What Engine Will Power The Cadillac CT4-V?
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We’re just over a week away from the debut of the new 2020 Cadillac CT4-V, which is slated to be revealed alongside the larger CT5-V high-performance sedan on May 30th. However, even though the regular-spec, non-V CT5 was unveiled at the 2019 New York International Auto Show, the new Cadillac CT4 has yet to make its entrance, which leaves us a bit shorthanded for information. The most important question is this: what will power the Cadillac CT4-V?
For those unaware of the latest developments at Cadillac, the Cadillac CT4-V is the high-performance version of the upcoming CT4 four-door luxury sedan. Slotting into the C-segment, the CT4 will compete with rivals like the A-Class Sedan and CLA-Class “four-door coupe” from Mercedes, as well as the Audi A3 range (A3, S3, RS3), along with the BMW 1 Series Sedan (that’s not available in the U.S.) as well as the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (which is coming to the U.S. in the future). Notably, each of these competitors is derived from a front-wheel-drive platform, which will make the CT4 the only model in its class with a proper rear-wheel-drive setup, as the compact sedan will ride on GM’s lauded Alpha platform.
So now, back to the question at hand: what will power the 2020 Cadillac CT4-V? We’ve taken the liberty of identifying three potential powerplants.
The first option that comes to mind is the 3.0L twin-turbo V6 LGW that first launched in the Cadillac CT6. Incidentally, the engine is being dropped from the 2020 Cadillac CT6 lineup. Part of GM’s fourth-generation DOHC V6 engine family, the engine makes 404 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 400 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm in the CT6.
GM-Cadillac 3.0L twin-turbo V6 LGW
Another potential candidate is GM‘s new turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B. Originally designed for use in pickup trucks, including the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2019 GMC Sierra 1500, the new TriPower engine is rated at 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque in the full-size pickups, but if GM does end up mounting the L3B in the nose of the Cadillac CT4-V, we’d expect a retune good for about 400 ponies.
GM 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder L3B
The final option is an as-of-yet unreleased high-strung 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder. Automakers can coax quite a bit of power from a 500-cc cylinder these days, and while there’s nothing specific to back the speculation, a new four-cylinder powerplant with oodles of boost would fit well under the hood of the Cadillac CT4-V. After all, the CT4-V’s direct competition is powered by high-strung, four-and five-cylinder motors.
GM 2.0L I4 LSY Engine for Cadillac applications
| LGW | L3B | Potential New Engine | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 3.0L | 2.7L | 2.0L |
| Valve Configuration | DOHC | DOHC | DOHC |
| Aspiration | Twin Turbocharged | Turbocharged | Turbocharged |
| Power (hp) | 404 (CT6) | 310 (2019 Chevy Silverado 1500) | 400 (est.) |
The Cadillac CT4-V will take on luxury C-segment sedans from Germany. Currently, the Audi RS3 and Mercedes-AMG CLA45 “four-door coupe” hold the top spots in the segment, and an upcoming Mercedes-AMG A45 Sedan is on the horizon in the near future. Both come with all-wheel drive as standard.
As for the CT4-V, we can see it going in one of two ways when it comes to putting power to the ground: it can stick to the tried-and-true RWD setup that has done all Alpha-based cars (ATS, CTS, gen six Camaro) wonders, or it can take the AWD route. Notably, Audi and Mercedes are pretty much forced to take the AWD route because putting that much power to the ground via the front wheels is not a feasible option for a performance-oriented offering.
| Vehicle | 2019 Audi RS3 | 2018 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 Coupe | 2020 Mercedes-AMG A45 Sedan | 2020 Mercedes-AMG A45S Sedan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Type | Inline five-cylinder | Inline four-cylinder | Inline four-cylinder | Inline four-cylinder | |
| Displacement | 2.5L | 2.0L | 2.0L | 2.0L | |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged | Turbocharged | Turbocharged | Turbocharged | |
| Power (hp) | 394 | 375 | 382 | 416 | |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 354 | 350 | TBD | TBD | |
| 0-60 mph (seconds) | 3.9 | 4.1 | TBD | TBD |
So, what do you think will power the Cadillac CT4-V? Vote in the poll and share your thoughts and predictions in the comments.
