Cadillac ATS-V Coupe

– Detroit, Michigan

If I can offer the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V one piece of advice, it’s this: speak up. After a week behind the wheel of this Velocity Red coupe, the only thing I’m really left wanting is more aural stimulation, more vibrato. I don’t need a super overproduced sound that’ll wake the neighbors, and I definitely don’t want piped-in fake noise. But part of the high-power luxury/sport coupe experience is the stupid grin that’s plastered on your face when you mash the throttle and the quad pipes out back really, truly sing.

I offer this as a leading point because the ATS-V is a brilliant car in just about every other aspect. Seriously fast, sharp in the corners, and quite a handsome devil, this Caddy coupe is finally a true and worthy competitor to its German counterparts.

Pros

• With 464 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque on tap from a biturbocharged 3.6-liter V6, the ATS-V bests the BMW M3/M4 in terms of sheer output. But credit to Cadillac, the ATS-V feels better than its key German rival at full tilt, with far more communication through the crisp, nicely weighted steering, and a beautifully balanced chassis that’s firm and planted while cornering but compliant enough to not kill you when you’re just running to pick up groceries.
• To expand on that point, GM’s Magnetic Ride Control suspension is one of the best in the business, and it does wonders here in the ATS-V. This system makes minute suspension adjustments quicker than you can blink, meaning the car is alw...