![]()
Cadillac has officially unveiled the 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
The CTS Sport Wagon takes the basic styling of the sedan and adds a more usable rear hatch. It rides on the same 113.4 inch wheelbase as the CTS sedan, but is 0.3 inch shorter. The highlight of the Sport Wagon is that it has a 25 cubic foot cargo area for all your stuff.
"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."
The CTS Sport Wagon is powered by the same 3.6L V6 engines as the sedan, the 304 horsepower direct injection engine and the standard 263 horsepower engine. Both engines can be mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. AWD is also optional. A 250 horsepower 2.9L diesel engine is also in development for Asian and European markets.
The 2010 CTS Sport Wagon will be in dealerships in Spring 2009.
Related Stories:
All-New 2010 Cadillac SRX Unveiled
Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept will be Released for 2010
PRESS RELEASE:
Dramatically Designed Alternative to Larger Vehicles Makes Debut at Pebble Beach
PEBBLE BEACH , Calif. – Amidst the beauty and history of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Cadillac treats car enthusiasts to a world premiere of its latest production-car design. The 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon makes its debut this weekend on the Monterey Peninsula, showcasing a dramatic design that elevates and updates the classic wagon body style.
Not unlike many historic Cadillac designs, the new CTS Sport Wagon is an unmistakable and dynamic presence. The car's intricately cut rear profile injects fashion-forward design into the formerly utilitarian world of wagons. Cadillac's upcoming wagon offers ample interior space and includes a range of six-cylinder engine choices, making it a compelling alternative to larger utility vehicles.
Based on the hot-selling CTS sport sedan, and a sister vehicle to the CTS Coupe Concept, the Sport Wagon extends the design-driven renaissance of Cadillac. Following this special premiere at Pebble Beach, the CTS Sport Wagon moves to the worldwide auto show circuit this fall – and into to Cadillac dealerships in spring 2009.
"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."
A striking profile is created with the CTS wagon, with a silhouette that suggests speed and aerodynamic efficiency. 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. However, it offers a generous cargo area of 25 cubic feet (720 liters) behind the rear seats. Design highlights include:
-Signature V-shaped deck and tailgate motif
-Large, vertical taillamps with light-pipe technology
-Power-opening liftgate (via key fob or in-vehicle button)
-CHMSL integrated in subtle roof spoiler
-Integrated roof load management system with cross bars for a seamless appearance
-Cargo management system with adjustable in-floor containment
-New 19-inch wheels
-Larger available panoramic rear sunroof
-The CTS Sport Wagon, like its sedan predecessor, includes available features such as all-wheel drive, a 40-gigabyte internal hard drive, pop-up navigation screen and a hand-cut-and-sewn interior with Sapele wood accents.
"The CTS Sport Wagon is an important expansion to the Cadillac lineup worldwide," said Taylor.
Design details
Dramatic planes highlight the CTS wagon's design, including a V-shaped motif carried throughout the vehicle and carefully integrated intersections of exterior surfaces. The elements coalesce in a dramatic fashion, creating tension that emphasizes the vehicle's performance.
"It's a taut design that not only suggests sleekness, but delivers it," said Clay Dean, global design director for Cadillac. "Indeed, the drama of the sedan is amplified in the CTS Sport Wagon, as the centerline cue that is part of the exterior and interior is more prominent and plays a stronger role in defining the design at the rear of the vehicle."
The emotion of the CTS Sport Wagon's design is carried by a number of nuanced details. The liftgate area, for example, is a confluence of angles and planes that typifies the vehicle's design tension. Cadillac's "V" motif is most prominent here, culminating in a spine at the center of the liftgate that is accented with a subtle spoiler at the top of the backlight. The rear quarter panels extend slightly beyond the inward-angled planes of the V, creating a distinctive W shape at the rear of the vehicle. Large, prominent vertical taillamps – with Cadillac's signature light pipe technology – are the final, dramatic touches to the rear-end styling.
"The more you study the rear of the CTS Sport Wagon, the more you see," said Dean. "Functionality was certainly a guiding factor during development, but so was the idea to inject emotion into the normally sedate wagon category."
One of the more interesting integrations of form and function is found in the seamless roof load management system. Rather than stylized stanchions, brackets and cross bars that protrude above the roof line, the CTS Sport Wagon's system blends with the roofline, maintaining an uninterrupted appearance. The center section of the roof panel angles downward inside the roof edges, allowing an unobtrusive placement of the cross bars – and creating a subtle fin effect at the trailing edges of the rear panels.
"They're not fins in the classic sense, but they work to help disguise the cargo load system and, yes, they acknowledge Cadillac's design heritage," said Dean.
