Cadillac News: How Much For The Cadillac ATS?

[William Maley]

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William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

May 7, 2012

With summer just around the corner, Cadillac decided to announce pricing for the new ATS sedan today.

Pricing begins at $33,990 (Includes Destination) for the base 2.5L four-cylinder producing 200 HP and 188 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic, Cadillac says highway fuel economy will be "well over 30 mpg".

Want a bit more power? Well, the 2.0L turbo-four producing 270 HP and 260 lb-ft rings in at $35,795. Buyers will have the choice of either a six-speed manual or automatic, as well as rear or all-wheel drive.

The top dog of the ATS lineup, the 3.6L DI V6 producing about 320 HP comes in at $42,090. The 3.6L comes with automatic transmission, available AWD, Cadillac's CUE infotainment system, leather 8-way power seats with memory, adaptive start, and more.

Press Release is on Page 2

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2013 Cadillac ATS Priced from $33,990

New luxury sport sedan launches this summer

DETROIT – The all-new, rear-wheel-drive Cadillac ATS compact luxury sport sedan with a fuel-efficient 2.5L engine and next-generation six-speed transmission will be priced starting at $33,990, including destination charges. Highway fuel economy will be well over 30 mpg.

"The ATS enters a vehicle segment this year that's one of the most competitive in the market, from both a price and performance standpoint," said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. "ATS will bring a distinctive presence and compelling value while offering quick, nimble, fun-to-drive dynamics that will appeal to the lifestyles of modern luxury buyers and challenge the segment's status quo."

A mid-level model with a lightweight and powerful 2.0L turbocharged engine costs $35,795 including destination and will offer automatic and manual transmissions, and rear- or all-wheel drive.

Topping the engine range is a 3.6L V-6 with a preliminary rating of 320 horsepower, costing $42,090 including destination with an automatic transmission and standard content that includes CUE, leather 8-way power seats with memory, adaptive start and more. All-wheel drive will be available.

A full breakdown of availability and pricing of packages and options will be available later.

ATS goes on sale this summer, but already the new sport sedan is positively impacting Lansing, Mich., where more than 440 new employees have been hired at Cadillac's Lansing Grand River plant where the ATS will be assembled. A total of 600 new employees are expected to be part of Cadillac's $190 million investment in the facility.

A dedicated engineering team has traveled the globe refining and advancing the ATS to meet customer demands. The addition of advanced materials has reduced curb weight to less than 3,400 pounds, more than 100 pounds less than an Audi A4 or Mercedes-Benz C250.

Time spent at premier race tracks around the globe, including Road America, Road Atlanta, Phoenix International Raceway and the Nürburgring in Germany has enhanced the ATS' sporty ride and handling and engine tuning. The 3.6L model is expected to have a 0-60 mph acceleration time of well below six seconds.

Cadillac's new CUE user interface, standard on most ATS models, offers the first automotive use of capacitive touch to create an intuitive, modern way for drivers to interact with the car. This technology, used for most smartphones and tablet computers, uses electrodes to sense the conductive properties of objects, such as a finger.

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[ZL-1]

How does this compare to the 3-Series, C-class, A4 trio? Iwould expect Cadillac to be chasing those prices, which I perceive should be the highest in the segment...

[Drew Dowdell]

328i base - $34,900 + $895 destination... and that is with vinyl seats

C250 base - $34,800 + $875 destination... also vinyl seats

A4 base FWD automatic - $32,500 + $875 destination... includes leather

[Blake Noble]

Interesting. The base price is about $4,000 grand more than previously thought, and only about $1,000 dollars less than an entry-level 3-Series.

Edited May 7, 2012 by black-knight

[Drew Dowdell]

IS250 base manual - $34,470 + $875 destination same horsepower and torque as the 2.5 ATS

G25 base automatic - $33,495 + $895 destination - 18 more horsepower but same torque as the 2.5 ATS

[Robert Hall]

Sounds reasonable, right in the same range as the competition.

