2013 Cadillac ATS First Drive

We get the chance to test drive the brand new 2013 Cadillac ATS

The deal

Here at LotPro opportunities to get behind the wheel of an all-new Cadillac are few and far between, so when the situation presents itself we generally take advantage. Such was the case at last month’s Midwest Automotive Media Association fall rally held in suburban Chicago.

We drove one of two 2013 Cadillac ATS sedans up for grabs which turned out to be a top of the line Premium trim level model in Crystal Red Tintcoat (itself a $995 option) metallic equipped with Cadillac’s 3.6-liter DOHC V6 that produces 321 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque.

2013 Cadillac ATS Premium

First the good news.

Ever since the first CTS was introduced, Cadillac has, pretty much on its own, carried the GM styling mantle for sedans. The ATS takes that to a whole new level as it manages to look good from just about every angle from its slim projector-beam headlamps whose enclosures reach back to mid-wheel well, all the way back to the narrow vertical taillamps.

Up front those headlamp enclosures bracket an aggressive front grille, while in back the stylized trunk lid is topped off by a narrow rear spoiler containing an array of LED lamps that doubles as the CHMSL.

Inside, the news is even better. How about this: supportive stitched leather seats, clear, easy to read instrumentation, tasteful piano black and brushed metal trim and beautiful looking and feeling materials.

On the road

Now for the great news.

On the road, the new ATS is not only the best Cadillac vehicle I have ever driven, it should also reassure the GM faithful that, yes, the company can build a superb entry level premium sports sedan when it wants to.

It also knows how to build and dial in just a flat-out great handling sedan, but more on that later.

The new ATS responds to the slightest steering input with aplomb. It goes exactly where you point it, the steering is weighted nicely and feedback through the steering wheel is excellent.

It also begs to be thrown into corners. Body lean is nearly non-existent and body motions are well controlled over all road surfaces – even train tracks and washboard pavement.

After alighting from my arguably too-short test drive – I would’ve preferred hours instead of the few minutes allotted - I was approached by a group of Cadillac marketing people and asked what I thought of their latest baby.

I told them, without trying to noticeably gush, that it looked like they had a real hit on their hands. I also casually dropped the hint that, if they felt so inclined, they might want to loan a handful of Cadillac stylists and chassis engineers to the corporation’s Chevy division.