Our spies had us brushing up on our spotting skills and turbocharger and supercharger knowledge-base after they took some fresh shots of a 2016 Cadillac CTS-V prototype and noticed that the car features what look like a pair of intercoolers behind the two side intakes on the front bumper. This lead them to believe that it could equipped with a twin-turbo V8 and not the Z06's supercharged V8 as initially speculated.

"After showing these photos to a few engineers, the consensus was that we were likely seeing a vehicle with a turbocharged powertrain, featuring two air-to-air intercoolers," our spies told us.

Now, while many supercharged engines lack an intercooler, the new Corvette Z06's 6.2-liter V8 actually combines two with the 1.7-liter Eaton R1740 TVS supercharger.

According to GM's statement on the +625hp Z06, "the mesh pattern on the front fascia was painstakingly designed to deliver the most possible airflow to the supercharger’s intercooler heat exchanger".

As for the Corvette Z06's hood vents that are also present on the CTS-V tester, GM says they vent "hot air from the engine compartment and contributes to downforce by allowing air driven through the grille to exit through the hood rather than being forced under the car, which could create lift."

More crucially, GM states that the Z06's "intercooler blocks [plural] are packaged outside the supercharger and are 23 percent smaller than those in the LS9"

Obviously, we won't get a direct answer from GM in regards to the next CTS-V's engine, but the existence of twin intercoolers doesn't necessarily mean it's a turbocharged unit as the supercharged V8 may also feature them.

If it's a supercharged unit, it should be the 6.2-liter V8 from the Z06, while if it's a twin-turbocharged mill, it could be GM's upcoming 4.5-liter V8 that was previewed on the Elmiraj Concept.

What do you think?

Will features a revised grille with a wreathless crest

Cadillac has announced the 2015 CTS will become the next model to feature the company's wreathless crest.

The company declined to release pictures but confirmed the car will feature a revised grille and the controversial crest that debuted on the 2015 ATS Coupe. Mainstream models will also be equipped with active grille shutters and a Galvano chrome grille, while VSport variants will eschew the grille shutters and adopt a black chrome grille. The 2015 CTS will also be offered in two new colors: Crystal White Tricoat and Dark Adriatic Blue Metallic.

Interior changes are relatively limited but include revised color and trim combinations as well as OnStar 4G LTE with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The CUE infotainment system also gains a Text Message Alerts function which can can read test messages aloud and send a predetermined reply. The infotainment system also boasts a new Teen Driver function which enables owners to set a radio volume limit and a maximum speed limit. The system also creates a "report card" that "records mileage, wide-open throttle events, ABS events, maximum speed and other data." Last but not least, there's a newly optional Cadillac DockSpot wireless inductive charging system for smartphones.
Engine options carryover and include:

A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 272 bhp (203 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque
A naturally-aspirated 3.6-liter V6 with 321 bhp (239 kW) and 275 lb-ft (373 Nm) of torque
A turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 with 420 bhp (313 kW) and 430 lb-ft (583 Nm) of torque

A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 272 bhp (203 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque
A naturally-aspirated 3.6-liter V6 with 321 bhp (239 kW) and 275 lb-ft (373 Nm) of torque
A turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 with 420 bhp (313 kW) and 430 lb-ft (583 Nm) of torque