It might be link bait for the guys over at Total Car Score – but they have just put out a release naming the ATS as the top entry in the small luxury sedan segment. Yes, that means that they are stating that the ATS is more compelling than the BMW 3-Series and the Infiniti G37 Sport.

“…we find it to be the most compelling compact luxury sedan on the market right now”

Now, that will certainly get them, and Cadillac, some attention.

Source: MarketWatch.com

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The good folks over at Automobile Magainze have put together a comparison table that shows how the ATS matches up against the rest of the segment.

Now, while I might wonder in what parallel universe the Automobile folks live in that has the Buick Regal, Acura TSX, and Lincoln MKZ as competitors to the rear/all-wheel drive segment the ATS plays in – it’s easy enough to ignore those columns and see how things stack up.

As it is, Cadillac did pull a rabbit out of their hat with the lightest product in the segment (always a great place to start for dynamics)…but if you are looking for the most rear-seat room, you might have to go elsewhere.

Personally, this is a sport sedan segment – if you want rear seat room as your primary consideration…maybe you are looking at the wrong kind of car.

RANT-ON

Automobile calls out as a shortcoming that the ATS is down on interior volume to the current 3 series (by 5.3 cubic feet) but I would respectfully say they miss the point. The automakers have been progressively making each generation of their cars bigger, arguing that that is what buyers want. However, when asked, don’t most consumers ask for their car to be ‘more’ than the one they replace? More room, more power, more, more, more…

This is how we get a Ford Taurus that is the size of the old Crown Victoria. How the Civic is bigger than the Accord I knew growing up. There is something lost with these ‘more = better’ product decisions. More size = more mass. More mass is going to often equate to duller responses as well as needing more power and worse fuel economy to get equal performance.

I commend GM for not aiming the ATS to be the biggest car in the segment at the expense of driving dynamics…and not only because they seem to have hit a size that reminds me of the sport sedans I grew up with but for making a decision that competes by letting the competition beat itself. The 3-Series is heading in a direction not in keeping with their “Ultimate Driving Machine” roots. This leaves space for another brand to take up that driving-enjoyment torch and poach buyers that feel that BMW has gotten too soft for their tastes. Not being as ostentatious as something with the Roundel or 3-pointed star is icing on the cake (yep, I just said that the wreath and crest isn’t as smug and self-important as the German makes…sue me).

I hope the ATS and Cadillac turn out to be the brand that takes over the pure sport sedan turf while we watch the 3-series get softer with each generation.

RANT-OFF

For the full comparison table, see the link below:

Source: Automobile.com

Categories: ATS, Commentary, News
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The embargo on driving impressions of the new Cadillac ATS has lifted – so we are seeing a flood of ATS reviews all over. So, until we get some seat time, this will have to be enough.

Reviews appear to be highly positive with some even claiming the ATS is the most legitimate competitor to the 3-Series (knocking Infiniti’s G off that perch). Some are less enthusiastic and find fault with the 2.5l base engine.

We eagerly await the ATS that will enter the media fleet here in the mountain region so we can get a chance to try it for ourselves.

• Autoblog.com – 2013 Cadillac ATS:
  Hitting The Right Notes While Missing The Beat
• AutoGuide.com – 2013 Cadillac ATS Review
• Automobile Magazine – 2013 Cadillac ATS First Drive
• Automotive News – Cadillac driving to disrupt BMW-Mercedes U.S. luxury grip
• AutoWeek – 2013 Cadillac ATS drive review: The ATS has the hardware and engineeering depth to chase the best
• Car and Driver – 2013 Cadillac ATS: Cadillac charges head-on at the Germans
• The Car Connection – 2013 Cadillac ATS: First Drive
• The Detroit News – Cadillac ATS a choice contender in small luxury car market
• Jalopnik.com – Cadillac ATS: The Jalopnik Review
• Jalopnik.com – Countersteer: Is The Cadillac ATS Actual Competition For The BMW 3-Series?
• Kicking Tires – 2013 Cadillac ATS: First Drive
• Leftlane News – First Drive: 2013 Cadillac ATS
• Motor Trend – 2013 Cadillac ATS First Test: Bavaria Bound -Can Cadillac Put Its Car Where Its Mouth Is?
• Road and Track – 2013 Cadillac ATS- First Drive
  Is this new Cadillac as good as a BMW 3 Series?
• The Truth About Cars – Review: 2013 Cadillac ATS
• Top Gear – First drive: the new Cadillac ATS: The miniature CTS is here, and it’s taking the fight to the 3 Series in the US

Feel free to send any links to other ATS reviews by using our Contact link above.

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Debuting in conjunction with the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics, Cadillac is launching a push to expose the new ATS in a series of short films captured as the ATS was driven in some of the most scenic environs the world has to offer.

Seeing the ATS attacking roads as varied as Monaco, Morocco, Chile, and China – the series appears to try to bolster the ATS’ world-beating stature without actually spending time highlighting the actual competitive products.

Enjoy the video showing some of these places visited below:

And, now for the press release:

Show me more… »

Categories: ATS, News, Video
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