With the release of the 2016 Cadillac ATS, comes an astonishing number of changes to the vehicle, most of which are not so obvious save but the realigning of the badges on the trunk. However, beneath the covers, it's practically a new car.
The most dramatic change (aside from the introduction of the ATS-V) is in the form of adding two gears to the automatic transmission. After all, more gears is better, right? In adding to the transmission, Cadillac's focus was largely on improving economy by allowing for lower RPMs on the freeway for which they achieved very well. However, our calibration engineers felt there was something lost in the way the car feels with the extra gears (versus the 6sp automatic). Excessive throttle input is required to get a desired downshift, and when it finally came about, it always felt like too many gears were dropped.
With TRIFECTA, the car feels as though it instictually knows what the driver wants as they roll into the pedal. Gears peel off intuitively, and the turbocharger responds in concert. Pedal action to vehicle response, it goes from being an ON/OFF switch for Luxury vs Performance to a gradient - an infinite "middle ground", with the original character of the vehicle retained at the lightest and heaviest pedal input. For those who use the Sport mode and enjoy the predictive shift control logic, TRIFECTA's seemless integration with this feature provides a truly thrilling experience.
But what about power? Does it go faster? With TRIFECTA's modest bump in horsepower and torque output (2.0L Turbocharged engine, up to 36HP and 52lb-ft torque, measured at the wheels), slamming the pedal to the floor results in an instant feeling of "Yeah, that's the way the car should be."
However, we don't expect to have our words taken for it. Effective immediately, in limited quantity, and for a limited time, those interested in experiencing TRIFECTA in their stock 2016 Cadillac ATS 2.0L Turbo may request a DEMO calibration (speed limited to 85MPH) at absolutely no charge, and no obligation (2013 - 2015 Cadillac ATS 2.0L Turbo calibrations will be available at a future date). After processing the request for the DEMO calibration, TRIFECTA's flash loader device will be shipped at no charge, and the DEMO calibration will be made available. Regardless of whether the full product is eventually purchased, the flash loader device does not need to be returned, ever.
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