Cadillac’s 2013 ATS embraces style, safety, and a host of driver assist technologies

By Nick Jaynes Published February 26, 2013

2013 Cadillac ATS Silver DT image — Image used with permission by copyright holder

In recent years, Cadillac has been desperately trying to distance itself from its floaty, boat-like heritage and embrace a more refined, sportier new image. Aside from having powerful motors, manual gearboxes, and rear-wheel drive, Cadillac has also added a whole host of new technologies to its cars – both inside and out.

While some deride the Cadillac Cue infotainment system, none can question the significance of its safety tech, of which there is plenty on offer. Cadillac recently sent out a press release detailing all the new safety features in its 2013 ATS sport sedan and we thought it sporting to detail them for you.

Recommended Videos

Just because the ATS might not appeal to grandpa anymore, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t assist in parking and the rest of the daily commute grind. While some of the new safety tech on the ATS can be found elsewhere in the market, one feature stands out from the rest: Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Rear Cross Traffic Alert scans areas around the car, effectively extending the driver’s field of view. The system is ideal for backing out of a parking spot, sandwiched between two Suburbans. Should the system detect an oncoming vehicle out of visual sight of the driver, the system will vibrate the driver’s seat on the appropriate side.

Should the driver find his or herself parking on an incline, the ATS will assist in that task, too. With Automatic Front and Rear Braking, the car will apply the emergency brake so that the ATS doesn’t accidentally roll into another car, should it detect a vehicle within close proximity. Automatic Front and Rear Braking doesn’t just work during parking: In heavy traffic situations, at a stoplight, or on a steep hill for instance, the system will perform exactly the same.

The ATS also includes Adaptive Cruise Control, which will bring the vehicle to a complete stop and back up to the set cruising speed along with the flow of traffic. The ATS will also alert drivers of an impending collision with Forward Collision Alert, which will flash warnings on the dash and also vibrate the driver seat. Lastly, the ATS also features a Rear Vision Camera with Dynamic Guidelines to further assist in parallel parking.

Former Automotive Editor

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

Topics

QuickCharge: This Week in EV

Cars

Forget plugging in; now electric vehicles will be able to juice up using their tyres

Electric buses just found a way to charge while taking a breather

Representative Image

Electric buses have solved one problem and created another. They no longer need diesel, but they do need enormous batteries, powerful charging infrastructure and a fair amount of time plugged into the grid.

A Swiss startup called Winduction is trying to change that with a rather clever idea: charge the bus through its wheels.

Cars

Hyundai Ioniq 3 EV hits the roads at just over $24,000 while missing the US streets

The Ioniq 3 is bringing affordable EVs to Britain while America watches

Hyundai Ioniq 3 EV

Hyundai is bringing a new affordable electric car to UK roads, and the Ioniq 3 looks like the sort of EV the market could use more of. It is compact, practical, relatively affordable and, in its bigger-battery version, can travel up to 308 miles on a charge.

UK orders are now open, with prices starting at £18,495 after the government’s £3,750 Electric Car Grant. That works out to just over $24,000 at a rough exchange rate. There is, however, one slightly frustrating detail for American EV shoppers: Hyundai’s announcement is for the UK, and there is no US launch.

Cars

Mazda’s latest EV will shout at pedestrians and even cuss on your behalf

Road rage just found a loudspeaker in this Mazda EV

Mazda CX-6e E-SUV

Blaring your car's horn at distracted pedestrians crossing the road is a universal experience. Mazda, though, wants to make it a lot more direct. The new Mazda CX-6e comes with an External Announcement feature that uses a speaker mounted outside the vehicle to communicate with pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users.

Drivers can select prewritten safety messages, type their own announcements on the enormous infotainment display, or broadcast their voice directly outside the car. If you don't already see the potential, let's just say you're better than most drivers out there. Still, electric cars, by nature, are pretty quiet at low speeds, and Mazda's system gives drivers a more descriptive alternative to simply leaning on the horn.