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Twin-Turbocharged 3.6L V6 Also Mentioned In GM Document

In the same document that listed the 7.0L LS7 V8 as an engine option for the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro, there also happened to be mention of an upcoming 3.6L twin-turbo V6 — further mounting evidence of its arrival. At this point, it’s all but officially confirmed.

With the RPO code “LF3”, the 3.6L engine won’t stray too far from the name of the naturally aspirated LFX variant, which is offered in just about everything from the Chevrolet Camaro to the  Cadillac XTS. However, no specific model was not listed with the LF3. Lastly, nobody is talking about power output just yet, but with the 6.2L LT1 V8 destined for the Chevrolet Corvette C7 and others putting out a preliminary 450 horsepower, it’s easy to fathom somewhere in the ballpark of 400 horsepower at least. Sounds scrumptious.

Former staff.

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Comments

  1. 130R SS please!

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  2. It sounds like an ATS-V engine.

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  3. Gms powertrain lineip is serious. Best in class numbers in just about every displacement

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  4. Not that the regular V6 is wimpy, but this would fit in nicely between it and the V8. It will very likely make power numbers closer to the V8, with fuel economy that should still be decent. We will have to wait and see, of course, what engine and numbers come up, but I’ll venture to say that I think it would be a popular option.

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  5. that engine should really put on the Lacrosse and the XTS for sure… Definitely the Acadias and the Traverses (even though lambdas cannot handle more than 300hp)

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  6. Silverado and Sierras, Tahoe and Yukon, but not Suburban or Yukon XL. Not convinced it will make it to Lambda crossovers. Unless there are plans for a super high level of specification edition over and above Denali. Various Cadillac’s as mentioned above.

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    1. I’m not too sure this engine will make it into any of the full-sized GM models…

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      1. I don’t think you can out a 4.3 into the full-size suvs it just doesn’t make sense

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  7. Could this be the engine they use in the 2014 T Types, GNs, ad GNXs?!! Hahaha!! One can only dream right?

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    1. yes

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  8. Sounds like 450 HP, with a flat torque curve from 1500 to 6000 RPMs by the way, shouldn’t be far out of reach for a twin turbo V6. When they start beating the V8s at NASCAR events, we’ll get some believers.

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  9. If this is going to be the base v6 Camaro’s models engine, there is going to be a lot of happy and pissed of people at the same time. Happy new owners or pissed off previous owners.
    Or could this replace the current V8?
    And the LS7 be an engine-option? Kinda like the L48 350 and the L78 396 back in 69

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    1. They won’t be putting a 400+HP engine in a base Camaro. I’d bet money that the 2015 Camaro gets the 2.0T @ 270hp as the base engine (LT and LS models). Then the 3.6 DI @ 325hp (Z/28). Then the 3.6TT @ 400-425hp (SS). Then a S/C LT1 @ 550-600hp (ZL1).
      With the base car weighing in at 33-3400lbs.

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    2. It might make the Gen VI lineup, but it definitely would not be the base engine.

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    3. I think the turbo 4 banger will be the base engine for the new Camaro, However…just to stick it to Ford, and Dodge, Chevy may detune the twin turbo V6 to say 360-385hp for the base Camaro? and keep the 426 hp LS3 for the SS and an a 500 HP LS7 for the Z/28 god willing. on a different subject the ATS-V needs a V8 not a twin turbo 6, if it is to compete with BMW M Lexus ISF or Mercedes AMG. I do know that Mercedes and BMW are using TwinTurbo V6’s and that’s the future But why go through all the trouble when you have existing choices? the LS3 would be a perfect choice for the job, or the LSA if they really want to go all out…

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      1. Correction LS7 would be a perfect choice for the job, or the LSA if they really want to go all out…
        I meant to say LS7 for the ATS-V sorry….

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  10. The 3.6 twin turbo = one of the options the GM performance engineers are/were considering for the ATS-V.

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    1. Would much rather have an LT1 as the powertrain for the ATS-V. Screw what BMW is doing. They’ve lost the way.

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  11. I like the thought of it getting into pretty much all of the vehicles mentioned above. And to throw another into the mix, how about an AWD Impala SS? And I totally agree with f-body’s comment about if it becomes the new base engine for the camaro. I’d bet more on it being level 2 of 4 though if it goes into that car. There’s a lot of space in power between the current case car and the V8. Just a thought of course.

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  12. Wasn’t a twin turbo V6 what Jay Leno had in his Camaro at SEMA 2009? That thing looked sweet.

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    1. Yup LS3 hp numbers and V6 fuel economy..
      what took them so long?

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      1. Bankruptcy

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        1. true…….true……

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  13. I sure hope a 2.0T with 270-ish h.p. won’t be the base engine in the Gen6 Camaro, even if the car loses 400 lbs. Could well be the case, though….

