With sports cars, success comes by hitting refresh often. For the Cadillac ATS-V, things have gone relatively unchanged since the performance sedan and coupe’s initial debut. BMW, out to reclaim glory with the M3, has kicked things up another notch.
The BMW M3 CS is the first-ever M3 CS model now with 453 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 28 hp and 37 lb-ft. Every part of the car earned its way to production as BMW’s M division worked to make the car lighter, quicker and even better than a traditional M3.
The CS will retain daily drivability characteristics but will be a more hardcore choice for drivers, per BMW. That’s evident in the abundant creature comforts and 110-pound lighter curb weight, thanks to carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics. The M3 CS also boasts standard with Adaptive M Suspension, Active M Differential and a chassis setup nearly identical to the M3’s competition package.
Yes, the ATS-V still churns out more power, but there’s no denying the ATS-V has gone a tad long in the tooth by now. We hope the ATS’ eventual replacement spawns a new sport sedan and coupe with real knockout performance. For now, BMW will build 1,200 M3 CS cars with orders scheduled for May 2018.
Comments
There is no need to change the ATS. It won’t be better, cause it is already dated.
Just bring the CT5.
Dated, how.
Appreciate that Cadillac builds the ATS-V. Just wish they would upgrade the instrument cluster. And the coupe, the only one I would buy, needs an exterior redo of the roof line. Looks awkward and bloated.
Hope they keep building the ATS-V so I can buy a wrecked one from the insurance company and put the engine in a Camaro 1LE-V6
If Cadillac brought back the ELR as dedicated EV platform, my bank account would quickly suffer diminished reserves.
I have never bought a 4-dr that wasn’t on a truck platform or a Long roof, so the M3 has no bite with me.
The ATS-V is in the Autumn of its model run thus it is dated but still competent.
With all the iterations of its platform mate (Chevy Camaro) it’d be cool if GM/Caddy would do an ATS-V send off with a limited production run of uber ATS-Vs. But knowing GM, it’d have to validate the investment and potential ROI.
Gary, by “uber ATS-Vs” I assume you mean a limited production of really great, special interior and perhaps exterior color cars. Nice idea there.
Rather than a line of ATS-Vs designated to be driven as “Uber” vehicles. Which probably would not be great as “get me from here to there” passenger vehicles anyway.
It would be foolish to pump money into an outgoing model at this point. The investment saved here would pay much better benefits in the coming replacement model.
The ATS V is still a good car but this is a segment that thrives on what have you done lately. Shelf life in this class is fleeting and a whole new car is the better investment.
The ATS will reach EOL soon, possibly sometime next year. Its too late for a facelift\update. The money is better spent on making sure its successor doesn’t repeat the mistakes & short comings of the ATS … *hint hint: Room, Interior design & quality*.
…*and harsh ride quality* (unexpected and unacceptable in a Cadillac).