The 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe Takes On Audi's A5

General Motors unveiled the 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe in Detroit on Tuesday. Photo credit: General Motors.

General Motors took the wraps off of its 2015 ATS Coupe at the North American International Auto Show on Tuesday.

We -- the Motley Fool's John Rosevear and Rex Moore -- were there as it happened, and we were among the first to get a look at the striking new coupe. "Striking" is the right word: Unlike the dramatic and angular CTS coupe of a few years ago, this new ATS Coupe is much more elegant and sophisticated. Up close, it's a very good-looking car.

Since it began arriving at dealers in mid-2012, the sedan version of the ATS has become a tremendously important car for Cadillac, and a key part of GM's effort to turn Cadillac into a global luxury powerhouse. The coupe is set to build on that success. Its styling builds on some of the themes we saw in last summer's Cadillac Elmiraj show car. It manages to be attractive and distinctive, without being polarizing.

The new coupe's looks and presence should play well with American luxury car buyers -- and Chinese consumers as well. Those buyers should be impressed when they drive it, too. We didn't get to drive the coupe, but GM says it's a bit sportier than the current ATS sedan, with a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder and suspension tuning that reflects a more performance-oriented intent. Anyone considering a BMW 4 Series or an Audi A5 would do well to give this new Cadillac a look.

As we've seen with other recent Cadillacs, the ATS Coupe's interior is very well-finished. Photo credit: General Motors.

China is a big part of the ATS Coupe's mission. As you'll see in the video below, we spoke with Cadillac chief Bob Ferguson about the importance of the ATS to Cadillac. Over the next couple of years, the ATS will become key to GM's luxury car plans in the world's largest auto market. A new GM factory under construction near Shanghai will begin producing the ATS as soon as it opens, Ferguson said.

Check out our full report on the ATS Coupe in the short video below. Do you agree that Cadillac hit the mark here, or does the new ATS Coupe fall short? Scroll down to leave a comment with your thoughts.

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The article The 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe Takes On Audi's A5 originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor John Rosevear owns shares of General Motors. Rex Moore has no position in any stocks mentioned. Rex Moore has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends BMW and General Motors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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