2013 Cadillac ATS Challenges the Status Quo

2012-01-08

All-new, lightweight, rear-wheel-drive architecture with one of the lowest curb weights in the segment – less than 3,400 pounds (1,542 kg)
Broad lineup of engines, including two four-cylinders and a V-6 for North America, capitalizes on lightweight structure for performance with efficiency
Cadillac CUE, a comprehensive, in-vehicle experience that merges intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and entertainment data

DETROIT – Cadillac today introduced the 2013 ATS, an all-new compact luxury sports sedan intended to challenge the world’s best premium cars. Developed on an all-new, lightweight vehicle architecture, Cadillac’s entry into the world’s most significant luxury car segment goes on sale this summer.

The rear-drive ATS brings Cadillac’s blend of technologically driven performance, elegance and design to a new audience of spirited drivers. Its sophisticated driving experience is enhanced with Cadillac CUE, a comprehensive, in-vehicle user experience that merges intuitive design with industry-first controls and commands for information and media data.

“Designed with quick, nimble and fun-to-drive dynamics, ATS expands Cadillac’s portfolio into a crucial global segment,” said Don Butler, vice president of marketing for Cadillac. “For a new group of luxury consumers, this is a car that will fit their lifestyle and challenge the segment’s status quo.”

The Cadillac ATS is a new expression of Cadillac’s Art & Science execution philosophy, built on a foundation of driving dynamics and mass efficiency. It is the most agile and lightweight Cadillac, with one of the lowest curb weights in the segment – less than 3,400 pounds (1,542 kg).

Germany’s famed Nürburgring served as one of the key testing grounds, along with additional roads, racetracks and laboratories around the globe, ATS engineers balanced performance with Cadillac’s trademark refinement. Contributing components and features include:

Nearly 50/50 weight balance
Cadillac’s first five-link independent rear suspension using lightweight, high-strength steel and efficient straight link designs
A multi-link double-pivot MacPherson-strut front suspension with direct-acting stabilizer bar
Driver-adjustable FE3 sport suspension with Magnetic Ride Control real-time damping
Underbody aerodynamic shields
Premium (belt driven) electric variable-effort steering gear from ZF Steering Systems
Four-channel ABS with available Brembo performance brakes
Available all-wheel drive

“More than just another new entry, the ATS aims to change the status quo of the European-dominated segment,” said Butler. “That is why our approach in all elements of its development is so extensive and focused.”

A broad lineup of engines – including two four-cylinders and a V-6 for North America – delivers strong power to the ATS and capitalizes on the car’s lightweight structure to complement its performance with efficiency. The optional engines include an all-new 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 270 horsepower (201 kW) and Cadillac’s award-winning 3.6L V-6, estimated at 320 horsepower (238 kW).

At 135hp/L, the new 2.0T is one of the most power-dense engines in the industry, topping engines from European competitors. ATS will offer both manual and automatic transmission options, along with rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations.

The ATS will deliver peak highway fuel economy of more than 30 mpg.

A spirit of lightness and balance

Making the ATS one of the segment’s lightest cars was a fundamental criterion for and the guiding principle during its development, but it was done in a nuanced manner that ensures a refined driving experience.

“Low weight gives the ATS a more nimble and controllable feel, while also optimizing the performance and efficiency of the powertrains,” said David Masch, ATS chief engineer. “But we were careful to manage the weight while maintaining Cadillac’s signature levels of refinement.”

Optimizing the ATS’s mass was the result of a four-pronged philosophy that included strict adherence to original architectural goals, measured load management throughout the vehicle, benchmarking components to see if lighter solutions were available and an overall culture that “weighed” the mass of every component in the car against all aspects of its development.

An aluminum hood, magnesium engine mount brackets and even lightweight, natural-fiber door trim panels contribute to the ATS’s low overall mass – and reflect the systematic approach of evaluating every gram that went into the car. But some weight was deemed not only beneficial, but essential to the ATS’s driving experience. An example is the cast iron differential: Engineers found they could improve fuel economy with a cast iron differential rather than a lighter aluminum version.

