The BMW 3 Series isn't just a car. As my cohort Jonny Lieberman likes to say, the 3 Series is a segment. Now, this isn't an attempt to stoke BMW's ego, or, as many of our readers would assume, bias towards the Bavarian brand. It's just the simple truth: When an automaker chooses to compete in the luxury sports sedan segment, it's benchmarking the 3 Series. No BMW has consistently won Motor Trend comparison tests like the 3 Series has, and for good reason. The 3 Series has come to define BMW's. Ultimate Driving Machine mantra and embodies the purest qualities BMW stands for as a bran
RCadillac smartly realizes BMW rules the 3 Series segment, and looking over the spec sheet for the ATS, it's clear Cadillac engineers used BMW specs as they would a recipe for their grandmother's lasagna. The exterior dimensions -- length, width, and height -- are all within an inch of the 328i and the difference in curb weight is just 24 pounds (the heavier BMW has a sunroof while the ATS does not). The engine is 2.0 liters and turbocharged, just like the 328i. Output is also nearly identical, as you might expect by now: 272 hp for the ATS, 240 for the (cough, cough) underrated (cough, cough) BMW with 260 and 255 lb-ft of torque, respectively. Both cars are available with automatic gearboxes, but the Caddy gets six cogs to the BMW's eight. This being a sport sedan comparison, we decided on six-speed manuals for both cars. Wheels on both cars are 18 inches and suspension is strut front, multi-link rear on each, with anti-roll bars at both ends. Heck, even the base price of each car is an identical $35,795 with destination fees factored in.
