In the world of entry-level luxury coupes, it's getting pretty crowded when you think about it.
Audi has the dated A5, BMW's 4-Series seems to be the go-to pick, Mercedes-Benz has the age-old C-Class Coupe and Lexus is readying the RC to take on the rest of 'em. Now, Cadillac has entered the fray with its all-new ATS Coupe.
By way of a press release, the company has issued it's base pricing for the model, which is set to arrive in showrooms at the end of the summer.
[Clears throat] You can put an ATS Coupe in your driveway if you're able to part ways with $38,990.
Of course you'll be able to spec it out with all-wheel drive and a more powerful six-cylinder mill should you chooose. All things considered, does the ATS have a fighting chance in the market? What say you, Spies?
Cadillac's press release follows:
Low, Long, Wide Coupe Enhances Cadillac ATS Line
Pricing starts at $38,990, including destination charge
DETROIT – For the 2015 ATS Coupe, Cadillac engineers and designers made a number of changes from the award-winning ATS Sedan to deliver the performance and styling traits luxury coupe buyers expect. When the ATS Coupe goes on sale at the end of this summer, it will start at $38,990, including a $995 destination charge.
To create a more personal expression of the brand's compact luxury car, the 2015 ATS Coupe rides on the same 109.3-inch wheelbase as the sedan, but features its own bodywork, longer vehicle length, lower height and wider front/rear tracks.
The roof, doors, rear fenders and trunk lid are unique to the Coupe, along with a specific front fascia and front fenders to accommodate the wider track. 18-inch wheels are standard on the Coupe.
"All of the surface development unique to the ATS Coupe was done with aerodynamics in mind," said David Masch, ATS chief engineer. "We are able to achieve lift and downforce requirements to insure, at top speed, we retain handling without having to add a rear spoiler."
The Coupe has an aggressive stance, with wider front/rear tracks and a lower roofline than the sedan. At 60.3 inches front and 61.7 inches rear, the two-door has a 0.8-inch wider track. Overall vehicle height is 1.1 inches lower than the Sedan. The wider stance and lower roofline provide the proportions coupe customers want.
"The wider track also helps improve steering precision and direct response," said Cadillac Executive Chief Engineer David Leone. "The lower roof contributes to a lower center of gravity height, which also reduces roll and improves steering response."
The 2015 ATS Coupe is also 0.8 inches longer than the sedan; although it rides on an identical wheelbase. The extra overall length helps to further enhance the ATS Coupe's dynamic appearance, resulting in a swept-back look to the front and rear end appearances.
The Cadillac ATS Coupe is intended to be a more personal addition to the award-winning ATS product line. Designed to be lighter, more agile and more engaging than its competitors, it extends Cadillac's product-driven growth and the brand's tradition of dynamic luxury Coupes. The 2015 ATS Coupe goes on sale this summer, offering drivers the choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and the power from a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.6L six-cylinder.