Exhibit A, the Torana TT36.
Now compare that to Exhibit B, the original ATS.
The way the hood creases, the headlight lines and grille proportions, the list just keeps going on.
Backstory is fairly similar as well, just separated by 10 years. Both were envisioned as 3-series competitor, a compact sized RWD sedan. TT36 stemmed from the Zeta being too big and heavy. Same thing for Cadillac, Sigma was aging and too heavy. So platform-wise it was a ground up design, which seems to have laid the ground work for Alpha, the platform for the ATS. Cadillac just picked up where Holden left off.
Difference here though, is that the TT36 was a liftback. Funny enough if Cadillac was bold enough to keep bodystyle, it would’ve became a 4-series Gran Coupe / A5 Sportback competitor AND would’ve solved the complaints that the ATS has cramped seats. They would’ve also beat both the 4GC and A5S to the market with a compact luxury liftback, ATS’ fate would’ve been very different.
I guess the boneheaded execs and focus groups went on with the usual “people don’t buy hatchbacks, especially not luxury ones” thing, and it would’ve get killed off by the ATS’ subpar interior anyways.
I totally would’ve bought this, just theme and design it with the theme of an Escala.