Leaked: 2016 Cadillac ATS-V: Comments

[William Maley]

Auto show season is upon us and that usually means that leaks are bound to happen. Case in point is Road and Track which published, and subsequently pulled an article revealing the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V. But this being the age of internet, Road and Track's info and pictures made onto to other sites (like the one you're reading).

The car shown here is very much the same that spy photographers caught only a few weeks back. However these studio shots give us a much better look of what to expect. The front sports a mean look with black mesh grille and heat extractor on the hood. Around back is a spoiler and a set of quad exhausts. Those looking for a bit more aggression will be happy to know that a package offering different front, splitter, side skirts and rear spoiler will be on offer.

Under the hood is TT 3.6 V6 from the CTS V-Sport. For the ATS-V, it makes 450 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic. The suspension has been tuned to provide 50 percent more stiffness and a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires keep it on the road.

We'll have more details when the Cadillac ATS-V is revealed at the LA Auto Show next week.

Source: Road and Track via Autoblog

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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[Drew Dowdell]

It looks fantastic!  Can't wait to see it in person next week.

[regfootball]

Not jazzed / meh.  Grand Am me......still like it and would love one, regardless.......

[aurora97]

It looks much better than the outgoing CTS(V) coupe.

 

I like it and take one with the manual transmission.

[Z-06]

Love it. Nice powerful stance.

 

If rumors are true, why didn't GM put a 7 speeder from Corvette? I think GM needs to let this one go and have at least same hp as the LT1 considering Germans like to not follow SAE.

[William Maley]

It looks much better than the outgoing CTS(V) coupe.

 

Agreed on that.

 

 

If rumors are true, why didn't GM put a 7 speeder from Corvette? I think GM needs to let this one go and have at least same hp as the LT1 considering Germans like to not follow SAE.

I've been wondering the same Z. My guess it could either be the transmission couldn't work the TT 3.6 (least likely), to a issue of cost.

[dwightlooi]

LF3 is inferior in every way to the LT1. 20 lbs heavier than the V8, less powerful, bigger, more expensive, laggier and no more fuel efficient.

[ehaase]

I agree that the CTS V sport and ATS-V would have been better with the 6.2L V6, but apparently affluent buyers are more impressed with turbo V6's than V8's.  I asked the question on Autoline After Hours months ago, and that was the response the Cadillac spokesman gave.

[Drew Dowdell]

What sells is what matters. 

Also keep in mind that when a CTS-V comes, it will likely get the V8. 

[Z-06]

LF3 is inferior in every way to the LT1. 20 lbs heavier than the V8, less powerful, bigger, more expensive, laggier and no more fuel efficient.

 

If sense and sensibility overcame pride and prejudice then people like SMK would not be humping Germans.

 

As Drew stated, it is what the market wants.

[Z-06]

If rumors are true, why didn't GM put a 7 speeder from Corvette? I think GM needs to let this one go and have at least same hp as the LT1 considering Germans like to not follow SAE.

I've been wondering the same Z. My guess it could either be the transmission couldn't work the TT 3.6 (least likely), to a issue of cost.

 

 

No, because the transmission does not depend on whether the motor is forced induced or not and it is capable of handling excess of 700 lb-ft torque.

 

If these rumors are true, then I personally think GM does not want to slaughter one of its sacred cows. That logic to me is shameful and old school as this version of the car is a top of the line car of a brand that needs impetus.

[ZL-1]

No doubt an excellent car, but something leaves me cold when I look at the ATS-V...

[Cmicasa the Great]

It looks much better than the outgoing CTS(V) coupe.

 

I like it and take one with the manual transmission.

 

 

I guess I'm biased, but I think it looks JUST as good in some ways, but possibly better in others because of the more updated A&S

[Cmicasa the Great]

Love it. Nice powerful stance.

 

If rumors are true, why didn't GM put a 7 speeder from Corvette? I think GM needs to let this one go and have at least same hp as the LT1 considering Germans like to not follow SAE.

 

 

Might have something to do with packaging since the Vette's tranny is mounted in the rear and set up for the shifter rods to go thru the tunnel.  Just Speculating tho. 

