Six years ago, Cadillac surprised the Detroit auto show crowd with an audacious “concept” for a two-door CTS that even the most dim-witted at the old, pre-bankruptcy GM must have thought was a good idea for production. When the first CTS coupe finally emerged, it stood as a testament to the “new GM,” which would produce stunningly designed cars people actually wanted to buy.
Indeed, the coupe consistently accounted for more than a quarter of CTS traffic while also blessing Cadillac showrooms with its good looks. Yet we’re told that there is no plan to update this crown jewel for the third-generation CTS, which will make do with just a sedan body style. Instead, Cadillac will push the compact ATS coupe, which arrives at this year’s Detroit show with some fanfare, although the sort usually accorded a Member of Parliament rather than the Queen.
Sharing much (perhaps too much) with the sedan, the 2015 ATS coupe’s clarion call to enthusiasts comes from its 2.0-liter, turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder. GM has plumped up the torque curve such that all 295 lb-ft are available from 3000 rpm. That’s a 13-percent boost compared to the sedan, which should help offset the 45 extra pounds the (claimed) 3418-pound coupe is carrying around. Cadillac quotes a 5.6-second 0-to-60-mph time from the revised engine mated to a six-speed automatic, which matches our best run in the V-6–powered ATS sedan.