The interior of the Sport Wagon is common with the much-acclaimed sport sedan, including streamlined instrumentation, LED lighting and hand-cut-and-sewn accents with French stitching.
Powertrains
Direct injection technology helps the CTS offer more power while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions. It delivers fuel more precisely to increase the efficiency of combustion. This means less fuel is consumed and lower emissions created.
With the CTS Sport Wagon's 3.6L V-6, direct injection translates to 304 horsepower (227 kW)*, no loss of fuel efficiency and a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions. It also runs on less expensive regular unleaded gasoline. The Sport Wagon's fuel economy is expected to be similar to the peak rating of the existing sport sedan's 26 mpg highway rating. The standard 3.6L VVT engine that produces 263 horsepower (196 kW) and 253 lb.-ft. of torque (343 Nm) serves as the base engine in North America.
Just like the CTS sport sedan, the V-6 engines are matched with fuel-saving six-speed transmissions, including an Aisin six-speed manual or an electronically controlled Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic. As is the case on the sport sedan, CTS Sport Wagon includes AWD as an option.
An efficient 2.9L turbo-diesel engine is being developed for CTS models primarily in European and Asian markets. It is a compact, dual overhead cam, four-valve V-6 engine from GM's family of diesel engines that delivers optimal fuel economy as well as reduced emissions and noise. The engine is rated at 184 kW (250 hp).
Driving dynamics
The robust and dynamic CTS chassis infuses the new wagon with a great balance of performance and luxury. It uses an independent short/long arm ( SLA) front suspension system and a multi-link rear suspension.
The multi-link rear suspension features a fully isolated subframe that helps deliver excellent suspension kinematics, contributing to a superior ride and excellent handling.
Advanced chassis technology in the form of Cadillac's StabiliTrak electronic chassis control system integrates the car's standard four-channel ABS with the full-function traction control, hydraulic brake assist and engine drag control systems to deliver a safer, more confident driving experience. Additional chassis details include a structure-enhancing tower-to-tower brace under the hood; large, four-wheel disc brakes and premium steering.

Comments (18)
Looks uncannily similar to the new Holden Commodore Wagon (Pontiac G8).
Posted by brad | August 15, 2008 4:25 AM
Posted on August 15, 2008 04:25
1 point for GM...
Posted by gilly | August 15, 2008 5:41 AM
Posted on August 15, 2008 05:41
1 point for GM...not too bad
Posted by gilly | August 15, 2008 5:42 AM
Posted on August 15, 2008 05:42
1 point for GM...not too bad
Posted by gilly | August 15, 2008 5:43 AM
Posted on August 15, 2008 05:43
While at first glance I thought "wow, looks nice"...I then realized it's aimed at the Audi A4, MB C-class and BMW 3-series, which all offer wagons that are MUCH better looking.
This is just another Dodge Magnum that will be gone in a few short cycles.
Posted by Noya | August 15, 2008 5:55 AM
Posted on August 15, 2008 05:55
And I love the fact it comes with 2 engine choices (of the same engine no less)....
Diesel, you know we sell it here in the states?
Geez, the Audi A6 gets like half a dozen engines and we are lucky if a domestic has two choices...
Posted by Brian | August 15, 2008 5:57 AM
Posted on August 15, 2008 05:57
I'm confused. I "know" I saw a Caddie wagon on the road a few months back. Are there after-market wagons on current bodies? Might I have just seen one of the test units?
Posted by JerryL | August 15, 2008 6:11 AM
Posted on August 15, 2008 06:11
does anyone else think it looks sort of like a Saab 9-3 SportCombi?
hmm...
Posted by SANDMAN | August 15, 2008 6:24 AM
Posted on August 15, 2008 06:24
@ JerryL,
You probably saw a Cadillac SRX crossover, which basically looks like a wagon with a 3" inch lift kit.
Posted by Noya | August 15, 2008 6:38 AM
Posted on August 15, 2008 06:38
old farts pretending to play sports by hitting tiny balls with sticks... this is the "caddilac CTS prosthetic hip edition"...
Posted by Dennisil | August 15, 2008 8:11 AM
Posted on August 15, 2008 08:11
Whats the major difference between this and the SRX?
Price? Rear-lift (on the SRX)?
I think they look too similar.
Posted by JD | August 15, 2008 9:31 AM
Posted on August 15, 2008 09:31
This is on the CTS platform, which is still a car. The crossover is large and I beleive will take the current SRXs platform, which is basically stronger, taller, and more capable. As well most crossovers have standard all wheel drive, not sure if the caddy does but it wouldn't surprise me.
And as far as diesel in a Caddy, maybe it will get into an Escalade, but when was the last time you heard a luxury sedan rumble, or better yet, hear the turbines whine. Plus, if you can afford a new caddy, I imagine you can afford to put a bit of gas in it. You want diesel, lower you luxury standard and drive a Volkswagen like the rest of the world.
