The Cadillac ATS has been stalking BMW’s 3 Series for awhile now, but there’s been one thing missing from its arsenal: a rival for the vaunted M3 sedan and M4 coupe.
That will finally change at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, where the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V will shout down the Germans with a twin-turbocharged wail.
V is to Cadillac as M is to BMW, an in-house tuner producing insane versions of regular cars. So what kind of magic does the V badge bring to this ATS?
As we previously reported, the ATS-V will use use a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6. It will drive the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.
What no one could predict was how powerful it is. Cadillac estimates output at 455 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque, outclassing the turbocharged inline-six M3/M4’s 425 hp and 406 lb-ft, but a bit behind the V8-powered Lexus RC F and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG.
With all of that grunt, Cadillac says the ATS-V will launch itself to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with the automatic, and reach a top speed of “more than” 185 mph. Those figures are the same for both coupe and sedan.
The 0 to 60 mph time matches that of a dual-clutch automatic M4 coupe (the quickest iteration), and the Bimmer is electronically limited to 155 mph.
To make the ATS-V as multi-talented as its German rival, Cadillac also stiffened the structure by 25 percent, and added the latest version of its Magnetic Ride Control adaptive suspension, which it says can make adjustments 40 percent faster than before.
It’s all concealed within a pumped-up version of the stock ATS’ styling. Both the coupe and sedan look ready to intimidate BMW drivers.
To increase cooling airflow, aerodynamic performance, and general badassery, Cadillac added a vented carbon-fiber hood, meaner-looking front and rear fascias with larger air intakes, and front splitter.
Wider fenders house lightweight 18-inch aluminum wheels and Brembo brakes. For an even more aggressive look, and available Carbon Fiber package adds more aero aids.
On the inside, the ATS-V features Recaro sport seats and a model-specific 5.7-inch digital gauge cluster. It’s also available with all of the tech features of a standard ATS, including the CUE infotainment system and OnStar 4G LTE with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.
The ATS-V can also be had with the Performance Data Recorder that debuted on the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, with video, audio, and telemetry recording capabilities.
The 2016 Cadillac ATS-V arrives nest spring. Pricing and final specifications will be announced closer to the on-sale date, but the party doesn’t stop there.
The ATS-V’s big brother, the 2016 CTS-V, will be unveiled at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show in January.
UPDATE: We added more photos for you to admire.
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