Cadillac Says Both CT4 And CT4-V Are "Torque Monsters"

What would you say is the perfect engine for a compact luxury sedan? According to Cadillac and their CT4 engineering team, the answer is a dual volute 2.7-liter turbocharged gasoline unit.

It produces 310 HP and 350 lb-ft (474 Nm) of torque in the CT4 Premium Luxury and 325 HP and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm) of torque in the CT4-V, and believe it or not, it was originally developed for the 2019 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra too, not just the CT4.

However, for the Caddy, GM knew some adjustments were in order, since the CT4 couldn’t just end up being a sports sedan with “some” truck engine under its hood.

“While the CT4’s 2.7T engine shares basic engine hardware with the GM trucks, CT4’s refinement and manners are delivered through Cadillac-specific content and tuning. The result is faster response, more power and more torque in the CT4,” said the carmaker’s assistant chief engineer, Kevin Luchansky.

“The engine is matched perfectly with a segment-exclusive new 10-speed transmission, both being low mass with low inertia, which provides rapid rpm build and very crisp shifting.”

With the new 2.7-liter turbo unit, you get 5 more horsepower and 65 more lb-ft (88 Nm) of torque than you did with Cadillac’s old Northstar V8, which also happened to weigh more by 140 lbs (64 kg). Furthermore, the 2.7T reaches peak torque at only 1,500 rpm in the Premium Luxury and 1,800 rpm in the CT4-V – keeping you there until 4,000 rpm with a very gradual drop-off, claims the carmaker.

Low end boost is key

The engine utilizes something called a dual volute turbocharger, sending air to both sides of the turbine, spinning it quicker and more efficiently thanks to a two-stacked chamber design.

“The benefits of the CT4’s dual volute turbo engine are very noticeable on a track or on your daily drive. The engine harmonizes very well with the independent suspension, available limited slip differential and driving controls to provide exceptional levels of enthusiasm,” said CT4 lead engineer Dave Schmidt. “The car delivers the torque of a V-8, while providing the efficiency and vehicle balance of a smaller and lighter engine.”

You can buy into the Cadillac CT4 range from $32,995, or simply go straight for the CT4-V at $44,495.