Compact Caddy sprung
First, the moody official images. Now, spy photographers have captured real-life photos of Cadillac's upcoming ATS in actionJust a couple of months ago GM premium brand Cadillac revealed teaser images of its forthcoming ATS sedan, which is aimed at challenging medium-size compact class contestants such as Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.
These images of a prototype sedan undergoing testing in the US are the first of the new ATS in action and show a car that is expected to be launched there in mid 2012, alongside the CTS, DTS and STS models (The CTS is the model that was to re-launch the luxury American brand in Australia, until Holden ditched the idea in January 2009).
A coupe version of the ATS is expected to follow a year later, in 2013.
Looking at these Carparazzi images, it is easy to see the design themes of the CTS lurking within the prototype car, from the current-generation Cadillac grille to the chunky profile and the squared-off, high altitude rear end.
Particularly noticeable is the hunkered-down look of the car, complete with arch-filling wheels and the determined stance expected of a car that is supposed to dynamically challenge the best of the Germans. And the minimalist rear deck with an extended roofline pushes the ATS towards the modish four-door coupe look exploited by just about everybody today.
Readers can gauge some idea of size from the Type 3 Golf wagon in the background of one picture. This is a markedly smaller car than the CTS, which itself is smaller than a VE Commodore.
Unlike the CTS, which is built on GM’s Sigma platform, the ATS is to be built on the all-new Alpha platform, offering the choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive and a range of powerplants including turbo four-cylinder and V6 variants - the latter being the motivating force for the twin-turbo ATS-V model that is reputed to offer as much as 280kW.
Production of the new Caddy – at GM’s Grand River plant in Lansing, Michigan – is expected to begin in July 2012, followed shortly by introduction into American showrooms. Coupe production is expected to begin in July 2013.
We're unlikely to see the ATS in Australia, but it's a glimpse of what might have been if the luxury American brand had made it here.
— with Carparazzi
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
