A GM executive confirmed the move from the 2008 CTS sigma platform, to the new, very flexible rear-drive platform but did not give any details. General Motors themselves unwillingly confirmed the plans, when announcing a $190 million (EUR144 million) investment to expand its Lansing Grand River, Michigan, factory to add ATS assembly.
The 2013 ATS will come in coupe, sedan and convertible versions, while a station wagon version is being considered in order to establish the brand in the European market. Cadillac will offer the larger CTS only as a sedan, dropping plans for a wagon and coupe version. The ATS convertible can be manufactured because the coupe will have a formal roofline, not an extreme fastback like the current CTS coupe, which would have required unique rear sheetmetal to create a convertible. The question Cadillac is left with is whether it should make it with a traditional ragtop, or a folding metal roof.
Powering the ATS will surely be a GM small-block V8 engine, as a pushrod engine takes up less underhood space than a DOHC one. However, with the recent trend of downsizing engine capacity, that can be clearly seen with BMW’s future M3, the rumored 3.6-liter GM V6 would be a much better option. If Cadillac adopts such a package, the ATS-v would need a reverse-flow setup (turbos inside the vee) for underhood packaging.
The base ATS will reportedly be powered by four-cylinder engine, with versions of GM's current 2.0-liter turbocharged four and a V6 completing the range.
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