Cadillac baits Germans with 300kW twin-turbo V6

Cadillac is introducing a range of new-generation V6 engines, with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo unit at the pinnacle of the range.

And that new performance engine, rated at around 298kW and 543Nm, is intended to deliver a blow to the prestige of German competitors like BMW and Audi. It's all part of a broader plan to hit the Germans where they live – in the USA.

"Cadillac's elevation on the world stage is driven in great part by its advanced powertrain technology and the all-new 3.0L Twin Turbo powers past the traditional segment leaders with higher degrees of the performance and refinement their reputations were built on," said Rich Bartlett, assistant chief engineer.

According to Cadillac, the twin-turbo Caddy V6 is anticipated to deliver 27 per cent more power than the twin-scroll turbo six of the BMW 740Li.

And the torque peak (543Nm) is available across a band from 2500 to 5000rpm, Cadillac has stated.

"Torque is the pulling power of an engine and the new 3.0L Twin Turbo delivers it with confidence-inspiring smoothness and progression," said Bartlett, as quoted in a press release.

"In fact, the potency of the torque across the rpm band is matched only by the satisfaction of the horsepower created as those revs climb quickly to 6500 rpm."

Its maker describes the twin-turbo V6 as "one of the most power-dense V6 DOHC engines in the world", on the basis that it develops 99kW per litre.

It's not all about power and performance, however. Cadillac says the new V6, which will drive through an eight-speed automatic transmission, is the first six-cylinder engine to combine turbocharging and cylinder deactivation to save fuel. Under light loads, two cylinders will deactivate to save fuel by as much as six per cent, it's estimated. A further fuel-saving device is auto-stop, which will automatically restart the engine as soon as the driver lifts his or her foot from the brake pedal.

For the turbocharger set-up, the V6 embraces "lightweight, low-inertia titanium-aluminide turbine wheels and an efficient, patented low-volume charge-air cooler," Cadillac says, contributing to reduced lag and increased boost.

Built around an almost square design (86mm bore x 85.8mm stroke), the twin-turbo engine is joined by a larger, naturally-aspirated 3.6-litre version with a longer stroke, replacing an older generation 3.6-litre. Cadillac claims that both engine variants offer lower NVH levels to complement the 3.6-litre's improved efficiency and compare favourably with the Audi 3.0L TFSI V6 (by 5dB for the Twin Turbo engine) and the Infiniti 3.7-litre V6 (by 4dB for the 3.6-litre Cadillac V6).

Both the GM V6 engine variants boast a new, stiffer aluminium block, stiffened forged-steel crankshaft, polymer-coated pistons, high copper-content sinter-forged conrods and a new four-cam phasing system. A patented cooling system that targets strategic areas of the engine architecture for more efficient cooling and faster warm-up complements the integrated exhaust manifolds. Changes to the timing system and oil pump reduce engine noise.

"This new architecture leverages the best of Cadillac's proven, awarded V-6 engine technology and takes it farther with a finer focus on refinement and durability to match its benchmark output and efficiency," said Bartlett.

The CT6 will debut at the New York motor show on March 31, and production is set to commence later this year. Cadillac was once mooted to launch in Australia, but Holden MD at the time, Mark Reuss, pulled the plug on the brand as the Global Financial Crisis began to bite. Over 80 examples of the CTS were already in the country before the decision was made. Recently, there has been renewed speculation the American prestige archetype will make it across the Pacific after all.