“…like a roller coaster: you just hold on for dear life!”Sam Fane, Producer, Seen Through Glass
We recently put Sam Fane (Seen Through Glass) in a brand new 2017 Cadillac ATS-V sedan, and he was certainly a fan.
In terms of size and power, the ATS-V compares to the BMW M3 and M4. A twin turbo V6 producing 464 base horsepower rockets the car to 100 kph (60 mph) in 3.8 seconds and keeps it accelerating to a top speed of 304 kph (189 mph). Of the experience exploring the ATS-V’s throttle Sam explains, “…it’s like a roller coaster: you just hold on for dear life!”
Listing myriad positives and very few downsides, Sam gives the Cadillac ATS-V a huge thumbs up:
The positives
- Power. The twin turbo doesn’t suffer from lag, but there is a noticeable boost in the upper end of the rev range;
- Manual gearbox. Hitting a button on the left side of the steering wheel engages “active rev-matching,” which helps all drivers downshift like a pro without worrying about heal-and-toe. “No-lift Shift” enables drivers to up-shift without letting off the throttle;
- Exterior looks. The ATS-V’s many angles, pointed body and ubiquitous carbon fiber produce an extremely aggressive, sporty impression;
- Interior looks and amenities. The ATS-V’s interior, including its very sporty Recaro seats, is covered in Alcantara, enhancing the car’s premium-sport feel. Further, helpful technology abounds that adds to both the luxury and sport sides of the car. There’s a heads-up display that shows speed, navigation instructions and lights that tell you when to shift; there’s a performance data recorder that lets drivers track and share their track-day performance. And let’s not forget that, when in sport mode, the ATS-V amplifies the engine’s roar through the speakers. Although some purists might find this unnatural and fabricated, we like it.
The Critiques (there aren’t many)
- The brakes. They should be larger and more powerful to balance the ATS-V’s power and weight. As currently equipped, the driver must “really stomp on the pedal” to slow the car down quickly;
- Driving a manual transmission if you live in or around a city with lots of traffic can get old fast. Luckily, an 8-speed automatic is available.
The Stats
Length:
4,674 mm / 184 in
Width:
1,811 mm / 71.3 in
Wheelbase:
2,776 mm / 109.3 in
Weight:
1,729 kgs / 3,812 lbs
Conclusion
The Cadillac ATS-V gets a huge thumbs up as a performance car. It is certainly more nimble and fun to drive than its bigger brother, the CTS-V, which, although faster in a straight line, would probably not handle nearly as well through a track or cornering on curvy roads. And for about CAD 68,000 / USD 61,000, it’s tremendous value.