[Drew Dowdell]

Cadillac is keeping it from being "discount lux" and demanding the same price as their competition

[G. David Felt]

This is a smart pricing strategy, it will serve them well as they rebuild to eventually claim the standard of the world.

I am very happy to see this and love the turbo with AWD option. The whole engine line up is awesome.

[frogger]

I'd rather have a lower compression ~2.0 turbo motor as the base motor but who knows maybe the 2.5 will surprise me.

[hyperv6]

I think once we drive this car and see the test that compare it we may find it may be in the class lead at a equal or better price. To me that would be a win.

If they had priced it at $29K no one would have bought that car anyways.

If you want to be a player you can play the cheap card forever. Cadillac may just be ready to be as good or better vs being almost as good and cheaper conpared to others in class. That is a sign that GM may believe they have this one right.

[smk4565]

Prices are correct. The 2.5 has to be be cheap because the engine is cheap. The 2.0T is priced the same as the 2.0T you get from BMW and the V6 is priced even with the 335i and slightly above the C350. So they have gone head on with the 3-series and I like that. We'd need to see the equipment list to really compare though. But I am glad they are pricing right against the Germans for a change, and expect the CTS V6 (which is cheaper than an ATS V6) to go up in price.

The drawback of the ATS I fear could be the 6-speed, the rest of the segment has moved on from those. Cadillac's press release said 0-60 of under 6 seconds for the V6, but a 328i can do it in 5.4 seconds, a 335 down near 4.8. Will be interesting to see what the ATS's performance stats are and how the comparos go.

[frogger]

Yeah all the 3 series motor/tranny combos are a class above, but I think the BMW base pricing is deceving given the lack of standard equipment.

[Turbojett]

I'm a little excited to see how the ATS stacks up against the 3-series (since Motor Trend decided to make the Regal GS it's last-place-lamb last month). The ATS benchmarked the E46 M3 in development, but the F30 is also trying to go back and capture some of that lost ride/handling/balance magic the E46 had too.

But what I'm really waiting (im)patiently for is the eventual ATS-V/F30 M3 comparo. I've always loved the M3, but I'm more than a little excited that there will exist a CADILLAC that can take it on.

[ocnblu]

I think the ATS is a nice car, and I like the power figures on the 2.5L, it seems like it's at a sweet spot to be GM's next 3800... in EVERYTHING. I wish a manual were offered across all the engines though. I am curious about the diesel ATS. And of course the COUPE. I hope it has a nicer ass than the CTS/J-Lo coupe.

I find the leatherette seats in the European cars wears much longer than natural leather, based on vehicles I've seen in my work. It was funny when I had to tell a snobbish BMW owner who spilled nail polish on her seats and who admonished me "not to ruin her leather" when giving it to my detail guy to clean... that her seats were vinyl. The snark drained right out of her. BUT, I did tell her I thought the leatherette was superior in wear and colour retention.

I wonder how the leatherette is in the Sonic? Is it as nice as VW's? VW's feels thick and pliable, like it will wear forever.

Edited May 8, 2012 by ocnblu

[vonVeezelsnider]

The leatherette in the Sonic isn't anywhere near as nice as the leatherette that VW uses, I wouldn't even say the Verano's is as good either but it's a lot closer. Haven't sampled Cadillac's leatherette in the CTS base models though.

[regfootball]

we've got a 95 MB on our lot right now and the leatherette looks like it's only a couple years new. Leatherette can hold up quite nicely.

I was kinda hoping the base base ATS would be closer to 30 than 35, but I certainly have no issues with them asking for the same price as others. At 34 though I think I'd rather see the turbo as a base mill.

End of model year that base base car will have room for huge rebates when those are the only ones left on the lot.

All wheel drive turbo really should get the stick too. Actually a base base with a stick would be fine for some but the turbo is not much more than the 2.5.

