2013 Cadillac ATS teaser

2013 Cadillac ATS teaser

Development work on the 2013 Cadillac ATS sedan is progressing well, with the upcoming entry-level Caddy being fine-tuned not only at GM test centers around the world but also at the notorious Nurburgring-Nordschleife in Germany.

Cadillac has now confirmed that the ATS will make its official world debut next month at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show alongside three other concept or production vehicle debuts from GM.

The information was revealed by GM production development chief Mary Barra who concedes that the ATS will be facing a tough challenge when it goes on sale next summer.

“ATS enters the biggest market segment in the global luxury car industry, both in terms of volume and importance,” Barra said. “It’s a segment dominated by German cars, including the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4”.

To ensure it remains competitive, Cadillac has developed a new rear-wheel drive platform, which it boasts will offer agile, quick-and-fun driving dynamics and advanced technology. Dubbed “Alpha”, this new platform is expected to be used for the next-generation CTS and even the Chevrolet Camaro. The expectation is that the resulting cars will be perhaps lighter and a bit smaller, though with the Alpha extending and contracting to underpin the three very differently-sized cars, things may not change all that much from the outside.

The ATS line should feature two engine options: a 3.6-liter V-6 with 330 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque on tap, as well as a 2.0-liter turbocharged mill with 270 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque on tap. Understandably, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder model should be the most fuel efficient of the bunch with an expected gas mileage of 22/32 mpg city/highway.

Press days for the 2012 Detroit Auto Show don’t kick off until January 9 but in the meantime follow our ongoing coverage of the event here.

For more details on the 2013 Cadillac ATS, including some spy shots of prototypes, click here.