CT6-V

Make
Cadillac
Segment
Sedan

When Cadillac revealed its 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 last year, it sparked hope the luxury brand was on the cusp of a new high-performance era. The now-discontinued Cadillac CT6-V would be just the first model to receive that engine, an engine to prove that internal combustion was far from dead at GM's luxury brand. But sadly, it wasn't meant to be. Sadly, the Blackwing V8 doesn't fit in the CT4 and CT5 and it also won't be utilized in the new Escalade. But fortunately, this doesn't mean the Blackwing V8 is completely dead. Whoever said only Cadillac will use it?

According to Hagerty, Italian coachbuilder Manifattura Automobili Torino (MAT) has struck a deal with GM to use the Blackwing for its own use. If you recall, MAT is the company behind the reborn Lancia Stratos, based on the Ferrari F430 Scuderia.

Cadillac president Steve Carlisle previously said other future cars will have "a little bit of Blackwing" in them. Was he referring to this one? Unknown, but MAT president Paolo Garella said that a limited production MAT model will be using the Blackwing, but the vehicle itself is being designed in-house. "We have an agreement with General Motors. It's a very-very interesting engine, a 4.2-liter twin-turbo reverse-flow V-8. I believe that for Cadillac, it's discontinued. They aren't using it anymore," Garella said to Hagerty.

"It's probably not that well known, but the only GM operation left in Europe is in Turin. It's just at the back of the Polytechnic University, and it's where they develop all of their global diesel engines. They are now looking into other lines of business as well, and as I understand, they are trying to turn the engineering center into a profit-oriented business. Up until now, it was only for in-house development. They are very active in the region, so for us, it's an excellent opportunity."

At the same time, GM has announced it'll be selling Propulsion Engineering Center in Turin to the Punch Group, and it will continue working directly with MAT to keep GM's engines alive - including the Blackwing.

So there you have it. The Blackwing lives, only not in an American luxury car but rather a limited production Italian exotic.