2019 Cadillac CT6 Engine Lineup Uncovered

The 2019 Cadillac CT6 delivers a rather substantial refresh consisting of an exterior facelift, an improved interior with tactile infotainment system controls, as well as the introduction of Cadillac’s all-new twin-turbo 4.2-liter V-8 engine in conjunction with (but not limited to) the 2019 CT6 V-Sport. And now, Cadillac Society has uncovered that the 2019 CT6 engine range.

Based on VIN decoder documents filed by Cadillac parent firm, General Motors, with the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2019 CT6 will be offered with five engine choices.

2019 Cadillac CT6 Powertrain

2.0L Turbo I-4

Last year, it was believed that Cadillac would stop offering the base turbo-charged 2.0L inline-four-cylinder engine on the CT6, but this is only partially true.

What’s truly taking place is that the 2019 CT6 will stop offering the current-generation 2.0L Turbo engine, which is assigned the LTG production code. In its place will be the all-new 2.0L Turbo engine, which is assigned production code LSY. The boosted four-cylinder was first announced for the 2019 Cadillac XT4, and it looks like it will make its way to the 2019 CT6, while mated to the new 10-speed automatic transmission.

Power and torque ratings have yet to be announced, but in the XT4, the new motor makes 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. We expect those figures to be higher in the CT6 due to the opportunities awarded by the longitudinal powertrain orientation and more capable transmission. By comparison, the outgoing 2.0L LTG made 265 horses (198 kW) @ 5500 rpm and 295 pound-feet of torque (400 Nm) @ 3000-4000 rpm.

3.6L Naturally-Aspirated V-6

The naturally-aspirated 3.6L V-6 (production code LGX) carries over from the 2016-2018 CT6, but is now mated to the new 10-speed automatic transmission. The atmospheric six-banger makes 335 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque.

Thanks to the new transmission, we expect this motor to perform even better in the 2019 model in terms of responsiveness and fuel economy.

3.0L Twin-Turbo V-6

Previously the top-end engine in the CT6, the twin-turbo 3.0L V-6 (production code LGW) also carries over from the 2016-2018 CT6, but is now paired with the new 10-speed gearbox. The engine is rated 404 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque.

As with the 3.6L V-6, we expect this motor to perform even better than before when it comes to performance and MPG.

4.2L Twin-Turbo V-8

The highlight of the 2019 CT6 is the all-new twin-turbo 4.2L V-8. Assigned production code LTA, the all-new engine is available in two versions – one for the CT6 V-Sport, and another for non-V-Sport models.

In standard guise, the boosted eight-cylinder makes 500 horses and 553 pound-feet of torque. In the CT6 V-Sport, it makes an even better 550 horsepower and an astounding 627 pound-feet of twist.

Both tunes of the new Cadillac V8 DOHC engine are mated to the 10-speed automatic transmission.

2.0L Turbo Plug-In

The CT6 PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) remains powered by a combination of a pluggable 45 kW Hybrid Propulsion Electric motor and 2.0L I-4 turbo (LTG) making 265 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A 4-mode Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) brings power to the wheels.

Despite the CT6 PHEV showing up in the NHTSA for the 2019 model year, we have reason to believe that the vehicle will not be around for much longer in the U.S. market.