Jan 9 2012

2013 Cadillac prepares to take on the BMW 3 Series

There’s little doubt that the ATS is gunning for the 3 Series, and Cadillac is confident that its new sports sedan is a real pavement slicer. The car’s development included plenty of time on the Nurburgring, it boasts nearly 50/50 weight balance, and it features a five-link independent rear suspension, a first for the Cadillac brand. The ATS tips the scales at 3,400 pounds, slightly more than the 3,362-pound BMW 328i sedan. The ATS is also the same exact height as the Bimmer, the wheelbase is within a few tenths of an inch, and the Caddy is about one inch wider.

Power is critical in this segment, and the ATS features three engine offerings. The base model uses GM’s all-new 2.5-liter four-cylinder generating an estimated 200 horsepower at 6,200 RPM and 188 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 PRM. The up-level 2.0-liter turbo four might be the most interesting choice, with 270 horses at 5,300 RPM and 260 lb-ft at just 2,400 RPM. The top engine is the familiar 3.6-liter V6, which offers 318 horsepower at 6,800 RPM and 267 pound-feet of torque at 4,900 RPM. The 3.6 and the 2.5 run on regular unleaded, while premium is recommended for the 2.0 turbo. Transmission choices include a Tremec M3L TR3160 six-speed manual and a Hydra-Matic 6L45 six-speed automatic.

Source: AutoBlog