Audi To Make 362-Horsepower RS Q3 – Where Is The Cadillac XT4-V?
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It’s no secret that Cadillac is now pursuing the strategy of straddling two segments with one vehicle. In the case of the new XT4, the CUV will fit in both the subcompact and compact luxury crossover segments, by having the price of the former and the size and feature set of the latter. In many ways, the Cadillac XT4 will compete for sales with the Audi Q3 family of crossover, and it would appear that Audi will have the upper hand, as the next-gen 2019 Q3 will be offered in not one, but two sporty variants.
Besides the regular Q3 that, in the United States, will be powered by a 2.0L Turbo engine making around 240 horses, thereby being the more direct rival to the Cadillac XT4, Audi will also field an SQ3 with a high-output 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine expected to make around 290 horsepower, as well as an even mightier RS Q3 with a 2.5L turbo five-cylinder engine pumping out an impressive 362 horsepower.
In comparison, the 2019 XT4 will only offer a single engine choice (that we know of at the moment): the all-new turbocharged “Tripower” 2.0-liter LSY four-cylinder engine rated at 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
2019 Audi Q3 front three quarters
In addition to more powerful engines, both the SQ3 and RS Q3 are sure to offer a more exciting driving experience via a sprightlier suspension system. In fact, Audi has been spied testing the Q3’s upcoming sporty variants at the Nürburgring. Currently, the only competition that can measure up to the RS Q3 is the Mercedes-AMG GLA45, which begs the question: will Cadillac offer a performance-oriented variant of the XT4?
2019 Audi Q3 rear three quarters
To date, we haven’t seen anything that even remotely hints at an XT4 V-Sport or XT4-V; no spy shots of prototypes and not even a whisper of a rumor. So outside of the very remote possibility that Cadillac is planning on offering a sportier XT4 and is doing a very good job of keeping it under wraps, it would seem that a hotter Cadillac XT4 is not in the cards.
To us, however, it would make total sense for Cadillac to fill out the XT4 lineup as follows:
- XT4 “regular” with the 2.0L Turbo I4 LSY producing its 238 horses
- XT4 V-Sport with a high-output version of the LSY making around 300 horsepower to take on the SQ3 (it’s rumored that Mercedes-Benz will enter this middle performance space with the next-gen Mercedes GLA-Class)
- XT4-V with the twin-turbo 3.0L V6 LGW making over 350 horsepower to take on the RS Q3 (and the Mercedes-AMG GLA45)
Tell us what you think about the hypothetical Cadillac XT4 V-Sport and XT4-V in the comments.
More information about the 2019 Cadillac XT4 is available at the following links:
- 2019 Cadillac XT4 Pictures
- 2019 Cadillac XT4 Order Guide
- 2019 Cadillac XT4 Platform
- 2019 Cadillac XT4 Powertrain
- 2019 Cadillac XT4 Specifications
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What’s everybody complaining about—Cadillac is giving us stop/start technology in the XT4–what more do you want ?
Stop/Start is not for me, it should be: if you like it turn it on, if not turn it off, but that isn’t an option, freezing myself with the AC turned to MAX to disable stop/start is not my idea of luxury.
The disable is standard on all versions. It’s on page 6 of the order guide PDF
But it’s likely you’ll have to push the button every trip.
I never understood why they just don’t add some logic to it. Outside temperature gauges have this in all GM vehicles. The status of the vehicle is monitored and if you are stopped in traffic, the temp stops updating itself until you go above a set speed for a specified period of time. There are other parameters, but that is the gist of it.
The same could be done for “stop/start”. Stopped, stop-and-go, or moving along at less than “x” mph: disable until vehicle resumes cruise above xx mph for x distance or time. Even easier would be a simple timed-delay: don’t stop the engine until x time has passed sitting in traffic at “0′ mph.
Sometimes, I WISH I worked for GM (especially Cadillac). My family has owned over 3 Cadillacs and we have an XTS that we drive now. The New Cadillacs are all beautifully designed… however, there’s too much CONSERVATIVE approaches in the launching of these new models. I would max out each model with at least 3-4 engine choices. Put a PLATINUM or full V-Version in every single model (see Mercedes Benz AMG models) We also owned an S-class years ago and simply loved it. There were about 4-5 engine choices for each model in the lineup. THAT is how you launch a brand new model! The XT4 is a gorgeously styled mini Escalade. Max that baby out!!! Give it a full V-model (Vrooom!) Take the LEAD and stop playing catch-up to the BMW, AUDI & MERCEDES. Upgrade the materials & leathers as well on all models. Tweak the price point on each one. People do not mind paying a premium on a product that they REALLY want. Need more interior color choices as well. Platinum XT4 & XT4-V should definitely be in the works already.
I am ready to buy an xt4 V .