Author Topic: First Drive: 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe (Read 13824 times)

Noto · « **Reply #40 on:** October 14, 2014, 04:34:15 pm »

Trust me - nobody has a hate-on for Chryfi more than Noto...and I can't believe I'm defending it, but the 200's dash is actually really, really nice.

It takes a bit of time to properly set it up to your tastes (i.e. personal configuration), but it's far from plain and not quite as far as overdone.

The only thing that matters here though is that Cadillac's exec made an assertion that Caddy has to aim high - that dashboard is anything but 'high'.

tpl · « **Reply #41 on:** October 14, 2014, 04:42:47 pm »

Quote from: NoTo on October 14, 2014, 03:31:29 pm

Suffice it to say that it is not 'becoming' of a Cadillac to be lacking in sophistication.

Here's my take on a constructive criticism of the display:

1) the screen doesn't flow with the rest of the display. It looks like the gauges are just framing it, albeit not integrated.
2) the screen size is good, but the amount of information displayed is rather...lacking. Who needs to see fuel range or trip computer information THAT prominently while driving?
3) the gauges themselves just seem basic. They're not 'ugly', per se, but they don't evoke any more excitement than those found in the last gen Mazda3. That is to say, I would expect those block numbers in a Mazda, a Subaru, Toyota, etc., but not a Caddy if its CEO makes bold assertions of "premium or die"

All I said was that I didn't find it offensive...did not mean to suggest it was a good example of gauges.

Northernridge · « **Reply #42 on:** October 14, 2014, 05:01:00 pm »

In fairness to Cadillac I think we're going through some kind of transition from old analog to fully digital and customizable gauge pods and we still don't know what the end result is supposed to be.

My new favourite is the upcoming Audi TT digital cluster but some of those screens are a little weird in their first generation.

That gauge pack on the ATS would not be a deciding factor for me on its own.

Noto · « **Reply #43 on:** October 14, 2014, 05:10:20 pm »

Quote from: Northernridge on October 14, 2014, 05:01:00 pm

In fairness to Cadillac I think we're going through some kind of transition from old analog to fully digital and customizable gauge pods and we still don't know what the end result is supposed to be.

My new favourite is the upcoming Audi TT digital cluster but some of those screens are a little weird in their first generation.

That gauge pack on the ATS would not be a deciding factor for me on its own.

Honestly, it can be. I almost didn't buy the Forester because it looks like this:

Bleh.

...but I wasn't paying for a luxury ride. I was paying for a utilitarian vehicle that could drive over curbs when Lady Noto was behind the wheel *sigh*, keep her safe in the winters, and have turbocharged powah for Noto's reckless right foot. All for a low, low price of only $xx,xxx!! That is, my loaded Forestah was about $10k less than the cheapest ATS - I'd expect quite a bit of luxe kit for that $10k (note: I do not mean to start a comparo on the Forester vs the ATS - just stating my experience about how a dashboard almost stopped me from buying, but I realized that I was not buying a super luxe car and settled with the dash).

Snowman · « **Reply #44 on:** October 14, 2014, 05:13:33 pm »

There are just some designs elements that GM appears to rush though on several of their new cars. Not sure if its a skill or accounting issue, but that instrument cluster just does not belong on an otherwise sweet looking car.

Jaeger · « **Reply #45 on:** October 14, 2014, 05:17:13 pm »

^^^ What he said.

Fobroader · « **Reply #46 on:** October 14, 2014, 05:19:40 pm »

I agree on that Snowman, I really like the looks of the car and the performance of it, the display is horrid and thats one of those things that is really almost impossible to change about a car.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #47 on:** October 14, 2014, 06:07:04 pm »

Regarding the instrument cluster:

Brendan McAleer · « **Reply #48 on:** October 14, 2014, 07:10:45 pm »

Quote from: Oldsguy on October 14, 2014, 03:34:14 pm

I actually winced more with the requisite remark in the intro about land-yacht Eldorados. They haven't made those cars in at least one human generation, let's move on please.

