Since the Cadillac ATS premiered, many of us have been awaiting the addition of one letter to the model nameplate. As Cadillac billed their latest vehicle as a BMW 3-Series fighter, we've eagerly wanted to see the American luxury brand attempt to match wits with the M3. Almost two years since the global introduction of the ATS, the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V appears on paper to be the compact performance car meant to give the BMW M3 a kick in lederhosen.
To be offered in both the sedan and coupe body style, the 2016 ATS-V is Cadillac's first use of a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine in their V-Series performance line. A similar 3.6-liter displacement powerplant as the one offered on the CTS Vsport model, the Cadillac Twin Turbo engine has been specially tailored for the ATS-V to produce 455 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. Low-inertia turbochargers equipped with lightweight titanium-aluminide turbines that reduces the amount lost energy on the system. Each turbocharger unit produces as much as 18 pounds of boast and operates with its own vacuum-actuated wastegate for peak efficiency. Performance through the turbocharging of the Cadillac V-6 engine is also maximized thanks to a intercooler and a setup involving no circuitous heat-exchanger tubing. In addition to gasoline direct injection and domed aluminum pistons, the 3.6-liter Cadillac Twin Turbo V-6 engine delivers redeeming performance attributes such as 90 percent of powerplant torque being available at 2,400 rpm to 6,000 rpm.
Drivers of the Cadillac ATS-V is offered a choice of transmissions to accompany the twin-turbocharged power unit. Standard equipped on the 2016 ATS-V will be a six-speed manual transmission. Ideal for high-performance purists, the six-speed manual includes no-lift shifting, launch shifting and Active Rev Match (the same feature is found on the manual gearbox of the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray). An eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift controls is also on the ATS-V. When the 455-horsepower engine is combined with the eight-speed automatic gearbox, the Cadillac ATS-V is capable of sailing from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds (0.1 seconds faster than the outgoing supercharged CTS-V). Top speed of the 2016 ATS-V can exceed 185 miles per hour under the right driving conditions.
Designed around the new high-performance powertrain, the Cadillac ATS-V Coupe and ATS-V Sedan is enhanced most evidently by a revised front air dam, rear spoiler as well as a hood featuring venting and a prominent bulge. Much of the styling details were communicated through the already-shown Cadillac ATS-V.r race car. In addition to the improved aerodynamics and cooling, the vehicle is stiffened by 25 percent over the base ATS to permit higher speed cornering. Tri-compound tires, Performance Traction Management and Magnetic Ride Control is also equipped on the ATS-V tailoring the car for optimum handling. Driver selectable modes consisting of touring, sport or track can be programmed from the comfort and support of the Cadillac ATS-V's high-performance seating. The 2016 Cadillac ATS-V will also offer an onboard Performance Data Recorder capable of capturing high-definition video and driving data.
Premiering at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show starting this week, production for the customer version of the twin-turbocharged Cadillac ATS-V model is set to start in the spring.
Information and photo source: General Motors
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