non-existant outside the US. So, if you’re not leading, you need to follow.
Then I might as well not but anything New. And NOT because I’m CHEAP. But because my slightly bloodthirsty and modified 6.0 V-1 is more fun and more comfortable than the ATS-V I was supposed to feel tempted to replace it with. ….
After that if I needed more room or wanted more space and a Heavy weight, Once again I’ll keep driving what I ALREADY HAVE . I.e. Black /manual/ CTS-V WAGON with yellow calipers.
I may grab a V3 when I’m bored of the wagon. BUT still no replacement for my V1.
Just Keep playing with used Z06 a and Zr1…
But I should have had a 3600lb manual v8 offering instead from Cadillac.
Maybe they don’t care about loyalty or customers like me.
Maybe listening to guys with less passionate opinions driving and buying NONE of these makes more sense.
Hence their lack of TRUE SUCCESS.
Guys like me should be stalked and given access to feeding them more input.
Just saying. …
“Maybe listening to guys with less passionate opinions driving and buying NONE of these makes more sense.”
It’s because they have the money to buy cars like these. Product planners will pay more attention to their opinions than someone who has too many opinions and is unlikely to buy.
“Hence their lack of TRUE SUCCESS.”
It hasn’t stopped MB and Lexus from selling expensive luxury cars. No reason for Cadillac to be lazy and take the low road.
Besides, Cadillac, and every other luxury automaker, measures ‘true success’ in high ATP, not unit sales.
“Guys like me should be stalked and given access to feeding them more input. ”
With you ideas of a $40K manual ATS-V? They’re already laughing at you and will never consult you. Sorry, but that’s how it is.
I’ll pay the money when everything adds up. Like when I bought my STS-V. Platinum Escalade etc.
Until then new Escalade and V3 make more sense. Then $80k ATS Wit no V8.
Is it really that hard to offer BOTH motor options?
Either way my point was if you wanted MY $to pre order an $80k ATS-V ….show me the LS7 with a few upgrades.
#DoneDeal
Lol at my opinion of the dash meshing it to a $40k car. MANY HAVE THE SAME IDEA.
Guys like you with the money. ….lol. ….proudly driving a Volt or Prius I’m sure.
Located near what track ?. Let’s play cars sometime.
Not care about my opinion because it’s what MB AND others do.
Last tI me I checked they wanted a DIFFERENT demographic or so they say.
Internet tough guys and key board warriors typically don’t leave mommies basement to drive or buy S***
Meanwhile I beat these toys regularly.
Escalade for transporting exotic animals or taking off road like a jeep.
V’s for treating like luxury Chevelles of the modern age.
Just feel free to post your victory collection of used GM . LOL.
You’re still thinking in terms of track times, and you’re still missing the bigger picture. You’re like those football losers back in high school. They never really had many options after high school having pissed away all their chances on the field.
What you’re asking for is an ATS-V that can play defense, but doesn’t know how to do calculus or how to dress properly. Brawn is useless without the brains and class, and you can’t shortcut the others by lowering the bar (on in this case, the price).
A $40K manual ATS-V wouldn’t be a luxury car and would be unworthy of the Cadillac name.
If it costs $65K, it better look and feel like a $65K car. It better convey an image of higher status and prestige than those old Chevelles and Camaros. If it struggles to do so at $65K, there’s no way a manual transmission and 30% price cut can make up for that shortcoming.
I don’t really care what YOU THINK you can do on the track. But if your Cadillac can’t do it all (and by that I mean rule the track, elevate ones social status, speak of your professional achievement, serve as an icon of design and superior engineering, have its reputation and cachet precede it) , then the car isn’t anything to boast about. That kind of stuff affects your personal self-image, and personal image was something that Cadillac used to elevate back in the 1920’s and 30′.
Now, all you seem to think it an V-car should do is go fast and cost nothing. Way to kill the brand image.
You’re not a different demographic. You’re an outlier, with big dream and limited means, and asking for Cadillac to lower the bar so you can hop over it because you can’t be bothered to be more discriminating in your demands for a compact luxury sedan.
