By TOM VOELK
New York Times
November 6, 2015
LETTERS can be so meaningful. M affixed to a BMW or AMG on a Mercedes-Benz seduces performance enthusiasts. The V, found on Cadillac, is the last of them alphabetically but possibly Speed Racer’s first consonant of choice. Seriously. The ATS-V sedan and coupe, built to take on C63, M3 and M4, is the real deal for taming tarmac. If only Cadillac had street cred.
Not that General Motors’ premium brand has been resting on its now nonexistent laurels — a new logo ditches the wreath, management has international experience, the head office has been moved to Manhattan, and, most important, its new product is world class. Auto writers typically gush about ATS and CTS. Buyers have responded with yawns.
Hello? Marketing? This should be a sales slam dunk.
The ATS-V is a high-octane example of what Cadillac engineers are doing right. Inspiration and parts from Corvette help. Extra bracing increases the already impressive chassis rigidity by 25 percent. Carbon fiber where it counts, Brembo brakes, oil pump and cooling systems are all track-ready. If you’re just heading for a Slurpee, the V is happy to purr about town without drama. Conversely, throw it into launch control and nail 60 miles per hour from standstill in 3.9 seconds. It’s your choice.
Full Story: Video Review: Cadillac’s ATS-V, a Socially Refined Muscle Car