Cadillac Refocuses on Global Markets, is Preparing Right-Hand Drive CTS-V

With around 34% of the world's population driving on the left hand side of the road, in countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, India and Japan, any automaker that aspires to go global needs to produce right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles.

With only a few exceptions like the fifth generation Seville (built from 1998 to 2004), Cadillac has for the most part shied away from RHD markets. But this is about to change as the wreath and crest brand is getting more serious about increasing its presence in markets outside of North America.

Aside from the product presentations like the new BMW 3-Series rivaling ATS sedan that will eventually be offered with a diesel option as well, Cadillac is also getting ready to introduce right-hand drive models.

“We’re geared up for right-hand drive now. We’re working on it," says General Motors marketing chief Joel Ewanick, according to a report from Autocar magazine.

One of the first models to get a RHD version will be the Cadillac CTS-V that sports a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine with 556-horses.

Ewanick also reiterated Cadillac's newly found commitment to global markets during the interview.

“There wasn’t a commitment to the product before and we didn’t design cars to the market demands,” he said. “The Germans do this very well. There is now a full resource commitment and a vision to get this right. Bankruptcy refocused GM.”

But it's not all good news for Cadillac fans as when asked about the well-received Ciel Concept shown at Pebble Beach last summer, Ewanick said that it's not among the company's top priorities:

“The Ciel reaction was very good. But we’ve got lots of other Cadillacs to do. It’s the busiest time in our history for all our GM brands. It was a strategic time to introduce a luxury concept to the brand, but you need to remember where we are with Cadillac at the moment; the Ciel is a much higher type of luxury.”

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New Cadillac ATS Sedan

We've been following the development of Cadillac’s all-new premium mid-size sedan for almost a year now but at long last, and after the first photos showed up online earlier today, the Detroit Motor Show-bound 2013 ATS has been officially revealed.

The design is what you'd expect from a 21st-century Cadillac, full of sharp creases and vertically stacked rear lights, with the exception of the headlights that extend back into the front fenders.

The interior offers a few surprises as well, including the instrument panel with a reconfigurable 5.7-inch display, though some of us found the center console and steering wheel bearing a passing resemblance to the Chevrolet Cruze.

Another highlight of the interior is the Cadillac's new CUE technology that pairs entertainment and information data from up to 10 Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, USBs, SD cards and MP3 players with a vehicle infotainment system that includes an eight-inch LCD multi-touch sensitive screen.

Moving on to the Cadillac's hardware, GM stresses that the Nürburgring has been one of the ATS’ main testing grounds to ensure that its handling is more than a match for the best in its class – meaning the BMW 3-Series its German cousins.

Key features of the Cadillac’s 3-Series fighter include standard rear-wheel drive, a 2,755 mm (109.3-inch) long wheelbase, wide front and rear tracks, a near 50/50 front/rear weight distribution and the brand’s first-ever lightweight five-link rear suspension. The front also gets a multi-link suspension, while there's an available driver-adjustable FE3 sport suspension with Magnetic Ride Control real-time damping.

The ATS is equipped with a ZF variable-assist steering system, Brembo brakes and is optionally available with all-wheel drive.

Cadillac claims that its curb weight of 1,542 kg (3,400 pounds) is one of the lowest in the class. This has been achieved thanks to a “weighed” approached that resulted in the ATS having an aluminum hood, magnesium engine mount brackets, lightweight and natural-fiber door trim panels.

“More than just another new entry, the ATS aims to change the status quo of the European-dominated segment”, said Don Butler, Cadillac’s vice president of marketing. “For a new group of luxury consumers, this is a car that will fit their lifestyle and challenge the segment’s status quo. That is why our approach in all elements of its development is so extensive and focused.”

Buyers of the ATS will be able to choose between three all-aluminum, direct injection gasoline engines.

These include a base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four with 200HP and 255Nm (188 lb-ft), a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270HP and 353Nm (260 lb-ft) of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with an output of 318HP and 362Nm (267 lb-ft) of torque. All engines can be combines with a 6-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.

Pricing and fuel economy figures will be released closer to the ATS's launch date this summer.

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2013 Cadillac ATS Sports Sedan Photos Hit the Web

The cracks on the wall surrounding the Detroit Auto Show are getting wider as following the premature release of the 2013 Dodge Dart and 2013 Ford Fusion (Mondeo), we now have the first pictures of the 2013 Cadillac ATS.

The ATS sedan is perhaps one of the most important projects in the last decade for Cadillac as it offers the wreath and crest brand its first true rival against the almighty BMW 3-Series as well as the successful Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class models.

On the outside, the ATS looks exactly like what we expected: an offspring of the new XTS and the CTS in a mid-size sedan package. It's also surprisingly close to the rendering sent to Carscoop by one of our readers, Josh Byrnes.

As for the interior, we can't but help note the similarities in the design of the center console and steering wheel with the…Chevrolet Cruze. However, the Cadillac does get its own set of gauges if that's of any consolation.

GM has said that it has honed the ATS's chassis on the Nürburgring and that it will offer the l rear-wheel drive model with a choice of three gasoline engines including a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four cylinder unit, a 2.0-liter Turbo with 270 ponies and a 3.6-liter V6 (probably with 318HP).

Photo Source: GM/Cadillac via Jalopnik

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