Ford’s line of turbocharged EcoBoost engines are an unqualified success in both sales and performance. The Blue Oval plans to triple production of EcoBoost engines this year, leaving GM and other competitors in the dust when it comes to fuel efficient performance. But the General isn’t about to roll over and cede the market for turbocharged engines to Ford.
We’ve already heard rumblings of a 3.0 liter twin-turbo V6 from GM, and now LeftLane news reports that GM is working on a larger 3.6 liter twin-turbo V6 that promises even more performance and horsepower.
Ford has made good use of its 3.5 liter twin-turbo EcoBoost engine, dropping it in the Ford F-150 and Taurus SHO among others. GM is late to the party and working on a 3.0 liter twin-turbo V6 that could see double duty in rear-wheel drive coupes and sedans. But with a half-liter displacement deficit, it is unlikely GM will be able to match Ford’s 3.5 liter engine’s 365 horsepower and 365 ft-lbs of torque.
Enter a larger 3.6 liter twin-turbo V6 that is being made for duty in GM’s next-generation of full-size pickups. Some rumors suggest the 3.6 liter V6 might be for Cadillac only, though we think GM would be wise to spread the cost of development across multiple brands and vehicles (return of the Buick GNX anybody?) LeftLane news also reminds us that in 2009 GM showed off a twin-turbo 3.6 liter V6 Camaro that made 425 horsepower, right on par with the 6.2 liter V8.
Was GM hinting at something? Perhaps. Other rumors indicate that the 6th-generation of Camaros will make d0 with the 2.0 liter 4-cylinder turbo found in the new Cadillac ATS… but might this bigger twin-turbo V6 find its way into GM’s muscle cars too? We can only hope.