- The 2013 Cadillac ATS compact sedan will offer a choice of three different engines.
- A 270-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder could be the enthusiast choice for ATS power.
- Normally aspirated options are a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a 3.6-liter V6.
WARREN, Michigan — General Motors detailed the engine lineup for its 2013 Cadillac ATS compact sedan here today, leaving how it drives as about the only thing we don't know about Caddy's all-new 3 Series fighter, which officially debuts at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show in a few weeks. The three engine choices are highlighted by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder from GM's all-new Ecotec architecture that engineers say is almost totally new and different from the current-generation Ecotec family.
While GM brags that the direct-injected 2.0-liter turbo's 270 horsepower makes it one of the most power-dense production engines available, the familiar 3.6-liter dual-cam V6 already used in Cadillac's CTS midsizer (making 318 horses this year) likely will be positioned as the ATS's top engine. Nonetheless, the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder looks to be the enthusiast choice, what with the turbo's wide torque band — 90 percent of peak torque of 260 pound-feet is available all the way from 1,500 rpm to 5,800 rpm — and the fact it probably will mean less weight on the rear-drive ATS's front tires.
"This engine is the perfect match for the new ATS, which will be a refined performance luxury sedan," said Don Butler, Cadillac's vice president of global marketing, in a release. "The 2.0T has an exceptionally smooth and responsive power curve that will make the ATS nimble, quick and fun to drive."
Mike Anderson, chief engineer for the 2.0-liter turbo engine, said friction has been cut by 16 percent and complex computational fluid dynamics work helped optimize power and torque output while balancing the ever-increasing concerns for fuel economy. That two of the three ATS engine choices are four-cylinders is no surprise, given pending Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations that have led even Germany's vaunted performance sedans such as the 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class to move to turbocharged four-cylinder options.
Meanwhile, the entry point of the ATS lineup will be held by the normally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, also from the all-new Ecotec family. Power and torque figures have yet to be released by GM for the 2.5-liter, which also finds a home in the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu and is sure to quickly proliferate throughout GM's four remaining vehicle divisions.
Inside Line says: Getting 270 horses out of two liters is pretty serious stuff. We'll see if it's enough engine to hold up that part of the ATS's potential sport-sedan credentials.
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jtnct says:
10:36 PM, 01/30/2012
@ilovecars12 say:
I couldn't agree more. I do want the Caddy to live up to the hype, but BMW does have the performance card when it comes to 0-60mph times and handling. I really hope GM had that in their minds when tunning the car.
I also really want GM to make a 3.6 liter D.I. forced induction unit that will go in the ATS-V, that makes about 400hp while getting at least 28mpg highway and goes 0-60 in about 4.5 seconds.
And last, GM, start realizing that AWD is a great performance factor. (Ex: Nissan GT-R, Mitsubishi Evo, Subaru STi) Corvettes are getting so powerful that they are going to have to start limiting their TQ numbers at launch to keep the thing from spinning tires and going no-place fast. (Ex. Mercedes 65 series AMG V-12) I hate to say it but I would love to see a AWD Vette, AWD CTS-V. I would give them both a second faster to 60. Just Say'en.
ls7505 says:
12:38 PM, 01/30/2012
The car will be "taken seriously" by buyers and that's all that really counts. Believe it or not, real buyers don't care about comparison tests. Many people will simply buy this car because it's the cheapest cadillac, not because they think it can be "taken seriously" compared to the 3 series. Most people who buy stripper 328is don't even know anything about cars, they just leased the cheapest BMW the company offers, period. If automakers only cared about the press they receive by IL or Car & Driver, than every company outside of Honda, Mazda and BMW would be out of business.
says:
06:54 AM, 12/16/2011
For anyone who thinks this is the same 'ole 2.0T that's used in ANYTHING GM has made with a 2.0T, I can happily prove you wrong.
Scroll down for a picture of the 2.0T used in the Cobalt SS. If you can't see the MAJOR differences, then you're blind.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=261&page=4
ilovecars12 says:
06:36 AM, 12/16/2011
@ arthurbishop
"Does it really need to get to 60MPH in 5 sec?"
