2014 Cadillac ATS Coupe Video Review
We spend a week with Caddy’s coupe desperately seeking something not to like
By Shahzad Sheikh
Imthishan attended the launch of this car right here in the UAE back in October last year – read his review here – but it’s always better to get a longer period of time to really assess a car properly. I’ve just spent a week with this car trying to find something not to like.
Click below to see my video review of the Cadillac ATS Coupe 3.6
This of course is the 3.6 V6 version – and whereas at launch they announced two trim levels, now only the top version is available (I get it wrong in the video above) starting from a price of AED205k.
I drove the ATS saloon at its launch two and half years ago at Yas Marina Circuit, and was very impressed with extraordinary handling and grip. Unsurprisingly all of this translates to the Coupe and then some. Grip and poise is excellent, turn-in is precise and the handling is relatively neutral.
All of which bodes very well of course for not only the forthcoming 464bhp ATS-V version with the twin-turbo V6 (currently being tested in the region – see pic we’ve posted on our Facebook page earlier today), but also the all-new 2016 Camaro which is based on the same chassis.
The only issue I remember having with the ATS before was with the 6-speed automatic gearbox, I felt it wasn’t very lucid when left to its own devices, especially when you were going at it. Three things to report on that front – first for 2016, as expected, the transmission is being replaced with an 8-speed, secondly the box in this car felt a lot more confident and precise than I remember, and thirdly you can just use the paddles when you really want to be on it.
Delightfully the paddles are proper metal affairs which feel great to the touch, and the changes are snappy and eager with little interference with my gear-changing decisions.
So that’s sorted, it sounds remarkably good for a V6 (as you can hear in the above video) and it’s genuinely fun to drive hard. What else do I like about it?
It is of course a very handsome machine, it certainly stands out from the crowd, but it’s also a compact and manageable machine, easily manoeuvrable and a very handy size for driving and parking around town and in shopping malls.
You’d immediately reckon the rear cabin room to be severely compromised right? Actually no. It seems to have kept pretty much the same rear foot, knee and legroom as an ATS saloon.
It’s only a two-seater back there because of the way it’s configured, but even I could fit – except for my head that is. The sloping rear roof looks cool from the outside, but robs space on the inside – a concern for taller rear passengers. For children though it’s absolutely fine and the only other concern is getting and out as the front seats don’t automatically slide forward and the belt strap obstructs entry and exit.
But aside from this gripe – which if it is an issue for you then you should just get the saloon anyway – there is just simply nothing to not like about this car.
Verdict
It’s a premium looking and feeling car, with a sporty attitude that’s perfectly practical and usable for the daily grind as well as the weekend blast.
It’s on par with but AED5000 cheaper than our other favourite premium 3.5 V6 coupe, the Lexus RC F-Sport. More importantly it’s AED85,000 cheaper than the car it’s actually gunning for – the BMW 435i. You know you’d rather have the Caddy.
Cadillac ATS Coupe launch review
Cadillac ATS saloon launch review
Cadillac ATS saloon 2.5-litre review
2014 Cadillac ATS Coupe – The Specs
Price: AED205,000 ($56k)
Engine: 3.6-litre V6, 321bhp @ 6800rpm, 275lb ft @ 4800rpm
Performance: 0-100kph 5.6 seconds, Top speed 234kph, 8.5L/100km
Transmission: Six speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Gross Weight: 1617kg
