Cadillac ATS

Luxury sedans inevitably grow larger and larger with each passing generation. It's been true for the Mercedes-Benz C Class and the BMW 3-Series, and it's also the case for the CTS, the entry-level Cadillac that's nearly a mid-sizer now, according to the tape measure.

Rather than downsize the CTS, Cadillac's introducing a new entry-level family of cars that will take on the likes of BMW's 1-Series and Mercedes' upcoming A Class cars. The 2013 Cadillac ATS sedan is the first of the new compact luxury vehicles from Detroit, and it's due to arrive in showrooms by the end of 2012.

As the CTS has done since the beginning of the century, the ATS sports Cadillac's dynamic Art & Science styling language. Only here, it's toned down from the very angular forms seen on the first CTS. With softer character lines and more gently integrated headlamps, the ATS blends in a little more easily with its luxury competition, while still standing distinctively on its shorter wheelbase. The ATS' interior focuses on the driver, with a flowing design highlighted by ambient lighting and a range of interior trim, from wood to metal to carbon fiber.

The ATS rides on a new platform that will eventually spin off other body styles for Cadillac, and may also lead to a replacement for the Chevy Camaro. In its first iteration, the 2013 ATS sedan will come in rear- or all-wheel-drive form. The base powerplant will be a 2.5-liter direct-injection four-cylinder with 200 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque; a turbocharged version of this engine is rated at 270 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The top engine choice will be GM's 3.6-liter direct-injection V-6, rated at 318 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque.

Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be offered. No official economy figures have been released, but Cadillac estimates the base model could deliver more than 30 miles per gallon on the highway cycle. In part, it's due to the ATS' relatively light curb weight of 3,400 pounds. The suspension is fully independent, and the ATS' weight is balanced at 50:50, so handling is expected to be in the ballpark of the primary German competition.

Like the large XTS sedan also being introduced for the 2013 model year, the ATS will feature Cadillac's new CUE infotainment system. CUE uses an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen on the dash and a 5.7-inch reconfigurable screen on the gauge cluster to control everything from navigation and audio, to climate control and vehicle settings. Like Ford's MyFord Touch, CUE can be operated by voice commands as well. The instrument panel also has touch-sensitive buttons that can control main audio and climate control functions quickly.

The ATS backs up the in-cabin tech with a myriad of safety features including eight standard airbags and StabiliTrak. Optional technology includes full-speed, range-adaptive cruise control, intelligentbrakeassist, brake pre-fill automatic collision preparation, and much more. With all this optional technology available, Cadillac is not only looking towards the technology and driving-enthusiast crowd, but the safety-conscious crowd as well.