Category Archives: Cadillac Engines

Cadillac ATS 2L Turbo LTG promises performance

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Cadillac ATS 2L Turbo LTG -- 2013 Ecotec 2.0L I-4 VVT DI Turbo

Cadillac ATS 2L Turbo LTG — 2013 Ecotec 2.0L I-4 VVT DI Turbo

Cadillac ATS 2L Turbo LTG Four Cylinder mid-line engine specs for the Cadillac ATS:

LTG 2.0L VVT TURBO ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Engine type Dual Overhead Camshaft
Bore and stroke, in.(cm.) 3.386 x 3.386 (8.60 x 8.60)
Horsepower 272@5500 rpm
Kilowatts(kW) 202.91@5500 rpm
Torque (lb.-ft.) 260@1700-5500 rpm
Newton – Meters (N-m) 351.00@1700-5500 rpm

Here is the engine dyno graph:

Cadillac ATS 2L Turbo LTG

Cadillac ATS 2L Turbo (LTG)

Much like the N20 Turbo Four in the BMW 328i, the ATS’ 2L Turbo LTG will run out of breath at 5500 rpm.  The BMW pulls a peak of around 222 whp at 5500 rpm, according to an Automobile dyno test.  The 328’s N20 is under-rated by BMW as a 240 hp engine.

So although the Cadillac 2L Turbo is SAE rated at 272 hp and the BMW engine at 240 hp, the BMW is likely putting out around the same power as the Cadillac engine.

Cadillac ATS 2L Turbo LTG

Cadillac ATS 2L Turbo (LTG) [click to zoom, back to return]


Cadillac suggests the ATS 2L turbo will hit 0-60 mph in 5.7 sec for the auto, or 5.8 sec for the manual RWD ATS.  For turbo engines, automatics are often quicker than manuals because it is easier for the turbo to stay on spool through the auto shift.

Cadillac ATS 2L Turbo LTG -- 2013 Ecotec 2.0L I-4 VVT DI Turbo

Cadillac ATS 2L Turbo LTG — 2013 Ecotec 2.0L I-4 VVT DI Turbo

GM has shown with earlier 2L Turbos (in the Kappa cars) that they are easily tunable for more boost and reliable power.  The GM Stage 1 power kit for the LNF Turbo engines raised output from 260 hp (194 kW) and 260 lb.-ft. (352 Nm) to 290 hp (216 kW) and up to a robust 340 lb.-ft. (461 Nm) manual trans, or 325 lb.-ft auto.  The kit had no effect on warranty, was dealer installed, and was 50 state legal.  Hopefully GM will offer a similar boost for the new LTG engines.

The 2012 Buick Regal GS uses an LHU engine, for 270 hp and 295 lb. ft of torque:

Applications: Horsepower: hp ( kw )
Buick Regal CXL 220 hp (164kW) @ 5300 RPM SAE CERTIFIED
Buick Regal GS 270 hp (201kW) @ 5300 RPM SAE CERTIFIED
Applications: Torque: lb-ft. ( Nm )
Buick Regal CXL 260 lb-ft (353Nm) @ 2000 RPM SAE CERTIFIED
Buick Regal GS 295 lb-ft (400Nm) @ 2400 RPM SAE CERTIFIED

The newer Cadillac LTG engine is tuned to provide torque at a lower 1500 RPM and a bit higher 5500 rpm on the top end, at the cost of less peak torque at 260 for the Cadillac vs 295 for the Buick.

I predict that there will be some very nice gains from tuning these engines.

Cadillac ATS-2T4 or ATS-2T6?

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The powerplant rumor mill for the upcoming Cadillac ATS is now in full swing.  The original favorite was the 3L V6 for around 270hp.  This engine was mostly dropped from the Cadillac line, being supplanted by a variant of the 3.6L V6 in the SRX where it makes 304 hp.  The 3L is still the ‘standard’ engine in the CTS.

The export version of the ATS will likely have the new 2.5L Ecotec 4 cylinder for 190 hp.  The base engine for the US market Cadillac ATS may be a 2L Turbo 4-cylinder making 270-290 hp (2-T4 for twin-turbo 4 cylinder?)  An upcoming twin-turbo 3L or 3.6L V6 perhaps making around 400-425 hp may be the either the Premium ATS engine, or perhaps reserved to the ATS-V, (2T-6 for Twin Turbo 6 cylinder?)

I would still like to see an LSX V-8 variant of the ATS as the ATS-V, with 450+ hp.  So I am hoping that the twin-turbo V6 is the premium powerplant.  A lot will depend on the shipping weight for the ATS as to what engine at what power output works well for the new Sports Sedan.  The target is BMW 3-Series performance, so unless the weight comes in at the same point as the 3-Series then the engines will need to rev up to compensate.

The price point will also be interesting; the standard Cadillac ATS needs to arrive as a beautiful, athletic package at under $30K if it is going to be successful in hitting 3-Series sales levels.

Keyless versus keyless

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There are a couple of approaches that Cadillac has taken to keyless ignitions.

My favorite and the current approach, is that the Cadillac recognizes that you have the key fob in your pocket or purse, you press the brake pedal, and press this button:

2010 Cadillac SRX start stop button

To turn off the car you simply press the button again.

The previous incarnation of this system has a traditional ignition tumbler with a sort of permanent thick key head in place that one can turn as if a traditional key. I suspect that system was quick and easy to apply, since it only required putting a different ignition tumbler in and not a different dash panel, button, harness, etc.

2010 Cadillac CTS-V keyless

The button is much better in terms of how keyless should work, and more fun.  The 2006-2009 Cadillac STS-V had this kind of button, and some 2010 Cadillacs do.

Keyless ignition is generally available only on fully optioned models.  Hopefully all future Cadillacs with keyless will have the button on the dash; it is a much more elegant solution than the previous fix.