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ATS and XTS: Cadillac's saviours

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Michel Deslauriers
GM’s top luxury brand is struggling to find some elbow room. Accounting for only 2.9% of the General’s total sales in Canada, it’s about time some fresh products hit the showroom floor.

Cadillac brand sales in 2012 (January through May): 2,715
Cadillac brand sales during same period in 2011: 3,348
Difference: -19%


The ATS and XTS should save the day for Cadillac, as they’ll be covering the low and high ends of their car line-up, which are currently vacant. The CTS, presently accounting for 41% of the brand’s sales, has been around in its present form since 2008, the Escalade is unchanged since 2007, and the SRX is hanging on to its modest sales numbers.

The recent demise of the DTS sedan is the main reason why Caddy’s sales are down, so the full-size 2013 Cadillac XTS should do good, with its 304-hp 3.6L V6 engine, a choice of front- or all-wheel drivetrains and a host of new electronic gadgetry. The XTS will emphasize ride comfort, interior space and a well-appointed cabin, and will start at about $50,000.

2013 Cadillac XTS front 3/4 view
2013 Cadillac XTS (Photo: Kevin Corrigan)

The 2013 Cadillac ATS is slightly smaller than the CTS and will offer a choice of three engines: a 202-hp, 2.5L four, a 270-hp, 2.0L turbo four and a 320-hp 3.6L V6. The ATS will be rear-wheel drive, and thanks to a bunch of weight-saving techniques, is said to be one of the lightest cars in the compact sports-luxury sedan segment – occupied by the BMW 3 Series, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Audi A4. That’s tough competition.

The arrival of the ATS, which should start at around $35,000, means that the next-generation CTS is likely to grow in size; figure half-way between Cadillac’s two new models.

We’ll see in a few months if Cadillac will have succeeded in turning things around.
Michel Deslauriers
Michel Deslauriers
Automotive expert
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