CAR WARS! The Emperor Has NO Clothes? Did The Cadillac ATS-V And Mercedes-AMG C63 S Just UNSEAT The BMW M3?

For what feels like eons, the BMW M3 has been the go-to choice for performance-seeking enthusiasts looking for the best sports sedan or coupe for about $40-60,000 dollars. For years the company's M product has been the king of the castle. This is due to BMW's know-how when it comes to tuning a precise sports car.

Cadillac and Mercedes' rivals, on the other hand, never quite lived up to the hype although they have made some serious strides. Although the last-gen CTS-V was technically a M5 and E63 AMG competitor, it was priced like an M3. And the last-gen C63 was an all-around hoot. There wasn't a place you couldn't have fun with that car.

But what about the all-new ATS-V and C63? Well, there's only one way to find out.

In a test that puts the Cadillac against the Mercedes, you may be surprised to find out that the end result places BOTH on top of the M3. While I won't give away the ending as to who takes the crown — you'll have to watch to find that out — I will say that I find it a bit hard to believe.

What say you, Spies? Does the emperor have no clothes?

WHICH of the three would you prefer? The M? The V? The AMG?


The BMW M3 has long reigned as the king of the sports sedan segment. However, two new challengers have arisen: the Cadillac ATS-V and the Mercedes-AMG C63 S. The Cadillac was honed on the Nürburgring, and with its twin-turbo V6, packs 40 more horsepower than the M3. The mighty AMG, on the other hand, is based on the brand new C-class platform and sports a 503 horsepower twin-turbo V8. Does either challenger have what it takes to steal the belt from the M3? Find out on this episode of Head 2 Head.

MDarringer - 9/5/2015 7:44:16 PM

-1 Boost

I have not yet driven the ATSV, but the CTSV has always been delightfully muscle-car flavored. I'm looking forward to the opportunity.

Agent00R - 9/5/2015 8:13:33 PM

0 Boost

I have yet to drive either but I have to say I am pretty skeptical of the ATS-V.

Now the CTS-V I know is just going to be completely insane. Loved the last-gen CTS-V and I have a feeling this one may be like love at first launch.

USNA1999 - 9/5/2015 8:41:05 PM

0 Boost

Even though the ATS-V has the better numbers I would still pick the AMG or M3. If the ATS-V was priced in the high 50s then it would catch my attention. Cannot wait to see the CTS-V though.

MDarringer - 9/5/2015 9:09:30 PM

-2 Boost

Because you are a tool is why...

USNA1999 - 9/5/2015 9:40:34 PM

+1 Boost

@MDarringer what happened to your offer about riding your cars? You never responded, I wonder why? Maybe because you are full of it. My offer still stands here in St Johns or Ormond Beach.
Like I told you, I might be doing a project in Avila Beach. Let me know so I can swing by Bakersfield. Or are you afraid I might expose your BS?
BTW This is the same story as the GT-R against the 911. Which has better numbers but which always comes on top?

MDarringer - 9/6/2015 10:23:28 AM

-2 Boost

I clearly missed the post.

Terry989 - 9/6/2015 6:11:13 PM

-1 Boost

Matty - - - are you bullying people again?

cidflekken - 9/5/2015 11:22:34 PM

0 Boost

These comparos are always skeptical. The M3 just won the same exact comparison on Car and Driver with the ATS-V taking 3rd. Maybe the C&D comparo is the more objective one since it's based on a point system. But those points are assigned based on subjectivity. The Motor Trend results, much like their "..of the Year" competitions, are almost purely subjectively voted on.

Now, read the Lightning Laps coverage on C&D and you'll see that there is SOME consistency with numbers/results. The C63S and ATS-V sedan and coupe both bested the M4's laptimes, consistent with the gap in Motor Trend's test. The CTS-V obliterates them all (all four doors, actually) with an absolutely insane time, comparable to many supercars. The CTS-V and C63S are now the two fastest four-doors in Lightning Lap history, separated by 2.4 seconds. Pretty amazing.

cidflekken - 9/6/2015 12:25:40 AM

0 Boost

Oops, I meant "These comparos are always suspect".

TomM - 9/6/2015 7:32:49 AM

0 Boost

Car Comparisons are always biased - because they cannot be "Blind". So a tester brings his own priorities and preferences to the table as well as ignoring problems that are not important to them. Example - the completely inadequate trunk space of the ATS is ignored.

Having said that - we should also say that as temperature varies over a day - so does performance - something rarely taken into account.

These three cars are all similar - and I suggest that with another driver - the figures might change the order of the finish. Therefore - a person should actually see and drive the cars themselves to see how they are comfortable in them - and see if the features provided in any one makes the choice easier. Otherwise - they are virtually equals.

Sciros - 9/6/2015 2:04:03 AM

0 Boost

Yeah, I'd take the ATS-V over the others EASY. It's also quite a bit less expensive than that AMG S. You can get a pretty nice deck in your back yard for that price difference.

If the infotainment is as bad as they say, though, then yeah I'd wait a bit until that got reworked.

Strange that these guys picked the AMG in the end when they did mention they don't like the way it looks. Goes to show that Cadillac still lags in the "I feel like a boss" department, although, honestly, where I live there are so many boring, black German sports sedans that a V Caddy would look somewhat refreshing and ironically have a bit of that exclusivity factor as a result.

GMCadillac - 9/6/2015 4:41:28 AM

-6 Boost

Lexus RC-F powered by Fukushima radiation wins. RC-F simply has an unrivaled power, it can even beat LaFerrari, Lamborghini Aventador and Bugatti Veyron.

That's the Japanese engineering. Lol!!

TauronB2G - 9/6/2015 8:37:06 AM

+2 Boost

All 3 cars are too small for an adult sized male. Most of you would call the normally aspirated versions of these cars chick cars. Anyway, if I were buying one for some odd reason it would have to be the C63 AMG S. It has great V8 power and sound, it by far has the nicest interior, its newest to the market and it's just cool to me. It won't suffer massive depreciation like the Cadillac and you won't look like all the other douches in their leased M3/M4's.
T

carloslassiter - 9/6/2015 7:35:11 PM

0 Boost

Adult sized male? You mean a big fat guy?

TauronB2G - 9/6/2015 9:39:15 PM

0 Boost

No Carlos I mean a grown assed man. Most guys who can drop 70-80Gs on a car are older than 25 and have lived some life. Either they want a bigger car because they have a family or they need a bigger car because they can't fit! I'm a grown f'n man I'm 6 ft 200 and a C Class to me is too small for that much money. The 3 series is too little...sorry to tell you. Especially for 40-80k.
T

cidflekken - 9/8/2015 3:18:52 PM

+1 Boost

Well, a friend is 6'1", 205, and fits just fine in his M3.

skytop - 9/6/2015 7:24:39 PM

0 Boost

Very good driver review of these two muscle cars.

rumnyc - 9/9/2015 4:32:34 AM

0 Boost

if i were buying a 4dr car that i would be taking to the track i would still get the m3 (yes i can afford one).

however since there are no tracks near me i drive an suv lol...