2016 Cadillac ATS-V Brings Twin-turbo Power to V-Series

2016 cadillac ats-v coupe

With the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V earning plenty of buzz in our recent 2014 LA Auto Show galleries, folks are clamoring for more details about the latest high-performance entry from Cadillac, and we're going to deliver. After all, as explained by Johan de Nysschen, president of the brand: "Cadillac's V-Series is the best example of Cadillac's emerging product substance—and the purest expression of passion at the core of the brand."

And the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V plays a particularly important role here because it's the first V-Series vehicle to offer a twin-turbo powerplant. In this case, it's a 3.6-liter V6 unit that provides drivers with higher outputs than any other V6 engine in its class: 455 hp and 445 lb.-ft. of torque. Drivers can then choose between either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed paddle-shifting automatic, both of which offer significant performance enhancers. The DIY transmission, for example, also boasts Active Rev Match, no-lift shifting and launch control, while the automatic complements its own launch-control system with Performance Algorithm Shift technology. As a result, the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V is expected to top out above 185 mph and rush from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds.

But as drivers have come to expect from the V-Series, the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V provides top-notch all-around performance to go with its blistering acceleration, complemented by:

• The latest-generation Magnetic Ride Control, which responds to changes in road conditions some 40 percent faster than the previous setup
• Tri-compound tires that enable superior grip and, in turn, are gripped themselve by Brembo brakes
• A multi-mode drive selector with dedicated sport and track modes
• Significant standard body mods for improved cooling and downforce, with a further aero upgrade available as well

The cabin of the car also has been revised with a sharper focus on driver ergonomics, with Andrew Smith, executive director of Cadillac Global Design, noting that: "With the performance the new ATS-V is capable of delivering, the interior needs to be as functional as the other vehicle systems. ALl of the contact points—the steering wheel, seats, shifter and pedals—are designed to make performance driving experiences direct and intuitive."

Offered in both sedan and coupe configurations, the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V is scheduled to begin production early next year.