Next Gen ICE CT5 Officially Confirmed!!!!

[fordperfaddict]

well, the curated by cadillac option makes sense now for 2026 as a send off collectors vehicle

 

[jvp]

a 4 door sedan with the C8 Z06 motor and six speed........would be bonkers.

I think that would be an absolute disaster. The entire character of the 5BW would be gone with that high-revving engine. I'm also not too sure you'd want to try and drive a flat plane crank V8 with a manual transmission. You're not fast enough to shift it, no matter how good at it you think you might be.

 

[hawk02]

It's not that simple - there is still a huge development and certification cost to each engine variant. Unfortunately not as simple as "slap a supercharger on it and go."

The LT4 was used across 5 different vehicle models (CTS, Corvette, Camaro, CT5, Escalade) over the course of 10+ years, giving GM the payback period that they needed to make the drivetrain profitable. To develop a new S/C engine and only use it in a single low production volume car would be impossible for them to justify financially. I think the earlier poster saying that this will be another LT4 carry over is correct and this will be the most likely outcome.

Profitability hasn’t always stopped GM from developing unique supercharged engines for low-volume models. The LS9 and LT5 are perfect examples — both were built exclusively for the Corvette ZR1. Maybe that’s the difference: GM seems willing to spend the money on a bespoke supercharged powerplant when it’s for their halo car, but not for anything else.

 

[jvp]

Profitability hasn’t always stopped GM from developing unique supercharged engines for low-volume models. The LS9 and LT5 are perfect examples — both were built exclusively for the Corvette ZR1. Maybe that’s the difference: GM seems willing to spend the money on a bespoke supercharged powerplant when it’s for their halo car, but not for anything else.

Kinda bad examples though. The LS9 and LSA were both developed at the same time, and led into the development for the LT4 in the following generation Corvette. The LT5 was just a worked-over LT4. Profitability is at the core of EVERYTHING GM does. They do not engineer things to lose money at all. There are no "loss leaders" at the company and nothing like that is even allowed, nor discussed.

Each engineering team takes what is essentially a "loan" out from the mothership to architect, design, engineer, and then build thing X. Whatever that is. A new engine, a new car, whatever. That loan is expected to be paid back right quick, with interest, in the form of: profits. A new small block that gets a new supercharger is, as the person you responded to, a YOOOGE pile of work when it comes to reliability and durability, NVH, and then the FE and emissions that need to be tested and vetted. All of that is money, money, money, money, and more money. That money HAS TO be returned to the mothership, or the "loan" will never be granted.

 

[DCV]

I think that would be an absolute disaster. The entire character of the 5BW would be gone with that high-revving engine. I'm also not too sure you'd want to try and drive a flat plane crank V8 with a manual transmission. You're not fast enough to shift it, no matter how good at it you think you might be.

Well I had two Shelby’s within the flat plane crank and six speed that by the grace of god I was able to manually shift. A screaming V8 manual sedan has never been done. It’s time! Think outside that box.

 

[brooksgn]

I think that would be an absolute disaster. The entire character of the 5BW would be gone with that high-revving engine. I'm also not too sure you'd want to try and drive a flat plane crank V8 with a manual transmission. You're not fast enough to shift it, no matter how good at it you think you might be.

I've driven a friend's gt350 at the track, it's incredible. Actually what I'm considering as a replacement for my v for track duty. That or porche Cayman gt4.

 

[hawk02]

Kinda bad examples though. The LS9 and LSA were both developed at the same time, and led into the development for the LT4 in the following generation Corvette. The LT5 was just a worked-over LT4. Profitability is at the core of EVERYTHING GM does. They do not engineer things to lose money at all. There are no "loss leaders" at the company and nothing like that is even allowed, nor discussed.

Each engineering team takes what is essentially a "loan" out from the mothership to architect, design, engineer, and then build thing X. Whatever that is. A new engine, a new car, whatever. That loan is expected to be paid back right quick, with interest, in the form of: profits. A new small block that gets a new supercharger is, as the person you responded to, a YOOOGE pile of work when it comes to reliability and durability, NVH, and then the FE and emissions that need to be tested and vetted. All of that is money, money, money, money, and more money. That money HAS TO be returned to the mothership, or the "loan" will never be granted.

Yes, the LT5 and LT4 have a lot in common, but GM didn’t just toss on a bigger blower and call it done. The LT5 got port injection on top of direct, a stronger crank, and an electronically controlled bypass valve, among other upgrades. Then you’ve got all the extra work that comes with chassis certification for another 105 horsepower and emissions testing on top of that.

When you add it all up, GM by all guesstimates probably sunk somewhere around $25–50 million into developing the LT5 — for a car that only sold 2,953 units in one model year. Not exactly a cheap “refresh.”

 

[jvp]

Well I had two Shelby’s within the flat plane crank and six speed that by the grace of god I was able to manually shift. A screaming V8 manual sedan has never been done. It’s time! Think outside that box.

It's clear you and the second person haven't driven a Z06. I have one and have had for over a year. Drive one in anger before saying what you think you can do, based on your experience with Ford's (pathetic attempt at a) flat plane engine. The Z06's engine makes its peak power way, way up high, like 8400RPMs. And its redline is a mere 200RPMs higher. You are not fast enough to properly shift a manual transmission car within 200RPMs in a free-spinning FPC engine. It isn't going to happen. You're going to hit the rev limiter every single time.

