Historically, Cadillac has not received very many exclusive powertrains, with its mass-market vehicles usually receiving an engine from the General Motors parts bin. Cadillac doesn’t put its own tune on the engines, either – for most of its mainstream products, it just drops in the same motor that you would find in a Chevrolet, Buick or GMC.
That’s all set to change though. The automaker is beginning to recognize that having more motors separate from GM’s other brands is important, with Cadillac boss Steve Carlisle telling Road & Track there will now “always be a distinctive Cadillac element to,” the powertrains and propulsion systems the automakers uses.
“When it comes to powertrains and propulsion, that’s a heart and soul kind of thing,” he told the publication. “It’s the DNA of a car.”
One example is the 2.7-liter turbocharged L3B engine that will be used in the Cadillac CT4 – it was originally Chevrolet Silverado motor, however it will probably carry a different engine code in the sport sedan due to its Cadillac-specific touches. It’s unclear what will set these Cadillac exclusive powertrain and propulsion systems apart, but things like sport exhaust systems and certain ECU tunes can dramatically change the character of an engine.
Another example is the twin-turbocharged 4.2-liter Blackwing V8 engine, which is a Cadillac-exclusive powertrain and is only available in the Cadillac CT6-V. There are rumors that the Corvette C8 could receive the engine in Z06 or ZR1 guise, but the Chevy version of the engine would likely be different than the Cadillac version in a number of ways. It would also not be called Blackwing – that’s a Cadillac-only sub-brand.
It seems the same will be true for Cadillac’s electric and hybrid powetrains, based on Carlisle’s careful use of the words “propulsion systems.” So even if a plug-in Cadillac or EV shares parts with a Chevrolet, Buick or GMC, it will also have parts that make it different and likely its own unique powertrain code as well.
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Source: Road & Track
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Yep. So now we’ll have badge-engineered engines. Nice touch Cadillac!
So the 3.0TT V6 and the Blackwing 4.2TT V8 is not "Cadillac Specific" HAHA
Cadillac does have some exclusive engines in their LSY 2.0L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo, it's LGW Twin-Turbo 3.0L DOHC-4v V6, LF3/4 Twin-Turbo 3.6L DOHC-4v V6 and not it's Blackwing V8. Another possibility if there was time and money would be to build a Blackwing V6 by cutting off two cylinders from the Blackwing V8, or another 4-cylinder engine from essentially one bank of the Blackwing V8.
I was also thinking about the V6 version of one the the new DOHC V8 engines. If the 4.2 liter had only 6 cylinders, it would be 3.15 liters and the HP would go from the base 500 down to 375 HP on the V6. If the higher HP 550 version was used, the HP will be 412 HP and 485 pounds feet of torque. Not too shabby. It's a perfect engine for the Chev Colorado SS or Redline version, especially with AWD. It would make a great rally truck to compete with Suburu.
I would not recommend doing a V6 here.
This is a 90 v degree block and while that works fine for the V8 it creates issues for the V6.
To do a proper V6 it needs to be a 60 degree v block. This gives it a much smoother and quieter engine. There is no need for balance shafted etc.
They would be better off thanking the 3.6 and refining it more. It is not a bad engine and if they refine it and use force injection could be even better.
I have lobbied for years that Cadillac should have its own engines or at the very least their own tune on the engines.
Also I lobbied for better dressed engines with aluminum and stainless trim.
GM learned the hard way that when they removed the Pontiac V8 from Pontiac they ripped the heart of what Pontiac was out.
The TT engine has been a Cadillac only. The Blackwing is a Cadillac only with Corvette and Cadillac people saying it is not going to be shared in the Corvette.
I expect the Blackwing block could be the base for a Chevy but you will see a stronger block and with dry sump and a totally different intake and turbo set up. Also much more power.
The 2.7 at least will have more power and tune. Let’s hooe they dress it in more than just plastic.
Pontiac had to share the V6 2.8 for the Fiero. But at least they put on powder coated red intake and valve covers with polished aluminum trim. They were bolted in with stainless bolts. Pontiac also put on the HO heads and came with their own intake and fuel system. It was followed by a total stainless exhaust with tubular headers of stainless steel.
If they can do that for a Pontiac then Cadillac should get the same for their price point.
In essence, I agree with ya.. Really though, everyone got the shaft when the divisions were forever shut down going into the 80's. We all got stuck with somebody else's motor depending on the vehicle. GM essentially confiscated the best (and cheapest) engines from each division and 'One GM' began it's life. No more real companies/divisions, no more soul... Just GM with your choice of badge. You're right, Pontiac wasn't a Pontiac anymore. A Chevy V8 in a Pontiac is not a Pontiac. But wait, no need to complain because it wasn't even a Smallblock Chevy anymore. GM said so. It was now a GM Smallblock. Not even a Chevy Camaro or Corvette could claim their own engine any longer either. To this very day not even Chevrolet has it's own motors. It's all just GM.
This is a nice spin they're using for Cadillac. I suppose in all reality, it's the best we can ask for. As much as I wish it was, it's not 1955 any longer. And Cadillac just like Chevrolet, is nothing more than a GM.
I understand they can not do it alll exclusive because people will not pay the price.
But they at least on the low end engines should have more power and different tunes than a corresponding Chevy.
If you pay more you should get more.
If this means Cadillac commits to a fully modular longitudinal RWD/AWD platform, this is great news. Cadillac can finally bring volume to existing exclusive engines.
If this only means "tuning" the same 3.6 on some C1XX derivative, Cadillac is wasting time and money.
Dare greatly, or don't you dare.
Good news.
Now we will wait to see how they execute.
Things just keep getting better.
I wonder how much of the good decisions coming down are do to the constant comments by customers asking for equal or more, than the competition ?
Again, if everyone keeps telling GM they are great, when they are not, GM would never change !
Now to the horrible customer support experience.
If GM continues to give the customer what they, we, want, and start taking care of the customer service.
It will truly be a great GM again
Sadly, as a former die hard GM guy having owned numerous classic Cadillac's I can honestly say I don't care. I couldn't tell you what a Cadillac even stands for anymore. Who cares what engines are under the hood. Is there any brand equity left?
What happened to the Northstar.you cant leave that engine in the dust in the later Model dts...
The DTS and the Northstar have both been dead since 2011. You need to get on the same page.
"Historically, Cadillac has not received very many exclusive powertrains"
You've got to be kidding me! Did history begin in 2005?
ALL their engines were Cadillac-exclusive until the 1975 Seville. Their biggest selling models had Cadillac V8s until the CTS outsold the Deville/DTS less than 15 years ago.
just give us engines that dont eat timing chains or cams, dont blow headgaskets or leak from the intakes, and direct injection that wont gunk up the intake valves at 60k.....
That is the truth Bruce yeager,
But just think, if GM would have taken care of the customer, in all those cases, and not pushed that junk down the line, where Cadillac could be today.
They just screwed over too many customers to maintain customer loyalty and it will take time and reliability to regain it .
The sad part is they have finally sorted out most of these engine issues the past 5-8 years and engines like the 3.6, 3.0TT, 2.0T and 2.5 NA have proven to be reliable with none of the above issues. The biggest issues stem from the 8 speed automatic and customer perception.