Twin-Turbo V6 Brings 410 HP to 2014 Cadillac XTS

The 2014 Cadillac XTS will soon start the car’s sophomore selling season, and—depending on how you classify the XTS—it either has a lot of work to do or a lot to live up to. On the one hand, Cadillac explicitly targets the XTS against mid-size luxury sedans like the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but on the other, it’s actually the same length as those brands’ full-size contenders, the Audi A8, BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. And sales-wise, while the Cadillac XTS delivered more units (2,891) in April than the bigger German trio combined, it also underperformed the 5-Series alone by more than 2,100 sales last month.

But either way, those numbers should get a big boost when the 2014 Cadillac XTS reaches dealerships, since it will be offering a new 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that delivers 410 hp and 369 lb.-ft. of torque. The potent powerplant also features an all-new direct-injection fuel system and XTS-exclusive components, including machined, domed aluminum pistons and all-new cylinder-block casting; standard motivation for the 2014 Cadillac XTS will remain the current model’s naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6, itself capable of a robust 304 hp and 264 lb.-ft. of torque. Both choices are matched to a six-speed automatic transmission with Cadillac’s tap-shift control for manual-style gear changes.

And for comparison’s sake, here’s how the 2014 Cadillac XTS with its new engine stacks up against the most powerful of its intended rivals:

• Cadillac XTS—410 hp and 369 lb.-ft. of torque
• Mercedes-Benz E550—402 hp and 443 lb.-ft. of torque
• BMW 550i—400 hp and 450 lb.-ft. of torque
• Audi A6—310 hp and 325 lb.-ft. of torque

But the Wreath & Crest team didn’t limit enhancements to the 2014 Cadillac XTS to its powertrain.

2014 Cadillac XTS: Other Updates

Although the car already featured plenty of lux amenities, the brand did find a way to add more to the 2014 Cadillac XTS, including more technologies: Front-wheel-drive models, for example, now offer a standard electric power steering system, and all models feature both Automatic Parking Assist and Intellibeam. The former allows the 2014 Cadillac XTS to steer itself into parallel parking spaces, with the driver operating the brake and gas pedals and switching gears. The latter automatically controls the XTS’ headlamp functionality, switching between high and low beams based on the presence of oncoming traffic.

There is plenty new for passengers, too, especially those in the rear seats. There, occupants can enjoy a new wood-trimmed rear-seat armrest that integrates controls for both the sound system and a newly available opaque sunshade; in addition, the 2014 Cadillac XTS will offer a rear-seat entertainment system with DVD screens built into the backs of the front seats, along with a memory feature for the power-adjustable front-passenger seat.

Returning highlights of the 2014 Cadillac XTS include:

• Superior driving dynamics, courtesy of standard Magnetic Ride Control, a HiPer Strut high-performance front suspension setup, front brakes from Brembo and rear air springs
• Cadillac’s CUE connectivity and infotainment system, also standard, with an 8-inch color touchscreen, gesture and natural voice recognition, capacitive-touch control with proximity sensing, and haptic feedback
• Leather seating on all models, with available heated and ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats
• Real wood cabin trim in all models
• 8- and 14-speaker premium Bose sound systems
• Driver-assistance technologies like Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, GM’s Safety Alert Seat, Side Blind Zone and Rear Cross Traffic Alerts, Adaptive Cruise Control, Front and Rear Automatic Brake systems, and Automatic Collision Preparation

Pricing for the 2014 Cadillac XTS will be revealed in the short-term future.