Then don’t call these cars performance sport sedans! Just call them luxury sedans. But since performance is why they are build then that is how they should be judged.
As for that lady who buys one to go to the store or drop off the kids at school that’s her problem if she buys a car and doesn’t use it for its supposed to be use for .
Yet another example of why Cadillac should just be Cadillac. The need to stop embarrassing themselves by trying to be something they are not. It’s like watching Shaquille O’Neal trying to be a jockey. Just play to your strengths Cadillac. The world doesn’t need a Cadillac sports car. If GM wants to play in that space, make it a Corvette.
Makes very little sense saying what U said because the CTS-V I purchased does nothing but deliver luxury, sport, and massive smiles.
Cmicasa, that’s great you love your CTS-V. The reality is that Cadillac is not a sports car brand, and when it tries to be one, it comes in dead last in ratings, sales, and resale value. How does that help establish/continue Cadillac as a premier brand?
At the very least, if Cadillac is going to make a compact 182-83″ long vehicle, it should have some classic Cadillac attributes such a roominess and a nice ride. Not a 33.5″ (legroom) back seat and a harsher ride than even BMW. Although it seems to me that Cadillac shouldn’t even be playing in that space – it reminds me of their prior failure/joke of a compact, the Cimarron.
The only thing great about the ATS is the exterior design, and they even screwed that up a bit with the ATS-V grille instead of the (much more attractive, and more classic Cadillac) standard ATS grille. Unless you care about unrealistic and illegal in normal USA driving, test track times through winding mountain roads. Which would make the ATS-V a recreational toy rather than a credible daily driver.
CT3 will have a v8 engine, it will replace both ATS and CTS. Cadillac is building two exclusive V8 engine’s, 4.2 liter TT, a smaller lighter one 3.8 or 3.7 liter TT v8 (Don’t know the size of yet, that’s what I think it is), a more powerful one TTv8+PHEV. V series Models and Vsport models are here too stay.
I’m not sure if it’s the few off word s because I’m driving and using talk to text or if you just need a re alignment.
But let me try and speak more simple to ALL I’ve been dying to convey this entire time.
I don’t care about the price. I’ll happily lay $80+k for my ATS-V…..
BUT I WANT A V8 AND A BETTER GAUGE CLUSTER THEN MY 90’S CARS HAD.
MY ATS 3.6 I bought for errands and others to drive. Is fine for general purpose and a lot of fun in the rain. However even for the $36k I paid for that I felt let down by the dash lay out of Guages and I guess I expected something more like in the premium xts. Since it was already available.
While liking my ATS and wanting a V . I can’t seem to YET get past the lack of a nicer interior option of guages and better motor noise when paying for the step up.
Not sure how I get the played out jock routine because I’m not happy with those 2 issues.
Your all to happy with that high of a price at that lack of finish materials IMO.
ALSO unless your a paid troll I’ve yet to understand your obsession with my opinions. It’d cool though I get the hater sh** from snow flakes all the time.
Maybe I’ll have to slowly read all this againwhen I have more time. But I keep getting the feeling you make no sense and contradict yourself a lot.
I may need to edit the post mentioning the $40k because that’d been taken oddly wrong. ..all I meant was giving me a v6 and that gauget cluster from a $40k non V wasn’t working for me. I already have that.
I don’t want $40k manual v8 ats-v….
That’s called a Camaro ss. …
My point was that a used $20k V-1 still trumps the ATS-V in many ways. As a driver’s car. More room, better sound, very similar numbers. Easy and cheap to add HP.
The toss able V-8 of the V series still was my point.
The track numbers for the ttv6 are fine. I just desired the v8 sound and feel instead.
Sorry my opinion bothers you so much and brings back fears of high school.
I live in Cali. So I’m sure there’s a way you can cry about it some more and send me a bill.
Sorry to anyone else in the GM community that didn’t understandmy point.
Not sorry for having MY OWN OPINION.
