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The 2016 Cadillac CT6’s 3.6L LGX V6 and 8L45 Auto Could Arrive on the 2016 Camaro

If we were to choose our three favorite cars from the New York International Auto Show, the list would look like this: McLaren 570S, Lincoln Continental Concept and the 2016 Cadillac CT6 luxobarge. Thing is, GM quietly debuted an all-new engine and transmission on the Detroit-made luxury sedan. Other than the Hydra-Matic 8L90 8-speed we already know from the C7 Corvette, full-size SUVs and pickup trucks, the CT6 flagship is available with the Hydra-Matic 8L45 8-speed. Boiled down to its core, the new kid on the block shares the architecture and design features of the 8L90 8-speed automatic tranny. In the 2016 Cadillac CT6’s case, the automatic transmission can be coupled to the 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (churning an est. 265 HP / 198 kW) and the 3.6L LGX V6, which packs an SAE-certified 335 HP (250 kW) and 284 lb-ft (385 Nm) of torque. Compared to the 8L90 8-speed auto’s 4.56 first gear ratio, the 8L45 transmission is set to 4.62. Couple that with the 8L45’s 7.0 overall ratio and you’ll get better fuel economy, good off-the-line performance and smooth shifts between ratios. As an added bonus, the GM Hydra-Matic 8L45 is smaller and “approximately 33 lbs (15 kg)” lighter than the 8L90 8-speed automatic. The rotating clutches are located near the front of the 8L45 and, thanks to short oil feed channels, this layout supports very fast shifts. What other General Motors models benefit from the Hydra-Matic 8L45 except for the 2016 Cadillac CT6? According to the Detroit giant, these models are the 2016 Cadillac CTS and ATS with the 2-liter turbo inline-4 and the 3.6-liter atmospheric V6 we previously mentioned. On the 2016 ATS, the 8L45 can also be paired to the 2.5-liter engine. The 3.6-liter LGX V6 will (probably) arrive on the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro
GM 3.6L LGX V6 engine and GM Hydra-Matic 8L45 8-speed transmission 3 photos
Photo: GM
GM 3.6L LGX V6 engineGM Hydra-Matic 8L45 8-speed transmission
As you may already know, the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro in entry-level guise features a GM High Feature 3.6-liter LFX V6 engine. On the 2015 model year, the V6-powered Camaro makes do with 323 HP and 278 lb-ft (377 Nm) of torque. With the sixth-gen 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, we have this gut feeling the 3.6-liter LFX V6 will be replaced by the all-new LGX.

The mid-range powerplant of the 2016 Cadillac CT6 is a “clean-sheet engine design” from the fourth-generation of General Motors’ DOHC V6 family. Thanks to cylinder deactivation, stop and start and other fuel-saving features, we are told to expect an “estimated 9 percent” improvement in terms of fuel economy ”when compared to the previous engine [the 3.6-liter LFX V6 mill].”

Thanks to an aluminum block, a forged-steel crankshaft, a better cooling system, high-flow cylinder heads and a variable-displacement lubrication system, this is one tough cookie. Other technical highlights include a 60-degree cylinder angle (same as the LFX’s), joined by a bore size enlarged from 94 to 95 mm and the bore centers stretched from 103 to 106 mm.

The previously mentioned 335 HP (250 kW) and 284 lb-ft (385 Nm) of torque shouldn’t be taken for granted though. Compared to the LFX, the LGX-gen V6 is 12 HP and 6 lb-ft (8 Nm) more powerful. It’s necessary to mention that the V6 has larger intake valves and an exhaust manifold integrated in the cylinder head.

Will the 3.6L LGX V6 be available on the 2016 Camaro? Definitely

For the sixth-generation, Chevrolet is expected to adopt a 2-liter turbo four-cylinder as the base powertrain option. Bang in the middle we’ll see the LGX, battling the 2015 Ford Mustang 2.3L EcoBoost’s 310 horsepower and 320 lb-ft (433 Nm). If we’re not reading too much into this, it’s highly possible to see the Hydra-Matic 8L45 8-speed automatic mated to the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro’s 2.0L I4 and 3.6L V6 mills.

As for the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS, you can say goodbye to the 6.2-liter LS3 small-block V8 of yesteryear and hello to the C7 Corvette’s 6.2-liter LT1 small-block V8. It’s as clear as day that this eve-eight will be coupled to the older 8L90 8-speed automatic transmission as is on the C7 Corvette Stingray.

Projected horsepower? A tad under 460 horsepower and 460 lb-ft (623 Nm).

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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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