[Cmicasa the Great]

LF3 is inferior in every way to the LT1. 20 lbs heavier than the V8, less powerful, bigger, more expensive, laggier and no more fuel efficient.

 

 

No offense but U do not kno what the upgraded engine will put out so that dyno chart is irrelevant. Even at the (I believe conservative guess)450 HP R&T is reporting we don't kno where in the power band that comes in, nor what GM was able to do in terms of FE. I have heard that the tuning for the engine was at 460 and not the 450. Also the LF3 is well known to be able to be ECU tuned to a quick 500HP with no bolt ons.

[Drew Dowdell]

At this point, we have no reason to not believe R&T. They basically leaked the press release. 

[Cmicasa the Great]

At this point, we have no reason to not believe R&T. They basically leaked the press release. 

 

 

I hear U.. but when the Stingray "leaked" from GM they were touting 450 as well.. then suddenly it showed up with 460. The Z06??? Originally was 620 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque  http://blog.caranddriver.com/2015-chevy-corvette-z06-output-figures-leaked-620-hp-650-lb-ft/. That changed to 30 more ponies.

 

I'm not saying they weren't given certain info.. I'm just saying GM may have held some cards closer to the chest so as to amaze more come LA.

[Drew Dowdell]

I suppose it is possible that Cadillac supplied inaccurate info to R&T intentionally

[William Maley]

 

At this point, we have no reason to not believe R&T. They basically leaked the press release. 

 

 

I hear U.. but when the Stingray "leaked" from GM they were touting 450 as well.. then suddenly it showed up with 460. The Z06??? Originally was 620 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque  http://blog.caranddr...0-hp-650-lb-ft/. That changed to 30 more ponies.

 

I'm not saying they weren't given certain info.. I'm just saying GM may have held some cards closer to the chest so as to amaze more come LA.

 

 

In the case of the Z06, GM only 'guessed' what the V8 engine would produce till they got the ratings from SAE.

 

 

If rumors are true, why didn't GM put a 7 speeder from Corvette? I think GM needs to let this one go and have at least same hp as the LT1 considering Germans like to not follow SAE.

I've been wondering the same Z. My guess it could either be the transmission couldn't work the TT 3.6 (least likely), to a issue of cost.

 

 

No, because the transmission does not depend on whether the motor is forced induced or not and it is capable of handling excess of 700 lb-ft torque.

 

If these rumors are true, then I personally think GM does not want to slaughter one of its sacred cows. That logic to me is shameful and old school as this version of the car is a top of the line car of a brand that needs impetus.

 

 

I have the feeling you are correct on GM wanting to leave its scared cow alone.

[G. David Felt]

SMK eat your heart out, this has so much better stance than the M3 from BMW or the AMG line from MB. This is going to be a home run hit for Cadillac.

[riviera74]

Isn't the primary reason GM pushes the LF3 over the LT1 in almost every car boil down to MPG and nothing else?  I am sure that the ATS-V will probably get the LT1 instead, but MPG concerns (and newer regs) still exist.

[Cmicasa the Great]

Isn't the primary reason GM pushes the LF3 over the LT1 in almost every car boil down to MPG and nothing else?  I am sure that the ATS-V will probably get the LT1 instead, but MPG concerns (and newer regs) still exist.

 

 

No.. The Fuel economy has nothing to do with it.. it boils down to the fact that there are plenty of idiots who no nothing about cars, but insist that a "truck" engine has no place in a luxury car despite that "truck" engine being more refined than many of the engines coming from their beloved Benz, BMW or Audi

[avant1963]

If Cadillac wanted to tout the biggest factor that it has that no other German or Asian manufacturer has - It's rich American history - then it would have gone with real names and big pushrods for its performance line.  

 

It obviously wants to take the much "safer" (and I put safer in quotes because GM does not do a good job being Toyota or BMW. They do a good job when they do their own thing - follow their own heritage - so to the bean counters it appears to be safer, but we all know it isn't) route and copy the "I'm too dumb to tell how big a car is if the numbers/letters in the name ain't in order" and "I have more turbos than you" mentality of the foreign manufacturers. 

