Beauty is More Than Tin Deep
For 2004 the aggressive CTS theme has finally permeated the engine bay. The all-new, St. Catherines-built 3.6-liter (220 cu in) 255 horsepower V6, featuring variable valve timing (VVT), has given CTS performance to match its styling. The base V6 engine in the CTS remains unchanged from 2003, continuing to develop a reasonably competitive 220 horsepower.
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| Cadillac has finally given the CTS a performance engine to match its racy styling. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
GM claims its new powerplant is one of the most advanced in the world. In addition to VVT, this rev-happy internal combustion initiator also features 24-sodium filled valves, polymer-coated pistons, electronic throttle control and all-aluminum block and heads. These high-tech goodies come together to produce 252 pounds-feet of torque, also right on target with the top performers in the class. What's more, a full 90 percent of the peak torque is produced between the real-world driving rpm's of 1,600 to 5,800.
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| The 3.6-liter (220 cu in) 255 horsepower V6 growls like a junkyard dog on steroids. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
What that means is that power is on-tap from the moment the tach departs the idle position and remains so through to redline. This isn't one of those engines that wakes up post 4,000 rpm and looses momentum with every shift-change.
Although GM put a lot of R&D into the new V6 to ensure that the harmonics are pleasing, under hard acceleration this beast growls like a junkyard dog on steroids. Personally I didn't find the growl particularly pleasing or refined, certainly for this premium midsize segment. But just like the color of a person's underwear, an ideal engine and exhaust note is a personal thing. The growl of Cadillac's new V6 may cause the blood to race through the veins of many-a-CTS purchaser within the model's median target age of 48-years; it's just that I'm not one of them. That being said, under normal operating parameters, the 3.6-L is as civilized as the majority of its competitors' V6s.
