GM Inside News - What we know about Alpha

You really have to love the brain-trust that works over at GMI. They are some of the smartest, most rabid GM fans you could ever decide to follow. As such, they have put together the timeline and details of GM's upcoming Alpha platform that will see duty as the new Cadillac ATS, the 3rd generation CTS (technically in a version being referred to as Alpha+ to denote its larger size and beefed-up compents the CTS will need to go up against its mid-range competition), as well as the next Chevy Camaro. What you see above is a stunning rendering from GMI member MonaroSS that gives a glimpse into what the ATS version of the platform is going to look like. Given the details they've been able to ferret out, the ATS should drop in Sedan form in late 2012 as a 2013 model. Coupe and convertible models will appear about a year later summer-fall of 2013. The CTS will show up around the same time as this second round of ATS variants. Base engines in the ATS will be 4-cylinders, though expect that to mean a base output of at least 200hp (if the 4's are non-turbo) with upper versions packing high 200's power with forced induction. This could be a new home for the 2.0l DI turbo that GM had been using in the Solstice GXP and Sky Redline and more recently in the Buick Regal GS (which comes out next year). Recent findings from GMI are that a V-6 has been approved for the ATS (likely in the 300hp+ range) as well as a twin turbo variant for the CTS. V versions of both cars are still pending approval but would likely see the turbo 6 in the ATS and possibly another version GM's V-8 in the CTS. For indications of what to expect from the new V's, look no further than the twin turbo V-8 expected from the next M5 and the move of the M3 down to a turbo 6 of similar power to the current normally aspirated 8. If these timelines are correct, expect to see some hint as to the new Cadillacs starting sometime next year, perhaps as late as the LA show at the end of 2011, if not the Detroit or Geneva show in 2012 - assuming the 'new' GM is looking to cut the number of months between show car and production. Source: GMInsideNews.com