Well, we actually ran a Final Drive segment on two 1970s Caddies today which was specifically held to publish concurrently with this review. I was just tying them together (and I actually like those things).

EV-Light · « **Reply #49 on:** October 14, 2014, 09:09:17 pm »

I'll say it again...this is what the ATS needs:

another configuration:

Solstice2006 · « **Reply #50 on:** October 14, 2014, 09:29:34 pm »

Late to the party, find it rather interesting 2/3 of the thread is about the gauges. It's not offensive to me, could it be better? YES. It is it a deal-breaker? NO. The Chrysler 200 I find is more offensive, yes it's daring, but too polarizing like many Chrysler/Fiat products, took a long time just to look at the Cherokee without frowning.

I find the pricing quite decent. The CTS coupe is too far out of my reach, and it is quite the looker. This car was toned down I assume to attract more sales, appeal to the masses. Will be interesting to see how much a base model goes for once the 3 year leases are up.

Scaerio · « **Reply #51 on:** October 14, 2014, 09:44:43 pm »

Lexus got this sooo right with the first gen IS... Still one of the best looking gauge clusters ever designed.

wing · « **Reply #52 on:** October 14, 2014, 09:52:19 pm »

The caddy dash is configurable, but they keep the fully customizable one for the more expensive cars.

Here is a luxurious cluster

Fobroader · « **Reply #53 on:** October 14, 2014, 10:05:19 pm »

Quote from: Scaerio on October 14, 2014, 09:44:43 pm

Lexus got this sooo right with the first gen IS... Still one of the best looking gauge clusters ever designed.

Thats a great looking setup....Im a huge fan of a lot of gauges. The more info the better.

Noto · « **Reply #54 on:** October 15, 2014, 09:54:22 am »

^^^ I agree with all suggestions made above re better gauge clusters.

I think everyone universally agrees that the original IS dash, Tag-like, was incredible.

...except in the XTS one posted, I hate "hanging" needles (same issue with MB and Volvo). Notice on the IS that the main needle still sweeps over the rest? Love that. Absolutely need it. A Speedo-needle/tach-needle needs to be long and sweeping so that when it flies, excitement builds.

Quite frankly, I also like this one:

Simple. Elegant. Easy to read. Some mood lighting for the ladies

...and when your revs go higher, the backlighting turns orange, then red...*purr*

BMW's is as simplistic as can be, yet nobody considers it cheap.

bombastic · « **Reply #55 on:** October 15, 2014, 09:56:00 am »

Quote from: Scaerio on October 14, 2014, 09:44:43 pm

Lexus got this sooo right with the first gen IS... Still one of the best looking gauge clusters ever designed.

This one looks like my Victorinox watch. Quite a looker but not informative at all.

bombastic · « **Reply #56 on:** October 15, 2014, 10:01:01 am »

Quote from: wing on October 14, 2014, 09:52:19 pm

The caddy dash is configurable, but they keep the fully customizable one for the more expensive cars.

Here is a luxurious cluster

This blue color is Civic like. Hardly a luxurious look.

Oldsguy · « **Reply #57 on:** October 15, 2014, 10:16:52 am »

All of the examples shown are hideous to some extent.

Noto · « **Reply #58 on:** October 15, 2014, 10:26:16 am »

Quote from: Oldsguy on October 15, 2014, 10:16:52 am

All of the examples shown are hideous to some extent.

So what is 'elegant' in your most humble of opinions...?

Fobroader · « **Reply #59 on:** October 15, 2014, 10:29:35 am »

Quote from: NoTo on October 15, 2014, 10:26:16 am

Quote from: Oldsguy on October 15, 2014, 10:16:52 am
All of the examples shown are hideous to some extent.
So what is 'elegant' in your most humble of opinions...?

Grand Prix GTP is pretty "baller"