The Cadillac CT4 in the Premium Luxury trim equipped with the turbocharged 2.7L I4 engine (production code L3B) will wear the 500T badge on the decklid as part of Cadillac’s migration to a torque-based nomenclature.
Prior to this discovery, we did not know which badge the CT4 Premium Luxury model with the optional 2.7L engine would end up wearing, though we did know that the torque-based badges would range from 350T to 800T, at least for the 2020 model year.
Cadillac’s torque-based naming scheme utilizes the vehicle’s torque rating, in Newton Meters (Nm), which is then generously rounded to the nearest “50.” The torque number badges are followed by either a “T” to denote turbo-charging or “D” denoting a diesel engine. A number not followed by a letter, such as 400 or 600, designates a naturally-aspirated engine.
Cadillac began moving to the new torque-based nomenclature with 2020 model year vehicles, and the migration was completed with the 2021 Escalade, which was the final model to get the new naming treatment. The only Cadillacs that do not wear the torque-based badges are V-Series models; they feature the V badge instead.
The standard engine in the Cadillac CT4 is the turbocharged 2.0L I4 engine (production code LSY) rated at 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet (350 Nm) of torque. In that configuration, the CT4 wears the 350T badge on its decklid.
The CT4 Premium Luxury model can also be equipped with the optional turbocharged 2.7L I4 engine (production code L3B), which is the same engine in the hotter CT4-V. In the Premium Luxury model of the CT4, the 2.7L engine is rated at 310 horsepower and 350 pound-feet (474 Nm) of torque. In this configuration, CT4 wears the 500T badge on its decklid. By comparison, the same engine in the CT4-V makes 325 horses and 380 pound-feet (515 Nm) of torque.
| Model | Trim | Engine | Horsepower | Torque | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CT4 | Luxury | Turbo 2.0L I4 LSY | 237 | 258 | 350T |
| CT4 | Premium Luxury | Turbo 2.0L I4 LSY | 237 | 258 | 350T |
| CT4 | Sport | Turbo 2.0L I4 LSY | 237 | 258 | 350T |
| CT4 | Premium Luxury | Turbo 2.7L I4 L3B | 310 | 350 | 500T |
| CT4 | V | Turbo 2.7L I4 L3B | 325 | 380 | V |
Update: we’ve just learned that about 1,155 units of the 2020 CT4 were shipped with the 450T badge, instead of the 500T badge.
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Carbert
Which element of the potential customer base was clambering for a a designation on their ride that has no meaning to the average enthusiast, forget general public? Seriously, is this an answer to any of Caddy’s real or perceived problems in the marketplace? What a case of dumbassery.
Alex Luft
You, Nelson and the other winers simply do not get it.
Nobody was clamoring or not clamoring for the designation in question. The torque-based nomenclature is also not an answer to any problem, real or perceived. These things the nomenclature is not.
Now for what it is: a forward-thinking measure to designate vehicle prowess in vehicles that will soon have no displacement (electric).
I’ll take it one step further further: what does BMW 340i mean? What does C450 mean? Nothing. They only mean turbocharged six-cylinder engines to the most hardcore of BMW and Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts, respectively. In the past, these designations would stand for model series and displacement… but that’s no longer the case today. To the general public or even lukwarm auto enthusiasts, 340i and C450 mean jack $hit. If you think otherwise, you’re simply out of touch with reality.
So, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have their nomenclature and nobody complains about it. Meanwhile, Cadillac has created its own nomenclature that happens to be very forward-thinking as it relates to the coming EV onslaught… but you’re all up in arms, ready to critique it left and right. Give it a rest.
Mike J Kelch
Well, I am OK with the nomenclature on my 2021 CT4 PL, “500T”, since I get the V motor without the V pricing. I love the car and the deck badge is sort of irrelevant to me.
Mike J Kelch
My 2021 CT4 Premium Luxury has a “500T” badge in the trunk. I don’t see that nomenclature anywhere in your list. My engine is the 2.7L.
A. Ryr
The new Cadillac 2.7 Turbo engine, is plainly described as ‘A pickup truck’
engine. Doesn’t look good for GM.
Alex Luft
I wouldn’t get bogged down in semantics here. Yes, the L3B is described as a pickup truck engine by GM for the Silverado, but not so for the CT4.
At the end of the day, it’s a solid engine – and can be used in any relevant vehicle application.
Nelson
My friends ask does that XT4 have a turbo? Well yes 2.0 turbo!
And wife’s ATS is 2.0 turbo also.
No friend ever asked me what is your torque ratio?
So why in the world is Cadillac going to badge cars with torque #s?????
DUH!
Alex Luft
Nelson – I address most of your comment in my reply to Carbert above.
That said, I’ll reply to a few specific points of your own:
1. It’s not a torque ratio. It’s the torque rating. Much like the horsepower rating… but for torque.
2. Nobody asked you the torque rating? Fine. I wonder how many people ask someone driving a BMW 340i what 340i means.
3. That “T” in “500T” designates the turbo. So people wondering if it has a turbocharged engine will be able to satisfy their curiosity.
Fuzzy
how can i buy a l3b engine and sent to China？i wanna change my lsy engine
Nate
How many total 500Ts were produced for the 2020 model year? I love mine and was thinking that it could not be that many, less than 2000?