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Look out BMW: Cadillac’s ATS-V and CTS-V hot rods are on the way

Stephen Edelstein
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The Cadillac ATS and CTS have proven to be fine luxury cars capable of taking on the best from Germany, but what car enthusiasts really want to see are the V performance versions.

They won’t have to wait long though. Car and Driver reports that the 2015 Cadillac ATS-V will arrive at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show in November, followed two months later by the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V in Detroit. Both cars will reportedly go on sale in 2015.

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The ATS-V will do something no Cadillac has ever done: strike directly at the BMW M3. Audi, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz know that this is no easy task, and with the redesigned 2015 M3 boasting more capability than ever, it just got harder.

For its M3 fighter, Cadillac seems likely to use the 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6 currently offered in the CTS Vsport. That should bring the ATS-V’s power output pretty close to the 425 horsepower churned out by the M3’s 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six.

An eight-speed automatic transmission will probably be offered, but the ATS’ current manual gearbox may not be able to handle the bigger engine’s torque, so despite the ATS-V’s sporting pedigree, it may not be available with a clutch pedal.

RELATED: 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe first drive

The ATS-V will reportedly go on sale as a sedan first, with a coupe version following later to do battle with the BMW M4.

In January 2015, the CTS-V will arrive to take on the BMW M5 and its its ilk. Like previous CTS-V hot rods, this one will almost certainly be V8-powered. It may even get a version of the LT4 6.2-liter supercharged V8 from the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06.

That engine produces a staggering 650 hp and 650 pound-feet of torque, although it will likely be detuned for Cadillac duty. Still, is a 600-hp Caddy too much to ask for?

Unlike the last generation, the 2016 CTS-V will only be offered as a sedan; there are coupe or wagon versions planned. That will upset every automotive journalist, and maybe a few actual customers, too.

Look for more updates as auto show season draws nearer. The Los Angeles Auto Show starts November 19, and the Detroit show begins January 12, 2015.

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Stephen Edelstein
Stephen Edelstein
Contributing Editor
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
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