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Cadillac ATS Sedan Appears All But Dead, Coupe Will Live On

Last year, documents filed with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration showed Cadillac was likely to drop the ATS sedan model, while the coupe soldiers on. New evidence suggests that will, indeed, be the plan moving forward.

According to a report from The Truth About Cars on Tuesday, the GM fleet order guide does not include the ATS sedan either. Instead, the ATS coupe and ATS-V coupe remain, as do the CTS and CTS-V. Thus, we now have to pieces of evidence showing the ATS sedan is not long for this world.

The 2019 Cadillac ATS coupe should stick around relatively unchanged in the meantime, and previous intel showed zero powertrain changes.

However, the ATS sedan’s death makes sense considering Cadillac’s future sedan portfolio. The forthcoming Cadillac CT5 will arrive with a similar price range to the ATS at around $35,000 to $45,000. A second unnamed model, CT3 or CT4, will slot below the CT5. Both sedans will “replace” the ATS, CTS and aged XTS. The 2019 Cadillac CT6 will stick around as a range-topping sedan and will boast fresh looks for the model year. The CT6 also gains a V-Sport option with the brand’s new 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 engine.

The wildcard is the leadership change at Cadillac. Johan de Nysschen is out, and GM loyalists Steve Carlisle is in. It’s unclear if Carlisle has plans to adjust Cadillac’s future product portfolio, but the ATS sedan’s death appears a done deal.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. The fleet order guide also seems to show the ATS Coupe (Non-V) losing the manual transmission.

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  2. Carlisle – put the TTV8 in the ATS coupe. Please.

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    1. Why would they put their biggest engine in their smallest car?

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      1. Why not?

        Not like Mercedes stuffs its 4.0L TT V-8 into its C-Class AMG and AMG S models. Oh wait, of course they do! And the current C-Class AMGs are often regarded as the best models in the segment, partly because of that glorious engine.

        So there is sufficient reasons to do this… but it won’t happen. The ATS will ride out its lifecycle without any major updates. The CT5 is a year away.

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      2. Because it was the single coolest thing ever when AM did it; and Cadillac has the better engines and chassis.

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      3. “Why would they put their biggest engine in their smallest car?”

        You’ve never heard of a power to weight ratio, have you?

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  3. So will the all-new model coupe version in a year or two be the “AT2”?

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    1. That’s the question.

      As of what I know now, there will be the CT5 sedan that will replace both the ATS and CTS. A coupe version of the CT5 is likely.

      Then there will be the CT3 or CT4 (name currently uncertain) that will slot in a new segment (it’s technically “below” the current ATS, but it will be the same size as the current ATS Sedan). Whether that model will derive a coupe is unclear, but I wouldn’t put my money on it.

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      1. I wouldn’t do more than 2 coupes right now, Cadillac should have at least one in their line up, thought 2 would be ideal, and cover a fairly wide mark, one down in the ATS price range and ideally, another based off the CT6 in the high end price range.

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        1. Two coupes would be ideal, but from what I understand, we’re only going to get one off the CT5.

          There are legit reasons for this, which I will cover in an upcoming article. Stay tuned!

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          1. Alex I really hope Cadillac keeps a Coupe ain the line up after the ATS runs its course. preferably Compact but midsize is fine.
            When I got my 6th Gen Camaro the ATS Coupe was the only car I cross shopped.
            without a doubt I would have bought a Pontiac Coupe if they were still around over either.
            look forward to the upcoming article.

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  4. I guess they’re gonna see if sales for the XT4 take off next year. Might want to drop the future ATS just like they’re killing the Verano, Impala, etc.

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  5. My prediction for the Cadillac lineup, give trends of the new XT4, the tweener strategy, and naming alignment:

    CT4 – Subcompact price(1 Series)/Compact Size (3 Series)
    CT5 – Compact price (3 Series)/Mid Size (5 Series)
    CT6 – Mid Price (5 Series)/Full Size (7 Series)
    XT4 – Subcompact price (X1)/Compact Size (X3)
    XT5 – Compact Price (X3)/Mid Size (X5)
    XT6 – Midsize Price (X5)/Full Size (X7)
    Flagships: Escalade and Escala

    CT5 is the best option to derive a coupe from, as it lies in the heart of the car market. And then there’s always room for a mid-engine supercar down the road.

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  6. In 2022 isnt the CT6 at the end of its life cycle??? Why introduce a new flagship when you could just elevate the CT6?? Just my thoughts.

