2016 Cadillac ATS-V Sedan

The super sedan battle looks to be heating up immensely. We already have the BMW M3/M4 and the Mercedes-AMG C 63 squaring up for a fight, and now the Americans have joined in on the action with the Cadillac ATS-V, a fire-breathing version of its new compact executive competitor.

Available in both sedan and coupé forms, the ATS-V looks brasher, more in-your-face than its Teutonic rivals, all pulled wheel arches, enormous scoops, vented carbon fibre bonnet and chrome mesh grilles

A Carbon Fibre package adds a more aggressive front splitter, composite side sill extensions and a taller rear spoiler. Also available is a Track package that includes all the items of the former pack but adds a Performance Data Recorder, a lightweight battery as well as the deletion of floor mats and the tyre repair kit.

Cadillac ATS-V – M3/M4 fighter with 455 hp biturbo V6

The interior, on the other hand, is mostly unchanged from the regular ATS, save for optional heavily-bolstered 16-way power-adjustable Recaro front buckets, upholstered in Mulan leather with sueded microfibre on the inserts and seat backs, as well as new V-Series graphics on the 5.7-inch instrument cluster display.

Instead, it’s under the bonnet where you’ll find the biggest change. Strangely for an American high-performance car, there’s no V8 – taking its place is a 3.6 litre twin-turbocharged and direct-injected V6 developing 455 hp and a whopping 603 Nm of torque.

As such, the ATS-V sprints to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds, hitting a top speed of over 297 km/h. Putting the power to the 18-inch forged aluminium wheels – wrapped in bespoke Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber – is a choice of either a six-speed manual – with Active Rev Match and no-lift shifting – or an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Whichever you pick, launch control is standard.

2016 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe

Under the skin, additional bracing has resulted in a 25% stiffer body structure compared to the stock ATS. There’s also a wider track, stiffer springs, bushings and anti-roll bars, revised variable-ratio steering, larger propshafts, six-piston Brembo brakes, third-generation Magnetic Ride Control and a standard electronic limited-slip differential.

Production of the Cadillac ATS-V will begin in the spring, with sales set to begin soon after. So, choose a side for this battle – Bavarian brawn, Stuttgart sinew or Detroit muscle?

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