The 2019 Cadillac CT6 will offer a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as its base powerplant, reversing a narrative from last year that assumed that the refreshed CT6 will cease offering a 2.0-liter turbo motor altogether.
Notably, these findings were first discovered by our sister site, Cadillac Society.
The Backstory
Last year, we reported that the 2019 Cadillac CT6 will drop the base 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine (RPO code LTG). This still holds true today, to a certain extent: while the 2.0L Turbo LTG engine will not be available in the refreshed CT6, the new 2.0L Turbo LSY engine will be taking its place.
The findings are based on new VIN decoder documents as well as the official GM order guide for the 2019 Cadillac CT6, both of which are available at the end of this article (see Related Documents section).
The Engine
Not much is currently known about the 2.0L Turbo LSY engine. The motor’s existence was first uncovered by GM Authority in conjunction with the features and options of the 2019 Cadillac XT4.
In official press materials, Cadillac has refereed to the LSY engine as “all-new”. What’s more likely is that the LSY is the third iteration of the GM 2.0L turbo inline four-cylinder Dual OverHead Cam (DOHC) engine architecture, which began with the LNF and was succeeded by the LTG.
The Ratings
In the 2016-2018 Cadillac CT6, the LTG was rated at 265 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Despite producing healthy power and torque figures, the engine has been criticized for not having sufficient levels of refinement when compared to similar engines from direct competitors, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. We’ve heard through the grapevine that, because of this, engineers focused on significantly improving refinement and “feel” with the LSY motor.
To that end, we do not currently know how the LSY will be rated in the 2019 CT6, as GM/Cadillac have yet to share the engine’s output in the CT6. However, we know that the engine makes 237 horses and 258 pound-feet of torque in the 2019 XT4, but that application has a completely different driveline compared to the CT6: whereas the XT4 has a transverse engine placement with a 9-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels (with optional AWD), the CT6 has a longitudinally-placed engine sending power to the rear wheels.
Traditionally, GM vehicles with a longitudinal powertrain orientation have had higher power and torque ratings than transverse-engined counterparts when using the same engine. As such, we would assume that the 2019 Cadillac CT6 with the new LSY engine will make at least 265 horsepower and an equal amount of torque, if not more – all while delivering higher levels of refinement over the LTG.
Transmission
Notably, the 2019 CT6 will pair the new 2.0L Turbo LSY engine with the new GM 10-speed automatic transmission (RPO code MHS). By comparison, the 2.0L Turbo LSY was mated to the outgoing 8-speed gearbox, which – much like its engine pairing – has criticized as lacking in the refinement department.
Drive Wheels
The 2019 Cadillac CT6 with the 2.0L Turbo LSY engine will send power exclusively to the rear wheels, as all-wheel-drive will not be available.
Availability & Pricing
The updated Cadillac CT6 will become available in the fall of 2018 as a 2019 model. The refreshed model features revised styling, a new trim level structure, the new Cadillac twin-turbo 4.2L V8 DOHC engine (LTA) and a new CT6 V-Sport model. Inside, the 2019 CT6 facelift adds several interior enhancements, the most notable of which are tactile controls for the CUE Cadillac infotainment system and an improved Rear Camera Mirror.
Pricing has not yet been announced, but we expect a starting price for the base 2019 CT6 with the 2.0L Turbo LSY engine to be similar to, if not slightly higher than, the $54,000 base MSRP of the 2018 model.
About Cadillac CT6
The Cadillac CT6 is a full-size prestige luxury sedan. It slots above the mid-size Cadillac CTS and compact Cadillac ATS as the largest Cadillac sedan. The vehicle rides on the advanced, high-tech and lightweight GM Omega platform that is currently not shared with any other vehicles, though a full-size Cadillac crossover on the architecture has been rumored.
The current model was introduced for the 2016 model year and represents the first model year of the first-generation CT6. The 2017 model year saw a few minor changes, including the addition of two new exterior colors and darker finish taillamps. The 2018 CT6 introduced such features as Super Cruise, Rear Camera Mirror Washer for the Rear Camera Mirror, as well as an updated CUE infotainment system (to version 2.6).
For the 2019 model year, the CT6 receives a refresh, otherwise known as a facelift or mid-cycle enhancement (MCE, that includes revised exterior styling similar to that of the Escala concept, a new high-performance V-Sport model, the new Cadillac 4.2L Twin-Turbo V-8 engine, a new trim level structure, and improvements to in-vehicle technology. In addition, the 2019 Cadillac CT6 gets the new GM 10-speed automatic transmission on all models, while the base model gets a new base engine in the form of the all-new 2.0L Turbo LSY engine, which replaces the last-generation 2.0L Turbo LTG.
For North America markets, the CT6 is built by GM USA at the GM Detroit-Hamtramck factory. For China, the model is built at the Cadillac China factory, aka SGM Jinqiao. The CT6 Plug-In model is built at the SGM Jinqiao plant for global markets, including the United States.