If GM wants my money for an ATS-V and or that of many others feeling just like me. There will need to be a V8 option or else I’ll only buy and play with them used after depreciation.
I’m ok that the CTS-V became the big luxury heavy weight. With auto only. Done I’ll take one the wife likes auto only.
But back to my desires for the V toy. With manual. I’m just not seeing the answer I wanted.
Don’t see myself busing a Camaro. So im still driving my V wagon. Debating what next.
I don’t kno how many times it has to be said.. or whether or not this small community of so-called enthusiasts remember a SIMPLE.. FACT.. but the CADILLAC ATS.. was designed in 2006-2007 and was supposed to launch around the second year of the Gen II CTS. In fact.. if memory serves me correct.. the original idea was to simply downsize the Sigma platform.. which was a rework of ZETA.. and make the ATS out of that.. but that was deemed too heavy. Either way.. we all kno what happened in 2007-2009 and the plans were killed. ATS didn’t come out til late ’12 and here we are.
What’s the hell is the issue now? CT3 will be out for 2018. New car.. new packaging.. new dash.. new engines.
ATS (CT3) will have be, most likely, the same size in exterior dimensions but magically have lighter weight, and a bigger interior. Styling will take on the more fluid design of El Miraj and Ciel mixed. BET!!! The engines.. It should have been or should be that I could get an upgraded LT1 in the ATS-V over the LF4 TTV6 even for another $2500. Frankly the LT1 should be a Cadillac engine as well, simply upgraded, with the LF4 really used strictly for foreign markets where displacement is taxed.
GM is like.. “YEAH.. we put the OHV in out $100K CTS-V and $90K Escalade.. but can’t put it in the ATS, CTS, and CT6 cause its not worthy of the brand”
whaaaaaaat
(What I’d like to see now) Engine options:
2.0L as base. 272HP
3.6L as mid 340HP (kill this when the CT3/4 arrives in favor of a 3.0L TT with 350HP even if U have to publish BS numbers and say its only 340 for insurance sake)
3.6L TT LF3 as .. yup.. VSport 390HP. Just do it.. stop playing around. Ain’t that many ATS-Vs being sold as a reason why U wouldn’t want this to be on the streets to takes from its sales.
3.6L TT 464HP or.. optional (meaning people who want it.. pay for it)$2500 LT1 V8 with 480HP
It is my opinion.. and some fact that Cadillac is waiting for the 2018-19 model year to fully build on the excellence it presented with the CTS, Escalade, XT5 and CT6. Baby steps.. blowing your entire load while the world is not looking would be even worse than doing nothing at all. The size thing tho.. really can be fixed with using OMEGA in the CTS going forward and leaving ALPHA for the smaller offerings. Also.. we should remember what JDN said a few months ago about the next “CTS” and next “ATS” we should be seeing a simple change of size formula for the sake of these issues that critics have brought up about the legroom etc. I’m thinking for the most part the Alpha based ATS replacement will essentially get the Chinese ATS-L Wheelbase of 112.6 inch vs what it has right now of 109.3. This would dwarf the current 3series’ 110.6 in WB by a few inches. I think that the ATS replacement will be, along with the Sub-ATS, the only Cadillacs on the Alpha platform, with the Camaro helping out with the numbers a bit more.
The CTS replacement will probably go to Omega. I could see it staying at 196 inchs.. and getting a bump in Wheelbase (currently at 114.6 inches) too coming in at around 117 in N.Amer, like the 5Series. It has been said that the CT6 handles as well as the current CTS.. so certainly I would think that an Omega based… smaller than CT6… CTS would handle as well or better, not losing any of its agility, and losing a few hundred lbs in the change over. This would be beneficial in amortizing the Omega platform even quicker.. (altho I would still push it out to an Impala at Chevy and a Park Ave or Avenir at Buick) along with the CT7 and CT8
The main problem is that all the current Cadillacs don’t have that “wow” factor. The ats-v’s perfomance numbers are fine compared to its rivals, but it just looks dated and boring. Inside and out. That’s the main problem. The modern Ms don’t sound good as well.
