Caddy Makes an M3 Fighter. And Actually Hits It Out of the Park.

"Shifting Lanes" (shiftinglanes)
11/06/2015 at 09:38 • Filed to: None

Cadillac. It wasn’t that long ago when their vehicles were the transportation of choice for the elderly and Italian “businessmen.” With one of their main demographics “moving on,” and the other opting for Mercs, Cadillac needed something to drive sales. Something with presence. Something with attitude. Enter the Escalade. Launched in 1999, the Escalade showed that Cadillac was capable of building a car people under the age of 65 would want. Five years later, Cadillac built on this foundation and launched the CTS-V. Sure the 1 st generation wasn’t perfect but it showed Cadillac had at least 1 eye towards performance. In 2009, Cadillac released the 2 nd gen CTS-V and if the 1 st one showed Cadillac had a pulse, the 2 nd gen was a supercharged punch in the gut to the luxury car elite. It made the Germans take notice and Cadillac was now a serious player in the hot luxury sedan market. From that day onward I had been eagerly anticipating one car. Even before it was a glimmer in its designer’s eye, and had not yet come to fruition, I have been looking forward to driving the ATS-V; the M3 fighting, American brawler.

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It’s not exactly a secret that I like a mid-sized luxury sports sedan. Hell, I own one. They are the grown up cousin to the hot hatch and much like a hot hatch, the luxury sports sedan has plenty of practicality, but is still capable of having fun when the moment moves you. Since the 80s, BMW and its M3 have been the luxury sports sedan benchmark. Audi and Mercedes have come close, but have never quite matched the M3 as an all-around performance machine. The RS4 was great, but a bit boring. The current C63 AMG is a hilarious assault on the senses, but lacks the M3’s sharpness as a driver’s car. Lexus, well, let’s leave Lexus out of this for the time being. So what’s left? Enter the ATS-V.

The knocks on American cars by their European rivals have always been the same: nice cars to drive, but not as refined and lacking the build quality of their European counterparts. They’re like a broken record. Just turn on any Top Gear review of an American car and you’ll see what I’m on about. The ATS-V’s interior is not the last word in luxury. If you want that, saunter on over to Mercedes. There is a bit too much plastic for my taste and as far as I can tell the door lock button is the same one GM used on the 2007 Malibu. It isn’t on par with its European rivals, but it isn’t awful either. The knobs and switch gear have a solid, quality feel to them. The seats are comfortable yet supportive should you decide you’re 18 again and want to drop the hammer. All told the ATS-V’s interior is a nice place to be.

Moving on to the real reason anyone buys a car with an M, AMG or V badge: performance. You buy one of these cars because you’re the type of person who may wear a suit to work, but you still have that 12 year old child inside yelling, “I wanna go fast!” Where the M3 separated itself from the competition wasn’t pure numbers. It didn’t beat you over the head with insane horsepower or crazy styling. It was in all the little parts only your mechanic would see that added refinement and feel that made all M3’s a fantastic daily driver and a track weapon. Intelligent engineering. Not numbers. Not the things salesmen go on and on and on about. Not the things idiots use as a measuring contest. BMW focused on what drivers actually wanted and have excelled at it since the 80’s. This is where Cadillac strived to get to, but always came up a bit short. That is, until now.

The word immediate was invented to describe the ATS-V’s steering. It manages to respond quickly without being twitchy. It feels firm without being heavy, relaying back to your hands exactly what the front wheels are doing. The brakes are Brembos and, surprise surprise, are fantastic. They’re all you’ll need for the commute and the hot lap. They took all the beating we could throw at them on and off the track at the IMPA Test days. This is more than can be said for the C63 AMG, which cooked its brakes halfway through the 2nd day. The magnetic suspension rounds out the sublime chassis. The system is firm and aggressive when you’re on the track and comfortable and for the drive home. All told, the ATS-V is an epic driver’s car and the handling is every bit as good if not better than anything out of Deutschland.

To be kind, ATS-V’s engine exhaust note was a bit underwhelming. Sure you hear it when you’re absolutely thrashing it, but I expected more from a 464 horsepower, twin turbocharged, 3.6 liter V6. Acceleration is linear and smoother than you’d expect from a turbocharged car. Weighing 3812 pounds ATS-V gets from zero to 60 in 3.9 seconds. The engine is great, but it could be so much better with more noise.

You have the option of 2 gear boxes here with a 6 speed manual or an 8 speed Automatic. Automatics are far from my preferred gear box and I’m rarely impressed by one. They may be faster and more efficient than humans now, but what can I say, they bore me. As long as they shift gears and don’t explode I suppose they’re fine. You do get paddle shifters, but if you want to change your own gears do it the old fashioned way and get the manual. Overall the 6 Speed Manual is a great piece of kit. Shifts are smooth and easy. If I had one minor complaint I’d say the clutch on the manual is a little light for my taste. That said, it’s something I could easily learn to live with. As appears to be the norm, this manual comes with an auto rev match feature and it is exellent. HOWEVER, the pedals are well positioned for a bit of heel and toe if you correctly decide to turn rev match off. Whether you’re on your daily commute, cruising you’re favorite back road or pounding around a track, the manual is absolutely the transmission to have.

It should be no surprise I love the ATS-V. I love the way it drives and I love the way it looks. I love how it’s American and we can finally hold our head up high as it takes on the best Germany has to offer. Sure some things need improvement, but Cadillac has come closer to matching the M3 then anyone else on their first attempt.

