Cadillac introduced the ATS-V in 2016, combining a potent engine with a well-sorted chassis, track-ready suspension, and plenty of aerodynamic upgrades. As it stands, it’s the sole domestic competition to a traditionally foreign segment that includes the BMW M3 and M4, Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG, Audi RS 5, and Lexus RC-F. In the short time since its debut, the ATS-V has earned plenty of respect on the performance circuit. Yet, Cadillac has plans to replace the ATS series altogether within the next year or two. For 2019, it removed the sedan body style —leaving just the coupe—and options have been streamlined.

Despite having a streamlined look, it isn’t difficult to tell an ATS-V Coupe apart from the lesser ATS Coupe model. 2019 models should look even more sinister; the Carbon Fiber Package from previous years, which includes a carbon fiber hood vent, front splitter, rear spoiler and rear diffuser, now comes standard. Cadillac has also deleted two colors, Phantom Gray Metallic and Vector Blue Metallic, but added a new hue called Wave Metallic.

Hiding under the hood of every ATS-V Coupe is a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, tossing a potent 464 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque to rear wheels shod in Michelin summer tires. A crisp 6-speed manual transmission comes standard. It features active rev matching and no-shift lift, which lets you keep the accelerator pressed during shifting. An 8-speed automatic with magnesium paddle shifters is also available. Beyond that, the ATS-V Coupe employs plenty of magic to optimize road and track use, including launch control, performance traction management, an electronic limited-slip differential, Brembo front and rear brakes, revised steering, and magnetic ride control. All this helps the car to blitz to 60 miles per hour in 3.8 seconds and hit a top track speed of 189 mph.

Fuel economy figures sit at 16 mpg city, 23 highway, and 19 combined for the manual transmission. For the automatic transmission, expect a slight boost, with 17 mpg city, 25 highway, and 20 combined.

There’s only one trim of the ATS-V Coupe, replete with features like 18-inch forged wheels, keyless access and start, an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an electronic parking brake, a Bose audio system, satellite radio, active noise cancellation, 16-way power driver’s and passenger’s seats with heat, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. Cadillac offers the choice of different premium wheels and several add-on packages. The Luxury Package bundles navigation, sport alloy pedals, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, and a garage door opener. The Cadillac User Experience and Navigation package tacks on navigation, a 110-volt outlet, and a premium Bose surround-sound system. Finally, things like 16-way Recaro performance seats and a performance data recorder are standalone extras.

In the way of safety, standard features include a reversing camera and Teen Driver. The latter allows parents to set limitations on the car, automatically turn on certain safety features, and monitor their teenagers’ driving behavior. The available Safety and Security Package includes automatic wipers, lane-change alert, blind-spot monitoring, a following-distance indicator, rear cross-traffic alert, a full-color head-up display, and automatic high beams. Adaptive cruise control is absent. Unfortunately, no crash test data was available at the time of this writing for any variant of the ATS.

It is unclear what will replace the ATS-V, but even in its final years, the coupe-only performance car still shines, with excellent styling, brilliant handling, and plenty of interior and exterior amenities.