Posted by BigO | August 15, 2008 3:40 PM
Posted on August 15, 2008 15:40
I am confidant that this car will be miles ahead of the Dodge Magnum. The Magnum was swathed in grey plastic, had a plastic ammo can for a between the seat console in the front and had horrible acoustic issues in the back. The materials in the car did nothing for the noise coming from both the road and the drone of the engine and exhaust. The car had too much Dodge Neon in its DNA to draw interest. In the U.S., the 328i wagon comes with one engine, the Audi A4 wagon, with one engine (currently), and M-B currently offers an E Class, but no C-class in the U.S.
In Europe the Caddy Wagon will have an up hill battle for sure, especially if the reviews from U.K. concerning the sedan ring true for the wagon as well.
Posted by Turkle | August 15, 2008 7:40 PM
Posted on August 15, 2008 19:40
i am with sandman, GM please dont do a cadillac platform, but use the saab 93 and please stick a diesel in it.
Posted by lowest iq | August 15, 2008 11:59 PM
Posted on August 15, 2008 23:59
It would only be good if the Caddy it is wasn't shit. Whatever they say about it being Nurburgring tuned and and a new era for Cadillac, I can't help but pick at three things with this vehicle. The same three things with the sedan, actually:
1. Exterior Styling. It looks like the old CTS in a fat suit.
2. Powertrain. No matter what engine you get it with, be it the 263 hp motor or the 304 hp, there is a equivalent sized German car that gets better mileage and/or better performance. If you went econo-mode and got the 263 hp motor, the 528i, E-Class all have better mileage. And if you go for performance, the 535i has far better acceleration and more usable power in the low range.
But the biggest complaint, ignoring that minor second one but just a bit higher than the first:
3. Prestige. This is a luxury car. A LUXURY car. Not an entry level luxury car, no. A Luxury Car. That means there has to be prestige, class, honor, and exclusivity in the name. And I hate to break it to Cadillac, but that means there has to be an exclusive price too. This is just a slight step above a Toyota Avalon in price (and at its base level, its not much better equipped than a mildly decked out Avalon).
If you are searching for transportation, just transportation, most people just rule out cars over $30,000. If your looking for comfortable transportation, fuel economy still matters (like it does in normal cars), but then you want some amenities, most of which can be had on a decked out starter brand car. Its why I don't see the point in the Mercury brand: a loaded Fusion is just as well equipped as a Milan really.
But when you buy a premium car, your not doing so for the transportation or even just the amenities. Your doing so to set yourself apart from other people, to gain some prestige and to (lets face it) show off. A car priced like the CTS just doesn't do that.
I think increasing the price to meet that of a 5 series (and then adding a base V8 to match the 5 series 4.8L) would actually *help* CTS sales, if only because the exclusivity was there now.
Whenever I meet a upwardly mobile professional in my line of work though, none of them even consider Cadillac. For one, even with all the might of hip-hop, Cadillac never shed its "old people" image. Hip Hop probably even hurts it now: the Escalade, a rappers choice vehicle, is seen in very negative terms by todays youth. Maybe in high school it looks good but when college sets in all they can think about is the gas consumption and the costs and that its really not that good of car. Cadillac as a brand then suffers.
So when a upwardly mobile professional decides to bite into the luxury market, the image of the brand, the fact that its not exclusive, and that it seems so much like a "almost as good as this" car, just turns them away.
Cadillac is actually doing ok in sales right now, but its going to need way more work than GM is putting in with the Sport Wagon and its marketing shtick.
Posted by Allen | August 17, 2008 8:48 PM
Posted on August 17, 2008 20:48
@ Allen
You're missing part of the point. Caddy is trying to shake the "old fart" image some, but people who buy BMW and MB aren't going to buy Cadillacs anyway, because it's a status thing.
The base BMW 5 series starts out at $10k higher than the CTS does, and the V8 5 series starts at several grand more than you can even possibly price a CTS.
The CTS *is* a really nice car. A friend of mine has driven both a CTS and a 5 series, and he'd buy the CTS over the 5 series, and he's certainly no friend to American cars, and that's saying something.
Caddy has the CTS priced right. Why raise the price to the 5 series level?
Posted by Beavis | August 18, 2008 7:07 AM
Posted on August 18, 2008 07:07
and what did he really buy? a bus ticket?
Posted by butt head | August 18, 2008 7:48 AM
Posted on August 18, 2008 07:48
Didn't they cancel Dodge Magnum? I guess GM bought the blueprints.
Posted by mechelaar | August 18, 2008 12:51 PM
Posted on August 18, 2008 12:51