Cadillac Launches the Coupe ATS at the Detroit Auto Show
At the Detroit Auto Show, Cadillac as unveiled the ATS Coupe, the brand’s first ever compact coupe. Its overall length and wheelbase is identical to the ATS sedan’s, but it’s slightly wider. This is the same strategy that Cadillac used to help the CTS coupe distinguish itself from the sedan a few years ago.
Style-wise, the ATS Coupe has a less flashy body than the recent CTS and the design strategy seems to have been more conservative overall. What’s more, the ATS Coupe is the first to receive the new initials that will adorn all of the brand’s vehicles starting in mid-2014. There are only two available engines: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo and a 3.6-litre V.6. Cadillac decided not to keep the 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder available on the sedan for this new variation of the ATS. The four-cylinder turbo still produces 272 horsepower but its torque is now 295 lbs.-ft. The V6’s numbers are unchanged at 321 horsepower and 275 lbs.-ft. of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission comes factory standard, but you can opt for a six-speed manual when you buy an ATS Coupe equipped with the four-cylinder turbocharged engine. Whichever engine you choose, the ATS Coupe can come with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
According to Cadillac engineers, the ATS Coupe’s weight distribution is almost equal on the front and tail ends, which means that the ride should be sporty and the car should demonstrate good balance. Brembo brakes come standard and the optional equipment includes an FE3 suspension with Magnetic Ride Control, a limited slip differential, adaptive LED headlights as well as a high-end BOSE audio system, among other things. The ATS Coupe will be available starting in the summer of 2014.
