2017 Cadillac ATS-V Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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If ever there was a sign that Cadillac has recreated itself, the ATS-V is it. This svelte 4-door sedan may look fairly tame, but it was designed on Germany’s most demanding race tracks—the same courses where BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi do their development work. But the ATS-V may actually beat those Germans at their own game.
Available as both a coupe and a sedan, the ATS-V is simply dripping with performance-oriented technology and engineering. Under its bulging hood lies a thundering twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 engine rated at 464 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque, enough to take it from a complete stop to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. Find a legal place to do so—like, say, Germany—and the ATS-V will cruise to 189 mph.
Given the performance on tap, the ATS-V is actually reasonably thrifty when it comes to filling the tank. The manual-transmission trim is rated by the EPA at 17 mpg city/23 highway/19 combined, while the automatic version sees a slight shift in those numbers to 16/24/19.
As noted, the ATS-V is offered with both 6-speed manual and 8-speed automatic transmission options. Regardless of transmission, however, the ATS-V includes a launch control mode that uses the car’s brakes to ensure an absolutely perfect, repeatable drag strip run should you choose to exercise it in that manner.
Bringing things to a halt are Brembo performance brakes at all four corners. But not only is the ATS-V a rocket ship--it's also a deft handler. Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control suspension provides a ride quality that can be adjusted at the press of a button from boulevardier soft to racing firm.
For those looking for more out of their ATS-V, a track aerodynamics package is available to make the vehicle even nimbler, helping it both accelerate faster and grip the road better at high speeds. The ATS-V sends power to the rear wheels and comes from the factory with summer tires, so those in colder climates will need to plan for winter tires.
Inside, the ATS-V lives up to its sporty exterior with heavily-bolstered front seats. A Performance Data Recorder that operates somewhat like a high-tech airplane black box, allowing drivers to record their time on a race track via a high-resolution camera, is an optional item that has trickled down to the ATS-V from fellow-GM-brand Chevrolet’s Corvette.
Track-oriented drivers will want to check the box for the ATS-V’s optional Recaro seats, which add adjustable bolsters and include sueded microfiber inserts to better grip passengers during aggressive cornering.
Drivers stare at a 5.7-inch LCD screen in the instrument cluster that includes special “V” graphics over those in the standard, more pedestrian ATS, but the look inside is otherwise about identical from one model to another. That means the ATS-V includes a touchscreen in the center of the dashboard for Cadillac’s updated CUE infotainment. Derided at its launch for its slow response times, the CUE system has been updated with a faster processor, and it stands out among most infotainment systems for mapping software that utilizes the “pinch and scroll” functionality of a tablet computer. CUE includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability (which requires an additional monthly charge after an initial trial period).
On the safety front, the ATS line has not yet been tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, but it did receive 5 out of 5 stars in side-impact and rollover assessments by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
An optional Driver Awareness Package adds a forward collision alert system that buzzes the driver’s seat and flashes a bright red light if it detects an impending collision. However, unlike the standard ATS, the system will not apply the brakes when activated.
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2017 Cadillac ATS-V Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 7
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 14.5 · Front brake width: 1.34 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Premium brakes: Brembo · Rear brake diameter: 13.3 · Rear brake width: 1.02 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: leather · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: accessory hook · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 18
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.73 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Rocker panel color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 5.7 in. · Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 18
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: front · Programmable safety key: MyKey · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather · Upholstery accents: faux suede
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.4
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Front shock type: monotube · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear shock type: monotube · Stabilizer bar(s): rear · Suspension control: magnetic
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: OnStar · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Power windows: with safety reverse · Solar-tinted glass: front