And while the rear suspension is mostly steel, the focus on load management and straight links enabled significant weight savings without using alternate materials. This helps offset the weight of the engine and transmission at the front of the vehicle, helping the ATS deliver its near-perfect 50/50 weight balance, while also contributing to lower noise and vibration. A similar approach was taken on the wheels, where extra structural aluminum was strategically added to further reduce vibration.

“We approached development by counting all the grams in the ATS,” said Masch. “We minimized them where we could and put them to the best use where they were needed.”

Tailored design weaves in signature style and refinement

The 2013 Cadillac ATS interprets Cadillac’s Art & Science design language in a new proportion, tailoring the signature styling and refinement cues for the most compact Cadillac while upholding – and advancing – the exemplary attention to detail and technological elements for which the brand is known.

A long, 109.3-inch (2,775 mm) wheelbase and wide front/rear tracks are the cornerstones of the ATS’s firmly planted stance, which is enhanced by short overhangs and taut sheet metal that appears to wrap tightly around the tires. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard and 18-inch wheels are available.

Bold vertical lighting elements – including new LED front signature lighting detail – as well as illuminating door handles and active grille shutters lend technologically advanced style and function to the ATS. The grille shutters close at certain highway speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag and enhance fuel economy.

A driver-focused interior with integrated technology and crafted materials complements the exterior elements and supports the ATS’s driving experience. Everything from the placement of the pedals to the position of the shifter is designed for effortless and intuitive performance driving. Available performance seats have power-adjustable bolsters to optimize lateral support during high-load cornering.

Contributing to the interior’s intuitive feel is an instrument panel that wraps into the doors and a center stack in the mid-instrument panel that flows into the center console. LED lighting for the bold gauge cluster enables clear, at-a-glance viewing in all lighting conditions, while ambient lighting accents functional elements of the console and doors.

Real wood, plated metal plating and carbon fiber trim and Cadillac’s cut-and-sew instrument panel, console and doors enhance the emotional connection to the ATS. Choices of many interior color themes, each with unique accent trim material, cover a wide range of flavors – from light, open and warm to black and serious, to bold, technical and sporty.

CUE and ATS technologies

The ATS is offered with Cadillac CUE, a comprehensive, in-vehicle experience that merges intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and entertainment data. It is designed to be unique for each consumer, from the “simple user” to the fully connected “super user.”

CUE, which stands for Cadillac User Experience, pairs entertainment and information data from up to 10 Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, USBs, SD cards and MP3 players with a vehicle infotainment system that reduces complexity through customized information, voice commands and fewer buttons and larger icons. For example, most of today’s luxury cars have around 20 buttons controlling the radio and entertainment functions. CUE has only four.

The heart of CUE is the eight-inch LCD multi-touch sensitive screen, seamlessly integrated into the top of the central instrument panel and a motorized fully capacitive faceplate at the bottom concealing a 1.8L storage area. The vibrant LCD screen displays CUE’s home page, which resembles a smart phone’s screen by using large, easy-to-target icons to execute commands. Capacitive technology refers to using electrodes to sense the conductive properties of objects, such as a finger.

In addition to CUE, the ATS is offered with other technologies, including:

Bluetooth phone connectivity with voice recognition
USB, auxiliary and SD memory card ports
SiriusXM Satellite Radio with three-month trial subscription
Keyless access and keyless push-button start
Reconfigurable 5.7-inch instrument panel cluster display
Full-color reconfigurable heads-up display.

The ATS is offered as a well-equipped standard model and in Luxury, Performance and Premium Collections. A Bose® Cabin Surround audio system is offered on the standard model, as well as Luxury and Performance Collections. It is standard with the Premium Collection. A navigation system is also available with Luxury and Performance Collections and standard with the Premium Collection.

‘Control and alert’ safety strategy

Safety in the ATS is based on Cadillac’s “control and alert” strategy that employs advanced technologies – including radar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors – to help prevent crashes.

The safety features bolster driver vision and awareness of road hazards, and intervenes to help the driver avert potential crashes. In some cases, Cadillac’s advanced crash-avoidance systems will act without the driver, such as automatic braking, which will activate based on information indicating potential hazards.

