SPECS AND VERDICT Model Engine Transmission
I– except the bonnet – is new. If that’s the case, then the Coupé is an opportunity lost as it doesn’t look any more stimulating than an ATS saloon with two fewer doors. Those who were expecting to see a distinctly wedgy design will be disillusioned but can look for some solace in the fact that a few Cadillac trademarks have been left intact, like the vertical lights front and back, and that the Coupé has a more aggressive stance and a more swooping profile than the saloon thanks to a 20.3mm wider track and a lower roofline than the saloon’s. The overall height of the two-door is lower than the fourdoor’s by almost 30mm. nside, the front seats with adjustable bolsters are super supportive and easy to get comfortable in, and the wide power adjustment options make finding the perfect driving position a breeze. Add to this the satisfyingly chunky steering wheel, and you’re soon ready to harness all the performance this car has to offer and put it to good use. The same can’t be said, though, about the rear seats, which are best reserved for kids and those who don’t figure high in your relationship list.
Fit and finish might not be the best in class, but the ATS’s cabin feels more welcoming and swish than those of its German rivals. Cadillac also offers various trim options in the ATS, which include wood and metal for a plush ambience or carbon fibre and Alcantara for a sportier feel.
Cadillac’s CUE infotainment system is carried over with little change, but while the touch-sensitive buttons with haptic feedback give the centre console a cleaner look, their responses are still a bit iffy. A clever new addition is a charging mat tucked away behind the CUE screen, which can wirelessly charge any compatible phone.
With the ATS Coupé, not only has Cadillac taken the fight closer to its established German rivals in this fiercely contested class, but has also managed to trump all but the BMW4 Series in dynamic ability and driving fun. And despite its non-controversial styling relative to other Cadillacs, it still stands out from the pack.
Although prices start at an optimistic Dh194,000, what you get is definitely worth the money – yet another brilliant addition to the new portfolio of Cadillacs that appeals to those who love having fun behind the wheel rather than to poseurs and well-heeled pensioners.