Cadillac Unveils New V8

By Henny Hemmes,
Senior European Editor
The Auto Channel

THE HAGUE, April 28, 2018. Cadillac has presented an all-new V8 engine for 2019 CT6.and later probably for another GM model (…? HH). The aluminum 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 produces 550 hp and 627 pound feet of torque. Responsible for the development is Jordan Lee, chief engineer for Cadillac V8 engines who said that the engine should confirm the brand’s performance heritage.

Two versions

The CT6 will get a face lift for the 2019 model year and two variants will be equipped with the new V8. The first gets the standard one, producing 500 hp at 5,000-5,200 rpm and 553 pound-feet (700 Nm) of torque from 2,600-4,600 rpm. The other is the high performance V8 with 550 hp at 5,700 rpm and 627 lb· ft (850 Nm) from 3,200-4,000 rpm.

They need premium-unleaded fuel, but a number of fuel saving technologies are implemented, such as Active Fuel Management. It is the first time that it is used in a GM V8 and works like cylinder deactivation. Also start-stop will save fuel. Both versions of the new V8 will work together with GM’s HydraMatic 10-speed automatic transmission with Performance Algorithm Shifting / Performance Algorithm Liftfoot (PAS/PAL) and steering-wheel paddle shift control.

Furthermore, the CT 6 V8 models will get standard AWD, of which the transfer case is integrated into the oil pan of the engine.

Hand built

The design of the engine is exceptional with so-called ‘reverse’ porting. The exhaust ports lie on the inside of the 90 degrees V of the cylinder banks , while intake ports are placed on the V’s outside., a ‘ Hot V’ design. It is not new but Cadillac Has put the twin-scroll turbochargers as well as the catalytic converters.

The V8 power plants will be built in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where the engines for the Chevrolet Corvette are being assembled. All hand built, that is.