Oh Cadillac, you had me at ATS-V. But it’s better than that; the ATS-V isn’t just coming, its coming in style. Yesterday we reported that Cadillac chief Bob Ferguson confirmed that there would be a Cadillac ATS-V, and now we can give you some details.
The ATS-V will feature a twin turbo version of ATS’s 3.6-liter V6, with wait for it… 425 horsepower. That is M3 level power in a car that is likely to be significantly cheaper. And according to Motor Trend, that power can be entirely at your control with a seven-speed manual, just like the one you get in a Corvette Stingray.
Perhaps even more impressively Cadillac’s power madness doesn’t stop there. Cadillac is apparently planning on releasing an ATS-V+ by 2017, that will pack a V8, just like I was hoping.
One of the interesting things about an ATS V8, is that there are lots of possible options. Cadillac could go with either the LT1 from the standard Vette, or even the insane 625 hp LT4 from the 2015 Corvette Z06. Or perhaps best of all the ATS-V+ could feature the twin turbo 4.5-liter V8 from the Cadillac Elmiraj concept.
What we can say is that the upcoming CTS-V will be getting a twin turbo LT1, which should be good for at minimum 550hp. What all of this says is “watch out Bavaria” because Cadillac is making a serious effort to go after BMW at all levels.
That is great for us consumers, now we just need to egg Caddy on to follow through on its designs to give us an ATS convertible, ATS sportwagon and while they are at it, a production Elmiraj. I can’t remember when Cadillac has been this exciting.
