CAFE and slowing V-8 sales killed the new GM high-feature V-8
The cancellation last week of General Motors new high-feature V-8 that was due for 2010 was indeed prompted in part by the passage of new fuel economy regulations in mid-December but CAFE was not the only reason. In a conversation with AutoblogGreen, Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor revealed that the company had been going back and forth for some time on whether to proceed with the program. It seems that buyers have gradually moving away from the current Northstar V-8 toward the 3.6L V-6 for some time now and 2008 model sales combined with the new CAFE standards have finally put the nail in the V-8 coffin.
Currently only fifteen percent of all Cadillac sales are V-8s and that includes the Escalade and XLR. With the introduction of the direct-injected version of the V-6 this year, the engine's output is rated at 304hp compared to 320 for the 4.6L V-8 and the V-6 is more efficient and lighter. Going forward Cadillac will instead focus on the DI V-6 possibly added turbocharging at some point. For the applications where a V-8 is deemed necessary - like the Escalade or the XLR - they will use variants of the small-block V-8 instead. Even this engine may well get direct injection at some point and it's being tested now.
[Source: Cadillac]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dan 10:02AM (1/08/2008)
Wow, where to start with this one.
1. The 15% figure sounds dubious. The DTS has been Cadillac's largest volume seller for years and it's not available with anything but the Northstar V-8.
2. In addition, both the XLR and Escalade are V-8 only, though the Escalade does NOT use the Northstar.
3. Fact-checking aside, I think this is ultimately good news. Both Northstars I've had in my Cadillacs were prodigious consumers of oil. Dealers just shake their heads and say "that's just how they are."
4. When can I get in line for a hybrid Cadillac sedan? I may have to defect to Lincoln if the MKZ hybrid comes out first.
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steven 10:33AM (1/08/2008)
Sam: Thanks for going the extra mile to end the speculation. Nice save!
@1: Keep in mind the original A.N. article said this V-8 issue did not apply to the V-8's in the XLR and, as you alluded to, the trucks are not using the engine that would have been replaced. They use Chevy V-8s, do they not? BTW, the CTS is outselling the DTS and has for 3 of the past 4 calender years. (Yes, Deville too). So much for "fact-checking aside" :-) Good luck with that Lincoln.
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Dan 11:44AM (1/08/2008)
I hadn't checked the 2007 numbers yet, but you're right about 2007. CTS sales at 57,029 vs. DTS at 51,469. In 2006, it was CTS 54,846 vs. DTS at 58,224. I don't have time at the moment to check '05 and '04 (was that the only year DTS came out on top?), but that's really beside the point.
The point I was aiming for is that the 15% figure can't be right.
DTS+XLR sales at 53,219 vs. overall Caddy sales of 131,192 mean that even if every STS had the V-6 and ignoring the Escalade entirely, V-8s represented 40 percent of Cadillac sales.
http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/IROL/84/84530/sales_production/Dec2007Deliveries.pdf
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steven 12:31PM (1/08/2008)
I think it is all context, or being taken out of, take your pick. If you look at the cars that have a V-6 options, those cars are going out the door with V-6's:
“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,” Cadillac spokesman Kevin Smith told Automotive News."
Or this: "..the percentage of Cadillac buyers who want a V-8 is declining. Only 10 to 15 percent of Cadillac buyers insist on a V-8, while the others choose the V-6 powertrain..."
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Noah 2:12PM (1/08/2008)
Well, I imagine more people would get the V8 if it had more power...but it looks like a better decision to stick with the V6. For the STS, maybe GM could offer a turbo option that puts out the V8 equivalent (~360 hp).
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Wildgoosechase 5:21PM (1/08/2008)
It's a shame to lose a cleaner more efficient engine while the 50 year old small block Chevy will live on. Cadillac needs a premium V8 to compete with BMW and Mercedes. The problem is that unlike the other makes it’s buyers are less likely to just pay the gas tax.
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why not the LS2/LS7? 4:57PM (1/08/2008)
The small block is more efficient than the Northstar (high-feature V8). It's also cheaper, lighter and smaller.
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Ted Kennedy Is My Chauffer 10:28AM (1/09/2008)
@7 The current LS series V8 has nothing in common with the '50 year old small block Chevy', outside of being refered to as 'a small block Chevy.' The LS Series is a completely different engine that produces more power in a smaller package than the beloved DOHC V8s fawned over by elitists.
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