Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon to be Unveiled at Pebble Beach

[mikeyb]

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Just in time for its world debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Cadillac has revelaed the first pictures and details of the 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon. Styling follows on from the hotly selling CTS sedan and also shows the same rear end characteristics as seen on Cadillac's first ever wagon – the BLS.

“The addition of this dramatically-designed Sport Wagon is well synchronized with today’s changing consumer tastes as a compelling alternative to SUVs or other larger vehicles,” says Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. “This is an important step in Cadillac’s ongoing global expansion, and of course in international markets like Europe, wagons have been and continue to be very significant.”

It features thick D-pillars and a signature V-shaped deck and tailgate motif, the tall tail-lights run from the roof line right down to the bumper around the power-opening boot hood. All in all, the design creates a rather imposing presence, which of course ,we expect from the brand. Other modifications over the sedan include a new set of 19inch wheels and a larger panoramic rear sunroof.

The wagon retains the same wheelbase as the sedan, but the overall length of the vehicle drops by 7mm. When the rear seat are in the upright position, the cargo space is set at 25 cubic feet(720 liters) including the adjustable in floor containment area.

[mikeyb]

I do not know what I think....

[SlowPro98]

ugh. I work for a caddy dealership, so I've driven the sedan. I don't know, I guess I'll have to see one in person. but these pics do not inspire me. Now the Audi S6 Avant wagon, that gets my heart pumping.

[SuperStretch18]

I don't hate it, but they could have done a better job with the back 20% of the car. Everything after the rear doors needs to go...

[mikeyb]

I will have to see it in person. I'm not feeling the rear pillars and the Saab 9-3 Sportcombi tails. I would rather have seen GM bring the Holden Commodore Sport Tourer here as a G8.

[TinmanMS6]

I like it a lot. It's going to be a bitch in traffic with those 3' wide D pillars. WTF Cadillac? I guess people don't really need to see out anywhere behind them...

[TinmanMS6]

Cadillac unveiled its CTS Sport Wagon this morning, adding a key product to its CTS portfolio that enthusiasts have been asking for since the car’s introduction in 2002. Cadillac executives told NextAutos that the wagon could account for as much as 20% of CTS sales in the U.S., a fairly significant amount given the history of wagon sales in our country since the dawn of the minivan and SUV. Sales of the CTS Sport Wagon will start in the Spring of 2009.

Overall the new Sport Wagon is very much a CTS—it’s all common to the sedan from the rear doors forward and it’s built on the same assembly line. It rides on the same 113.4-inch (2,880-mm) wheelbase as the CTS sport sedan and is 0.3-inch (7 mm) shorter. For those seeking to truly use the wagon as a carry-all, there’s a cargo area of 25 cubic feet. The same standard CTS powertrains are available in the wagon, too—a 3.6-liter V-6 in either standard or direction injection flavors. Also like the sedan, either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic is available, with all-wheel-drive as an option.

Like most new product launches these days, the manufacturer attempted to paint the new vehicle in the light of fuel efficiency. In Cadillac’s case with the new sport wagon, we actually think they’re right on target. Cadillac executives believe that in the move away from sport utility vehicles will bring more buyers to the wagon market. If they’re right, the CTS Sport Wagon will be an attractive option. In Europe and the rest of the world, wagon penetration is already high, meaning the CTS will finally be able to match its worldwide competitors with a more complete lineup. A coupe would be nice, too (hint, hint).

Although there’s no CTS-V(agon) announced at this time, Cadillac’s design boss Clay Dean admitted that he had to bite his lip in order to keep the idea from spilling forth. “If you think about it, all the parts and components are common from the wagon to the sedan,” Dean said. “The wagon is the same as the sedan from the rear doors forward, so there’s nothing stopping us from doing that.” When pressed for more information or timing, Cadillac’s savvy PR man Dave Caldwell turned the tables on us. “Well, what do you think? What would you say about that vehicle?” We responded in the affirmative, of course.

We’ll see the CTS Sport Wagon on the auto show circuit later this year and expect to shake out more details at that time.