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Unless they can really crank up that LGW to better numbers than the LF4 had, I hope it’s a twin-Turbo 3.6 LGX.
It doesn’t matter which engine they will put in it, since the engine noise is coming from the speakers, they can make it sound like 6.2L V8.
“Cadillac was entirely transparent about its new pumped-in engine sound strategy, too. They seem to be rather proud of the noise that will be playing over your speakers, but we’ll be the judge of the sound these engines make upon driving them.”
This comment doesn’t make any sense. The 6.2L V8 you mentioned is a “Truck” engine. Why would GM want the CT4 to sound like a truck.
Stop using my name!
One of the nice things about de Nysschen was that he recognized that Cadillac is a challenger brand. Additionally, the Germans underrate their engines. Cadillac can’t just meet the class standard, it has to exceed it.
So whatever powerplant goes in the CT4-V, it should have at least 450 BHP. Quite honestly, given the similarities with the ATS, I bet the LF4 from the ATS-V would fit right in there and suddenly be class leading. If GM really wanted to give the Germans problems, tune the LF4 to make 480+ horsepower – with that engine it’s easy to do.
Agreed. Cadillac must exceed, not just match.
Problem is, the LF3/LF4 will be end of lifed once the ATS-V Coupe and CTS V-Sport Sedan are done… which is any day now. Unless they have something up their sleeves (which could very well be), the best bet right now is the LGW. It can be more powerful, too.
100% Alex. That is what I have been saying all along. Cadillac needs to exceed. That is what Audi did and they now are making crazy money for parent company VW.
Unfortunately GM is not visionary enough about Cadillac to keep spending money into it until they become a True Tier One Luxury Brand.
For some context my ATS-V with an intake, downpipes, e85 sensor and a custom tune and I’m pushing 550-600 rwhp. Has been bulletproof reliable for 32k miles and puts a smile on my face every day.
Bring it on 3.0TT engine.
BTW: There is a pretty strong rumor I’ve heard through the grapevine there may be an LF5 unveiled…….
Whats LF5?
That would be the next generation of the LF4….. 3.6 TT. I’ve heard the next generation is supposed to change the LF4s timing chain system to a twin chain timing system identical to the 3.0TT in the next generation engine (LF5).
Take is as you will, but that’s the rumor floating around the ATS-V community.
I hope you’re right, but wouldn’t that make it an LG5 maybe? The way I understand it, the differences from the LF V6s to the LGs is quite substantial. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
They are quite a few differences between the two. The rumor I have heard comes from a source out in California with lots of dealership connections and used to own a dealership.
Essentially what they’ve been told is the LF4 is going to be tweaked and refreshed (including changing the chain system) and send it out as an LF5. (3.6 TT)
The LF4 as I’ve previously stated is a really, really strong motor and I don’t see why they’d give up on it after one generation, especially when even just retuned it will dominate the competition.
Tune only LF4s are running 10s and make over 500whp, don’t see why GM wouldn’t tweak it and continue on with the motor.
Either way, we’ll find out in 8 days!
If it happens, I just hope there’s also a transverse version handed out to the other GM brands, so we can have a 3.6 TTV6 Blazer SS. It doesn’t have to make 500hp, but 400 HP-390 Ft-Lbs would be nice to compete against the Edge ST.
LF4 is based on the obsolete lfx v6. Seems likely they would turbo the lgx v6, which has the updated timing chains you mention, among other improvements including better nvh characteristics.
Yep – both cars need power-to-weight ratios that achieve numbers exceeding the status quo, regardless of engine or hp/tq combinations. The halo effect of Cadillac’s previous V-series cars has been instrumental in keeping Cadillac relevant to many, especially GM naysayers. I feel it would be a step backwards if the performance numbers for the CT5/4-Vs didn’t at least match the CTS/ATS-V’s. GM can say the new cars compete in whichever class they want, but the audience that really needs convincing is going to perceive these new cars as ATS/CTS replacements; the bar for V-level performance is already set pretty high. It would be really disappointing if these new V cars are introduced with performance levels that would have previously been expected from a V-Sport trim. Very interested to see what they’ve come up with…
I have seen this quite a bit”Germans underrate their hp”..If this is true,to what ends I wonder.Is it to defraud insurance companies which would be a crime I would think?When all companies are looking for bragging rights about hp,why would the Germans underrate it?Also, if they can underrate hp could they not also overate it as well on certain under powered engines.I know my 17 ATS 3.6 makes 335 hp “certified” so thats what it makes.With the German vehicles I guess its just a grab bag of what you get.Not directing this at you Steve,I have seen this many times on review sites about German vehicles.
