We knew it was going to happen eventually. When the Cadillac ATS premiered, it was marketed as Cadillac’s answer to the BMW 3 Series. We knew this meant there would some day be an ATS-V variant, which would inevitably go after the BMW M3.
What we didn’t know was when it would be released and what would be under the hood. Now we have a cursory idea of both.
Under the hood of the ATS-V, Cadillac is likely to bolt the twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 from the 2014 CTS. This new turbocharged motor produces 414 horsepower. Could it be tuned differently in the ATS-V? Certainly. But we’re hoping it gets a few more ponies.
Aside from the engine upgrade, the ATS-V should include quad exhaust, sportier suspension, an aggressive body kit, a limited-slip rear differential, and a Brembo brake upgrade. We’re hoping it’ll also have a manual transmission option, as the manual is only available in the standard ATS with the four-cylinder model. The ATS automatic is magical – don’t get us wrong. But in order to really compete with the M3 Caddy is going to have to spring for a manual gearbox.
If you had told us a few years ago that Cadillac could create a car on par with the 3 Series – let alone the M3 – we would have laughed you out of the room. Now we find ourselves sitting here eagerly anticipating the next mid-size sedan from America’s foremost luxury brand.
Autocar reports that we should see an ATS-V revealed at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. We wish we didn’t have to wait so long.
