mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

GM 2.0L LTG Turbocharged Four Cylinder Engine One Of 2013 Ward’s 10 Best Engines

As four cylinders continue to relieve the duties of V6 engines (and as V6 engines replace V8 engines…) in the automotive landscape due to their power density and fuel efficiency, it’s become increasingly important to have a stalwart little motor that can fit into just about anything. Today, most automakers have become pretty darn good at doing so, but apparently none better than General Motors, as the 2.0L “LTG” turbocharged I4 is more powerful on paper than any other 2.0L on the market today.

In the application of the Cadillac ATS, the LTG spools up 272 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, while capable of achieving 31 mpg on the highway when mated to a six-speed manual transmission. These specs were enough to earn it a spot on the Ward’s 2013 10 Best Engines list, along with other punchy four-pots from BMW and Ford.

Thanks to some quick improvements to the LTG, however, we may see even more of a power boost in the coming years. For instance, the 2014 Malibu’s 2.0T engine promises a major torque increase — with an estimated rating of 295 lb-ft.  Will the same updates find themselves in the engine bay of the ATS? We certainly hope so.

Former staff.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. This was kind of obvious, when it comes to the 2.0T from GM they got Ford beat.. But like stated in the article seeing the torque rise in the Malibue to a 35 lbs-ft boost over the 2.0T in the ATS I wonder if they are going to upgrade the LTG 2.0 or they could be a new name who knows.. But 300lbs-ft of torque in a 2.0T would be nice..

    Reply
  2. To all those who have never driven one of these you have no idea. I recommend that you drive one before you judge this engine. I have one and I love it. Note I was a Turbo and 4 cylinder hater and swore I would never own one till I met this one.

    I have 315 FT LBS in mine and it Is amazing. I can only imagine what the GM upgrade feels like in the 340 FT LBS Solstice.

    23 pounds of Boost can really bring a big smile to your face…. or could it be the G force that has me grinning.

    Reply
  3. I hope it has balance shafts. Sometimes friction and mass are good. I like a four cylinder that feels like an electric motor.

    Reply
  4. I don’t think GM will boost the torque in the ATS 2.0 because they won’t be able to justify the 3.6 with 275 lb ft of torque

    Reply
  5. I drive a Sonata 2.0T. It has 274HP and 269ft/lb torque. Sounds like the General finally caught up to the Koreans, although not in fuel economy. Mine is very smooth and is rated 24/33MPG and I regularly get 28, and that’s with 87 fuel. I am very impressed with it. I do not miss my accord V6 in the least bit. Furthermore, you can obtain a turbo Sonata for far far cheaper than the turbo Regal or the turbo Malibu. The vast price difference cannot be justified by consumers.

    They should put this engine in the crossover utes like the Equinox. Again, the Koreans and VW figured this out, why is the general not doing the same? These get better fuel economy than the V6 with the same output.

    Reply
    1. Yours was rated at 24/33mpg wasnt it? The EPA made Hyundai redact those figures with true, non-inflated, numbers on almost their entire range of vehicles

      Reply
    2. Just who is catching who?

      I had my 290 HP GM Turbo in 2008. It is nothing new just delayed in some models due to the bail out.

      I get 24 City and 32 highway driving it like I stole it.

      As for the Sonata you get what you paid for and having a buddy at a Hyundai dealer he fills me in well on these cars. Good thing you have a good warranty.

      As for your up to date engine do you have a timing belt yet? Hyundai has been a little lax here as they have just recently just started to put chains in. But GM has been doing that for years now on the Eco. If you have a belt you had better change it in the recommended 60,000-90,000 as this also is not an interfearance engine and you will wipe the engine out once it breaks. Also while in there change the water pump and you have to remove all of this stuff when the pump goes around 90,000. Both the belt and chain will only set you back 400-500 doilars depending on what part of the country you are in.

      It is cheap corners like these that people find out about later on after they think they got a good deal.

      As for the Turbo in the Nox. If you were up to date on it they are around 4000 pounds and the engine would not return the higher mileage that you assume. GM has the new Nox not far out and it will lose a lot of weight and be better suited for the turbo.

      Sorry GM has it figured out but Sales on the Nox and Terrain even later in their life are still setting records for GM and the new one will only help things even more.

      By the way my buddy who is in the service department skipped his discount and is a proud owner of a new Chevy. He knows mechanically which one will be the better value and requires less service.

      Reply
  6. Would anyone here know if the 2019 cadillac 2.0l turbo is an interference engine? Thanks in advance

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel