As the next-generation Cadillac CTS approaches, so does the all-new CTS-V. To put it lightly, the outgoing model set the bar quite high, and recapturing its magic is going to be a huge challenge for all those involved. But from what’s been circulating lately, engineers are not cutting any corners.
According to Motor Trend, the third-generation Cadillac CTS-V is racing around the confines of Milford in both twin-turbocharged and supercharged flavors, adding forced induction to the all-new 6.2L LT1 small-block V8 engine. However, only one powerplant will make the final cut for the production version. According to sources of our own, there’s a high probability that it’s going to be the turbocharged variant that makes it to production, replicating the setup seen in the current BMW M5 and M6 supercars.
To note, the impending ATS-V went through a similar testing method, as development engineers tested the model with both a twin-turbo V6 and naturally aspirated small-block LT1 V8, before coming to a decision.Â
Comments
I’ take anything from motor trend with a grain of salt.
I’m guessing the twin-turbo won’t have quite the instantaneous power delivery the supercharger does, but better fuel economy. A person could get very technical here, but I think it all boils down to this: compare them head to head as it seems GM is already doing. If performance is very close but one has considerably better fuel economy, go with the latter. If there is a big difference in performance but they are close in fuel economy, go with the former. In the end, this will help sales more than simply copying BMW and it makes more sense.
They will most likely be set up sequentially so turbo lag will pretty much be non-existent and torque will come on strong from low rpm
hehehe…talking about turbo lag on a twin turbo 6.2L V8…Sudden unexpected turbo surge? Sure, turbo lag? There’s no such thing.
Depending on the turbo set up, sure, there could be lag.. yes even on a 6.2 V8.. especially when that V8 has cylinder deactivation.
Turbos would make more torque than a centrifugal supercharger (ex. procharger), and way more HP than a positive displacement (ex. Eaton- used in the ZR1 and LSA and S/C SS Cobalt.) but at the expense of some very bottom end torque. The TT will make up for it with more torque and a lot more HP, even at the same boost, though.
Oh I got ya Andrew. In fact a turbo is generally superior all around (all things being equal). I just get a chuckle out of hearing “turbo lag” being discussed in conjunction with a relatively large displacement motor. I can’t think of a situation  short of a drag race between two 5-700hp cars where turbo lag would even be a factor when discussing a big displacement V8.Â
On the street, turbo lag  would be the least of a twin turbo LT1’s worries. Lol
haha ya, true that. But even still, the slightest hint of lag and it gives the Bimmer crowd something to nit pick about
I wish they offer both, I mean the more the merrier. When you have 5 or more performance vehicles not including the all the trims it will be nice to have all 4 engines. A 3.6TT and 6.2 N/A both will be good for the ATS, and the 6.2 S/C and TT are both good for the CTS, but I understand offering a V-series they will most likely go with one engine choice. Not including the ATS and CTS you have the next gen Camaro(SS,Z28,ZL1), the new Corvette(Z06,ZR1), and hopefully the SS sedan could see more engine variants.
I’m hoping for the twin turbo setup. Imagine the ease of adding 30-50 extra hp depending how easy the factory tune was set. And economy numbers don’t lie. Turbos are better for that.
Twin Turbos are nice but I think the LT1 will get better fuel economy, and its hp and torque ratings are about even at 450hp 450ft/lbs. I still like the twin turbo.
The twin turbo set up would be built off the LT1.
450hp isn’t enough power for the CTS-V, it is barely enough for the ATS-V..
The 550i (not the M5) has 400hp from a V8 turbo, which is where GM will use the twin turbo 3.6L to compete.
The twin-turbo or S/C LT1 will put out more than 560hp to keep the CTS-V relevant in the high-power sedan world
I was preferring to the ATS-V for the LT1 not the CTS-V. A natural aspirated V8 is always nice to have. I know they probably will have the TT 3.6 in the ATS-V because the M3 4.0L V8 offers 408 horsepower and 295ft-lbs of torque. I would imagine the 3.6TT set would easily push over 400hp but I don’t think it will put the numbers of the LT1 I could be wrong though. The 4.4L TT from BMW offers 560hp 500 ft-lbs of torque. The twin turbo v8 would be nice to see in the CTS-V, I would imagine it being at around 600 hp the LSA already hits 556 hp, but the only thing is the S/C wouldn’t have any lag.
I agree with Andrew basically. The CTS will likely have either the 2.0T or 3.6 as the base, then the regular upgrade would be the 3.6TT, and I suppose a TT LT1 for the V with at least as much power as the M5.
I wouldn’t say no to TTV6 ATS-V. Heck, I’d love to see what GM can do with the 3.6.
They need to keep the 2014 E63 AMGEN in mind when developing this. It nets 24 mpg on the highway and offered AWD as an option. Neither of those would hurt at all
If I were a betting man, my money would be on the supercharger. Why? Positive displacement superchargers offer next to no parasitic loss when off the boost now. They also offer instantaneous torque and HP. On a big displacement engine like the LT1, that type of power delivery is what it’s all about. And there is no mention of the fuel economy tech being deactivated. If they find a way to keep cylinder deactivation plus variable valve timing; the supercharger will win simply because of it’s inherent simplicity, less weight, and reliability.
I do really hope they choose the supercharged variant. The last one was supercharged, why not this one? Keep the tradition Cadillac, it seems more like the American (prove those turbos wrong with a nice supercharger :).) way and the last one offered great performance without being too inefficient in gas mileage.
Hopefully the turbo doesn’t make it, they have such an annoying reputation. I know I preach that to people but it’s so true. Every time at school someone will tell me to slap a turbo on my Trans Am to make it faster. It’s just plain dumb how everyone is brainwashed into thinking turbos are the only things making power for your car.
Conversely…
It’s just plain dumb how everyone is brainwashed into thinking supers are the only things making power for your car.
Both (SC’ing and TC’ing) are just powertrain options; not something that makes a car “more American” by virtue of it being under the hood of a CTS-V.
I mean the Olds Cutlass was the first car to have a turbocharger, but would you say that it’s more “American” to turbocharger instead of supercharge?
Remeber, they’re just powertrain options, not something that makes you more or less American.
I’ve never heard anyone tell me to supercharge my car. Only after I tell them turboing is dumb, they suggest supercharging. I made this point from my experiences of people’s relation to turbos, though yours may be different.
Also, in my opinion supercharging is more American because almost all of GM’s and Ford’s high performance vehicles use them, while imports such as GTR, LFA, and Veyron use turbos. Sorry you don’t see the connection.
First car to use a turbo was an Olds.. just sayin.
All i know is that this needs to have the HUD that the C7 has when it comes out because i’m fairly sure they’re going to give it the screen for the gauge cluster so they might as well give it the same HUD too or least slightly different.