Cadillac ATS, 2013
The Cadillac ATS is a new expression of Cadillac's Art & Science execution philosophy, built on a foundation of driving dynamics and mass efficiency. It is the most agile and lightweight Cadillac, with one of the lowest curb weights in the segment - less than 3,400 pounds (1,542 kg).
The rear-drive ATS brings Cadillac's blend of technologically driven performance, elegance and design to a new audience of spirited drivers. Its sophisticated driving experience is enhanced with Cadillac CUE, a comprehensive, in-vehicle user experience that merges intuitive design with industry-first controls and commands for information and media data.
Germany's famed Nürburgring served as one of the key testing grounds, along with additional roads, racetracks and laboratories around the globe, ATS engineers balanced performance with Cadillac's trademark refinement. Contributing components and features:
- Nearly 50/50 weight balance
- Cadillac's first five-link independent rear suspension using lightweight, high-strength steel and efficient straight link designs
- A multi-link double-pivot Mac Pherson-strut front suspension with direct-acting stabilizer bar
- Driver-adjustable FE3 sport suspension with Magnetic Ride Control real-time damping
- Underbody aerodynamic shields
- Premium (belt driven) electric variable-effort steering gear from ZF Steering Systems
- Four-channel ABS with available Brembo performance brakes
- Available all-wheel drive
A broad lineup of engines - including two four-cylinders and a V-6 for North America - delivers strong power to the Cadillac ATS and capitalizes on the car's lightweight structure to complement its performance with efficiency. The optional engines include an all-new 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 270 horsepower (201 kW) and Cadillac's award-winning 3.6L V-6, estimated at 318 horsepower (237 kW).
At 135hp/L, the new 2.0T is one of the most power-dense engines in the industry, topping engines from European competitors. Cadillac ATS will offer both manual and automatic transmission options, along with rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations.
The Cadillac ATS will deliver peak highway fuel economy of more than 30 mpg.
A spirit of lightness and balance
Making the Cadillac ATS one of the segment's lightest cars was a fundamental criterion for and the guiding principle during its development, but it was done in a nuanced manner that ensures a refined driving experience.
Optimizing the Cadillac ATS's mass was the result of a four-pronged philosophy that included strict adherence to original architectural goals, measured load management throughout the vehicle, benchmarking components to see if lighter solutions were available and an overall culture that "weighed" the mass of every component in the car against all aspects of its development.
An aluminum hood, magnesium engine mount brackets and even lightweight, natural-fiber door trim panels contribute to the Cadillac ATS's low overall mass - and reflect the systematic approach of evaluating every gram that went into the car. But some weight was deemed not only beneficial, but essential to the Cadillac ATS's driving experience. An example is the cast iron differential: Engineers found they could improve fuel economy with a cast iron differential rather than a lighter aluminum version.
And while the rear suspension is mostly steel, the focus on load management and straight links enabled significant weight savings without using alternate materials. This helps offset the weight of the engine and transmission at the front of the vehicle, helping the Cadillac ATS deliver its near-perfect 50/50 weight balance, while also contributing to lower noise and vibration. A similar approach was taken on the wheels, where extra structural aluminum was strategically added to further reduce vibration.