I think it's interesting how stoic the design of the ATS is in proportions, where the XTS is very pushing the proportions into a new paradigm. The ATS has the whole long hood, upright greenhouse...the XTS is almost monoform with no hood, no trunk and is super egglike. One thing i did notice at the auto show is how deceptively curvy the ATS actually is. It's lines seem more rigid at times, but from a distance you can see the curvature in its forms you don't pick up on when it's close and your eyes are drawn to all the bling.

I do hope they bring a diesel. Add stick to the 4 pot turbo. And i would do a coupe. No wagon here.

[Nick]

I'm highly anticipating the arrival of this car. I can't wait to test drive it. I'm in need of a car, and this is coming out right around the time I will begin shopping aronud. I don't necessarily want to go brand new, but if this ATS is any good, I could see myself in a turbo 6-speed. I would love to wait for the V-series, or at the very least, get into a diesel, but I'm afraid I won't be able to last that long.

[ZL-1]

328i base - $34,900 + $895 destination... and that is with vinyl seats

C250 base - $34,800 + $875 destination... also vinyl seats

A4 base FWD automatic - $32,500 + $875 destination... includes leather

ATS aimed straight at the competition. Good! That means the CTS will get a big jump in price to match the 5-Series, etc, segment. Buick is starting to get a long due breathing room in the price ladder

[hyperv6]

328i base - $34,900 + $895 destination... and that is with vinyl seats

C250 base - $34,800 + $875 destination... also vinyl seats

A4 base FWD automatic - $32,500 + $875 destination... includes leather

ATS aimed straight at the competition. Good! That means the CTS will get a big jump in price to match the 5-Series, etc, segment. Buick is starting to get a long due breathing room in the price ladder

That has been the plan but they had to wait till they had the proper product to do it. The old CTS was good but the ATS and CTS I expect will supass most expectations.

[ZL-1]

That has been the plan but they had to wait till they had the proper product to do it. The old CTS was good but the ATS and CTS I expect will supass most expectations.

Yep! Good to see GM delivering on the plan. I expect the new CTS to be a big leap from what everyone hails as an already great car!

BTW, the CTS-V wagon was named Autobild Sportscar of the Year (http://www.cadillaceurope.com/en/index.php#/news_article_11) in Nov-2011, so it seems Cadillac is moving forward on the perception track here on my side of the Atlantic.

[regfootball]

it will be nice if the ATS is good, to have a real 3 series option so you don't have to get a trendy urban douchemobile........you can buy AMURCHAN

[hyperv6]

That has been the plan but they had to wait till they had the proper product to do it. The old CTS was good but the ATS and CTS I expect will supass most expectations.

Yep! Good to see GM delivering on the plan. I expect the new CTS to be a big leap from what everyone hails as an already great car!

BTW, the CTS-V wagon was named Autobild Sportscar of the Year (http://www.cadillace...news_article_11) in Nov-2011, so it seems Cadillac is moving forward on the perception track here on my side of the Atlantic.

I hope sales are better there than here. I see so few CTS wagons here. I mostly see them on dealer lots unsold.

[ZL-1]

That has been the plan but they had to wait till they had the proper product to do it. The old CTS was good but the ATS and CTS I expect will supass most expectations.

Yep! Good to see GM delivering on the plan. I expect the new CTS to be a big leap from what everyone hails as an already great car!

BTW, the CTS-V wagon was named Autobild Sportscar of the Year (http://www.cadillace...news_article_11) in Nov-2011, so it seems Cadillac is moving forward on the perception track here on my side of the Atlantic.

I hope sales are better there than here. I see so few CTS wagons here. I mostly see them on dealer lots unsold.

I'll have to check in Sweden when I travel there. Cadillac just gave up on the Portuguese market after they sold 1 (yes, just one) sigma-based SRX here when the Spanish Breogan Group had a dealer open for almost a year in Oporto... GM not marketing the brand might have had something to do with it too...

[G. David Felt]

Seattle has lots of wagons. they seem popular with the suburban moms.