Among the most sophisticated of the features is Front and Rear Automatic Brakes. This relies on short-range radar technology and ultrasonic sensors to help the driver prevent front and rear low-speed collisions via a progression of alerts that extend to complete braking, if necessary.

Optional advanced safety features include:

Full Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control
Intelligent Brake Assist
Forward Collision Alert
Brake Pre-Fill Automatic Collision Preparation
Lane Departure Warning
Side Blind Zone Alert
Rear Vision Camera With Dynamic Guidelines
Adaptive Forward Lighting
Hill Hold/Start Assist (Standard, manual transmission)

The advanced technology safety features complement the ATS’s roster of other safety features, including eight standard air bags (10 with optional features), safety belt pretensioners and load limiters, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with traction control and four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel ABS.

ATS also features OnStar standard for one year. It can use GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event of a crash. OnStar service also includes myCadillac and OnStar myLink mobile apps, which offer vehicle information, controls and OnStar services via the customer’s iPhone or Android smart phone.

Power-Dense Engines Drive the Cadillac ATS

2012-01-08

Standard 2.5L with est. 202 hp (151 kW)
Available 2.0L turbo with est. 270 hp (201 kW)
Available award-winning 3.6L V-6 with est. 320 hp (238 kW)

DETROIT – A trio of power-dense engines, including two new four-cylinders and Cadillac’s renowned 3.6L V-6, gives the all-new 2013 ATS a strong balance of performance and efficiency. All three feature direct injection technology and lightweight components.

The engine lineup starts with a standard 2.5L four-cylinder; a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder and the V-6 are available. The four-cylinders are next-generation engines, with the 2.0T offered with a manual transmission – a choice that’s unavailable in some luxury cars.

Increased efficiency was a priority for the new four-cylinders. It was achieved partly through lower engine friction, which was reduced by up to 16 percent using new technologies such as a variable-displacement oil pump and, with the 2.5L, an actively controlled thermostat. Cadillac proprietary computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis techniques were used to develop an all-new combustion system with a higher compression ratio, which also helps boost efficiency.

The 2.5L is rated at an estimated 202 horsepower (151 kW) and 191 lb.-ft. of torque (258 Nm), while the 2.0T – the latest in a series of technologically advanced, high-output turbo engines – is estimated at 270 horsepower (201 kW) and 260 lb.-ft. of torque (353 Nm). The award-winning 3.6L V-6 is rated at an estimated 320 horsepower (238 kW) and 267 lb.-ft. of torque (362 Nm).

All of the engines feature direct injection and dual overhead camshafts with continuously variable valve timing, which help optimize power and efficiency, as well as reduce emissions. And all of the engines are matched with six-speed transmissions, including the Hydra-Matic 6L45 automatic with tap-shift control, and a six-speed manual available with the turbo engine.

“The ATS is all about balanced performance, and that’s exactly what the powertrain systems are designed to provide,” said Mike Anderson, global chief engineer for the Cadillac four-cylinder engines. “They are also refined, which enhances the driving experience with smoothness and predictability that inspires confidence as the revs climb.”

All three engines support the ATS’s agile and lightweight driving dynamics. With an estimated curb weight of less than 3,400 pounds (1,542 kg), it offers a more favorable power-to-weight ratio than key competitors. With the 3.6L V-6, for example, there is 1 horsepower for every 10.8 pounds of vehicle weight. That’s better than a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350’s 11.9:1 ratio or the 2012 Audi A4 sedan’s 16.6:1 ratio.

The optimized balance of power and low vehicle weight enhances fuel economy, too, as the engines don’t have to work as hard.

“There are plenty of powerful sports sedans on the market, but they can feel ponderous and heavy – that’s not the case with the ATS, which feels light on its feet and immediately responsive when you put your foot down,” said Anderson. “Best of all, it’s efficient, guilt-free driving satisfaction, because the power-dense engines and low vehicle weight combine for good fuel economy.”

The ATS will deliver peak highway fuel economy of more than 30 mpg.

