Urban Gear Works

Over the next twelve days, Urban Gear Works will be posting a wish list for the auto industry. Here's Day Six:

Cadillac ATS Wagon and Coupe

The Cadillac ATS equipped with the optional 2.0L turbo four-cylinder motor (named to Ward's 10 Best) is, in a word, awesome. Rear- or all-wheel drive, a choice of six-speed gearboxes ("flappy-paddle" or manual), 30 miles per gallon, 270 horsepower, and 260 pound-feet of torque available so low in the rev band they might as well be from idle give Cadillac's smallest offering specs that genuinely feel next-generation. As if that wasn't enough, it starts under $35,000!

What else could anyone ask for? Well, more! There have been on-again, off-again rumors of coupe and wagon ATS variants. Our love for wagons at Urban Gear Works should be obvious by now. They pack enough utility to handle almost any task without the cumbersome size and extra cost of an SUV, and unlike a minivan, they haven't completely surrendered style and enjoyment for the sake of practicality. As for the coupe, the larger CTS coupe has the "I-still-can't-believe-they-actually-built-it" looks of a stealth fighter, and there is no reason that style couldn't be scaled for an equally sharp ATS two-door. The ATS is sized and priced perfectly to be a better-looking, more powerful, and even less expensive alternative to premium small cars like the BMW 3-series, Audi A3, Mini Countryman and Clubman, and Mercedes C-Class. Almost all of the aforementioned models have wagon and coupe variants - why shouldn't the Cadillac? It might be a bit much, but with such formidable engine choices, a properly sorted ATS coupe could even be an alternative to more dedicated performance cars like the Porsche Cayman, BMW M135i, and Subaru BRZ. On the other hand, a 270-horsepower ATS wagon would be one of the most stylish, versatile, and outright fun options in the "just one car for everything" category.

ATS Image © General Motors

Read Day One | Day Two | Day Three | Day Four | Day Five