[Turbojett]

It was funny when I had to tell a snobbish BMW owner who spilled nail polish on her seats and who admonished me "not to ruin her leather" when giving it to my detail guy to clean... that her seats were vinyl. The snark drained right out of her.

I would have loved to see that.

[Drew Dowdell]

Cadillac's dealer network in the EU needs a ground up overhaul..... And by that I'm mean they need to be ground up and started over. Daewoo dealers in the US started out with a stronger dealer network than Cadillac has in the EU. That isn't hyperbole. It would be kinda hard to take Cadillac seriously here, no matter the product, if you had to go to a painted over Exxon (Esso) station to buy one.

[hyperv6]

My thoughts are if Chevy can build a solid network in Europe it would help establish Cadillac too.

GM can win a lot of trust with Chevy a brand only few know and trust it may help give people confidence in the new Cadillac line. Lets face it many in Europe think of American cars like we think of French cars here.

Most here think of Renault we think Le Car when over the last 20 years they are more Nissan. But with our limited contact many never learn this.

Between the unknown quality of Cadillac mixed with the many failed marketing mistakes by GM it leaves a poor impression. Who wants to buy a car no matter the qulity if the dealer may not be here next year?

[ZL-1]

Cadillac's dealer network in the EU needs a ground up overhaul..... And by that I'm mean they need to be ground up and started over. Daewoo dealers in the US started out with a stronger dealer network than Cadillac has in the EU. That isn't hyperbole. It would be kinda hard to take Cadillac seriously here, no matter the product, if you had to go to a painted over Exxon (Esso) station to buy one.

Basically, GM needs to start to show an actual interest in setting up the brand over here (with geographical coverage of the whole of Europe). GM's previous efforts with Cadillac here have been a joke. I'd say import directly via GM, or pair the importer (but NOT/NEVER the showrooms) with Chevrolet; start by having dealers in the capital and perhaps one or two major cities depending on how big a market we're talking about.

And offer some freaking diesel engines!!! The 4-cylinder kind, especially. Lexus had a very modest sales volume expectation (10K units/year IIRC) and they offered the 2.2L diesel in the IS; no reason Cadillac can't do the same with the twin-turbo 2.0L used in the Insignia (or perhaps adapt that twin turbocharging to the 2.2L diesel used in the Captiva). As long as it gains at least 10HP to 15HP in the Chevrolet/Opel-to-Cadillac transition it will differentiate itself nicely... Direct competition to the 320d and 520d would be most welcome!

EDIT - On the brand equity issue: the CTS AWD was also named by readers of Auto Bild as AWD car of the year. Not bad, and too much an opportunity to miss if GM is serious in making Cadillac visible here in the EU!!! Link: http://www.cadillace...news_article_13

Edited May 9, 2012 by ZL-1

[riviera74]

A diesel ATS is mandatory in Europe, as is a diesel CTS. As for here, not so much.

A question: why does Cadillac NOT have its own dealer network in Europe?

[Drew Dowdell]

because they've never given it a serious try.

[ZL-1]

A diesel ATS is mandatory in Europe, as is a diesel CTS. As for here, not so much.

A question: why does Cadillac NOT have its own dealer network in Europe?

As for the diesel: yes, no doubt. GM's been slow, very slow in that regard so far. And it would not be the diesel V6 they were testing in the CTS that would generate volume: it's the 520d and the 525d that sell well as executive's cars, not the 530d or the 535d.

Cadillac has around 40 dealers in Europe IIRC, but... For example, if you follow the links from cadillaceurope to the two Spanish dealers (Madrid and Barcelona), the webpage for Cadillac on those dealers webpages simply does not work. GM should be on top of that as those pages, though not GM-run, are important in creating visibility for the brand. Add to that the fact that GM never really tried to make the brand visible outside a few events... Well, it takes an effort and I would really like GM to be willing to put that effort forward.

Edited May 9, 2012 by ZL-1