
The CT4 transmission brand is ZF. Below is a related introduction to the CT4: Body dimensions: The Cadillac CT4 measures 4760mm in length, 1815mm in width, and 1421mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2775mm. It is equipped with a 2.0T L4 turbocharged engine, producing a maximum horsepower of 237 hp and a maximum torque of 350 Nm. It features an 8-speed automatic transmission and can reach a top speed of 220 km/h. Configuration: The Cadillac CT4 is a compact 4-door, 5-seat sedan with a fuel tank capacity of 66L and a trunk capacity of 364L. It uses a MacPherson independent front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension, with a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout.

The 8-speed automatic transmission from General Motors, model 8L45, is entirely manufactured in-house. This gearbox can be found in many and Chevrolet models, with its main characteristic being a sporty shift logic that pairs well with the 2.0T engine in the CT4, delivering that crisp acceleration feel. While the number of gears isn't the highest by today's standards, the gear ratio design is quite clever, striking a decent balance between fuel efficiency and smoothness. Moreover, GM has tuned this transmission exceptionally well—the downshift response when you floor the accelerator is genuinely quick.

When you drive the CT4, have you noticed how crisp the gear shifts are? That's because it's equipped with Cadillac's specially matched 8L45 transmission, developed and produced by GM. Its most impressive feature is its ability to handle up to 400 Nm of torque, making it a perfect match for a rear-wheel-drive hot hatch like the CT4. My car enthusiast friends all say this transmission is way smarter than the older 6AT, especially in Sport mode where it holds higher revs and even blips the throttle on downshifts, making the drive super engaging. Of course, for daily commuting, its smoothness is also completely up to par.

The CT4 is equipped with GM's in-house 8AT transmission, codenamed 8L45. This gearbox is widely used across the GM group, from the CT4 to CT5, and even the Chevrolet Camaro. A practical advantage is its relatively low maintenance cost, as GM dealerships are extremely familiar with this transmission. If you occasionally want to drive aggressively, switching to manual mode with paddle shifters offers a response speed that's quite fast for its price range. However, pay special attention to the transmission fluid change interval—if you frequently drive hard, it's best to service it earlier.

Speaking of intuitive experience, what impressed me most when driving the CT4 was the perfect harmony between the transmission and the engine. The car is equipped with GM's 8L45 automatic transmission, which has multiple gears but closely spaced ratios, making it almost imperceptible when following traffic in the city. During spirited driving, it delivers that classic American car feel—stepping on the throttle halfway, it instantly understands to drop two gears. Some might think it's not a big-name brand like ZF, but in reality, the power delivery is exceptionally crisp and precise, especially the intelligent logic for maintaining gears when cornering. I recommend focusing on the shift response in Sport mode during a test drive.

The 8AT in the CT4 is the third-generation product independently developed by General Motors, codenamed 8L45. Interestingly, it incorporates technologies like a vane-type oil pump and a start-stop accumulator, making the start-stop action exceptionally smooth when waiting at traffic lights. Compared to the ZF 8AT used by , this transmission might be slightly slower in shift speed by a fraction of a second, but it has a significant advantage in its higher torque capacity, offering greater potential for later modifications. I've seen tuned CT4s using this transmission handle up to 450 N·m without issues. As for drawbacks, there might be a slight dragging sensation between 2nd and 3rd gears when the car is cold, but it disappears once the car warms up.