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  7. The ATS has a very attractive exterior, but it never should have been released as a Cadillac. Too small – especially the ridiculous back seats – and too hard riding to be a Cadillac. Interior/dash not very luxury or particularly interesting. Yes I know, it was intended to copy the Germans – forget that. Real Cadillacs have standards and they don’t copy or justify low standards “because the Germans do it”.

    If GM had been smart and created Corvette as a sports-luxury brand, they could have made the ATS a Corvette and spared ruining Cadillac with all of these non-Cadillacs, the latest being the XT4. That didn’t happen, so it’s up to Carlisle to figure out how to clear out the mess and revive the brand.

    If Cadillac does feel the need to replace the ATS, I like GMA commenter Henry’s idea of making it a two-seater, two comfortable seats instead for four cramped ones. Should be a liftback also, for utility. But overall Cadillac should move away from small cars. Yes the Germans do it, so what? That’s all the more reason for Cadillac to make real Cadillacs; let the Germans cheapen their brands with smaller, less expensive cars. GM can always sell small cars under other brand names.

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  8. Glad to see this happen for ATS Coupe buyers. Instead of seeing boring sedan 2.0t’s dominate the dealers lot they may actually get a choice of trim and colors with the Coupes, finally.

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  9. How about a few lessons learned from the ATS?
    1) Don’t target a new vehicle at older versions of the German competition
    2) Don’t launch a car that is much smaller inside than the competition
    3) Don’t waste money on a very low-volume TTV6 for a very low-volume V car, when you have a perfectly good small block V8
    4) Don’t forget Cadillac buyers want an upscale interior
    5) Make the V models sporty and world class — but keep in mind buyers of lesser models are unlikely looking for a sports car

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    1. N400 those are all great lessons. Let’s hope that Carlisle understands them all. JdN clearly didn’t.

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  10. I think Cadillac should work on getting the XT6 out before they worry about the sedans… why replace a product you already have when you could be working on a much needed, currently not occupied (by Cadillac) segment. I know someone who traded in their 2008 Escalade, and they were looking to downsize but the XT5 does not have 3 rows of seats. They bought a Q7…… Although, they were both 76; Cadillac would not have wanted that sale “tarnishing” their young, hip new image.

    Also, I do hope that the XTS stays around, even if its only a fleet or special order only car, it should stay; especially after all of the good press its gotten recently for being….. GASP…… Comfortable.

    A convertible version of almost any sedan in the Cadillac lineup would be well appreciated.

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    1. Henry wrote: “Also, I do hope that the XTS stays around, even if its only a fleet or special order only car, it should stay; especially after all of the good press its gotten recently for being….. GASP…… Comfortable. A convertible version of almost any sedan in the Cadillac lineup would be well appreciated.”

      Cadillac built their brand and the #1 position in US luxury sales for over a half-century, on having the most comfortable ride this side of Rolls Royce. When Cadillac gives up their comfortable ride, they are no longer Cadillac. Cadillac not only should keep the XTS or a replacement, they should bring back comfort across the brand line-up. Let the Germans put forth cramped and hard-riding cars, that’s all the better for Cadillac.

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  11. One has to suspect that Cadillac of China will continue to offer the ATS in sedan form especially with a long wheelbase to give additional legroom to rear passengers which is something that could have made a huge difference in the United States; but something Johan de Nysschen would never greenlight or even consider importing a couple of hundred of such cars to see what the consumer response might be.

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  12. XT6 crossover appearance at these LA Auto show, this year.

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  13. If I’m not mistaken these plant are already or getting ready for the XT4 and XT6 crossover’s, to be build.

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  14. IMO, the CT5 will be priced somewhere between $40K-$42K which makes it a steal for such a potential fantastic car.

    Glad Cadillac is going back on the tweener strategy that made them successful before competing full time in different segments currently.

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  15. Lord , but to me the pic of this sedan makes the vehicle look like it is ten years old , a used car . Nothing looks refined still edgy front and slabby sides , yuk ! Slabby should make the next edition of the dictionary , hopefully . . It refers to the undistinguished and bland forgettable appearance this vehicle represents from a side view , in my opinion . As a dictionary entry , perhaps yukky would be the best simplest def. The fact that the interior is compact car size interior with curved in side windows which also helps create a bathtub effect when you sit inside , is part of my objection to this model .

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