2013 Cadillac ATS Priced from $33,990

[Cadillac ATS News]

The all-new, rear-wheel-drive Cadillac ATS compact luxury sport sedan, with a fuel-efficient 2.5L engine and next-generation six-speed transmission, is priced from $33,990, including destination charges. Highway fuel economy will be greater than 30 mpg.

"The ATS enters a vehicle segment this year that's one of the most competitive in the market, from both a price and performance standpoint," said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. "ATS will bring a distinctive presence and compelling value while offering quick, nimble, fun-to-drive dynamics that will appeal to the lifestyles of modern luxury buyers and challenge the segment's status quo."

A mid-level model, with a lightweight and powerful 2.0L turbocharged engine, costs $35,795 including destination and will offer automatic and manual transmissions, as well as rear- or all-wheel drive.

Topping the engine range is a 3.6L V-6 rated at 321 horsepower (239 kW), costing $42,090 including destination. It is equipped with an automatic transmission and standard content that includes CUE, leather eight-way power seats with memory, adaptive start and more. All-wheel drive is available.

A full breakdown of availability and pricing of packages and options will be available later.

ATS goes on sale this summer, but already the new sport sedan is positively impacting Lansing, Mich., where more than 440 new employees have been hired at Cadillac's Lansing Grand River plant, where the ATS is assembled. A total of 600 new employees are expected to be part of Cadillac's $190 million investment in the facility.

A dedicated engineering team has traveled the globe refining and advancing the ATS to meet customer demands. The addition of advanced materials has reduced curb weight to less than 3,400 pounds (1,542 kg), more than 100 pounds (45 kg) less than an Audi A4 or Mercedes-Benz C250.

Time spent at premier race tracks around the globe, including Road America, Road Atlanta, Phoenix International Raceway and the Nurburgring in Germany has enhanced the ATS's sporty ride and handling and engine tuning.

Cadillac's new CUE user interface, standard on most ATS models, offers the first automotive use of capacitive touch to create an intuitive, modern way for drivers to interact with the car. This technology, used for most smartphones and tablet computers, uses electrodes to sense the conductive properties of objects, such as a finger.