[Rogue]

Does Caddy still make the SRX? Would this hurt their own sales?

[TinmanMS6]

Does Caddy still make the SRX? Would this hurt their own sales?

Yes, they still make it, but wouldn't they have to sell some for those sales to be hurt? I'm pretty sure they'd be happy to just move some cars.

[seanmcsean]

I'm a wagon guy... And I'm not even sure I like that..

[mikeyb]

Does Caddy still make the SRX? Would this hurt their own sales?

Yes the SRX is sell being sold. Here is the 2010 model.

http://img.worldcarfans.com/US/2008/8/15/9080815.002/9080815.002.Mini2L.jpg

[ForceFed]

Looks Like a Caddy Magnum.

[coolmazda5]

I like it a lot. It's going to be a bitch in traffic with those 3' wide D pillars. WTF Cadillac? I guess people don't really need to see out anywhere behind them...

Good point, but hey, it does a big panoramic sunroof, that should make up for it (braindead

[SlowPro98]

Yes the SRX is sell being sold. Here is the 2010 model.

http://img.worldcarfans.com/US/2008/8/15/9080815.002/9080815.002.Mini2L.jpg

yeah, they used the saturn vue as the platform. the power 3rd row in the current SRX does nothing except add weight and crush knee caps.

[Rogue]

really? so the SRX is FWD?

[mikeyb]

yeah, they used the saturn vue as the platform. the power 3rd row in the current SRX does nothing except add weight and crush knee caps.

Why would Cadillac use the Theta platform for the basic for the next SRX? So the SRX is moving down market? I would understand if they used the Lambda platform shared with the Chevy Tanverse, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook.

On a side note the Saab 9-4x will also be based on the Theta Premium with the SRX.

[mikeski]

i dont like the wagon.

[coolmazda5]

(scratch) I see 2 completely different vehicles between the CTS Sport Wagon and the SRX, one is a wagon and the other one is an SUV... kind of comparing a BMW 5 series wagon vs. a BMW X5?

[TinmanMS6]

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In a continuing effort to make a mark and grab a few sales in Europe, Cadillac says that a hot rod version of the upcoming CTS Sport Wagon is, "still in the realm of possibility."

Interest in pumping up sales in the European market was the impetus for the entire Sport Wagon program. The company announced that the CTS Sport Wagon would go on sale in the U.S. in the middle of 2009 and that it would be available with the 3.6-liter V6 engine and either rear- or all-wheel-drive systems from the CTS sedan.

But with a wildly powerful 556-horsepower supercharged V8 for the soon-to-be-on-sale 2009 CTS-V and all the upgraded driveline, suspension and body pieces that go with it at the ready, "a CTS-V Sport Wagon could be a relatively easy add," said Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell. The three big German luxury brands offer wagon versions of their hottest sedans. Audi even introduced its new RS6 first as a wagon. Only one of the über-wagons is currently on sale in the U.S., the $87,000 E63 AMG wagon, and it must be special ordered.

The CTS-V Sport Wagon wouldn't be cheap either. But considering the 2009 CTS-V sedan will start right at $60,000, the wagon version would still be about $25,000 less expensive than the E63 wagon. The CTS-V Sport Wagon would naturally carry the same rear-wheel-drive configuration as the sedan, along with the 19-inch wheels carrying Michelin PS2s, and the revised front end styling, which accommodates the tall supercharged motor and provides for better cooling than the standard car's front clip. It would do the quarter-mile in the mid-12-second range and carry 25 cubic feet worth of cargo.

In terms of building credibility with the European audience — especially the German audience — a muscle wagon could still be a valuable asset. "The V wagon is a maybe. Not a maybe with a wink and a giggle. It's just a maybe. A V version of the coupe is obvious," said Caldwell.

What this means to you: A CTS-V Sport Wagon is more desirable to some of us than a CTS-V coupe, but is there a business case to build it? Mercedes won't likely sell even 100 E63 wagons in the U.S. this year.

[mikeyb]

^Doesn't look half bad. My problem with the CTS-V is the chrome mesh grills. I would rather have them painted black.