P.s. There are already some spy pics of the upcoming 3-series and the c-class(refreshed), so GM must hurry up, they are too slow.
These are the comments that I am talking about! Wow factor! It’s easy to say, and it’s subjective so you can’t call a person out on it because it’s his opinion. So no matter how good the car is or looks guys like this will never be satisfied with the final product!
Performance numbers can’t be argued a car either meets or exceeds the competition.
The ATS-V is a performance car and should be judged on this basis. Don’t believe me think of this, when they do these comparisons of these performance cars do they give a tow rating or test them towing a trailer? No! These cars can and sometimes are equipped with a tow hitch but these cars shouldn’t be judged on this fact.
Same way with performance cars, focusing on anything other than performance is paying attention to what the car is not designed for.
ATS-V is a great car!
“ATS-V is a great car!”
Then why are sales so low? It’s not a success. It’s a financial failure for GM ie. Hasn’t made money
Have you bought one?
No, any car must be good in every aspect.
So your saying that a ATS-V should be great at towing a trailer!
I do drive my Cadillac no matter which it is. Very hard. Living in Northern California, winding roads and courses most would plan for a Sunday Ducati ride. Are what I DD. So I truly get use of the race tech going into my Cadillac cars now and am still waiting on my Escalade V option (or whatever they want to call it) , until then even in Stock form I’m constantly waiting for guys in Corvette and Mustang and Camaro to pull over and let me and the other drivers comfortable with the roads to pass.
So as we all know most don’t drive their vehicles to purpose anyway.
My personal opinion about lack of a V8 option are I agree subjective to personal preference.
However I stand firm that regardless of intentions and focus, it justdoesn’t feel right looking at that Guage cluster even in my 2014 3.6 ATS I bought for my girl.
Regardless of the numbers, love for Cadillac, or desire to play with one.
The only thing that has held me back is that issue and the fact I Keep waiting for an upgrade.
Once I already had played with nicer in the cts v sport. I just figured it was a given and no brainer it was going in the Ats-V. Still shocked it didn’t. It was already even in the XTS.
I’LL OWN ATS-V for sure at some point. Just to test out personally. But with mixed emotions it won’t be NEW which is what GM needs.
Instead it will be used and with the most miles possible and then sent for tuning and Exhaust. With a speedo like that and it having limited luxury. It will be the srd20 det,of America and the modern day.
Only problem is the speedo looks similar and those cars are over 2 decades apart.
I LOVE Cadillac and GM . TOTAL FAN BOY.
So it bothers me to have such honest feelings.
I need the ATS-V to Answer all those things and check all those boxes including luxury and things like class leading appointments too include the speedo and tach. Because there’s no longer a manual CTS-V and it will most likely never be much lighter ever again.
I like my 2006 V speedo better and my 2012 V wagon. Just doesn’t add up. And IMO was not even acceptable in my $40k ATS 3.6 FULLY LOADED.
Now the positive side is, those are EASY to remedy.
Being able to beat M3 and C63 on track times and breaking etc. = Amazing times and PROUD to be a GM foolish loyalist.
Still own a 72 Chevelle ,2 door Tahoe 4×4 standard height, 2door Yukon GT lifted and SS trailblazer AWD.
#Chevy #GM #Cadillac #CadillacRacing #V #Escalade #Prestige
The problem with this article is that the M3 that was tested wasn’t the base M3. It was their new “Competition Package” for which there’s no ATS-V equivalent. If the standard M3 was used, it would have been in last place based on all the tests and articles from the last year and a half.
As for the Alfa; definitely a nice car, but, who knows how reliable that thing will be in the long run. Based on the pre-production findings that thing is almost as reliable as a Yugo. Also, long-term, post warranty maintenance and repairs will likely be as costly as a Ferrari given the engine is based on a Ferrari and you’ll be paying those Italian exotic prices for just about any repair.