Given that Cadillac has decided to pull the LGW Twin-Turbo 3.0L DOHC-4v V6 from the CT6, making it the top engine option fr the new CT4-V makes a lot of sense; Cadillac should consider making the LGW available in the XT4 as well.
Hopefully the 3.0TT with 400HP and 400TQ
Hey GM, how about developing a twin turbo straight 6 for use exclusively by Cadillac? We all know how smooth, refined and torquey inline 6s can be, not to mention the melodious sound. Like them or not, BMW’s B58 inline 6 is probably the best 6 cylinder engine available now, and it’s little wonder, that not only Mercedes and Jaguar, but even Mazda is now developing their own inline 6. Do it GM, you have the talents and the resources, what is the downside?
Inline sixes can be truly great engines as BMW has proven for a long time now, but based on the current design appearance of the new Cadillac’s, if they stay with the rear drive platform, (Which I hope they do) I just don’t think an inline 6 could possibly fit when mounted longitudinally.
a mi punto de vista veo que cadillac debe utilizar en el CT4 V en motor 3.0 tt pero mejorado ya que para encajar en un mercado de SUV, CUV deben hacerlo con estilo. sus rivales son motores de 4 y 5 cilindros turbo entonces cadillac debe hacer un 3.0 v6 turbo pero mejorado ya que ya los motores alemanes dominan demasiado entonces deben hacer el sacrificio por asi decirlo de poder super a sus rivales como se debe recuerden capaz sean las ultimas versiones de rendimiento de sedanes americanos de lujo
I highly doubt the 2.7T will ever make it into a cadillac sedan or even a Chevy. This was made as a truck engine so maybe the new Colorado. My bet is the 3.0TT, especially now that it is being dropped from the CT6.
3.0tt at 400hp just doesnt make sense unless caddy wants to build an under performing car?
The cars it competes with already make this power and more…why not build up the current LF4 a bit and give it 500hp or something and put cadillac back on top where it should be?
I don’t understand why they would lower power output on a newer model. The ATS-V had 464 and 455 from the 3.6 TT. It is a great set up for a stock car. It just looks like to me that they want to be in the same specs ans the competition. I’m sure they can coax more from the 3.0 if they wanted to do so. The 3.6 ATS-V was made special for the car and the 3.0 looks like it is just from the parts bin. I don’t get it.
No half ass V-6 turbo’s. Put a real engine in it. 500 hp Blackwing.
Remember overkill is underrated.
Theres nothing half assed about a V6 twin turbo if done right, the current TT V6 LF4 seems a bit under rated and makes about 500hp anyways in the ATSV.
Just seems unlikely for GM to use the flag ship blackwing in the smallest car, the CT4V when the CT6V is getting it and possibly the CT5V.
I think the best option for that small car would be a variation of the LF4 with a little more power in the 500 low 500 hp range.
Ct4 lf4/lf5 ct5 lt5. Anything less call them v sports. A ct5 should get the 3.6 335hp 285lb-ft standard. A 3.0 0tt 404hp 400 lb-ft option. Ct5 v sport a lf4 and, max output black wing option. Ct5 v should get lt5 and, lt5 hybrid option. Ct4 should get 2.7t standard with 3.6 and, 3.0tt option. Ct4 v sport get the lf3 and, ct4 v should have a lf4 and, lf5 option and, a ct4 v+ with max output black wing. Go big, blow the competition away. And, no detune to any of said engines. If possible have all tuned up. Save the 2.0t for soccer mom crossovers. Keep any ct4/ct5 the most performanced focused cadillac cars until we get a ct1/ct2 roadster
Blackwing. It’s the only way to be sure.
I just thought of another alternative. How ’bout the LF3 from the CTS V-Sport? It already has the LGX upgrades, plus 420HP and 430 Torque. Not too shabby of an option perhaps.