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CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE DROPS 2.0L TURBO LTG CRATE ENGINE FROM CATALOG

The $9,000 Motor Had A Hard Time Justifying Its Price

LTG Crate Engine Cadillac ATS Chevrolet Camaro
Image via GM.

At the 2014 SEMA Show, Chevrolet Performance announced its first turbocharged four-cylinder crate motor to its 2015 catalog: the 2.0L LTG crate engine (part no. 19328837). Found in the Cadillac ATS at the time, and eventually the sixth-generation Camaro, the concept was simple: a power-dense, compact crate engine for longitudinal RWD applications that would offer superior fuel economy to a V8. Power numbers were officially rated at 272 horsepower at 5,500 RPM and 295 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm, with the turbo pushing out a maximum boost pressure of 20 psi.

There was just one major problem, however. It cost $9,000. And supporting transmissions, high pressure fuel pump, clutch kit, accessory drive, and ECU were all sold separately. But the engine did carry a 24-month, 50,000 mile warranty. Regardless, customers didn’t seem to want it, and Chevrolet closed the chapter on offering a turbo four crate engine.

2016 Chevrolet Camaro LTG Turbo Engine
2016 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo AutoX Concept. Image via GM.

“The reality is that the market did not bare out as much. We didn’t have the sales that we thought,” said Russ O’Blenes, director of Chevrolet Performance variants, parts and motorsports in an interview with MC&T.

“We were doing that specifically as fuel prices were rising and we were doing that to give our customer multiple opportunities. And the reality is if you’re looking at the value of an LS3 or an LT1, unless you have something specific where you need a four cylinder, most people just end up choosing a V8. That’s just the reality of it. We took it out of the catalog. You can still buy the engine as a service part.”

A brand new LS3 crate engine, with 430 horsepower, costs thousands less. And a standard 350 small block costs just over a third of what Chevrolet charged for the LTG crate engine. This also provided a window of just how expensive it is for General Motors to produce the little turbo engine, relative to the simpler pushrod V8 mills that the automaker is famous for. Below is a video from Chevrolet Performance in 2017 that summarizes the LTG.

 

Written by Manoli Katakis

Muscle Cars & Trucks was founded by Manoli Katakis - an automotive media veteran that has been covering the latest car news since 2009. His journalism has uncovered dozens of major product changes, updates, plans, and cancellations long before automakers were ready to make things official.

Some highlights over the years of his reporting include the uncovering of the Zora trademark before anybody else reported on the coming of a mid-engine Corvette, as well as the dead-accurate reporting of the coming of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, two years before it hit the market, and even before the debut of the concept vehicle. This type of reporting has immediately continued here, with reports of the original seventh-generation Camaro plans being shelved, as well as what's in store for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Some of his work can be found on massive automotive media outlets, such as Motor1. He also has been a guest on the 910AM Radio Station with Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne, as well as the enthusiast-oriented Camaro Show podcast.

Over the years, Manoli has interviewed various automotive industry titans, leaders, and people that make things happen otherwise. These include figureheads such as GM CEO Mary Barra, GM President Mark Reuss, automotive aftermarket icon Ken Lingenfelter, Dodge firebrand Tim Kuniskis, along with various chief engineers of vehicles such as the Ford F-150 & Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro & Corvette, and many more.

At MC&T, Manoli is taking his journalism expertise, deeply planted sources, driving abilities, and automotive industry knowledge to new levels, covering more vehicles and brands than ever before. This is the place where you will continue to read groundbreaking stories about American performance vehicles, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Here is where you’ll also read insights and quotes from various automotive subject matter experts on the latest relevant products, as well as some of the latest official news from their manufacturers.

Fun facts: he also once beat Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner in an autocross with a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The biggest vehicle he’s ever driven is a John Deere mining truck. Besides a go-kart, the smallest vehicle he’s driven has been a Hyundai i10. He’s also spent time in the cockpit of various American performance vehicle icons, including the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Dodge Challenger Demon, and Ford Mustang GT350R. He has reviewed dozens of trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles over the years.

One of his favorite new vehicles on the market today happens to be the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. He is also a card carrying member of the Sports Car Club of America, and regularly participates in Detroit Region autocross events.

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