Cadillac Debuts Twin-Turbo V6

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Good news for performance fans from The General; a new twin-turbo V6 will debut on the next generation CTS and XTS, good for 420 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque.

The 3.6L mill will apparently rocket the new CTS to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, or about the same as an SRT8 Charger, while delivering 17/25 mpg. Apparently this engine won’t be featured in the ATS-V, but it will surely appear in some other GM products. The only question is what would be a good fit? The Camaro is an obvious choice, and the fact that it can fit transverse platforms as well is interesting. Might this engine show up in a future Buick?

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • AFX AFX on Mar 19, 2013

    Turbos are so over-hyped nowadays, what they need is a CTS-V with a Turbonique Drag Axle and a push-to-pass button on the steering wheel.

    • NormSV650 NormSV650 on Mar 19, 2013

      And this coming from someone who drive car with a battery or a mini truck?

  • Ronnie Schreiber Ronnie Schreiber on Mar 19, 2013

    I know everyone has the image of luxury cars with V8 engines but at the Chicago Auto Show last month, the speaker at the opening breakfast for the media preview was the head of Jaguar of North America. He said that Jaguar was making its V6 available in the XF and eve the larger XJ because a large percentage, if I recall correctly, a majority of luxury car sales in North America have six cylinder engines. I'm sure that the new larger CTS will be able to accommodate the LT1 V8 that eventually will go in the V models, but it appears that the luxury market indeed has embraced high tech V6 engines.

    • Bunkie Bunkie on Mar 20, 2013

      As much as I would love an LT1 in the next CTS, the prospect of the TTV6 is a damned good second choice. The frustrating thing about the current CTS is the huge performance gap between even the 'Sport' model and the V model. I love the size, practicality, styling and reliability of my CTS Sport wagon, but as a performance car it is, at best, underwhelming. One thing I *really* wish for is the option of faster shifts from the slushbox. Even when shifted manually in sport mode, shifts are maddeningly slow. Hopefully the TTV6 will have a transmission better suited to a performance car. Oh, and I hope that they make the magnetic ride shocks available as well.

  • Corntrollio Corntrollio on Mar 19, 2013

    Whenever we have threads like, it makes me wonder what the actual sales figures are for cars that offer, say, an I4 vs. a V6, or a V6 vs. a V8. For example, how do 4-cylinder Camrys and Accords sell vs. the V6? What is the engine distribution for various GM vehicles that offer 4s and 6s? How many F-150s buyers are going with the 3.5 Ecoboost? There are a lot of TTAC-commenters who insist that people won't buy one car or another because it doesn't offer a certain type of engine, and Mr. Baruth had a column about the ATS needing a V8, but it makes me wonder what the market says. My instinct is that push comes to shove and people vote with their wallet on the cheaper engine more often than not, especially in these times where credit isn't flowing as freely as pre-2008. Most people who buy new cars likely aren't auto enthusiasts and likely aren't as dogmatic that their car must have 6 cylinders or 8. Hell, if I had access to the sales figures, I'd considering a write-up myself.

    • Danio3834 Danio3834 on Mar 20, 2013

      You're right, IIRC the 4 cyl vs. 6 cyl ratio of the Camcords is something like 4 or 5 to 1 due to the appliance like nature of these cars. The take rate of the Ecoboost in the F150 is roughly half eventhough it's added cost. Ford did a good job marketing this powertrain as Chrysler did when the Hemi came out. When the LX cars were introduced, I seem to remember the Hemi take rate was over 40 percent. I can't back that up, but it was definitely far more popular when the hype was still fresh.

  • CelticPete CelticPete on Mar 20, 2013

    Of course folks vote with their wallet. It depends on the automakers cost structure. My g/f bought herself an A5. Would she prefer an RS5. Yes. But it cost alot more.. What is great about the domestics is that sometimes its possible to get a V8 with very little additional cost. The OHV V8 right now are VERY inexpensive to make and are REALLY excellent engines. The engine in the A5 is a gem for a four cylinder. it has nice torque. It never feels out of power. You go faster at any speed.. But in comparison to a Dodge Hemi (like the one in the R/T) it just stinks. It doesn't sound awesome - and it doesn't provide that kind of linear never ending power and off the line pull a big V8 does. The domestic do alot of things wrong - but one thing they do right is they make some really really nice engines. My god you can't beat a nice big OHV domestic V-8. And the Ford DOHC is respectable as well (but not as nice as the GM/Chrysler ones IMHO). The great thing is in the real world they get pretty respectable gas mileage too right now. Next car I get will be a domestic with a V8. They are going to be incredibly rare in the future - so you might as well have some fun now. Pretty soon you will only have electric self driving cars available.. Everyone should get a V-8 with a stick while they can...

    • Danio3834 Danio3834 on Mar 20, 2013

      I agree with the Hemi assessment. One of the best engines you can buy. Simply a marvel.

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