Report: Black Shroud for GM's Blackwing V8?

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems
report black shroud for gms 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]

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  • Chocolatedeath Chocolatedeath on Dec 01, 2019

    Here is an idea that might work for GM. Sell the engine to Genesis. Hey Genesis here is your way more powerful and probably more efficient V8 that you need to compete with the S Class, 7 Series and the rest of the big boys. Genesis saves a ton on development cost and GM gets to recoup some of their funds. WIN WIN.

    • Amca Amca on Dec 01, 2019

      Nope, sadly, big V8s are yesterday. Genesis wouldn't really need it.

  • Ponchoman49 Ponchoman49 on Dec 03, 2019

    GM at it's finest. Spend oodles of money developing both the Blackwing engine and the pricey CT6 platform and car and then throw it all away for Mary's triple zero future. If Cadillac is still around the next 5 years I'll be surprised. If GM is still around in 10 under the current CEO i'll be dumbfounded!

  • Dukeisduke This would be a nice car. I've long been a fan of the W123 series cars - and one of my favorite colors for these. This would be the injected (D-Jetronic?) 2.8l inline six.Was the cloth always purple like this, or is it age that turns it purple?
  • NotMyCircusNotMyMonkeys nobodys mentioned free HD radio?
  • ChristianWimmer I am a huge W123 fan but I never liked the square headlights on the 280/280E/280C/280CE models and later on the post-1983 entry-level models. The W123s always looked right with the circular headlights.This is a great car, though. But 230C/CE & 280C/CE are so common here - I want a US-spec 300CD Diesel or 300CD Turbodiesel because that would be an exotic here in Germany.
  • NotMyCircusNotMyMonkeys not a single word on whether this grey market would even pass smog or be driveable in the state.
  • MaintenanceCosts Gorgeous, even if the W124 coupe is even better. Too bad about that paint color, though.
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