What It Is: Cadillac has aimed the ATS directly at the BMW 3-series; the high-powered V-series version is intended to go after the BMW M3.
Why It Matters: Poseurs get laughed out of the octagon when they try to battle cars like the M3. The ATS-V is Cadillac’s shot to prove that the CTS-V wasn’t a fluke.
Platform: Cadillac’s new rear-drive Alpha platform will underpin the ATS-V. We expect a curb weight in the neighborhood of 3600 pounds, which means the ATS-V will weigh about as much as an M3.
Powertrain: Power will come from a twin-turbo V-6 making between 380 and 420 horses. We reckon the ATS-V should have no problem accelerating to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
Competition: BMW M3, Lexus IS F, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG.
What Might Go Wrong: The ATS-V won’t bring It.
Estimated Arrival and Price: We expect to see the V-series version of the ATS in late 2013. The price should start at about $55,000 to keep the ATS-V comfortably away from the CTS-V’s $65,000 base price.
