During the 2019 Cadillac XT4 media drive in Seattle, Washington a few weeks ago, attending members of the press were given a peek at the brand’s new content strategy for the XT4 and future products to come. Described as a “Y” content strategy, customers will begin with a standard trim level Cadillac, and will either branch off to a “Sport” or “Premium Luxury” variant. Following the Premium Luxury line comes the top-tier Platinum trim level, while the upgrade from Sport is a predictable V-Sport or V-Series offering. With the Cadillac XT4 in its early stages of its product lifecycle, we expect the branches in its “Y” strategy to grow beyond the initial Sport and Premium Luxury offerings.
As the 2019 Cadillac XT4 is the first vehicle to adopt the brand’s new “Y” content strategy, it’s anticipated that an XT4 V-Sport will reveal itself soon, but we have learned that it won’t be with a V6 engine, even as the vehicle’s E2UL platform can support it.
The standalone powertrain in the 2019 Cadillac XT4 is a new 2.0L turbo four engine, dubbed LSY, and is good for 238 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. These numbers are below that of the elder LTG 2.0L engine found in everything from the Cadillac ATS to the Chevy Malibu, which makes 275 hp and 295 lb-ft, but the LSY delivers the power in a more refined manner. However, the lower numbers from the new turbo engine in the XT4 does leave plenty of space for a more robust power plant with hopefully less nose weight than a V6, which should keep things interesting in the ride and handling department.
If we were to speculate, we immediately think of either two possibilities beyond the base 2019 Cadillac XT4 powertrain: either an electrified version of the LSY where the batteries supplement the engine with extra power, or the implementation of the new 2.7L turbocharged L3B four-cylinder. The latter is rated at 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque and will debut in the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 trucks in the coming months. For reference, the Audi RS Q3 will put down just over 360 horsepower, so some adjustments will need to be made to the L3B engine if the Cadillac is going to square off with the punchy little German crossover. As we like to say here, only time will tell.
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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Comments
Wont happen
“Dare Greatly” was just a advertising phrase used on a few TV spots. Cadillac is once again, years late to market with a barely competitive vehicle. It doesn’t need a more powerful engine in China so we won’t see one here. Why mess with mediocrity ? That would take extra work.
The V Sport could be positioned to slot between the Q3 and RS Q3. Audi is leaving room for an SQ3 afterall
I love the new platform but won’t consider it until they put significantly more HP in. The current car is powered for the old demographic (like the XT5), who rarely put their foot to the floor. The Mercedes, Audi and even Lexus are probably all quicker than the base 238hp “new” car. Come on Cadillac, step it up soon!
Not enough, push the envelope to be a full V-model with NLT (no less than) 375HP-400HP. Time to take the lead and not follow the pack. Step up your game Cadillac and think outside/beyond the “box” (or eliminate it altogether).
Cadillac’s XT4 Premium AWD has a base price of over $41K and topping out at about $54K; a V-Sport would most likely sit on top of the Premium AWD meaning it’s base price may be in excess of $45-47K and topping out at about $60K which would be a lot of money to pay for a XT4 without another engine option.
Needs more.
I really appreciate Cadillac I really do. I wish they could get with the times and offer a vehicle with a little more power. The delivered the XT5 underpowered and now the XT4 is doing exactly the same. If Cadillac reallys wants to move vehicles off the lot then give us more power under the hood.
And it won’t see an electric or hybrid version ever as well.
The current coarse and noisy four banger is good enough for GM.
And “good enough” is the slogan for cadillac as we all know by now.
As long as it sells to american soccer moms and plastic loving chinese, all is well in detroit.
Never mind building a first tier luxury brand, when mediocrity sells enough to satisfy the corporate bean counters.
Why would they not use 3.0tt v6 and give it some real power??? Missed opportunity