Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Cadillac adds ATS Coupe to its evolving lineup

2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe at North American International Auto Show
Photo: TWG Media/Mike Woolfolk
DETROIT (GM) – Cadillac introduced the all-new 2015 ATS Coupe, a quicker and more personal addition to the award-winning ATS product line. Designed to be lighter, more agile and more engaging than its competitors, it extends Cadillac’s product-driven growth and the brand’s tradition of dynamic luxury Coupes.

2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe will feature
redesigned crest logo.
Photo: TWG Media/Mike Woolfolk
Cadillac’s first-ever compact luxury Coupe goes on sale this summer, offering drivers the choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and the power from a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.6L six-cylinder. In all combinations, ATS Coupe takes advantage of its lightweight and strong structure to deliver exhilarating performance with efficiency, with a segment-leading power-to-weight ratio.

“The 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe is a natural step in the brand's progression, and another fun-to-drive and technologically advanced product for a new generation of drivers extending our target groups,” said Uwe Ellinghaus, chief marketing officer, Global Cadillac. “It is an exclusively distinctive American alternative, unique in its class, yet delivering a sporty and sophisticated driving experience rivaling the world's best.”

Editor's Note: As displayed at NAIAS '14, the ATS Coupe is lower and sleeker than the first-generation CTS Coupe, which may or may not see a second generation. 

2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe
Photo: GM Media
Like the sedan, the ATS Coupe’s driving dynamics are rooted in mass efficiency, which helps make it one of Cadillac’s lightest and most agile models ever – and the lightest car in the compact luxury Coupe segment. The 2.0L Turbo engine is upgraded from the current ATS sport sedan to deliver nearly 14 percent more torque, taking it to 295 lb-ft (400 Nm). This gives the standard ATS Coupe an advantage in power and weight over similarly equipped Coupes such as the BMW 428i.

Greater torque means greater pulling power, for a greater feeling of responsiveness at low speeds, and helps the ATS Coupe achieve an estimated 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds.

2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe arrives in
dealer showrooms Summer '14.
Photo: GM Media
“More power with less weight is always a better combination for performance, and the ATS Coupe offers one of the best power-to-weight ratios in the segment, making it feel lighter, more direct and responsive,” said David Leone, Cadillac executive chief engineer. “Engineers vetted the ATS’s performance on the track, and the Coupe benefits from that exhaustive validation – all matched with Cadillac’s trademark refinement.”

The 2015 ATS Coupe rides on the same 109.3-inch (2,775 mm) wheelbase as the sedan, but features its own bodywork. The roof, doors, rear fenders and trunk lid are unique to the Coupe, along with a specific front fascia and front fenders that accommodate a wider track than the sedan. It is also the first production model to wear Cadillac’s revised crest.

2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe features a
redesigned crest logo.
Photo: GM Media
The Coupe also has an aggressive stance, with wider front/rear tracks than the sedan, enhanced by short overhangs and sheet metal that wrap tautly around the tires. Standard 18-inch wheels are exclusive to the Coupe.

The engine lineup includes a standard 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder and available 3.6L V-6. The award-winning 2.0L Turbo is rated at 272 horsepower (203 kW) and 295 lb-ft of torque (400 Nm). The award-winning 3.6L V-6 is rated at 321 horsepower (239 kW) and 275 lb-ft of torque (373 Nm).

2.0L Turbocharged I-4 DI VVT engine
will be standard on ATS Coupe.
Photo: GM Media
Both engines feature direct injection and dual overhead camshafts with continuously variable valve timing, which help optimize power and efficiency, as well as reduce emissions. And each is matched with the Hydra-Matic 6L45 six-speed automatic transmission with tap-shift control. A six-speed manual is also available with the 2.0L Turbo.

The ATS Coupe will feature Cadillac's newly redesigned Crest logo first seen on the 2013 Elmiraj concept and officially introduced at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

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