| Cadillac Blackwing V8 | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Cadillac |
| Also called | LTA Blackwing |
| Production | 2018–2020 |
| Layout | |
| Configuration | 90° V8 |
| Displacement | 4.2 L; 255.8 cu in (4,192 cc) |
| Cylinder bore | 86 mm (3.39 in) |
| Piston stroke | 90.2 mm (3.55 in) |
| Cylinder block material | Aluminum |
| Cylinder head material | Aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 4 valves x cyl. |
| Compression ratio | 9.8:1 |
| Combustion | |
| Turbocharger | hot-V twin scroll Twin-turbos with intercoolers |
| Fuel system | Direct injection |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Cooling system | Water-cooled |
| Output | |
| Power output | 500–550 hp (373–410 kW) |
| Specific power | 131.2 hp (97.8 kW) per liter |
| Torque output | 574–640 lb⋅ft (778–868 N⋅m) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Cadillac Northstar engine |
The Cadillac Blackwing V8 (GM RPO LTA) is a twin-turbo DOHC V8 engine that was produced by the Cadillac Division of General Motors solely for use in its CT6-V and CT6-Platinum model years 2019 and 2020. It is a clean sheet engine design, as well as the Division's first ever twin-turbo V8 engine. The engine was branded as the "Blackwing V8" by GM technicians, and is the first Cadillac-exclusive dual overhead cam V8 engine since the Northstar V8 was dropped in 2011.[1]. Each engine is hand-built by a single technician at the Performance Build Center located inside the Corvette Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and are marked with a plaque showing Blackwing V8 and the technician's name and signature.
The aluminum cylinder block features pressed-in iron liners, cross-bolted main bearing caps and houses a lightweight forged steel crankshaft, forged steel connecting rods and high strength hypereutectic aluminum pistons. There are four sodium-filled valves per cylinder.
The intercooled turbochargers are mounted between the cylinder banks in a so-called hot-V configuration and their twin scroll design broadens their performance capability, offering quicker response and greater efficiency. These produce up to 20 psi (1.4 bar) and are matched with electronic wastegate control for more precise boost management and more responsive torque production. Ninety percent of the engine's peak torque is available at 2000 rpm and carried through 5200 rpm.
Other features include direct fuel injection, camshaft phasing, variable displacement/start-stop cylinder deactivation, and variable-pressure oiling system with piston-cooling oil jets.
All versions were to come equipped with the GM 10L90 10-speed automatic transmission and Cadillac's all-wheel drive system.[citation needed]
In spite of its power and sophistication, high cost to produce the engine and low demand for the CT6-V led to its cancellation in early 2020, before it could be expanded to Cadillac's Escalade line.