Cadillac CTS could get 4-cylinder turbo, GM wants signs that you’re ready to go small

Posted: Jul 30, 2008
Filed under: Cadillac, GM, Industry News

GM’s ready to introduce a number of compact economy-cars in its lineup but says that customers are still going to have to indicate whether or not they’re serious about downsizing powerplant expectations. According to Thomas G. Stephens, GM’s executive vice president of global powertrain, customers have to send a signal to GM that they’re ready to accept small engines.

He said that GM is pretty excited about its engine options as an answer for better fuel-economy. However, making a huge move to smaller-engines means it will lose capability to produce larger engines with more horsepower for the long-term.

Stephen says that their is a possibility of a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine for vehicles in GM’s lineup like the Cadillac CTS. “From a technical point of view, we could do it today,” said Stephen.

He said the GM Powertrain already has a number of small and aggressive engines. The 4-cylinder turbocharged Ecotec replaces a large V6 in terms of performance and a direct-injected V6 delivers performance that of a V8.

“We’re ready. When customers want it - we’ll do it.”

So guys, let GM know in the comments section below if you’re ready or not.

 

Source: AutoObserver

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  • David R
    If the caddy was going to go 4cyl turbo on a LUXURY car it has to compete as with the sporty asian market 4cyl.
    This would have to include performance air intake, exhaust mufflers as seen in the flowmaster 60 series, eco-green fuel lines, and halo sparkplugs as part of its base package because it is a CADILLAC not a Chevy your selling.
  • Nate
    GM Not only am I ready... I'm jumping up and down saying yes!!!

    Bring out turbo 4 cylinders and turbo V6s heck make a 2.5 L V8 if you want just turbo everything. Turbos add so much in terms of performance and economy. I don't understand why GM hasn't used them more in the past instead of bigger engines and supercharging. Turbos are such a no brainer. Make the CTS-Z or something with a 400 HP turbo V6 and AWD I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

    I don't get GM's resistance to turbo charging. It would make a lot of sense to drop their older engines. Keep the ecotec, the new DOHC V6s and either the Nstar V8 or the SBC. there really doesn't need to be more family of engines then that for right now. Direct inject all of them. Set them all up for alternate fuels like ethanol and natural gas. Turbo them and you will sell the crap out of them. Why not offer a small 1.6 liter, 2.0, 2.2 turbo, 2.6 V6 turbo, 3.0 turbo and a 5.3 Turbo. GM the writing is on the wall if you open your eyes. There are so many benefits to turbocharging.
  • david
    The problem really is GM's 4 cylinder turbo is a piece of crap. if they had the same engine bmw uses in the mini cooper, then they'd get good gas mileage and decent power.

    as it stands, they have an inefficient engine with a turbo. not an efficient engine, GM sucks. i keep waiting for them to come out with something innovative and all they can do is half ass their competitors.

    hopefully they'll be able to sell the brand names to pay for a portion of their debts when they liquidate later this year.
  • justmatt
    I am not sure what GM is asking. A 4 in a CTS would be better than offering 2 V-6's. The Northstar needs to stick around as GM cut their plans to replace it and Cadillac need OHC engines to be competitive. If GM is threatening to cut engines, then why not get rid of 3.8L V-6 still used in Buicks. This current market also probably cannot sustain several version of Vortec V-8's. Does N. America really still need 4.8L, 5.3L, and 6.0L. While you are at it GM, get rid of the 4.3L V-6 and instead offer the 5 or 6 cylinder inlines used in the Colorado/Trailblazer. They have more hp and are OHC. Use this as an opportunity to improve, don't threaten me with either/or.
  • DadzBoyz
    If they can do it, then do it. Pretty simple. How will they guage customer interest if the option is not available. What? They wait for Audi to put a 4 in the A6 (already have 4’s in Passat)? They wait for BMW to put a 4 in the 5 series? Wait, wait wait. They’re saying that they don’t want to lead. They woud rather follow. Really, in the grand economics of a car manufacturer if they have the engine ready it shouldn’t cost to much to start shipping the engines to the plant and start installing. Come on GM. Stop talking and act.

    This is also the same company that is talking about building a new plant for the Volt and it's engine after they've just shut down how many? The brains have left the building. Really, I'd love to see GM recreate itself. I like some ofe what they've done lately, but for the love of Pete, they have got to add some economic brains to the mix.
  • American
    A 4 cylinder in a small Cadillac would be fine. Audi does it with their A3. The problem with American consumers buying a small American car is we cannot get our mind wrapped around a premium small car's cost for an American made small car. A small Premium American car just doesn't sit right with consumers, but when we say small Premium Audi, that somehow adds value.
  • TA
    I'm still not ready to give up V8 performance, sound, and style. As an enthusiast in order to justify purchasing a Cadillac, or other high end model I need to get something I can't find in an Accord or Malibu. Front drive turbo four set ups are available at a fraction of the cost from a multitude of manufactures. I'll look to save energy in other ways.
  • keith
    Mute point. A 4 cyl with direct injection and twin turbos with about 275 ponies would be fine in a car like that. If they do it now its going to help them in the long run of things. Just continue to offer the V6 as an option. The last generation did fine with just 255 ponies so why wont this one.
  • carmover
    you shouldn't even have to ask that question. Get with that game not trailing behind. Make the decision and go for it. This is not the time to sit of the fence and hope the answer. Take charge make a decision and make the other companies follow you. Lead don't follow.
  • Dave
    "The 4-cylinder turbocharged Ecotec replaces a large V6 in terms of performance and a direct-injected V6 delivers performance that of a V8."

    Why would consumers say no? Increased fuel economy with no loss of performance is a no brainer.

    "However, making a huge move to smaller-engines means it will lose capability to produce larger engines with more horsepower for the long-term."

    Answer: Make the V6 engine platform suitable for forced induction, similar to what BMW has done with the N54 in the 335 twin turbo, which was based upon the previous generation's M54 engine. This way, there is room to grow without having to resort to larger displacement V8 engines.
  • lonesome_coder
    I agree.

    There will, however, be a camp that wants an extremely torque-filled LARGE displacement engine. Cadillac has been building these cars for years and will probably never stop doing so.

    Keep all the options.
  • carmover
    In case you have not been out of the house or turned on the news lately let me be the first to tell you. The auto industry needs to go thru a major conversion. we need to use the technology available to us. Look forward not back when it come to transportation. If you live in the past you are destined to repeat it.
  • lonesome_coder
    Ok, thanks for the soapbox rant.

    I agree we need to move on, but this is simple economics. The market will go where the market will go. Some people still buy cars with big displacement engines. In turn, people will still make them.

    Maybe you need to get out of the house? It's not Utopia out there, yet.
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