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DISCUSSION (21)

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Shifting Lanes
11/06/2015 at 09:49

BMW fucks up F30 M3, Cadillac steps in and builds much better alternative.

fixed that title for ya

LongbowMkII > Shifting Lanes
11/06/2015 at 09:51

It’s weird that so many publications conclude that the ATS-V is the better car to drive but still set the M3 as the benchmark, old habits die hard?

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > Shifting Lanes
11/06/2015 at 10:03

I drove an ATS4 with the 2.0T last week (loaner with the wife’s Enclave in the shop). I was plesently surprised by it. I found it to be a little small on the inside (we couldn’t sit comfortably with the car seat behind us and we’re both 5’8”). The ATS-V is intriguing though.

BeaterGT > Shifting Lanes
11/06/2015 at 10:16

Another modern turbo car that sounds like ass? You don’t say...

Having said that, I really want to drive one. And compare it to a Gen 2 CTS-V.

Justin Hughes > LongbowMkII
11/06/2015 at 10:18

There’s still that build quality issue that dings a few points off the Cadillac. BMW doesn’t have the equivalent to Chevy to snag cheap parts from, and ze German precision extends to the interior. As far as the driving experience, though - yeah. I’ll tolerate a less nice interior to get a better driving car. I drive a BRZ for crying out loud.

Opposite Locksmith > Shifting Lanes
11/06/2015 at 10:19

How many times are reviewers going to say that the power is smooth and linear, surprising for a turbo car, before we come to the conclusion that that's how they pull now haha

spanfucker retire bitch > LongbowMkII
11/06/2015 at 11:46

The Cadillacs always lose on the interior and overall fitment. That’s still very important for the luxury segment. However they’ve already nailed the chassis dynamics and overall driving performance. All they need to do is improve on the actual “luxury” bits and I think they’ll be leading the pack.

LongbowMkII > spanfucker retire bitch
11/06/2015 at 12:04

Giving an M3 points for luxury is like giving NFL teams bonus points for charity work. Sure it’s nice, but that’s hardly the point.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > LongbowMkII
11/06/2015 at 12:07

I agree. It’s pretty sad that the M3 has won recent comparisons between these two based on rear seat room, trunk space, etc...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Shifting Lanes
11/06/2015 at 12:10

I’m looking forward to test-driving one of these at some point. I currently own an E90 M3. What’s better about the ATS-V, in your mind? What’s worse, besides the obvious (interior quality and LOUD NOISES)?

spanfucker retire bitch > LongbowMkII
11/06/2015 at 12:13

And yet it’s reasons like that as to why the C63 has come out on top. You can agree or disagree, but you’re not buying just a “sports car” you’re buying a luxury sports sedan, and with that, luxury is a required aspect.

PatBateman > Shifting Lanes
11/06/2015 at 12:27

German loyalists will always come up with a reason that Cadillac is inferior to their beloveds. Before, it was performance. Then the Gen 2 CTS-V kicked the M5’s ass at the ‘ring. Now it’s luxury. Next, it will be heritage and “personality”.

Cadillac will indeed start pulling buyers from other luxury brands in the coming years, but the diehards will never change their minds. It's just like a Ford/Chevy/Dodge junky; it doesn't matter who's faster, the other guys will always suck because reasons.

Shifting Lanes > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/06/2015 at 12:46

Better: more balanced, more useable grip, better overall ride quality, power delivery.

Worse: exactly what you mentioned, wheels aren’t the best looking, CUE system still exists.

All subjective though. I don’t mine CUE at all, but I know nearly everyon on earth hates it.

LongbowMkII > spanfucker retire bitch
11/06/2015 at 12:48

It’s the modern fallacy that a car has to have the performance of a 130k car and the interior of a 80k car and cost 70k. A top level 335i is a great luxury sports sedan, leave the luxury for the non-M cars.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Shifting Lanes
11/06/2015 at 12:57

Thanks - like I said, I’ll have to check it out at some point. And I’ll keep holding out hope that they put a V8 in it at some point. ATS-V or SS, for your money?

Mine has the original iDrive, so CUE can’t be that much worse - ha!

spanfucker retire bitch > LongbowMkII
11/06/2015 at 13:18

Is it a modern fallacy when it’s literally true and that’s how these kinds of cars are marketed? You’re arguing against reality itself, against how these cars are made, and against the people who actually buy them in record high numbers.

You’re arguing for how you want the automotive landscape to be, not how it currently is.

Shifting Lanes > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/06/2015 at 14:14

Haha yea I’ve heard that iDrive is an utter bitch.

You should check it out and if there is any humanly possible chance to get it on a track like we did, take it. Clear your schedule for it. It’s just better.

ATS-V with no hesitation. I also drove the SS at this drive event and while that sounded way better, the ATS-V was better in every measurable category except cabin roominess and cargo space.

BILL-LONGDICK-CLINTON > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
11/16/2015 at 15:00

LMAO. Clearly has never driven F80 M3/4.

The Caddy might post quicker lap times, but the M3/4 is a much better car. Which has already been well established.

Mister Win Blames People, Not Guns > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
11/16/2015 at 15:30

I hate how people keep implying the Cadillac is only good because the BMW isn’t. Stop qualifying and just acknowledge that it’s a legit car! You don’t need to mention the BMW for it to be a good car!

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Mister Win Blames People, Not Guns
11/16/2015 at 23:19

bruh,I edited the title. the car's amazing in it's own right, but when the title is alluding to it's comparison to the F30 M3, I think that what I wrote was pretty justified

Mister Win Blames People, Not Guns > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
11/19/2015 at 10:42

No. That’s like your wife saying ‘Ryan Gosling won’t return my calls, let’s make love!’ Why bring Ryan Gosling to it?