Just a few days ago, a joint report by GM Authority and Cadillac Society uncovered that Cadillac will launch a new diesel engine by the end of 2019. Now, our photographer has captured a curious prototype that we believe is testing the upcoming motor in metro Detroit.
To the unabated eye, the prototype in question looks just like a typical Cadillac XT4, but with one key difference: the exhaust. Instead of wearing dual exhaust outlets customary to the XT4, the tester shown here features a single exhaust outlet with double tips on the driver’s side of the vehicle – a configuration that is currently not available in any market where the XT4 is sold.
We imagine that production models equipped with Cadillac’s new diesel engine will have a similar (if not identical) exhaust treatment as the one on this prototype, comprised of a single, double-tipped outlet on the driver’s side of the vehicle (or, for right-hand-drive models, on the passenger-side of the vehicle).
It’s also worth noting that the rear fascia cutout that typically houses the passenger-side exhaust outlet is empty on this tester. For production models, we expect Cadillac to modify the rear bumper cover to cover up or otherwise blank out the empty cutout on the passenger-side of the vehicle created by removing the dual exhaust system from gasoline-powered models engines.
Note the single, dual-tipped exhaust on this Cadillac XT4, which we believe is a powertrain development mule for Cadillac’s upcoming turbo-diesel engine.
Note the dual exhaust treatment on the 2019 Cadillac XT4 with the 2.0L Turbo I4 LSY gasoline engine. Premium Luxury trim level shown.
As for Cadillac’s upcoming diesel engine, very little is currently known about the motor. What we do know is that ex-Cadillac president, Johan de Nysschen, was previously quoted as saying that the luxury brand “will introduce an all-new diesel engine developed specifically for Cadillac by around 2019.”
Then, in November of 2018, the brand’s European chief shed more light on the matter by stating that the future Cadillac diesel engine will arrive in the fourth quarter of 2019 in the XT4, which will coincide with the compact crossover’s launch in that region.
We believe that Cadillac’s turbo-diesel motor will take on the common-rail, inline-four-cylinder configuration displacing 2.0 liters – a segment standard in Europe. Whether the engine will make it to the United States is currently unknown.
Though GM recently announced that Cadillac will be its front-runner for electric cars in the future, a diesel engine is vital to get European buyers to consider (and ultimately purchase) the brand’s vehicles today. Despite the recent diesel emissions scandal, the overwhelming majority of vehicles sold in Europe are powered by diesel.
Stay tuned to GM Authority for ongoing Cadillac news coverage and join the discussions in our Cadillac forum.
Comments
I am from Germany! First time. Nice site but load slow a little
Compact Crossover with diésel engine? yes, Cadillac have a key to entry in Europe on a good way
I like the idea…..greetings from Spain
What do they want a diesel engine for in those things when they haven’t perfected them yet?
Folks they are nice,but believe it the emission systems are a piece of crab.
It will cost you an arm and a leg to keep them rolling,trust me.
The diesels in the trucks and vans are awesome,but the exhausts(Emissions) systems are a joke.
God I would love an even smaller Caddy with the same styling. Lowered. Like if the CTS Wagon was more hatchback-like in proportion.
But make it a V, of course.
“Despite the recent diesel emissions scandal, the overwhelming majority of vehicles sold in Europe are powered by gasoline/petrol.”
Huh?
A diesel might be close to tolerable with a 9 or 10 speed transmission.
I think he meant to say majority powered by diesel and made an error.
I figured that, I was just rubbing it in. Then there’s that “unabated eye” business.
Correct. That was meant to say diesel engines.
Article updated. Apologies for any confusion.
Cadillac sells their XT4 CUV in commercials as being something fun.. diesel does not say fun; maybe they can borrow components from China’s XT5 Hybrid to develop a XT4 Hybrid or components from the Chevrolet Bolt to electrify the XT4 given that General Motors CEO Mary Barra talks about how Cadillac will be a big player in electric vehicles.
Diesels are diminishing in Europe. A lot of the cities will ban them in the future. GM is late to the party. At least try a plug in hybrid version.
This is not an either or proposition, but rather one of NOW vs. THEN.
Now: the popularity of diesels is most certainly NOT diminishing in Europe. Some are threatening to impose some form of stricter elimination, but that’s only because of the diesel emission scandals. It will all die down in a matter of a year or two.
The reality is that eliminating diesels in Europe would be the equivalent eliminating wheels and tires. Yes, diesel is truly that vital and that “popular” of an item and one simply can not run an automaker without tires and, in Europe, without Diesel engines.
Then: if diesel regulation ever does come to pass in any tangible/impactful form or demand for diesel-powered vehicles decreases in Europe, Cadillac will already have a fleet of electric vehicles on the market. But in the meantime, it will sell a diesel vehicle to those who want one, which currently is the overwhelming majority of European motorists.
Alex,are their diesel components(Emissions systems) more reliable than they are in Canada?
I’ll take one of these with Super Cruise and 50 mpg please.
Please Cadillac put in dual exhaust or hide it completely under the rear fisca PLEASE.
I mite consider it if it has more HP -Torque, than the 2.0 T currently used.
But I also doubt we will see it in the US