Related News & Info
- GM news
- Cadillac CT6Â information
- Running GM sales results
- Running Cadillac sales results
- Running Cadillac CT6 sales results
- Running Cadillac sales results
Findings of the 2019 Cadillac CT6 are as follows:
- VIN Decoder document submitted by General Motors Company to the NHTSA on June 14, 2018 (photo below)
- Official 2019 Cadillac CT6 order guide made available by GM to dealers
Comments
I just don’t understand why GM keeps shoving the Family V6 in Cadillac vehicles. It is starting to get embarrassing for them. The Big German Three V6 engines destroy the 3.6. It is an utter joke how GM treats Cadillac. We obviously now know why Johan didn’t last. Unbelievable.
Agreed
But whose to say that the German doesn’t have reliability issues with their 6cylinder engines. And also the germans use I-6 and not V6. Get it right!
We could sit here and go back and forth all day long, and have. However I thought I would just see for myself what are the others talking about. So I went and drove a 2018 Audi A4 2.0T AWD. It was SO SO much SMOOTH. It makes our ATS 2.0T AWD seem like a joke. So I will simply not take the word of others . Go find out for yourself. Also I don’t care if its a I6, V6, V8, I8, V10, I10. Right now Cadillac simply can’t compete. Again don’t take my word for it, go see for yourself. I am still counting on the CT5, but it will be a CT5 or A4. I am done with Cadillac if they still cant figure it out. My first test is to simply go on a flat asphalt parking lot with a AWD turn the steering wheel all the way in one direction and go 5 mph in a circle. The Audi is so smooth.
Exactly. GM will not spend what it takes to make Cadillac truly competitive with the German Big Three.
But it doesn’t matter how smooth it gets from them, the germans are still known for their reliability issues with engines. I get it, most of the owners that have the German 3 don’t give a crap about reliability and all. It’s really just the Prestige that the German 3 has in which it would take Cadillac sometime to get to their levels (Even the Genesis is getting there and they’re not using I shaped engines)
Nobody is asking Cadillac to develop an inline six (though I personally would love it) all I and others are stating is for them to immediately STOP offering the Corporate 3.6 V6 in their cars. They developed a Cadillac specific 3.0TT V6 so utilize that engine for your vehicles. Why is this such a hard concept? Like why is GM using to different V6 engines? Three really if you include the 3.6TT V6 as well. It is so stupid. Obviously the 3.6 V6 is a lot cheaper to produce so again I stand by my statement that GM is too cheap and unwilling to truly make Cadillac a top tier Luxury maker. Period!!!
I would like to know more about these reliability issues. Are they more than the average Ford or GM reliability issues. I have put 2 timing chain sets in the GM 3.6, Head gaskets in the GM 3.4, Head bolt anchors in a GM 99 NorthStar, cracked heads in a GM 6.2 diesel, all GM. My cousin has had two Audi and ZERO trouble. So again who are these people. Also who fixed the trouble, because the GM SPECIAL COVERAGE only applies to certain people, not ALL who have the known trouble. Wouldn’t you think if GM has a known problem and offer special coverage that they would offer it to ALL vehicles under the special coverage conditions. So again if I have a choice of smooth maybe reliable, or shutter, chug, maybe reliable, its not a hard choice anymore. Also I have owned 5 Cadillacs, still have 2, 2004 CTS (best), 2014 ATS (worst).
I simply cant believe Cadillac thinks ” what can we do to boost Cadillac sales, lets put a 2.0T in our biggest sedan”. Here we go again, or still go. However we will find out if this works as we watch Cadillac and its so called turn around. At least they got a little hype out of a new V8 because the XT4 2.0T and this 2.0T did not do anything. I will give it a drive and see about this ALL NEW 2.0T because I am NOT impressed with the OLD 2014 2.0T in our ATS
Yeah, I especially love those inline sixes available from Audi and Volkswagen.
First off, Mercedes offers an Inline 6 Cylinder on its new CLS model. Everything else is a V6. Cadillac has a 3.0TT V6 that it should be utilizing instead of the Corporate 3.6 period. Second, Cadillac probably can’t offer an inline six as its CUV’s are FWD. Makes it a lot costlier and harder.
Except they’re starting to replace their V6 to I-6 on models that have the V6 option
Yes, because they can. All of their vehicles are RWD based (except the CLA)
And GLA
Let’s pray it has more power than the XT4. In a car this big, output needs to be just as good, if not better than the current 2.0T. Something in the area of 290-300 hp and lbft-torque would be a sweet spot, and even better as a base output in the upcoming CT5.
