2013 Cadillac ATS 2.5L gets 22/33mpg EPA fuel economy ratings

The 2013 Cadillac ATS rear wheel drive sedan packing the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine offers 202 horsepower and 191lb-ft of torque while achieving official EPA fuel economy figures of 22 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon on the highway – making the 2.5L ATS sedan the most efficient model in the Cadillac lineup. Right now, the most efficient model in the Cadillac family is the 2013 XTS sedan which offers 17 miles per gallon in the city and 28 on the highway when fitted with front wheel drive.

It is good news for GM that the 2013 Cadillac ATS 2.5L models are the most efficient model in the luxury lineup (and by a pretty significant margin) but when you take into account that fuel economy figures by other models in the compact rear wheel drive luxury sedan segment; GM may have hoped for slightly higher ratings. For instance, the BMW 328i yields fuel economy figures of 23 miles per gallon around town and 33mpg on the highway so while the MPGs are similar – the BMW offers 240 horsepower and 255lb-ft of torque. The Audi A4 reaches ‘only’ 20mpg around town and 30 on the highway while packing 211 horsepower and 258lb-ft of torque…and all wheel drive.

The good news for General Motors is that the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine is only the entry level option out of the three-engine lineup that includes a new turbocharged 2.0L engine and a naturally aspirated 3.6L V6. The aforementioned Audi A4 offers no larger engine than the 211hp 2.0L and the BMW 3 Series sedan is available with either the 2.0L turbo motor in the 328i or the twin turbocharged 3.0L mill found in the 335i. Compared to the 4-cylinder BMW 3 Series engine, the turbocharged 2.0L turbo motor in the 2013 ATS offers 32 more horsepower while the naturally aspirated V6 in the ATS offers 21 more horsepower than the twin turbo inline 6 from the BMW 3 Series. Fuel economy figures have not been released yet for the 2.0L turbo motor or the naturally aspirated 3.6L V6 but in terms of performance – the ATS will hold a power advantage over the BMW 3 Series that currently dominates the segment. Realistically, it isn’t out of the question that the 2.0L turbocharged motor found in the 2013 ATS could offer similar fuel economy to the 2.5L mill – while also offering a great deal more power.

In the long run, nothing will better determine that success of the 2013 Cadillac ATS more than the actual driving characteristics and the level of luxury in comparison to the current BMW 3 Series. General Motors has taken great care to ensure that 2013 Cadillac ATS is a great car in terms of driving dynamics and since it is a Cadillac, we know that it will be chock full of luxurious amenities. If this new rear drive, compact luxury sedan is as good as GM has made it out to be – the folks at BMW could have a real battle on their hands regardless of the fuel economy figures.

Source: Car & Driver