Performance and refinement

Features of the four-cylinder engines’ new combustion system deliver improved knock resistance and higher-flowing intake and exhaust ports in the cylinder head, helping increase efficiency, power and torque. The new engines also have increased-authority cam phasing to minimize any compromise between efficiency, performance, emissions and drivability.

The 2.5L is tuned to deliver more of its torque at lower rpm, giving the ATS a stronger feel at launch and during on-demand maneuvers, such as passing or accelerating on a freeway entrance ramp. It is also expected to be one of the quietest and most refined engines in the segment.

Engineers also evaluated the quality of sound in the 2.5L. That means a quieter driving experience and a more refined sound as the engine revs to its 7,000-rpm peak.

Some of the elements that contribute to the refinement of both four-cylinder engines include:

Balance shafts located in a module with an integrated oil pump in the oil pan, to reduce noise and vibration
A strong, stiff forged-steel crankshaft that enables quieter and smoother engine operation at high rpm
Inverted-tooth chains for the camshaft and balance shaft drives for quieter operation
A unique two-piece oil pan design, with an aluminum upper section to provide structural support and a stamped steel lower section to dampen overall noise
A patent-pending cast aluminum bedplate with cast iron bearing cap inserts to help increase dynamic stiffness and reduce noise and vibration
Key sound attenuation features, such as a structural front engine cover, structural cam cover, and light weight composite acoustic intake manifold cover.

The 2.5L is paired with the Hydra-Matic 6L45 six-speed automatic with tap-shift control.

Production for the 2.5L and 2.0T engines takes place at GM’s Tonawanda, N.Y. facility.

New 2.0L turbocharged

An all-new 2.0L turbo engine debuts in the ATS, advancing a legacy of high-performance turbo engines with greater efficiency and more technology. Along with its 270 horsepower (201 kW), the 2.0T’s torque curve is broad and robust, delivering 90 percent of its peak 260 lb.-ft. of torque (353 Nm) from 1,500 rpm to 5,800 rpm – for a great feeling of immediate power at all speeds.

The turbocharger generates up to 20 pounds of boost and its twin-scroll design helps optimize the usable power from the engine, virtually eliminating turbo lag and helping deliver a broad power band. It also gives the engine the rapid throttle responsiveness associated with a higher-displacement, naturally aspirated, high-performance engine. Electronically controlled supporting components, including the wastegate and bypass, help optimize performance and efficiency.

The engine features durability and technological features familiar in premium engines, including low-friction hydraulic roller-finger valve operation and an electronic throttle. A hydraulic tensioner keeps the timing chain adjusted for life, and extended-life spark plugs deliver 100,000 miles (160,000 km) of service. Additional engine features include:

Precision sand-cast engine block with cast-in-place iron liners
Forged steel crankshaft
Pistons with jet-spray cooling
Modular balance shaft system in the oil pan
Rotocast aluminum cylinder head with sodium-filled exhaust valves
Dual Overhead Camshaft (DOHC) with continuously variable valve timing
Direct injection with cam-driven high-pressure fuel pump
Two-stage variable-displacement oil pump
Air-to-air intercooling system.

A Hydra-Matic 6L45 six-speed automatic with tap-shift control is offered with the 2.0T, along with a new Tremec TR3160 six-speed manual. It is similar in design to the high-performance Tremec TR6060 transmission found in the CTS-V series, delivering the same balance of smooth and refined shift performance and short, precise gear changes. The transmission features carbon synchronizers for reduced shift effort, hard-finished gears for greater refinement and gear ratios tailored to the turbocharged engine’s broad torque band.

The Tremec transmission also contributes to the ATS’s low curb weight, with hollow gears, strategically formed castings and optimized gear profile cross sections. Even the oil volume is optimized for minimal weight.

Powerful and lightweight 3.6L

The ATS’s available 3.6L V-6 is the same, powerful and technologically advanced LFX-code engine introduced in the 2012 CTS. It is rated at an estimated 320 horsepower (238 kW) and 267 lb.-ft. of torque (362 Nm).

