RE: Cadillac ATS saloon gets Detroit debut
Monday 9th January 2012
It's a shame Cadillac doesn't seem to be able to make its brand work in Europe because this, the new ATS saloon, looks (at least on paper) to be a seriously credible rival to the BMW 3 Series.
And the ATS should banish all bad memories of the last attempt Cadillac made at a compact premium saloon - the deeply underwhelming BLS, which was based on the already-aged Saab 9-3.
Cadillac hasn't confirmed whether the new car is destined for sale in the UK, but it has, we're told, planned the car for right-hand drive. A range of diesel engines for the ATS are also on the way, so even if the ATS does make it to Blighty don't expect it to arrive until the oil-burners join the line-up.
Cadillac ATS saloon gets Detroit debut
Cadillac's 3 Series rival unveiled in the US. But is it coming to the UK?
This time around, Cadillac's 3 Series rival is built on all-new rear-wheel drive architecture (though there is also the option of four-wheel drive), and sugars this with multi-link independent rear suspension (Cadillac's first) and double-pivot MacPherson struts at the front.
Power will initially come from a 200hp 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, a thoroughly pokey-sounding 270hp 2.0-litre turbo and a 318hp 3.6-litre V6. All engines get direct inject injection and variable valve timing and are coupled to a six-speed Tremec manual or an in-house six-speed torque converter auto.
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Discussion
Not my cup of tea (although I have absolutely no experience with these).
I think part of Cadillac’s problem with establishing themselves in the UK (not sure about the rest of Europe) is there lack of commitment.
If people were more confident that they could walk into a dealership and buy there model in right hand drive with service and parts availability I think we may see more vehicles on our roads.
I think people consider that these are just American cars directly imported with no real service support or back-up.
I think part of Cadillac’s problem with establishing themselves in the UK (not sure about the rest of Europe) is there lack of commitment.
If people were more confident that they could walk into a dealership and buy there model in right hand drive with service and parts availability I think we may see more vehicles on our roads.
I think people consider that these are just American cars directly imported with no real service support or back-up.
The idiocy is, if GM had kept Saab and used it properly, they could have had Trollhatten build these restyled as Saabs with RHD options and a Euro-friendly range of engines, and if it was as good as they reckon it is to drive, it would have sold well.
But because Cadillac is seen as a bit gauche over here, not living up to its heydays in the Thirties and the Fifties, it'll struggle. As a Saab, it wouldn't have.
But because Cadillac is seen as a bit gauche over here, not living up to its heydays in the Thirties and the Fifties, it'll struggle. As a Saab, it wouldn't have.
That 3.6L V6 is actually reasonably pokey even in the fairly large and heavy Commodore SV6 and doesn't even sound that bad. I imagine it could be quite fun in a smaller RWD chassis.
Let's hope they also let a few other GM brands have a play with that compact rwd architecture, would be nice to see a new Holden Torana for instance, though I wont hold my breath waiting for one.
Let's hope they also let a few other GM brands have a play with that compact rwd architecture, would be nice to see a new Holden Torana for instance, though I wont hold my breath waiting for one.
Like it. Reckon it's far better looking than the usual German contingent. The interior is no worse than any of them if perhaps being not quite as posh watch-ish as the usual (and same old) Audi design. I like it. If they do it in right hand drive at a decent price, I'd have one.
As to some of the other comments, I do wish people would get over the Saab thing. Saab has a limited record of making decent cars. Quirky and differnt, yes. But really...it's been decades since anything of note has come from them. Mid-to-Late 80s 900 is about the last one I can remember. Before that...well earlier versions of the 900, with only the Turbo and it's dreadful lag being notable. Need to take off the rose-tinted specs and let it die a dignified death. GM didn't kill Saab - if anything they kept it on life support for far longer than they should have.
Note to Saab owners: I'm pleased for you that you love your car, all the wonderful things about it, and the reasons you chose it over (possibly better) options. Really, I have no criticism of your choice - but very few other people 'get' Saab and thus their current position.
As to some of the other comments, I do wish people would get over the Saab thing. Saab has a limited record of making decent cars. Quirky and differnt, yes. But really...it's been decades since anything of note has come from them. Mid-to-Late 80s 900 is about the last one I can remember. Before that...well earlier versions of the 900, with only the Turbo and it's dreadful lag being notable. Need to take off the rose-tinted specs and let it die a dignified death. GM didn't kill Saab - if anything they kept it on life support for far longer than they should have.
Note to Saab owners: I'm pleased for you that you love your car, all the wonderful things about it, and the reasons you chose it over (possibly better) options. Really, I have no criticism of your choice - but very few other people 'get' Saab and thus their current position.
Guvernator said:
While I do like the styling, it seems to be a spitting image of the last Cadillac saloon, the CTS.
The designers haven't really pushed the envelope have they? Well if it's good enough for Porsche...
This is what I don't get, I thought the CTS was sold as a competitor to the 3 series in the US (not this new ATS). The cabin space is certainly not as large as 5 series - more inline with a 3 series.The designers haven't really pushed the envelope have they? Well if it's good enough for Porsche...
I now live in the US and quite often get upgraded to the V6 CTS 4 wheel drive when I rent cars - it's certainly no 3 series re cabin quality but is goes well and holds the road (at least in 4 wheel drive set up). I also think it looks great in black - but I always get it in in that dark red cadillac colour (or color ;-) ).
Its all moving in the right direction but too slowly. The brand name still says 'Boss Hog' and the Americans are valiantly resisting the need to compete on quality levels with the World's best. Shame really, it looks nice in the pics but you know that a KIA will be offering better quality on its budget models.
The trouble previously has been a lack of commitment to spend the extra money necessary to bring the car to European standards - and let us not forget that the US built "German" cars in their early iterations were also pretty rough in some areas (I remember being shocked even at the differences between some German built cars for the US market in the 90s which were re-specced in areas!). It is a simple economic issue - in the US people pay seemingly less for their cars so to make the economics work some of the nice things we like such as nice touch plastics are just a smidge worse for the US. Doesn't necessarily effect the engineering, but kind of makes it all feel a bit "fake wood".
And we mustn't forget that much of the critcism levelled at Lexus also stems from its core market being the US - remember the horrid window switches in the first gen GS?
So we should get the Caddy - but GM should realise that without needlessly trying to make it better - they should make it 20% (at a guess) cheaper than the equivalent specced BMW, once the volume is there they can then push it up the food chain in both qual and price!
And we mustn't forget that much of the critcism levelled at Lexus also stems from its core market being the US - remember the horrid window switches in the first gen GS?
So we should get the Caddy - but GM should realise that without needlessly trying to make it better - they should make it 20% (at a guess) cheaper than the equivalent specced BMW, once the volume is there they can then push it up the food chain in both qual and price!
Edited by Numeric on Monday 9th January 18:53
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