The Z06's engine is a gutless block of pretty aluminum in the lower RPMs where we do most of our driving on the road. There's so little low end torque in the engine. The low end is part of the 5BW's wonderful character. That immediate kick-you-in-the-chest grunt that's there everywhere in its admittedly smaller rev range. There's no need to think outside the box with this. I've had a 5BW, I have a C8 Z06, and I'm selling that to go back to.. a 5BW. The Caddy has a certain type of character that would be destroyed with a high-revving, gutless-down-low V8 engine.

 

[jvp]

Yes, the LT5 and LT4 have a lot in common, but GM didn’t just toss on a bigger blower and call it done. The LT5 got port injection on top of direct, a stronger crank, and an electronically controlled bypass valve, among other upgrades. Then you’ve got all the extra work that comes with chassis certification for another 105 horsepower and emissions testing on top of that.

When you add it all up, GM by all guesstimates probably sunk somewhere around $25–50 million into developing the LT5 — for a car that only sold 2,953 units in one model year. Not exactly a cheap “refresh.”

I'm well aware of all the things the LT5 got over the LT4; I'm friends with the old chief engineer. ;-). There wasn't that much money spent on the engine's development. Not even close. They knew before they even considered selling the car that it would be a single (very long) model year car and a very low-volume one due to its exceptionally high price. It was done to fill in the time and keep the Corvette brand invigorated while they awaited delivery of the 8th gen in 2019 for the 2020MY.

GM does not allow engineering groups to put forth things that will knowingly lose money. It simply does not happen internally. Yes, the refresh was a lot cheaper than you think it was.

 

[jbawden]

What is the source for this. I can't find it anywhere.

Agree on this, I think it's fake/AI news. Doesn't follow the normal protocols, its too vague, and too far out in the future. The only place it shows up is on the V club website.

 

[RDATLTE]

Kinda bad examples though. The LS9 and LSA were both developed at the same time, and led into the development for the LT4 in the following generation Corvette. The LT5 was just a worked-over LT4. Profitability is at the core of EVERYTHING GM does. They do not engineer things to lose money at all. There are no "loss leaders" at the company and nothing like that is even allowed, nor discussed.

Each engineering team takes what is essentially a "loan" out from the mothership to architect, design, engineer, and then build thing X. Whatever that is. A new engine, a new car, whatever. That loan is expected to be paid back right quick, with interest, in the form of: profits. A new small block that gets a new supercharger is, as the person you responded to, a YOOOGE pile of work when it comes to reliability and durability, NVH, and then the FE and emissions that need to be tested and vetted. All of that is money, money, money, money, and more money. That money HAS TO be returned to the mothership, or the "loan" will never be granted.

Have we forgotten about the "real" Blackwing engine?

 

[CB34]

Have we forgotten about the "real" Blackwing engine?

Yeah - there was a man named "Johan" who lost his job over it.

 

[CB34]

Agree on this, I think it's fake/AI news. Doesn't follow the normal protocols, its too vague, and too far out in the future. The only place it shows up is on the V club website.

I think this was circulated to dealers. It's probably not "official" yet because they are under confidentiality.

 

[Le Monstre]

It's clear you and the second person haven't driven a Z06. I have one and have had for over a year. Drive one in anger before saying what you think you can do, based on your experience with Ford's (pathetic attempt at a) flat plane engine. The Z06's engine makes its peak power way, way up high, like 8400RPMs. And its redline is a mere 200RPMs higher. You are not fast enough to properly shift a manual transmission car within 200RPMs in a free-spinning FPC engine. It isn't going to happen. You're going to hit the rev limiter every single time.

The Z06's engine is a gutless block of pretty aluminum in the lower RPMs where we do most of our driving on the road. There's so little low end torque in the engine. The low end is part of the 5BW's wonderful character. That immediate kick-you-in-the-chest grunt that's there everywhere in its admittedly smaller rev range. There's no need to think outside the box with this. I've had a 5BW, I have a C8 Z06, and I'm selling that to go back to.. a 5BW. The Caddy has a certain type of character that would be destroyed with a high-revving, gutless-down-low V8 engine.

I appreciate your perspective, but I have some thoughts on your points:

1. The "drive it in anger" comment seems disconnected from justifying why a flat-plane crank (FPC) engine can't pair with a manual transmission. Your argument overlooks successful implementations like the Tremec 6MT in the Shelby GT350, which delivers a thrilling and precise driving experience with its unique FPC V8. Additionally, Ferrari paired manual transmissions with FPC V8s in models like the 360 and F430, proving it’s not only feasible but engaging. Even the Gordon Murray T.50 uses a manual with a 3.9L V12 revving to 12,000 RPM, showing precise shifting is possible even at high RPMs with tight redline margins.
2. I agree that the LT6’s high-revving, low-torque nature wouldn’t suit a Cadillac sedan. The Blackwing’s instant, torquey response defines its character, and a high-revving FPC V8 would clash with the practical, refined aura Cadillac aims for in a performance sedan.