Cadillac ATS Coupe unveiled, new wreathless logo

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This is the Cadillac ATS Coupe, and as its name suggests, is a two-door version of the ATS compact exec. The relatively sedately-styled coupe, which has made its debut at the ongoing NAIAS in Detroit, is the first production Caddy to wear the new company crest that does without the laurel wreath.

But before we get down to semantics, let’s look at the car first. The Cadillac ATS Coupe shares its four-door sister’s 2,776-mm wheelbase, but the doors, roof, rear wings and boot lid are new. It also gets a revised grille and front wings that accommodate a wider track.

Depending on trim level, headlamps are projectors, HIDs with front vertical LED signatures or LEDs with Adaptive Forward Lighting. Some variants get illuminated outside door handles, but all get LED tail and third brake lamps.

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The Cadillac ATS Coupe is powered by either a 272 hp/400 Nm 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbo (more potent than the sedan’s unit) or a 321 hp/373 Nm 3.6 litre V6. The four-pot delivers 90% of peak torque from 2,100 to 5,400 rpm and full twist from 3,000 to 4,600 rpm, allowing the vehicle to do the century sprint in an estimated 5.6 seconds.

Both direct-injected, twin-cam and CVVT-equipped powerplants can be connected to a six-speed Hydra-Matic 6L45 auto with tap-shift control, but the smaller engine can be had with a six-speed manual. Like the sedan, RWD and AWD versions are available.

Cadillac says the ATS Coupe boasts “nearly perfect 50/50 weight balance” and a “low centre of gravity.” At the front are multi-link, double-pivot MacPherson struts with a direct-acting stabiliser bar, while the back is propped up by a five-link independent setup. There’re also underbody aerodynamic shields, Brembo front brakes and belt-driven, variable-effort ZF steering gear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoyMmFCZVrU

Moreover, a driver-adjustable FE3 sports suspension is available. This includes Magnetic Ride Control, a mechanical limited-slip diff, a high-capacity engine cooling system and summer-performance tyres to go with the standard 18-inch aluminium wheels. Magnetic Ride Control ‘sees’ the road ahead and can change damping every millisecond.

The interior is pretty much carried over from the sedan – although no photos have been released, Cadillac mentions “handcrafted cut-and-sewn” upholstery, “decorative stitching,” leather aluminium, carbon fibre and wood. There’s OnStar 4G LTE connectivity, Bluetooth, text-to-voice, SiriusXM satellite radio, a 5.7-inch three-window instrument panel display, a head-up display, an 8.0-inch CUE LCD multi-touch screen and Bose sound with Active Noise Cancellation.

Variants equipped with the premium surround sound system get electronic sound enhancement (exclusive to the ATS Coupe, enhances powertrain sounds), 12 speakers and Bose Audio Pilot, which continuously monitors ambient sounds and adjusts the music volume and programme content to make the most of the listening experience. Navigation is available on some variants, while keyless entry and start is standard.

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Available safety equipment includes front and rear automatic braking, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, full-speed range Adaptive Cruise Control, Enhanced Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Eight airbags and StabiliTrak ESC with traction control are standard.

Now, about that new crest. Although you saw it first on the Cadillac Elmiraj concept, this is the first time it’s on a production Cadillac. “This new Crest matches the lower, longer, leaner mantra of our current car designs, and reflects the evolution of our Art and Science philosophy,” said executive design director Andrew Smith.

“Our goal was to evolve the emblem design to integrate with the new vehicle form while maintaining the core graphic elements that preserve its strong brand recognition. This resulted in retaining the iconic crest shape and colour palette with geometric grid from the original Cadillac family coat of arms,” he continued.

The Cadillac logo has in fact changed many times over the course of the carmaker’s 112-year history. It was last revised in 1999.

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Jonathan James Tan

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

 

Comments

  • victortan on Jan 16, 2014 at 10:33 am

    No one could beat the evolutionary of Proton crest, lol!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • superbird #43 on Jan 16, 2014 at 10:53 am

    reserve some honour for the Americans for trying their best to be on par with their European counterparts in combining luxury and performance, all-in-1 go.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • sudonano on Jan 16, 2014 at 11:40 am

    Art & Science has really paid off for Cadillac imo. Looks sharp.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • This car looks like my toilet bowl before I flush. Rubbish cars from US. No wonder US cars can only sell in USA and tak laku worldwide.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 16
  • vinnie on Jan 16, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    They want to compete with BMW and other German brands, but what do they do? Bring two cars in different color in base form. They did not bring one that showed the potential of actually challenging the competition. It is as if their competing with Chevrolet. They should have brought one in V series form or clad with body panels like the 3 and 4 series.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • motorhead on Jan 16, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    Unfortunately.. I saw more Ferrari & Porsche otr compare to American cars.. I saw sonic.. Once. Too bad..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Henry on Jan 16, 2014 at 2:18 pm

    I like the design. Guess this car won’t be in right hand drive or become available here anytime soon.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Keris Jawa on Jan 16, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    “Big yellow Cadillac, carry me back home
    On glory roads of pure delight
    We head out for the stars…”

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • kotak² design not nice.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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