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GM Cancels new V8 Engine

2002 4.6 liter Northstar V8 (L37)

Luxury cars switch to V6

By Frank de Leeuw van Weenen
January 4, 2008 10:57 AM
Filed Under: American, Cadillac, General Motors

Luxury cars switch to V6

General Motors has yesterday announced through GM Powertrain spokesman Tom Read that the new advanced double overhead-cam V8 engine project is canceled. Back in January GM still vowed they would invest USD 300 million in the project which was supposed to be build in GM's Tonawanda, N.Y., engine plant. The Tonawada plant will be developing a new diesel V8 for GM trucks and SUVs.

This of course makes the future of V8 powered luxury cars, especially the Cadillac range, very unlikely. Most likely the luxury cars will instead be propelled by the higher powered V6 engines instead of the Northstar V8. The direct-injection V6 from the 2008 Cadillac CTS produces 304 hp versus the 275 hp Northstar V8 in the 2008 Cadillac DTS.

Cadillac spokesman Kevin Smith said, “We’ve really seen the V6 become the predominant engine in sales on the (2008) STS because it’s so close in power to the V8.” The V6 also weighs 150 to 200 pounds less than its bigger V8 brother.

Source: Automotive News (sub req.)
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Comments

Bristol411S3
January 4, 2008 1:03 PM
V6s are not sexy enough for high end cars like this though. Who would want a V6 engined GM thing over a V8 engined European rival?

Ghent2007
January 4, 2008 5:16 PM
Never mind. You Brits wouldn't buy a Cadillac anyway. We Yanks do.

Marsman
January 4, 2008 2:15 PM
GM IS retarted

tableman
January 4, 2008 2:51 PM
Sometimes less is better....and size doesn't matter.

Hiromichi
January 4, 2008 3:31 PM
I can understand GM's decision to go for V6 instead of V8. Main stream in engine technology today is surely going for less capacity compensating with charging technology keeping compression ratio high and much higher injection pressure with precise injiection timing transferred from diesels. Very sorry but I think V12 and even V8 are the endangered species to go for extinction soon like V16 in the past.

rescue384
January 4, 2008 7:08 PM
Like the article says, they ARE developing the 4.5L duramax v8 clean diesel, the size of a small block v8 310-340 hp 520+ ft lb's cgi block. what would be better for a big heavy caddy, my 02 duramax truck @ 7000lbs moves right quick:)

netlover
January 4, 2008 7:06 PM
Its funny. First the Japs used to copy the Americans in making larger engines but now it appears to be the opposite (Take GT-R for example).

hofmeyer
January 4, 2008 8:44 PM
In the luxury game the size (and cylinder count) are all about prestige. Prestige is something Cadillac desperately needs and wants. Even Cadillac's elderly owners know that a big engine is needed to upstage the Jones's. I understand the V6 is pretty good, but it's still only a V6.

NaBUru38
January 5, 2008 11:35 PM
The GT-R has a 480PS twin-turbo 3.8 liter engine. But it's only a V6??? The 997 Turbo has a 480PS VGT 3.6 liter engine. But it's only a flat 6???

You shouldn't see what you put inside the engine compartment, you should see what you get with it.

radmeister
January 4, 2008 10:02 PM
Probably something to do with that new bill passed that by 2010 all vehicles in the US will have to have atleast 35mpg

Brabus55
January 5, 2008 3:41 AM
I think you hit the nail right on the head. I'm sure that THAT is the main reason why the V8 was canceled. I also have to echo evertyone's sentiments regarding the desirability of a V8 over a V6. It's not just the power or prestige imho, but the sound and smoothness of a v8 as well...

benz_man
January 7, 2008 6:25 PM
You're absolutely correct, but Cadillac WILL flounder without a high-feature engine of at least 400HP. If they can make light-pressure-turbo (aka Saab) modifications to the DI V6 they might meet CAFE & sell some product. But hofmeyer is right, prestige is in. Just look at the size of the "Bi-Turbo" on MB 600's!

radmeister
January 8, 2008 9:52 AM
If you want prestige you get a bmw or mercedes or audi, if you can afford it you get a rolls,maybach or bentley not caddyshack. As to the smoothness that can be taken care of with suspension and sound insulation. As for the sound, i have heard V6s that sound better than 90% of V8s. Nissan 350z/G35 coupe. All it takes is a purposefully designed exhaust system. The problem with GM wasnt that they didnt have enough V8s, and it wont be their downfall if they get rid of them. Their problem is interior quality, fit and finish, and reliability. Look at toyota very few v8s and they sell much better and have a much higher residual value.

unknown
January 4, 2008 10:09 PM
sometimes a thirsty v-8 doesn't out perform a trusty little 6 cylinder. gm should learn a few lesson from bmw.

Saab95JD
January 6, 2008 2:43 AM
Umm, BMW has V-8, V-10, and V-12. The lessons that GM should learn from prestige makers is that diesels are the way to go... power, economy, and longevity.

THERENAISSANCEMAN
January 5, 2008 10:22 PM
very environmentally responsible indeed , thank you GM !

GTZZOOM
January 6, 2008 5:30 AM
It was only a matter of time. Cadillac has always had top dog V8s and were the first with the V8 and FWD in the same car...but the new V6s with the cutting edge technology and great fuel mileage along with plenty of Horsepower. Time for a new look at the world and with the high prices of gas...it wasnt long in coming. Still as great luxury no matter what!

NFSDriver
January 6, 2008 7:33 AM
they got that much hp from the v6 why don't they work on making the v8 powerful enough. im going to cry now i love v8 they make you fee wiled not because of the power its just a deferent feeling on the highway

djcocum
January 8, 2008 2:56 PM
Such a shame. Northstar V8 was a very good engine.

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2004 3.6 liter Global V6 2002 4.6 liter Northstar V8 (L37)
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