Interesting move. New CT4 debuts as a CT4-V (which, again, is a V-sport by current standards).
kevm14 wrote:The only hope for interesting engines is the CT4 V-sport. And I would expect the 3.0L TT V6 for that. But then there are no interesting engines for cheap BMWs and Audis so who really cares.
This is our first look at Cadillac's smallest sedan, the 2020 CT4, and it breaks cover in the best way possible: by wearing a V-Series badge. That is because its power comes from a 2.7-liter turbo-four engine that generates 320 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.
The high-output engine, which is likely related to the four-cylinder option in the Chevrolet Silverado, features a unique three-step sliding camshaft that helps optimize performance at all speeds. It is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. No manual option, but you do get paddle shifters.
Well that is a curveball I did not see coming. I don't know that it counts as interesting but it is a big 4 cylinder turbo with a lot of torque in an era of exclusively 2.0 turbos so...I'll give them a pass on it for now. It may pull some very high fuel economy numbers. I would expect well into the 30s highway, maybe even like 35+.
Ahh.
And there will also be a track version of the CT4-V with details to come soon. This will be a V-Series strategy going forward, an affordable V and a track V. The first two vehicles to adopt this strategy are the CT5-V and CT4-V. The CT6-V has only one level, but it's a doozy with the new 550-hp, 627-lb-ft Blackwing V-8 engine.
A little confusing...affordable V and track V. Again, V-sport vs V. I don't know why that was too hard other than V-sport did not prove to be a successful mini-brand whereas V goes back to 2004 and I think was successful.
Pricing has not been announced, but it will have a $6,000-$7,000 premium over a CT4 Sport model. This is a buyer's most affordable entry into the V-Series family.
The underpinnings are the next generation of GM's Alpha rear-drive architecture—same bones as the CT5—but the CT4-V is designed to be more nimble than the CT5-V, being shorter and lighter. The rear-drive version has standard Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, while sedans with all-wheel drive get ZF MVS passive dampers. All have a limited-slip rear differential.
While the CT5 goes after the BMW 3 Series, the CT4 takes on the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Audi A3 sedans.
The car has 18-inch wheels and summer-only performance tires; all-season tires are available with AWD.
Cadillac introduced the V-Series in 2004 with the 400-hp CTS-V with a V-8 stuffed under the hood. Over the years the family has included V variants of the STS, XLR, ATS, and CT6, which ups its game with the limited run of cars with the new 550-hp, 627-lb-ft Blackwing 4.2-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine.
Overall I think I'd rate this all as good because it is new sedans from Cadillac. Hope future press (and the product) is positive.