2013 Cadillac ATS Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds.com

2013 Cadillac ATS Long-Term Road Test

There's an ATS-V in Cadillac's future, but what kind of engine should it have, turbocharged V6 or good ol' American V8?

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zcalvert

you sure the TT V6 weighs less? you might want to back that up with some numbers.

jlh3

As much as I would like to see a nice naturally aspirated V8 in the car, I think the boosted six is probably the better way to go. Which ever powertrain degrades the handling and balance the least is probably the best decision.

genereb

Why not both? Follow the Mercedes AMG model (or what they're doing with the new CTS) and release a Vsport with a TT V6 and a V with the V8.

bankerdanny

Ed, you seem to be thinking this is still 1983 when GM V8's were made of iron and not 2013 when they are made of aluminum.

The 5.3L LS based V8 in your GMC probably weighs less than the twin turbo, DOHC V6 you are thinking of.

Personally a smaller displacement version of the new Corvette engine in the 340-350hp range should be just fine.

yellowbal

The torque of the twin turbo is nice, but the soundtrack and reliability of the V8 would be better for me.

fordson1

The V6. The SBC is a great engine that they've done some great things with, but I think the future inroads into the sports/luxury space that BMW, Mercedes, etc. occupy demands a little more refinement. The TT version of the same V6 they're putting in now fills that bill, plus...it's just a version of the same engine they already have in there.

boff_

Destroked version of the LT-1 making around 400 hp would be my pick. I'd buy that car. Seriously.

evodad

I'd like the sound of the v-8 better, but the potential tunability of something already boosted is also quite enticing? Is anyone tuning the 2.0T ats to big numbers yet? I haven't yet searched.

stovt001_

Considering BMW and Audi ditched V8s in their hot small/midsize sedans for turbo 6s, I'd be shocked if Caddy didn't do the same.

itbeatswalkin

They need the highest rated version of the twin turbo V-6 with a 6 speed manual transmission and the 8-speed auto option from day one. This is an all new car, and as such it needs to be at the tip of the spear to show what GM can do with new technologies, performance standards, and reliability. Not every performance car from GM has to start with a LS or LT V-8.

bassrockerx

if its not the turbo 6 from the cts then i hope it is the v8 from the camaro. i know it is wishfull thinking but the LS engine in the original cts V is what put cadillac back on track to luxury performance.

bankerdanny

@itbeatswalkin, but the very fact that BMW and Audi are shifting to turbocharged/supercharged 6's is a reason GM should stick to the good "old fashioned" pushrod V8. It distinguishes them from their competition. Despite the occasional pot shot t

insideliner

A TT-V6 make sense, especially in light of the competition. Now, LS7 would make for a face punching hardcore, "black series-like" edition of the ATS-V.

guapodcole

My hope is that the TTV6 is for Cadillac's newly added Vsport line. Rate it at 400-425 HP, leaving plenty of room for the ATS V at around 470-480 HP from the LS7.

That's what I'd like, but the most likely situation is that the TTV6 will be the V making 450 HP or so...

duck87

I don't know why GM would follow the competitor's lead by going to the twin-turbo 6. The ATS is sold in the US, where we aren't taxed by displacement. The V8 is simpler, offers OK real world fuel economy, it's likely more refined, it offers a broad torque curve and power, and most importantly it's a great distinguishing feature (Luxury done "American"). The Americans are about one generation behind on their turbo-tech so I wouldn't bet on them being better than the Germans in this regard, so why not go with something they are exceptional at?

itbeatswalkin

@ bankerdanny I think you have kinda made my point. I have NO issue with the "old fashioned" pushrod V-8's at all. Every other desireable high performance GM car (Camaro, Corvette, and CTS-V) have already proven the capabilities of the pushrod V