When the GM engineers planted a twin-turbo V6 with a high and mighty output of 464 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque in its small coupe or sedan, it brought the Cadillac ATS-V into territory shared with the BMW M3/M4 and Mercedes AMG C63. Comfortably adept when driven as a luxury car on the street or attacking the turns on a race track, the ATS-V is not to be taken lightly.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a short throw 6-speed manual or quick-shifting 8-speed automatic. The steel and aluminum chassis has been stiffened with a shock tower brace, V-shaped braces under the hood, and a stronger rocker bulkhead and rear cradle-to-rocker braces. The ATS-V’s agility and refined road manners are the result of a computer controlled suspension, advanced magnetic dampers and a Performance Traction Management (PTM) system.
Inside the car are optional Recaro leather and suede seats that hold its passengers snugly. The flowing center stack is finished in piano black and has a secret hideaway compartment. The Cadillac Cue infotainment system is frustrating to operate and is especially user-unfriendly without proper buttons to push and knobs to turn.
Cadillac claims the sporty upstart can accomplish zero to sixty mph in 3.9 seconds and race to a top speed of 189 mph. In this video, Roman tests the Cadillac ATS-V 0-60 mph performance one mile above sea level.
2016 Cadillac ATS-V Specs:
- Engine: 3.6L twin turbocharged V6
- Power: 464 hp @ 5850 rpm
- Torque: 445 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- EPA-estimated fuel economy (city/hwy): 17 / 23 mpg (manual)
- Drivetrain layout: front engine, rear-wheel drive
- Curb weight: 3700 lbs. (estimated)
