Motor Trend measured performance for the Cadillac XTS AWD 3.6L normally aspirated model at 6.9 sec for 0-60 mph, and the quarter mile in 15.2 seconds.  What can we expect from the upcoming 410 hp / 359 lb-ft of torque twin-turbo 3.6L V6?

The new Cadillac Twin-Turbo 3.6L V-6 is available in the XTS, delivering SAE-certified 410 horsepower (306 kW) and 369 lb.-ft. of torque (500 Nm), making it one of the most power-dense six-cylinder engines in the segment. A pair of smaller turbochargers and an efficient charge air cooler help provide more immediate power delivery, while peak torque is sustained over a broad range – 1,900 to 5,600 rpm – for a confident feeling of power in almost all driving conditions, such as accelerating or overtaking traffic on the highway.

One thumb rule is for every 10 hp added, 0-60 mph goes down by 0.2 sec.  Another rule is for every 100 lbs added, 0-60 goes up by 0.1 sec.

The XTS TTV6 is likely to add around 200 lbs, so we’ll keep up with that +0.2 sec change.

The 3.6L in the normally aspirated XTS is rated at 304 hp, so the new model adds 106 hp.  At 0.2 sec reduction for 10 hp that would be a 2 second reduction in 0-60 time — which might drive the 0-60 time down under 5 seconds.

Now, usually reduction don’t perfectly translate for large changes in horsepower.  Energy is lost to spinning tires etc.  But in this case we are looking at an AWD model only, so traction should be assured.

Let’s think of this another way:  the CTS VSport will have 420 hp and 430 ft-lb of torque (the XTS variant loses a lot of torque to protect the AWD drivetrain).  Cadillac said the CTS VSport will do 0-60 in around 4.6 seconds.  With 10 hp less, and perhaps 500 lbs more weight, we might expect the XTS AWD TTV6 to be 0.7 sec slower, at 5.3 seconds?

A full size Cadillac XTS AWD TTV6 then might be expected to come in at 4.9-5.5 sec for a 0-60 mph metric.

That will certainly be surprising performance on the street for the big Cadillac.