mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

Future Cadillac ATS

We expect the next-generation Cadillac ATS to reach the market for the 2020 model year as an all-new model with a new name. Until then, we expect the current, first-generation ATS to receive minor changes, updates, and improvements.

Following is speculative and unconfirmed information about the future Cadillac ATS. This page is a continuous work-in-progress and will be updated on a regular basis as we await official details from General Motors and Cadillac.

If you notice any inaccuracies about the information provided, or have edits to suggest, please let us know here.

Future Cadillac ATS Overview
Last redesigned model year: 2013 (first generation)
Expected redesign model year: 2020 (second generation, first generation CT3)
Expected name: Cadillac CT3
Current platform: Alpha (Alpha 1)
Future platform: Alpha 2
Layout: FR (front-engined, rear-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive)
Current body styles: four-door sedan, two-door coupe
Future body styles: four-door sedan and two-door coupe; possibly two-door convertible and four-door wagon for Europe
Segment: compact (C-segment)
Expected gasoline engines: turbo I-4, naturally aspirated and turbocharged V-6, possible twin-turbo 8 cylinder, possible plug-in hybrid
Expected diesel engines: four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Expected transmissions: 10-speed automatic, 6-speed manual

Overview

  • What: an all-new compact sport-luxury sedan, likely called Cadillac CT3
  • When: a launch in the 2019 calendar year as a 2020 model year vehicle
  • Why: an all-new CT3 will strengthen Cadillac’s position in the compact sport-luxury sedan/coupe segment against strong competition such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3/4 Series, and Audi A4/A5 family and the Lexus IS/RC
  • Where: sold in all current markets where Cadillac has a business presence, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, South Korea, the Middle East, Russia, and Europe. The next ATS could be sold in more countries if the Cadillac brand enters new markets.

Expectations

Following are our expectations of the future Cadillac ATS:

  • Based on the GM Alpha 2 platform, driven by the rear wheels with optional all-wheel-drive
  • Called Cadillac CT3, in line with Cadillac’s new vehicle naming nomenclature
  • Grow in size (length) compared the first-generation model to roughly 185 inches long, thereby becoming the same size as its direct competitors while creating room for a new sub-ATS model
  • Maintain the best-in-class driving characteristics of the first-generation ATS
  • Adopt Cadillac’s new design language similar to the Cadillac Escala concept
  • Introduce a much-improved interior, with increased levels of refinement, luxury, and convenience
  • Include the GM Super Cruise autonomous driving technology
  • Introduce the new Cadillac 4.2L V-8 DOHC twin-turbo engine, possibly on the ATS-V model
  • Introduce a plug-in hybrid/PHEV variant like the CT6 Plug-In Hybrid

Body Styles

We expect the upcoming future Cadillac ATS to continue being available as a compact luxury sedan and coupe. A two-door convertible variant is possible, as is a “four-door coupe” along the lines of the BMW 4 Series Grand Coupé and Audi A5 Sportback. A wagon model is possible, targeted for Cadillac’s entry into the European market.

Price

We expect the starting price of the next Cadillac ATS to be in the $36,000 range, a slight increase compared to the first-generation model.

Platform

We expect the next ATS to ride on the GM Alpha 2 (A2) platform shared with the next Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Camaro.

Powertrain

We expect the next Cadillac ATS to feature the following engine choices:

  • New turbo 2.0L I-4 engine with automatic engine stop/start functionality  to replace the GM 2.0L Turbo LTG  (gasoline)
  • 3.6L V-6 LGX with automatic engine stop/start functionality as an upgrade for the 2.0L Turbo (gasoline)
  • Twin-Turbo 3.0L V-6 LGW (gasoline) in ATS V-Sport (gasoline)
  • New Twin-Turbo Cadillac 4.2L V-8 DOHC engine in ATS-V (gasoline)
  • Electric plug-in hybrid/PHEV (gasoline/electric)
  • New turbo-diesel engine for select markets (diesel)

We expect that the next ATS will be offered with the new GM 10-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission on some powertrain combinations; the plug-in hybrid model will have its own powertrain.

Production

We expect the future Cadillac ATS to continue being assembled by GM USA at the GM Lansing Grand River factory in Michigan.

Competitors

The future Cadillac ATS will have the following competitors:

  • Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  • BMW 3 Series/4 Series
  • Audi A4 family/A5 family
  • Volvo S60/V60
  • Alfa Romeo Giulia
  • Lexus IS/RC
  • Infiniti Q50
  • Acura TLX

Before The All-New Model

Before the all-new future ATS reaches the market, we expect the current first-generation Cadillac ATS to receive minor changes, updates, and improvements. See information about the current ATS by using the following links:

Discussion

Discuss the next-generation Cadillac ATS in our Cadillac forum.

News

Follow our coverage of Cadillac ATS news and Cadillac ATS-V news.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.