[dwightlooi]

The "claim" that rich buyers prefer a turbo V6. What's that based on? But, let's say some of them do. The problem is that these same buyers will also be more inclined to choose that M3 with a Turbo I6 over the ATS-V. At the same time, you'll lose those buyers who prefer 8-cylinders. I know one thing with certainty though... the ATS-V is no longer a candidate to replace the Jaguar XF Supercharged I currently drive.

[G. David Felt]

Very True, GM is walking away from heritage in favor of Bean counter mentality of taking an existing path rather than the road less traveled but has better profit.

 

I understand that the Lemmings of Europe have been brainwashed by the socialist pigs of gov to think smaller is better except for the rich class who deserve the bigger is better message.

 

Class warfare if you ever saw it!

[dwightlooi]

Isn't the primary reason GM pushes the LF3 over the LT1 in almost every car boil down to MPG and nothing else?  I am sure that the ATS-V will probably get the LT1 instead, but MPG concerns (and newer regs) still exist.

 

The 3.6 Twin turbo is not more fuel efficient than the LT1 V8. So that is not it. It is also heavier than the V8, take up more under hood space than the V8 and cost more than the V8.

[Cory Wolfe]

After seeing these running around in camo for so long, it's nice to finally see what was hiding beneath it. So far, I like everything I see. Well, I do wish they would have done an about face on CUE, but that's probably for another day. Otherwise, it looks fantastic and the new wreath-less badge sort of fits with the more aggressive design. Combined with the terrific stance this car has going down the road along with the rather pleasing sound it also makes, it ought to be a winner. 

[aurora97]

The 3.6 TT is being used because it is a "Cadillac" engine.  Otherwise, if you have the 6.2 v8 in the ATS-V, then there is no difference between it and the Camaro SS.

 

The 7-speed manual could very well come along in the next year or two depending upon the sales ratio of auto/manual selection by the owners.

 

Will it go racing?  Will there be a sedan? 

[Cmicasa the Great]

The "claim" that rich buyers prefer a turbo V6. What's that based on? But, let's say some of them do. The problem is that these same buyers will also be more inclined to choose that M3 with a Turbo I6 over the ATS-V. At the same time, you'll lose those buyers who prefer 8-cylinders. I know one thing with certainty though... the ATS-V is no longer a candidate to replace the Jaguar XF Supercharged I currently drive.

If U are directing at me I wasn't saying that a turbo V6 was what luxo buyers prefer... I was saying that it what non-enthusiasts require in terms of an exclusive engine for the luxury brand. It didn't have to be a Turbo V6.. it could have just the same been a NA V8. Either way it has to be exclusive to the brand. It is quite possible that the Ultra V8 is debuting in the CT6. Who knows? 

 

And second.. Why was the ATS-V, a sport compact, being considered as a replacement for a Sport MID-SIZE, the XF SC (I am assuming the 5.0L ) when the CTS-VSport beats it handily.. looks better.. and offers as much luxury. Even more important is why not just replace the XF with a CTS-V, which will have a V8? Just askin

[William Maley]

Will it go racing?  Will there be a sedan? 

 

I believe the ATS-V will go into racing, taking the place of the CTS-V Coupe in World Challenge.

 

No word on a sedan. Might have an answer at LA.

[aurora97]

Apparently the ATS-V.R will be revealed at the L.A. Auto Show, as well.

[smk4565]

The 3.6 TT was the logical choice because it is a Cadillac engine and they don't want to be seen as using a Camaro or Corvette engine. Cadillac could have made a brand new dohc twin turbo V8 for V-series cars only, but we know they don't have that sort if engineering budget.

Cadillac has to work out of the parts bin, until they day when they don't have to, they'll probably always lag behind the Germans.

[pow]

Both the C7 Stingray and Chevy SS I drove--and really, any GM pushrod V8--idle roughly. You can feel the engine shaking around after start up. That's okay for a Corvette or a muscle car, but something like a Cadillac sports sedan should have better refinement. 

 

The naturally-aspirated SS also has fairly awful fuel economy: 14 mpg in the city. The C7 gets good numbers on the highway because of its tall gearing and aerodynamics; good luck accelerating in seventh gear. A heavily reworked 3.6 TT is more appropriate for a vehicle like ATS-V.

[Drew Dowdell]

I'm heading to the release event in about 2.5 hours.  Any picture requests?

[Drew Dowdell]

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