A slice of Americana

WHEN I think of a Cadillac, or ‘Caddey’ as they’re affectionately called, the image that pops into my mind is the 1968 Cadillac Deville, a long and sleek model with a wide front grille that epitomises old school Americana.

While that model remains a classic in its own right, times have changed and the luxury marque has been steadily cruising into the future, evolving, growing and refning its range.

The 2013 ATS is a smooth operator, a sports sedan with an attitude oozing class and confdence.

Its exterior is smooth with just enough ‘rough around the edges’ styling to keep things interesting. It boasts some aggressive features like the LED headlamps that stretch from front fascia to fender top and the back of the car gently swells out to accentuate the muscularity of the rear wheels.

The model I drove featured leather seats, a leather dashboard and some impressive craftsmanship, especially with the steering wheel-mounted controls.

The centre stack looks good with its sleek, touch-screen control panel that works all of the infotainment features including; audio system, AM/FM stereo, dual USB ports, SD card slot and auxiliary audio port, Bose premium surround sound 10-speaker system, dual-zone automatic air conditioning controls, Interface Auxiliary Device Connectivity, Bluetooth and a satellite navigation system.

After a quick fick of the push button start ignition, I was off on a drive that was as smooth as silk.

Driving in Manama is always a pain when you hit a traffc jam, regardless of what you’re driving in. However, when I fnally got to a suitable open stretch of road the ATS really came alive.

The steering is remarkably responsive and this model effortlessly glides around corners. In fact, I was so impressed with its handling that I actually went looking for a roundabout!

Under the bonnet is a 3.6-litre V6 engine that packs enough power to keep even the most discerning petrol-head happy. The acceleration is impressive, a feat further enhanced when you switch to the sports driving mode and the throttle response sharpens, which turns the gentle purr of the engine into an almighty roar.

Thanks to the tiptronic gearbox, you can switch to manual driving mode, which is a nice touch for feeling more connected to the drive. I love using paddle shifters to change gear, so much so that I’ve almost forgotten how a clutch works.

I believe it’s the fne touches that make for a memorable drive and the ATS head-up display unit is a really useful feature. When the engine is switched on a small, mirrored panel projects your speed directly on the windscreen … No more excuses for not paying attention to speed limits!

The safety features are also worth bragging about. There are a plethora of air bags, vehicle stability enhancement system, traction control, rearview camera, front and rear Park Assist, Ultrasonic, with audible warning chimes and anti-lock brakes.

Park Assist is, in my humble opinion, the best technological advance of the decade. It is a convenient feature that enables the car itself to take over the strenuous work of parallel parking for you, genius! I spent a while, no doubt looking somewhat conspicuous, looking for a suitable parking space to put it to the test.

While I would still love to get behind the wheel of a classic Caddy, the ATS certainly didn’t disappoint. It has retained the characteristic charm the brand is known for and combines it with a modern twist.

Prices start from BD18,500. For more information, contact National Motor Company Bahrain on 17457100 or call in to the Sitra showroom.