Report: Black Shroud for GM's Blackwing V8?

General Motors’ 4.2-liter, twin-turbocharged Blackwing V8 made waves when it appeared for the 2019 model year, but its applications have so far been limited to only the most potent versions of the Cadillac CT6 — a sedan whose lifespan may soon come to an end.

Many argued that the Blackwing was unnecessary, as GM already has a long list of engines beginning with “LT” from which to choose. And choose it might, as a new report suggests GM has no use for the Blackwing.

According to a “highly placed source” that spoke to Motor Trend, the Blackwing’s life might end with the CT6’s demise.

Simply put, the source claims cost-cutting at GM has put the Blackwing out of the running for the next-generation Escalade, and a platform swap that preceded the introduction of the XT6 crossover meant that application was a no-go. Same goes for the recently introduced CT5 sedan. The plan had been to place the XT6 and XT5 sedan on the CT6’s rear-drive Omega platform, but budgetary concerns saw lesser platforms win the bid.

Rather than don the Blackwing, which makes 550 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque (a detuned version also exists), the 2020 CT5-V makes do with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 making 360 hp and 405 lb-ft. That may be as hot as it gets, despite Cadillac previously suggesting warmer variants could be in the works.

Obviously, the front-drive-biased XT6 is not a contender for the Blackwing in its present form, which leaves the upcoming Escalade as the sole other potential application. However, MT‘s source claims the cash-conscious automaker sunk too much money into designing an independent rear suspension for the coming line of full-size GFM SUVs, leaving a Blackwing-powered version off the table.

Meanwhile, Chevrolet apparently has no plan to use the mill in the C8 Corvette, despite previous rumors to the contrary.

At last report, GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant is still scheduled to cease production of the CT6 early next year. Under a recently ratified labor deal with UAW workers, the automaker plans to convert the plant into its home base for a series of electric vehicles.

When the CT6 line goes dark, the Blackwing will be an orphan — and its future looks bleak.

[Image: General Motors]