2015 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe

PREVIEW

Determined to knock BMW from its small sport luxury throne -- or at least destabilize it -- Cadillac is aiming at that most sacred of sports machines, the BMW M3. The regular ATS sedan may not yet be slowing 3 Series sales, but it has given an American automaker a legitimate place among desirable small sport sedans. The 2015 Cadillac ATS-V now wants to impress serious enthusiasts who need a practical four-door that doubles as a daily adrenaline shot.

To impress, the ATS-V will likely use the same 420-horsepower, twin-turbocharged V6 found in the top trim level of the next-generation CTS. That shouldn't be a significant design hassle, as the new CTS will be built off the current ATS platform.

Regardless, the 2015 Cadillac ATS-V looks equipped for the job. Photos of a prototype ATS-V appear to show increased rear fender flaring to accommodate the wider tires and larger brakes that the ATS-V will require. Larger grille and airdam openings look suitably voluminous to pass the airflow a twin-turbo V6 will need. The quad exhaust pipes, while not an M3 invention, show that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

The ATS-V will need to do more than simply ape the M3, however. An adaptive suspension, perhaps based on the new generation of Magnetic Ride Control available on the Corvette Stingray, could help the ATS-V handle trips around town while remaining ready for track-day weekends. The cabin, already pretty nice in the regular ATS, will need to offer additional refinement through options and aesthetic choices. And it will need to wrangle the CUE infotainment system into something useful, instead of the error-prone mess of touchscreen menus offered in the current car.

Fuel economy won't be a foremost concern to buyers in this segment, but considering that a detuned version of this engine in the new XTS full-size sedan delivers 24 mpg highway, the ATS-V shouldn't extract a significant fuel penalty.

We'll likely see the 2015 Cadillac ATS-V bow early next year, with sales beginning next fall. Check back for more on the ATS-V, including specs, driving impressions and buying advice as it becomes available.