Cadillac just put the world on notice today with the announcement of the new 3.6 liter twin-turbo V6 motor – good for 420 horses and 430 lb-ft of torque! Code name – LF3. This motor will debut in the all new 2014 Cadillac CTS later this month at the 2013 New York Auto Show. In the new CTS this engine will be backed by a 8-speed automatic transmission for optimized performance and efficiency. Cadillac estimates 17/25 MPG for this engine in the new rear-wheel drive CTS.
Cadillac is aiming the new CTS directly at the BMW 5-series, and quick to note that the LF3 is smaller and more powerful than the 4.4 liter turbo V8 in the 550i. The twin-turbo V6 will propel the CTS 0-60 mph in estimated 4.6 seconds and max out at 170 mph top speed. Wow, this is impressive. This is also quicker than the 5.0 second 0-60 time of the BMW 550i.
The next CTS will be the first to benefit from this great power plant. How far can the possibilities go? For starters, this would make for an excellent ATS-V package. We know ATS-V is coming and this could very well be its engine. Who is next? I can see this motor do wonders in the new Camaro. Chevrolet will show a refreshed Camaro at the 2013 New York Auto Show, but may reserve the twin-turbo addition until later. If this is true, then Ford has a decision to make. First, 360 horsepower from the Ecoboost V6 is no longer enough. And this also means that a twin-turbo Mustang has to be created to fight a twin-turbo Camaro.
Also, can the LF3 be GM’s answer to the Ecoboost F-150? And will we see next generation of Escalade, Yukon, and Tahoe with this engine?
Check out this fun TFLcar video of Cadillac ATS 0-60 mph test at Mile High:
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, software engineer, writer, and reporter. He has been writing and reporting at TFLcar since 2011. When not working or spending time with the family – you can find him tinkering in the garage or scouring the internet and other media for various automotive, mechanical, and computer related information.
