Cadillac tried and failed to secure some market share in the compact executive class more than 25 years ago, with the abysmally bad J-car derived model, and had another go in recent years with the Saab 9-3-based BLS, which was designed for the European market. One of the reasons they both failed was because the offerings were front-drive cars, while the main rival from BMW was rear-driven. Another was the cars' quality, or rather, lack of it.
That's all changed now. In recent times, Cadillac's quality, particularly in its cabins has improved exponentially. To break into the market for small luxury sport sedans, the model will use rear-wheel-drive, and offer all- wheel-drive as an option - just as its German competitors do.
Called the ATS, the new baby Cadillac was designed to be among the lightest cars in its segment, and if it can gain a foothold it will be highly lucrative for GM.
In 2011, BMW sold more than 94,000 3-Series models in the United States, in the form of sedans, coupes, station wagons and convertibles. GM hasn't confirmed the likelihood of two- door or wagon versions of the ATS, but with the success of its larger coupes and mid-sized SUV versions, we'd expect several variations of the basic four-door theme.
Three initial engine choices will be available, including a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo with 201kW, and naturally aspirated 2.5-litre inline four with 150kW horsepower, inline mounted blocks derived from the transverse front-driven units developed for the new Chevy Malibu sedan. The third engine is a Holden-built EcoTec 3.6-litre V-6 with 240kW. Manual and automatic transmissions are available and there is talk of diesel power-plant options for a future European version.
The new ATS weighs about 1542 Kg thanks to an aluminum bonnet instead of steel, lightweight magnesium engine mounts and other weight-saving technologies. The weight is about the same as a 3-series sedan, and like the German, the Cadillac has a near 50-50 front-to-rear weight balance.
Cadillac suspends the ATS independently front and rear wheels, and adjustable Magnetic ride control is available.
Although it's all new, the ATS has design cues lifted successfully from the size-larger CTS, a larger car, with similar vertical tail-light treatment. The ATS's waistline rises front to rear and accentuates this with a crease along the top of the doors.