Although it is the largest engine in the ATS powertrain lineup, it still contributes to a low overall vehicle weight, with low-mass features that help maintain the car’s favorable power-to-weight ratio and an excellent front-to-rear weight balance of nearly 50/50.

The lightweight features include:

Cylinder block and cylinder heads cast in aluminum.
A composite intake manifold that saves approximately 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) over the weight of a comparable aluminum intake. It also has a comparatively small radiated surface area to help maintain excellent noise and vibration characteristics.
An integrated cylinder head/exhaust manifold design saves approximately 13 pounds (6 kg) per engine when compared with a comparable engine with separate head/manifold assemblies.
Connecting rods made of powdered metal with a higher ratio of copper, which makes them stronger and reduces weight.
Pistons made of lightweight cast aluminum, which means less reciprocating mass in the engine for less inertia and greater operating efficiency.

Other engine features enhance performance, efficiency and refinement, including:

A forged steel crankshaft that increases durability and contributes to greater high-rpm smoothness.
A friction-reducing polymer coating on the piston skirts, as well as fully floating wrist pins, to reduce friction.
Pressure-actuated oil squirters that drench the underside of each piston and the surrounding cylinder wall with an extra layer of cooling, friction-reducing oil.
A stiffer cast aluminum oil pan to improve powertrain rigidity and reduce vehicle vibration. It bolts to the transmission bell housing as well as the engine block, eliminating points of vibration.
Optimized-flow fuel injectors and integrated exhaust manifolds/cylinder heads to reduce emissions.

Like the 2.5L, the 3.6L V-6 is matched exclusively with the Hydra-Matic 6L45 six-speed automatic transmission with tap-shift control.

Cadillac ATS Sheds Weight, Gains Agility and Efficiency
Thinking light helped engineers make the ATS lighter than European competitors

DETROIT – From the very outset of development, engineers focused on making the Cadillac ATS one of the lightest cars in the compact luxury segment. Its curb weight of less than 3,400 pounds (1,542 kg) is a key contributor to a world-class driving experience and helps make the new sport sedan more efficient.

An aluminum hood, magnesium engine mount brackets and even lightweight, natural-fiber door trim panels contribute to the ATS’s low overall mass – and reflect the systematic approach of evaluating every ounce that goes into the car.

“Low weight helps enable the ATS’s driving experience, making it feel more nimble and controllable,” said Dave Masch, ATS chief engineer. “Mass efficiency helps the car respond more immediately and precisely to driver input, and improves fuel efficiency.”

Discipline to mass efficiency was a driving force in the development of the ATS. The engineers and designers stayed true to the performance goals and desired driving character. The development team’s culture was also instrumental, as everyone from engineers to suppliers and leadership kept mass as a primary consideration.

“We thought about grams, not pounds, and looked at how even the smallest of changes could contribute to the overall mass goal,” said Masch.

Load and space management – what engineers and mathematicians call topology – was applied during the design of the car’s structure. That helped ensure mass efficiency was built into the very foundation of this all-new architecture. Advanced computational development helped determine the most efficient design, emphasizing strength and stiffness via the use of high-tech materials. High-strength steel (HSS) and ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS) are used most effectively to reduce mass and optimize crash protection.

The ATS features UHSS in areas such as cross-vehicle beams around the “safety cage” of the body structure.

Compared to conventional steel used in most body structures, the yield and tensile strength of HSS is about four times better, while UHSS – which can include boron steel – is up to four times stronger than high-strength steel. That allows these strategic parts to be made of thinner gauges for reduced weight, while still offering the same – or greater – strength of bulkier structures made of conventional steel.

ATS powertrain and suspension systems feature extensive use of aluminum, another material that offers an excellent blend of strength and low mass. Many of the links for the front suspension are aluminum, as well as the front suspension cradle on both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models. Also, the design of each component was carefully studied to optimize size and form.

“The design of each part was refined carefully, so excess material that didn’t contribute to function or strength was eliminated,” said Masch.

