As we highlighted in our previous coverage of the 2016 Cadillac CT6, the long-awaited flagship sedan will debut a mysterious all-new twin-turbo V8 powerhouse. According to pre-release intel, it will most probably bear the LT5 small-block V8 label.
After General Motors applied a trademark for LT5 in 2013 with the Patent and Trademark Office, it all comes clear now - the fifth-gen LT5 small-block V8 won’t use a supercharger as the 2015 Corvette Z06’s LT4, but a twin-turbo setup. This statement is backed up by Cadillac CEO and prez Johan de Nysschen.
Speaking to Jalopnik, Nysschen told that the 2016 Cadillac CT6 “includes a very wide mix of engines, starting with a 2-liter turbo, up to, eventually, a high-performance advanced V8 turbo.”
The ex-Audi Caddy helmsman also declared that a twin-turbo V6 will also be available, a statement that makes previous reports hold water. So what should we be expecting then?
Starting with the 2.0 turbo, that’ll most likely be the 272 HP unit of the Cadillac ATS and CTS, an entry-level mill that will be adopted by the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro as well. Moving on to the twin-turbo V6, the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V and CTS V-Sport boast with a 3.6 twin-fed V6 with up to 455 HP and 445 lb-ft (603 Nm).
A PHEV CT6 is confirmed with "industry-leading fuel economy upwards of 70 mpg equivalent"
As for the Gen V LT5 small-block V8, the twin-turbo motor should be equally potent or more powerful than the BMW M5’s 560 horsepower 4.4-liter V8 with M TwinPower twin-turbo tech. At the moment, it's not known if this range-topping motor will be made available for the rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive 2016 Cadillac CT6. Speaking of AWD, GM is also working on an electric all-wheel drive system.
Look forward to March 31st and the New York Auto Show for the unveiling of the 2016 CT6, including its “advanced new body construction technology,” which uses spot & laser welding techniques for aluminum body panels. Oh, and as expected from the most luxurious model to be manufactured in the U.S. of A., the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant will make the CT6 happen starting from the fourth quarter of 2015.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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