The U.S.-spec Cadillac CT6 was produced between the 2016 and 2020 model years, with the nameplate eventually discontinued in the North American market before becoming a Chinese exclusive. However, during just two of those four brief model years, the U.S.-spec Cadillac CT6 offered a rather special powerplant – the twin-turbocharged 4.2L V8 LTA, also known as the Cadillac Blackwing engine. Now, our own Alex Luft outlines how many Cadillac Blackwing engines were actually produced on the latest Cadillac Society podcast.
The Cadillac Blackwing engine was only available between the 2019 and 2020 model years in the Cadillac CT6 Platinum and Cadillac CT6-V, with output set at 500 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 574 pound-feet of torque at 3,400 rpm when cradled by the CT6 Platinum, and 550 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 640 pound-feet of torque at 3,400 rpm when cradled by the Cadillac CT6-V. Both models paired the twin-turbo V8 with the GM 10L90 10-speed automatic transmission.
With such limited availability, it should come as no surprise that the Cadillac Blackwing engine was quite limited in terms of production as well. Between the 2019 and 2020 model years, a total of 915 units of the Cadillac CT6-V were produced, while a total of 285 units of the Cadillac CT6 Platinum were produced. Put it all together, and just 1,200 units of the CT6 sedan with the Cadillac Blackwing LTA V8 were produced over the course of the two model years.
The table below presents a through breakdown of production numbers for the twin-turbocharged 4.2L V8 LTA. Note that these numbers are specifically for production, and not sales.
| Model Year | 2019 | 2020 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| CT6-V | 504 | 411 | 915 |
| 4.2L Platinum | 168 | 117 | 285 |
| Total Units With Blackwing LTA Engine | 672 | 528 | 1200 |
| Total CT6 Units | 6,783 | 3,816 | 10,599 |
| CT6 Blackwing Engine Ratio | 9.9% | 13.8% | 11.3% |
Interestingly, these numbers differ slightly from GM’s original production plans, which GM Authority disclosed back in January of 2020. At the time, GM was expected to produce approximately 1,500 units of the Cadillac CT6 sedan with the Blackwing engine under the hood.
Nowadays, the Blackwing name is used for the top performers in Cadillac’s ICE-powered portfolio, namely the CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing, neither of which are actually equipped with the twin-turbocharged 4.2L V8 LTA Blackwing Engine.
Comments
OK.
Now what I want to know is, how many Cadillac Celestiqs have been sold and built up?
Why? We can’t afford one anyway lol
If I recall correctly, the 2019s were under a stop sale or some other form of hold until the 2020s were launched. The ‘19s and ‘20s all flowed into the market at the same time then a few months later, the entire product was canned.
I personally lost all hope for Cadillac when the CT6/CT6 Blackwing was canceled but as King Arthur might say, “for one brief shinning moment” it looked like they were finally going to find their way back. So sad.
I had a CT6 for an extended test drive, a whole weekend actually. My impression was that it was an exceptional car, large, quiet, with nice styling. It was sad to see it go.
Where’s the promised breakdown by color? His video talks about white and black, yet all the promo shots are the Manhattan Noir. So where’s the tally?
Earl: that was going to take us beyond the time we had this week, but it will be coming in a separate piece next week. – Alex
We know there were a few premium luxury LTA cars produced. Are those extra or counted with the platinums?
You’re correct! I recently found a 2019 Premium Luxury for sale with the 4.2L TT, but it was out of my budget. Guess I’ll have to be content with my 2019 CT6 Platinum. It’s a great car and the second one I’ve owned.
Why can’t you share where you got this information? Not their name but some kind of detail that gives credibility. GM really concerned with this information getting out? Seems preposterous.
I’ve had the chance to drive one of these cars briefly. Impressive.
Alex, thank you for the episode, Awesome info and entertainment. I almost spilled my morning coffee upon hearing “bad life choices”. Keep up the great work.
– Rick (Black Raven CT6-V)
Wow, the amount of R&D money that no doubt went into that engine, then to produce so few. For a company that is almost entirely about the almighty dollar, that engine just HAD to be a huge money loser.
Got Johan Denissen fired, so you are correct.
Was not his decision…….!
Engine was already engineered prior to his arrival at Cadillac. What got him fired is he wanted to effectively play the long-term game instead doing things the shortsighted typical way things had been done.
I was hoping they’d mass produce a naturally aspirated version to replace the 3.6 V6. I could afford to buy one now, but suppose it ever needs an engine part? The rareness of the CT6 line makes me skittish about any of them.
That would be a great base for the Silverado/Sierra 1500, what a shame to completely throw this technology away. History has shown us that performance usually equates to efficiency. We need to leap frog Ford’s ECO Boost with something tough, maybe a slightly dumbed down version of this. The current engine line up is getting old, why GM choose to continue use of the 4.3 V6(designed in 1955) over the 4.8 V8(same fuel economy as V6 but so smooth) is beyond me. Growing up in a GM dealer family now in my 60’s I have seen some amazing power plants and some flops, trucks make the bucks and they will be burning gasoline for many years to come.
The 2014 and later 4.3L V6, 285 hp, 305 lb-ft torque, (297 HP and 330 lb-ft torque on E85) has nothing in common with the earlier version. Its built on the architecture of the Gen V V8’s. The 4.8L became redundant, so it was canned.
GM: We can’t afford to put the LT5 in the Camaro ZL1.
Also GM: Here’s a motor we’re only making 1200 of for a car nobody knows about.
So the one I want, the Platinum Blackwing because it offered Supercruise and AWD, neither of which were available with the V, has about 4 times the rarity. Not surprising considering it looked exactly like all other CT6s and cost the same as the V. But it is a fast and comfortable limo, not canyon carver, so why get the V.