The aluminum-intensive powertrains not only helped minimize overall weight, they are instrumental in favorable power-to-weight ratios that contribute to the ATS’s willing feeling of performance. With the 3.6L V-6, for example:

The cylinder block and cylinder heads are cast in aluminum.
A composite intake manifold saves approximately 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) over the weight of a comparable aluminum intake.
An integrated cylinder head/exhaust manifold design saves approximately 13 pounds (6 kg) per engine when compared with a comparable engine with separate head/manifold assemblies.
The connecting rods are made of powdered metal with a higher ratio of copper, which makes them stronger and helped reduce weight.
The pistons are made of lightweight cast aluminum, which means less reciprocating mass in the engine for less inertia and greater operating efficiency.

But for all their gram-shaving initiatives, engineers were careful to balance the ATS’s mass to ensure Cadillac’s signature refinement wasn’t sacrificed. Thinner door glass, for example, would have saved a few pounds, but at the expense of increased road noise. Weight was even put back into aluminum wheel castings during the development process to enhance strength and reduce road noise.

The 2013 Cadillac ATS goes on sale during the second half of 2012.

ATS Delivers New Levels of Control and Refinement
Driving experience tuned for quick, nimble performance on the road or track

DETROIT – The 2013 Cadillac ATS delivers a driving experience that advances the brand’s performance legacy with a balance of racetrack-honed control and uncompromising refinement.

That experience is supported by new chassis and suspension systems, excellent power-to-weight ratios across ATS’s power-dense powertrain lineup and a robust body structure that enables finer chassis tuning and greater crash protection. Highlights of the chassis and suspension features include:

Cadillac’s first five-link independent rear suspension, using high-strength steel and efficient straight link designs
A multi-link, double-pivot MacPherson-strut front suspension with direct-acting stabilizer bar
Driver-adjustable FE3 sport suspension with Magnetic Ride Control real-time damping
Premium electric variable-effort steering gear by ZF Steering Systems
Four-channel ABS with available Brembo performance brakes
Available all-wheel drive.

Before selecting even the first fastener, engineers launched targeted research projects that helped determine the best design and optimal geometries for the front and rear suspensions. Early suspension prototype vehicles were constructed and tested in diverse environments, before complete ATS prototypes hit the pavement at GM’s global proving grounds, as well as highways and racetracks around the world.

“ATS engineers built on the legacy of the acclaimed CTS-V Series and picked up the challenge of well-established competitors to create an American sports sedan to rival Europe’s finest,” said Chris Berube, lead development engineer. “More than the roster of its chassis components, the ATS’s driving experience is derived from the whole of the car – a low curb weight, optimal balance and excellent dynamics refined during countless hours of racetrack testing.”

Proportion and balance are definitely on the ATS’s side, with a low curb weight of less than 3,400 pounds (1,542 kg) and power-dense powertrains that are also lightweight to achieve a 50/50 weight distribution and a greater power-to-weight ratio. They complement wide front and rear tracks – 59.5-inch/1,512mm (front) and 60-inch/1,548mm (rear) – for a lower center of gravity that promotes greater stability.

The low curb weight also helped engineers optimize performance by not having to go big on components that contribute to unsprung weight, including the wheels, tires and brake components.

“A heavy car needs larger wheels and tires and larger brakes to account for its overall mass,” said Berube. “With the ATS, its low weight meant we didn’t have to spec the largest wheels and brakes in the segment – the performance is among the best in the segment with smaller, optimized parts that save weight and enhance efficiency.”

Low vehicle mass and optimal brake sizes are expected to give the ATS’s braking performance that is among the best in the segment, with Brembo brakes contributing to 60-0 performance of approximately 129 feet (39.3 meters).

A strong body structure is the backbone for the ATS’s driving experience. It ties the chassis and suspension elements together with great stiffness that enabled a higher degree of tuning precision.

“This is a rock-solid architecture that supports a rock-solid driving experience,” said Berube. “But even the stiffest body can’t ensure great ride and handling. That comes from an optimal suspension geometry and advanced damping control – and the ATS packs both.”

Dual ball joints, five links and a limited-slip diff

Up front, a multi-link MacPherson strut suspension uses a double-pivot design for a more precise feeling of control, including more linear and communicative steering, and a smoother ride. It also improves impact isolation on bumps and rough surfaces.

