Photo: Cadillac
When Cadillac introduced the 2016 ATS-V in coupe and sedan guise, we were promised 455 HP and 445 lb-ft (603 Nm) of torque from the twin-turbo 3.6-liter lump. That output hiked to 464 HP months after the BMW M3/M4-rivaling Caddy debuted, but this might not be the end of the ATS-V’s quest for power.
As if a 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) stint of 3.8 seconds (4.1 for the automatic) wasn’t enough performance to pose a threat to the M division, Cadillac engineers could get berserk with a future iteration of the ATS-V. MT’s Mike Connor reports that the Cadillac ATS-V+ will make use of the naturally aspirated LS7 big-block V8 that’s used by the fifth-gen Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 track monster.
Without citing any source or “a man on the inside,” the motoring publication is adamant the 7-liter tower-of-power will animate the ATS-V+ model. Though many of us were expecting the ATS-V+ to be offered with a downtuned LT4 from the Corvette Z06/Cadillac CTS-V, MT makes a case in point: “GM wants its high-revving naturally aspirated eight-cylinder to live on, so it's keeping it in production for the Cadillac ATS-V+.”
With 505 horsepower and 481 lb-ft (652 Nm), the LS7 is a pivotal point of the Z/28’s track-oriented package. It’s mum’s guess whether this rumor will see the ATS-V+ whoop some Bavarian ass in the guise of the BMW M4 GTS. The latter is expected to debut this August at Pebble Beach, water-injection included.
Expected to come with an 8-speed automatic and C7 Corvette-derived 7-speed manual, MT is hinting towards a third transmission option - “a quick-shifting dual-clutch gearbox.” The Chinese-spec 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is available with a DCT, but we have our reservations regarding a strong enough dual-clutch transmission for the LS7 V8’s ample torque. Then again, will the LS7 V8 fit the engine bay of an ATS-V?
UPDATE: speaking to MotorAuthority, Cadillac communications manager David Caldwell makes it rather clear the LS7 in an ATS-V is a pipe dream: “The ATS-V we have today is supremely capable—so much so that it’s unlikely to receive a larger, or different engine in the foreseeable future. As for V-8 engines, yes, we have another car coming that will take care of this beautifully, that being the CTS-V. The obvious question is, 'why not' have V-8 power in both? The answer is that there’s no need for the two V product lines to be twins. Brothers, yes. Twins, no. This new era of V-Series gives us the chance to dial-in two types of performance character—both track capable, both premium. One is smaller, a little more approachable (relatively speaking) with the most powerful V-6, the Cadillac Twin Turbo. And its big brother coming later this summer with a supercharged V-8 with authoritative power.” Dear folks from MotorTrend, you were wrong on this one. Badly wrong.
Without citing any source or “a man on the inside,” the motoring publication is adamant the 7-liter tower-of-power will animate the ATS-V+ model. Though many of us were expecting the ATS-V+ to be offered with a downtuned LT4 from the Corvette Z06/Cadillac CTS-V, MT makes a case in point: “GM wants its high-revving naturally aspirated eight-cylinder to live on, so it's keeping it in production for the Cadillac ATS-V+.”
With 505 horsepower and 481 lb-ft (652 Nm), the LS7 is a pivotal point of the Z/28’s track-oriented package. It’s mum’s guess whether this rumor will see the ATS-V+ whoop some Bavarian ass in the guise of the BMW M4 GTS. The latter is expected to debut this August at Pebble Beach, water-injection included.
Expected to come with an 8-speed automatic and C7 Corvette-derived 7-speed manual, MT is hinting towards a third transmission option - “a quick-shifting dual-clutch gearbox.” The Chinese-spec 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is available with a DCT, but we have our reservations regarding a strong enough dual-clutch transmission for the LS7 V8’s ample torque. Then again, will the LS7 V8 fit the engine bay of an ATS-V?
UPDATE: speaking to MotorAuthority, Cadillac communications manager David Caldwell makes it rather clear the LS7 in an ATS-V is a pipe dream: “The ATS-V we have today is supremely capable—so much so that it’s unlikely to receive a larger, or different engine in the foreseeable future. As for V-8 engines, yes, we have another car coming that will take care of this beautifully, that being the CTS-V. The obvious question is, 'why not' have V-8 power in both? The answer is that there’s no need for the two V product lines to be twins. Brothers, yes. Twins, no. This new era of V-Series gives us the chance to dial-in two types of performance character—both track capable, both premium. One is smaller, a little more approachable (relatively speaking) with the most powerful V-6, the Cadillac Twin Turbo. And its big brother coming later this summer with a supercharged V-8 with authoritative power.” Dear folks from MotorTrend, you were wrong on this one. Badly wrong.
Google News