The new ATS does not NEED to have performance numbers that are close to or beat it's competition, only if they want to sell a lot of them. Coming out with a 2012 model that would lose a comparo to a 2008 335i in every car rag is not a great way to intro a new model. 0-60 not important to you? Awesome. Caddy makes a car for you, it has a NA 2.5L 4. Want to challenge the tagline "ultimate driving machine" the has made it the most successful luxury sport sedan in history...you have to compete. Do you think that caddy isn't really trying to compete with the 3 series on a performance level? Google "ATS the journey" and watch them fly an ATS and a team of engineers to the ring to try and get some of that bavarian magic. This car is not intended compete with lexus or acura. GM has buick for that. The ATS's whole purpose is to try to tap into the market that makes the 3 so successful. Getting a perfect launch at every stoplight to smoke the guy next to you is not important...knowing you could is important. We are men, that why all of these car sites and mags exist!
arthurbishop says:
06:12 AM, 12/16/2011
Does it really need to get to 60MPH in 5 sec? How many times in your drive to work are you going to rev the engine to 5k and drop the clutch so you can get to the next stoplight in less than 6 sec?
I think the most improtant thing the ATS can have is great handling and great mid range power. 0-60 times are over rated, this isn't supposed to be a drag racer 1/4 mile car, it's a sports sedan. Plus it's smaller than the CTS so it should be quick enough.
ilovecars12 says:
07:24 PM, 12/15/2011
@lions208487
I hope you are right about the 3.6 being able to hang with an 335 and S4/5, b.c thats what it will have to be competing against (the ATS-v will be for M3 and RS4/5). If the 3700 lb camaro with that identical 3.6 power train is getting 5.8-6.3 0-60's, then that is a full second below the 335's 4.9-5.3 times. Also, if the ATS which shares the alpha platform with the camaro comes with AWD, it may be closer to 4000 lbs, i.e. even slower. All people who want to see caddy succeed understand that you cannot come out with a luxury sport sedan that is a full second off of the benchmark's time (and the 335's 3.0T is a power train that came out in 2007!). That damn mill is awesome and makes it's torque so early, which is why I just assumed the ATS would have a turbo 6 making say 330 hp/ 350 ft/lbs at 1500 rpm so it would be BETTER than the bench mark. We will see. If they give me a sexy body, low 5 sec 0-60, AWD, 6spd MT it will be in my garage. If not, it will be just another compromise to support a domestic.
openeyes1 says:
04:40 PM, 12/15/2011
@arthurbishop; I think you should be prepared to eat your words, 270hp out of a four is not only a reality now, but even greater numbers can be obtained as technology improves.
Remember that 'the experts' were saying more than two decades ago that there was "no way" you could put 200+hp in a FWD vehicle and be able to drive it, boy were they wrong!
Time to put the V8 out to pasture, and let smaller displacements take over for most vehicles in the future.
arthurbishop says:
11:18 AM, 12/15/2011
throwback says:
06:50 AM, 12/15/2011
micheal, the GM 2.5L is a 4 cyl making 175hp. I seriously doubt they will be getting 200hp from that mill.
The 'new' 2.5l debuting in the Malibu is rated at 190hp 180 lb/ft. 200 hp for the ATS sounds possible.
jadis says:
10:35 AM, 12/15/2011
This will be a fun one to watch. I personally am looking for my new car and am looking at AWD, Manual Trans sports sedans. Will the ATS fit this bill? We all know what happened to the Regal GS. In Europe it has AWD, MT and 0-60 in the mid 5s, GM cut off its balls and threw us a restrained front driver. Now, let's see how they handle the ATS. We all know that you can get a 335i or an S4 with AWD, MT and sub 5 0-60. Do we really think a 330hp V6 with 280 lb ft will do that? I am not so sure. The numbers already are not looking so good but I will remain optimistic they can at least deliver the performance of the 3 year old design they gave our European friends.
There is so much GM could have done, but I will assume they have delivered on the ATS. (I am thinking a 330hp, 330lb ft turbo 4 or a 380hp Turbo 6, or.......anything that could do more than meet the competition but surpass it??? Maybe for once it would be nice to lead?)
iskch says:
09:21 AM, 12/15/2011
If the new Caddy ATS is as "heavy larded" like the Buicks, why waste money and resources with the 4 cyl. N.A engine. Oh well, is GM.