The double-pivot system incorporates a pair of ball joints and lower control links that replace a conventional wishbone at each wheel.

The optimal balance of ride and handling is achieved via a suspension geometry that decouples road inputs by integrating a soft fore/aft “ride link” that provides greater isolation from impacts and a stiff, laterally positioned “handling link” for more direct steering feel and quicker lateral response. The control arms, the spindle and the body form an effective four-bar link for each side of the front suspension, creating virtual pivot points for reduced spindle length, significantly reducing steering wheel feedback due to wheel impacts and imbalance. There is also a direct-acting stabilizer bar.

The front suspension’s design also enables a shorter spindle and positive-offset steering geometry for optimal steering control, excellent straight-line stability and a more refined ride. High-durometer rubber and hydraulic bushings are used with the front suspension for an excellent balance of ride comfort and precise response when cornering.

At the rear of the ATS is the first five-link independent suspension in a Cadillac. It’s a design that helps reduces roll center motion, enables positive lateral control, reduces “squat” during acceleration and promotes excellent dynamic stability. In short, it helps keep the tires planted on all surfaces and during all hard-cornering maneuvers.

Four handling links (upper and lower control arms) are used at each side to control wheel motion and a toe link at each wheel provides additional horizontal control – particularly during hard cornering. The upper and lower links create an effective double-wishbone design, although the links are mounted independently.

As with the front suspension, the five-link design creates virtual pivot points that the ATS’s engineers used for geometry optimization. The stiff links are mounted on a cradle that contributes to a smoother, quieter and more isolated ride. The cradle is made of steel (with hydroformed side rails) to help optimize the car’s structural stiffness and mass.

Seventeen-inch (17×8-inch) wheels used with 225/40-series tires are standard and 18×8-inch wheels and 255/35-series rubber are offered on the ATS, with run-flat tires. Models with the FE3 suspension feature 18×9-inch rear wheels.

A mechanical limited-slip differential is a feature not matched by all other competitors and gives the ATS an edge when it comes to ensuring all of the powertrain’s torque is applied to the tires during hard cornering. It is standard with the six-speed manual transmission and included with the FE3 sport suspension package. It is housed in a robust 8.6-inch carrier. Other models feature a 7.67-inch carrier.

MRC, electric power steering and other advanced control systems

Supporting the ATS’s new suspension designs are advanced damping, steering and braking systems, including Magnetic Ride Control.

Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) is the heart of the FE3 Sport Suspension package, which is included on the Premium Collection and also includes a mechanical limited-slip differential, high-capacity cooling system and 18-inch summer-performance tires. MRC is a real-time damping system that delivers more precise body motion control. It “reads” the road every millisecond and can change damping in only five milliseconds.

With MRC, the conventional mechanical-valve shocks and struts are replaced with electronically controlled units filled with a magneto-rheological fluid, which contains minute iron particles. Under the presence of a magnetic charge, the iron particles align to provide damping resistance almost instantly. Sensor input determines the amount of resistance required, varying the magnetic charge to optimize damping.

Adjustable settings for the FE3 suspension allow the driver to select different ranges of damping for Magnetic Ride Control, including a competitive mode that also adjusts the intervention of the stability control and traction control systems.

All ATS models come with a premium electric, variable-assist power steering gear from ZF Steering Systems. It is designed to deliver excellent response and on-center characteristics, while also saving fuel because engine power isn’t directly required to assist gear movement – as is the case with conventional hydraulic systems.

The steering gear has great torsional stiffness and lower operating friction, which enhance the steering feel with almost perfect linear response. Additionally, the steering column and intermediate shaft feature stiff, direct-acting and low-friction ball bearing designs. That means there is almost no “lash” in the entire steering system, for a more immediate and connected-to-the-road feel for the driver.

Four-wheel disc brakes are standard on all models, with Brembo performance brakes available on the standard model and included on the Luxury, Performance and Premium collections. They are matched with a four-channel ABS system that is integrated with standard StabiliTrak stability control and full-function traction control.