Excuses, excuses…
If the ats v was compared to other cars based on performance it would win hands down! But feel the need to add in the things that don’t have anything to do with performance!
What was this car designed to do?
If the ATS-V engine was a V8, wouldn’t it be pretty much the same as a CTS-V? The ATS-V is the CTS-V’s smaller brother.
Smaller brother in size doesn’t require a smaller motor.
The Cts-V becoming auto only leaves Cadillac mising a fun V8 with a manual.
I went and drove an ATS-V this last weekend and was NOT impressed.
Left me lost on what to buy and guessing where to find it.
Nothing NEW from Cadillac to properly follow suit IMO.
I came home from the test drive and told my nephew I sold my V1 to that I might buy another.
Went from 04 V to a blacked out 06 with custom yellow calipers.
From the 06 into a few 09+and ended last with a black out manual wagon with yellow calipers.
Now I’m left looking back at z28,z06,zl1,for fun and maybe a new V for the wife and I to share.
Which then leaves me debating skipping this generation of V all together while I wait and see IF they make another v8 manual.
In the meantime maybe build TT Escalade.
If I’m only getting auto options and heavy weight as well.
TT Escalade begins to make more sense. Older Zr1 ,another C6Z.
Sad for me, CaddI was on a role and I couldn’t get my hands on the next one fast enough.
Now I’m bored again.
#ZL1 #Z06 #ZR1 #TT_Escalade
Ats v doesn’t need a v8 the TTV6 has more then enough power to complete with cars in its class.
This argument is all about people who can’t or don’t want to step up and lay down the extra money for a CTS-V!
Stop complaining and stop being cheap! If you want a V8 buy a CTS V!
Even though it was only a rumor, the last exciting driving idea I heard from Cadillac was in 2015 about an ATS-V+ with LS7.
After that just cars that I’m not really getting an option to buy.
Confusing time to be a Cadillac loyalist.
Guys who don’t really drive their cars and abuse them will be fine with the v6.TT
BUT for me the turbo lag was anything but what I was looking 4. Made it less fun then a V1.
Gm auto have always been boring. Still are. Busing the CTSV won’t fix that.
You think guys talking about adding $10k to the motor and another $10k into
TT system for a $100k Platinum Escalade are asking for a V8 manual V to be brought back because I’m too cheap to buy a cts-V ? Mmmm ok ! Lol.
Let me make MY personal opinion clear.
In my opinion anyone who has been BUYING/DRIVING/OWNING manual V series sedans for the last decade. Is left wondering where my next car to buy is. Even after driving the ATSV TTV6.
You say you want a ats with a v8 then why don’t you buy a Camaro? Same platform!
Looks like all you want to do is complain!
Inception of the V series was to give guys LIKE ME a fun reason to come back to Cadillac and have a4 door Z06.
Back then Z06 was MANUAL ONLY (as they should be)
Every successor to the V was a BIG then BIGGER V8 with a MANUAL ONLY 1ST then came the option of auto.
Guys not wondering these same things, just won’t get it. (That’d you)
Same guy that would be happy with TTV6 Vette (that’s you)
Just happened on this forum as I was looking to see if anyone has swapped an Ls into an ATS. Looks like no one has, making the ATS probably the only car on the planet that has not had an LS swap. I am currently looking to pick up a slightly wrecked ATS to do the swap. I currently have a 2006 V that I don’t think I will ever sell. Still smells new. I also have a 2010 BMW 135i wife’s car. It is fun to drive. I also have a couple of E46 M3s which do not compare to the V1. Beautiful cars but really have to thrash it for any performance. Last I have an E36 with an LS swap. LS is an aftermarket 418ci and I get 460rhp.
So I do have swap experience and before anyone asks. I will do it because I can. It is also better than watching TV.
This is what I like seeing people who don’t need the manufacturers to do all of the work.
There are people on here who want a ATS with a mild v8. But they won’t do what you are doing. Make it happen on your own they will complain to the manufacturers until they breakdown and come to the rescue!