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    1. What’s wrong with the 2.0? It’s a light engine and seems to be what every reviewer likes when testing the ATS.
      12lbs per HP is nothing to shun upon for a base model

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  14. That would be cool to see an LT1 in the ATS-V. But the name of the game today is powerful & efficent engines. If the LT1 is better on gas than the new LF3, than it would render the LF3 basically pointless. So Im betting GM will go for the LF3 in the ATS-V because it is right in line with what BMW is doing and coupled with an 8-speed, it could see mileage in the high twenties. I would LOVE to see an LT1 trust me, but I doubt GM will see it that way. Otherwise, the LF3 should forsure make its way into the ATS-V, 2014 CTS, SRX, upcoming Lambda Cadillac SUV, XTS and probably the higher end next generation Lambdas (Acadia Denali, Enclave and MAYBE an LTZ Traverse) . The LF3 will most likely serve as the base motor for the upcoming Omega 7 Series fighter too. Some ones im not sure about: Impala SS, Lacrosse or Regal GNX. The 3 above I mentioned would be cool but could complicate GM’s lineup

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  15. Andrew, I like the 2.0T in a lot of vehicles. It’s a really good engine. But even with weight loss, I think the next gen Camaro needs to base with about as much h.p. as the current car. Maybe they will be able to get the 2.0T over the magic 300 h.p. mark by the time Gen6 comes out. I’d be okay with that.

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  16. For Cadillac the TT V6 should make its way into the 2014 cts as the top teir engine, right below the V model…..this is to compete with the 550i, S6, etc……also the xts will receive this and likely a new roadster which should compete with the jaguar F-type(hoping)……the ats should not receive this engine at all…..the new M3 is getting a tri-turbo ( 2 blown, 1 electric) and it will beat the ats V off the line with the instant torque…..the ats needs a V8 turbo charged or something……everybody would love that caddy stuck with a V8……I just hope they don’t stick this engine in everything though…..I like the 3.6 V6 but that engine is in everything through out GM….caddie needs some exclusive engine….even thouh they might not return profit, it will help build caddies’ reputation

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    1. Like Northstar did? no thanks!!

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  17. I really hope this new LF3 has some efficiency tech. Like eAssist or something to boost the mileage a little bit. The ATS-V really needs it to compete with BMW.

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  18. There will be no LS3 LS7 or LSA in gen6 camaro and gen3 CTS. 2014 Chevy SS LT1 or LS3 2015 Chevy SS LT1 and twin turbo 3.6. 2014 camaro may have an LS7. 2015 camaro 2.0 turbo LFX. LF3 LT1.The ATS-V will have the LT1. The twin turbo 3.6 will not be in any Chevy Malibu regal impala or lacrosse. It will be In the XTS-V and an Opel insignia AWD. And maybe a Holden Malibu AWD.

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  19. I agree with you for everything except the XTS-V… I don’t think that will happen. Platinum AWD is it’s top model. Give it more power, sure, but there won’t be a V variant, same as there wont be an SRX-V or ‘Sclade-V. The car needs to be worthy of the badge, and GM/Cadillac know that now

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  20. I think Ford has it right with Taurus/Interceptor to offer AWD 3.5 ecoboost, perfect combonation for squad cars, power when you need it (fastest cruiser available) and great fuel economy when you dont need all that power. I think GM should do same with it’s next Gen. Impala, offer LF3 with AWD and there will be some happy Cops, oh and offer that same variant as civilian version.

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  21. @ Main Wayne Cadillac said there will not be a XTS-V.. It’s a front wheel drive car the 3.6 is fine as is..

    I would like to see a Camaro with an LS, LS RS(3.6?), SS, 1LE, Z28, and a ZL1.. I think it should be just like that.. The base LS can offer a 2.0T just like Ford.. But if they offer the 3.6 have it in the RS.. I know the SS may offer the LT1 6.2, but they could have the 3.6 TT as option.. They could have a 3.6 TT as the 1LE, but I like the Z28 to stick with the 7.0 and have the ZL1 with the 6.2 s/c..

    The 3.6 TT would fit well in the CTS and ATS.. The top motor could be a the twin turbo v6 for a CTS, and have the 6.2 s/c in the CTS-V.. The ATS-V could have the 6.2 and the 3.6 TT as option.. There is a big list and a lot of trim levels to fill.. I think Cadillac could use the 3.6TT a lot better but Chevy can at least use it in one trim level.. Although I prefer v8’s with the new tech, this engine will be good with great low end torque.. I think it will do good but I’m to fixed on the new v8’s.. It kind of stoled the thunder for me..,

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  22. I think Buick deserves to have that engine in their lineup

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  23. I agree, vic1212. After all, GM is trying to position Buick as a near luxury brand. Also, I recall reading that GM was working on 2 twin-turbo V6 engines. I wonder where that will fit in. Maybe the bigger, more powerful one for RWD platforms and the other one for FWD platforms (and any AWD vehicles derived from FWD platforms)?? It’s anybody’s guess.

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    1. the other twin spool was the 3.0, but as far as I know it’s been shelved

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      1. I don’t think there will be a 3.0TT because if there is going to be one then it’s gonna be based on the 3.6TT

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  24. Yeah, when it was announced that GM was apparently working on 2 TT V6 engines, they guessed those two displacements and acknowledged that the 3.0 is based on the 3.6. But now that I think more about it, I seem to recall that GM has said they will be ending production of the 3.0?? If so, then there would definitely not be a TT coming based on it.

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