I’m pretty sure it would as the XT4 is a transverse and not longitudinal
The devil is in the details.. Cadillac’s new LSY 2.0L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo at first blush may appear to be a clone of the LTG 2.0L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo; but there are small differences as the new LSY features a smaller bore of 83mm (vs 86.0 for the LTG) and has a longer stroke of 92.3mm (vs 86.0mm for the LTG) as these changes allow the LSY to generate torque at a lower rpm which should mean the LSY is more responsive.
And now that they have the torque curve so small I hope the new transmissions can put that torque to the wheels. You would think that’s a no brainer but our ATS cant figure it out.
Cadillac must not put a new engine into any new vehicle it manufactures . Any new engine will have glitches that come up in service . Caddy does not need any new problems . The CUE system was a mess , interior workmanship issues , the 2 liter 4 in the ATS was noisy , etc . Cadillac must reek of refinement , without compromise ! This is not the experimental Division , this is supposed to be the ultimate quality that GM produces . You make it right every time or not at all !
Basically a longitudinal version of the LTG, a turbo version of the Family II/Ecotec engine used in the Malibu and Captiva, with an aluminium block and cast iron liners (shudder…).
I suspect the longer stroke is just to make it deeper breathing and hence produce less particulate emissions at a higher compression ratio.
The twin turbo V-8 should be the only engine available in this car.
If you want more info on the LSY, check out the L3B. Similar architecture and features.
Also, it’s easy to get hung up on peak power numbers, but if the LSY is anything like the L3B, you’ll be more interested in the area under the curves. Most likely will have more power and torque everywhere except at peak output.
As with the ATS, CTS and XTS, if you want a CT6, buy a lightly used 2016 or 2017 and save a bundle. The 2.0T cars are around and selling in the mid $30’s to low $40’s.
If it were me, and it had to be a late model Caddy sedan, it would be the hard to find XTS V-sport Platinum. The front seats were designed with adult “American folk” in mind, not Chinese “driver guy”.
Well I am one of the first here to say Cadillac needs their own engines.
Now that that is clear I also understand the astronomical cost of building their own engines.
So I applaud GM for the coming TT V8 as it was needed to set themselves apart.
As for the TT 3.0 it can and should be used more than it is. This is an engine only Cadillac uses and it should be more common.
As for the 4 since it is low volume I do not expect their own engine but I would hope they would get one of their own tune. There is no reason why Cadillac can not offer this engine as a premium only model with over 300 HP. A simple tune can achieve this alone.
I owned an LNF. With the GM tune it can do 290 HP and 340 FT LBS in the Solstice. It did change it to Premium only. But I also picked up more MPG with the tune. My HHR SS got 25-26 city and 31 highway and that was driving with hitting 23 PSI of boost more than once on each drive.
It is just if you want to say Cadillac is the best or standard how can you say that if you put an engine in it from a 08 Malibu or Colorado? While not a bad engine but it being in a value leading line sends the wrong signal just as the Cimarron did back in the day.
Over time I can see Cadillac getting more distinct engine lines as budgets permit but that takes time.
If you want to ask more money you had better give more car and tech to go with the added price.
Right on.
I have the LFX V6 in both my Colorado and my ATS Coupe. It’s “good enough” for both but not really optimal for either. A truck needs low end torque yet the LFX is a high revving V6, so they try to make up for it with gearing and as a result it’s noisy and wrung out whenever I have a full load in the bed.
The LFX is better suited to the sporty ATS Coupe and is a blast to drive *when* the RPMs can be maintained, but it’s rather rough and noisy for a luxury sports coupe, and low end torque just doesn’t compete with the turbo I6 engines found in BMWs.
A Cadillac-exclusive turbo six could be the solution. I’ve heard the LGW 3.0TT V6 still has NVH issues and forced induction of a V configuration is intrinsically more expensive than for an inline 6 (as is the valvetrain), so a TT V6 isn’t the answer. Instead do a Tripower I6 and offer it with single or twin turbos, maybe different bore sizes. Make the single turbo version the upgrade engine from the LSY 2.0T. The twin turbo goes in the V-Sport, and the 4.2TT V8 is for the V.
I’ve also heard talk of a Cadillac-tuned L3B Tripower 2.7T I4. I’m skeptical of such a large displacement I4 being NVH competitive in the high performance luxury segment but maybe GM can do it. It will at least be interesting to see an I4 that’s more powerful than the Corvette V8 that was in the poster over my bed in high school!
Buy the new v-sport with the DOHC 550hp, remove v-sport and engine badges, replace with 2.0 4cyl emblems.
LGW 3.0-liter TT V6, LF4 TT 3.6-liter V6 engine, TT LTA 4.2-liter V8 engine. Cadillac only engine’s. Cadillac need’s it’s own four cylinder/six cylinder Inline engine’s and they will in time and drop these LFX NA engine of all it’s models and use more of these LGW 3.0-liter TT V6 engine, going forward, and they will. CT5 and CT4 wouldn’t have LFX base engine.