The all-new 2019 Cadillac XT4, which launched in China last month ahead of a US launch in autumn, makes use of a brand-new turbocharged, 2.0-liter I4 engine that promises superior power and efficiency in a single package. Output peaks at 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and variable valve lift conspire to conserve fuel whenever peak performance isn’t required. An electric water pump and automatic stop/start technology take the fuel savings even further.
Power When You Need It…
The 2.0T that powers the 2019 Cadillac XT4 is fed pressurized air through a twin-scroll turbocharger designed to spool up at low rpm for enhanced low-speed torque, as a result of which peak torque is available from 1,500 rpm through 4,000 rpm. Also helping the turbo get up to speed promptly is an exhaust manifold that’s integrated with the cylinder head, helping it to better recover exhaust gas heat and keep those gases moving quickly.
But the real trick is the 2.0T’s variable-lift valvetrain, which provides extra valve lift when needed in order to enhance scavenging and provide maximum power. Valve lift isn’t infinitely variable as in BMW’s Valvetronic system, but the two-mode system ought to be more than enough for most discerning drivers. Cadillac’s system features a set of electromagnetic actuators and a unique camshaft design with two different sets of lobes that can trade-off imperceptibly.
Efficiency When You Don’t
Needless to say, the 2019 Cadillac XT4’s new 2.0T and its innovative variable-lift valvetrain also serves to enhance efficiency, switching to a lower-lift cam profile during cruising, idling, and other low-need conditions to conserve fuel. Active Fuel Management works in conjunction with the valvetrain’s low-lift mode to cut fuel to half of the engine’s cylinders when they aren’t needed. Stop/start kills the engine entirely when the XT4 is at a complete stop, such as at a red light or a stop sign, to boost efficiency even further.
In addition, the XT4’s new engine leverages an electric water pump rather than a conventional pulley-driven one, reducing parasitic drag on the crankshaft, and Active Thermal Management makes use of targeted engine cooling to improve performance and efficiency, even reducing engine warm-up times. Even the integrated exhaust manifold permanently affixed to the cylinder head does its part to improve fuel economy, again helping to reduce warm-up times.
The result of all this: an EPA-estimated 26 mpg on the combined cycle for the 2019 Cadillac XT4 FWD (24 city / 30 highway), and 24 mpg for the AWD version (22 city / 29 highway).
“The advantage of turbocharging is power when you need it and efficiency when you don’t” says Kris Keary, who served as Assistant Chief Engineer on the new 2.0T. “In the XT4, it translates as confident performance in all scenarios. The unique valvetrain design complements the turbocharging system to make the most of the engine’s available power at all speeds. It’s a seamless integration of technologies that drivers experience as satisfying, confident performance throughout the entire engine operating range.”
Comments
BMW have switched to all turbo engines 7 years ago, however cadillac is still using 3.6L V6. This engine should have been dead a long time ago, but they keep using it. I hope it will be replaced by 3L V6 turbo soon.
The 3.6L (LGX) and the the 3.0L (LGW) are based on the same, all-new architecture for the 2016 model year with the 3.6L having a higher redline of 7200RPM compared to the 3.0L’s 6500RPM.
https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2015/mar/0320-cadillac/0320-cadillac-twin-turbo.html
Makes you wonder the 3.0L’s performance potential spinning it up to 7200RPM? Maybe in a few years!
Current 3.6L V6 just doesn’t have a torque of turbo engine. It will also improve the fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions. Don’t really care about the RPM since i’m not tracking my SUV’s.
Never mind that. This “amazing” new engine can’t even match the output that Volvo provides out of their 2.0L Turbo in base form in the XC60 or XC40.
They are bragging about features that people don’t want. An undefeatable Stop/Start system and cylinder deactivation are just failure points and driver annoyances, not selling points. Buyers want better fuel economy, but not at the expense of power, reliability, or seamless operation.
Less horsepower than the competitors isn’t a good starting point. So far it looks to have too many compromises, and I’m having a lot of trouble understanding why anyone would buy this thing over an Audi or Volvo.
Amen. This is a compromise product designed for China 1st, then Cadillac’s home market, us here in the USA. Luxury buyers don’t won’t all those power robbing features for one or two extra MPG. This vehicle sounds like a Chevrolet with added fake wood and a leatherette interior. Why even bother manufacturing it here. Just import the few thousand units it will sell, like the Buick Envision. Cadillac is out to corner the market on mediocrity.
This is FWD transaxle tune. In RWD applications (e.g. CT6, Camaro, etc.) expect a factory tune to produce closer to 300hp and 300lbft.
It does have kill switch for auto stop as well as CT’s
Ugh. Can you turn off the Stop/Start on this one?
That is not a selling point. It’s an annoying feature that everyone allows you to disable except GM. I won’t buy a car where that feature can’t be defeated.
I’m sure you will be able to, weather it’s in the settings or not. We will have to wait and see, if not, allot of functions can be enabled or disabled with some sort of ignition and button sequence.
Once some one discovers it and puts it out there!
why complain about this? I bet $10,000 that you will never buy one!
Go to media GM website under Cadillac and you will see where it says that the auto stop/start feature can be turned off when starting the vehicle.
Not sure why you have such negativity towards this vehicle that haven’t been on sale yet.
One wonders whether fuel economy is something a Cadillac XT4 buyer thinks about at the Cadillac show room because one would think if fuel mileage was on the individual’s mind, there are alternatives like the Chevrolet Equinox Diesel or the new Blazer which base 2.5L DOHC-4v 4-cyl engine is rated at 35 mpg in the 2018 Buick LaCrosse.
The only question is can the XT4 beat the new Acura RDX, Volvo XC40 or BMW X1/X3? Having less HP, no matter how efficient is not a good start.
I still prefer and recommend a hybrid or EREV version for the XT4, or go all the way to EV , reduce complexity, and save by never burning gasoline.
Hey Cadillac–we don’t want the stop/start technology–if it can’t be turned off in the XT4 I won’t consider the vehicle–I’ve rented new 2018 vehicles on vacations that have it–all have that little shudder as the engine refires–love my CTS–engine stays on when stopped.
I won’t buy a car where that feature can’t be defeated.
Start/Stop tech in a TURBO ENGINE??? WHY??? Turbo engines dont like to be turned on and off all the time, it will wear out the turbo and engine. Also WHY DID THEY REPLACE THE LTG 2.0L TURBO?????????? My Camaro with the 2.0L Turbo LTG, which was the same engine in the ATS delivered 275HP 295ftlbs of Torque… WHILE GETTING 22CITY 31 HIGHWAY. This new LSY 2.0L Turbo makes less power AND HAS WORSE MPG. WHAT THE FLYING F**** ARE YOU THINKING GM??!?!?!????
This new LSY engine is really upsetting. WHY WOULD YOU REPLACE THE 2.0L LTG ENGINE FOR THIS GARBAGE??? I’m getting mad just thinking about it. GM is my fav car brand. This just pisses me off. LSY engine is TRASH, BRING BACK THE LTG 2.0L TURBO.
Has anyone ever shopped at Vapor Depot? xx