Due to rising development costs, the folks at General Motors are having to delay a number of models that were originally scheduled to launch within the next couple of years, namely the Cadillac CTS Coupe, Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Cruze, Saab 9-5, and Saab 9-4X.

The Cruze was set to replace the Chevrolet Cobalt and delaying it now puts GM behind the small car trend. The Cruze is a very important car for the General, but GM is determined to have the Cruze released in the U.S. by 2010. The CTS Coupe and LaCrosse aren't expected to be high-volume cars anyway, so delaying these models shouldn't hurt too much. As for the Saabs, the 9-5 is an old car riding on an old platform and is in desperate need of a refresh replacement, while the 9-4X is still in final development at this time.

In the meantime, GM is expanding its development in other areas -- namely plug-in hybrids. The Chevrolet Volt is currently in the works, but we're told that other plug-ins could be arriving within the next few years.

+ Motor Authority: GM confirms delays for Cruze, CTS Coupe and Saab models

The folks over at Motor Trend have gotten word that GM is currently talking about the possibility of fitting its 4.5-liter Duramax V-8 turbo-diesel under the hood of the Cadillac CTS. Their sources say that fitting the engine would be relatively easy, so long as Cadillac uses the raised hood found on the new-for-2009 CTS-V.

GM says that this engine is capable of producing more than 310 horsepower and around 520 pound-feet of torque. This engine is also said to meet the tough 2010 emissions standards, making it legal in all fifty states. If the V-8 were fitted in the CTS, this would be a good way to bridge the gap between the base car's 304-horsepower V-6 and the 556-horsepower supercharged V-8 in the CTS-V.

Since this engine already exists, as does a transmission capable of managing all of the torque, little investment would have to be spent on this endeavor. A move to a diesel CTS would also make sense in light of the proposed CAFE regulations mandating that automakers have a 35 miles per gallon average by 2020.

+ Motor Trend: Scoop! Cadillac CTS May Get V-8 Diesel Option

We're preparing to drive the new Cadillac CTS-V next week and discussions of potential competitors have been filling the NextAutos office. We want to know what you think would naturally go head-to-head with Cadillac's 556-horsepower, 551-pound-feet, 4200-pound CTS-V.

Leave a comment with your opinion on what a proper CTS-V comparison test would look like.

We think that Cadillac’s CTS Sport Wagon has got one hot back section, if you’ll excuse us for saying so. In this video, Caddy Global Products Director John Howell explains just what makes the CTS wagon rump so good looking, and why he and the rest of the GM team believe this is “the right car at the right time.” Give a listen.

+ YouTube: The CTS Sport Wagon with GM’s John Howell

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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.

Click through to read Cadillac's press release.

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Looking an awful lot like the Provoq concept car that inspired it, Cadillac has offer up a few images in what the company calls a "sneak peak" at the 2010 SRX crossover.

The upcoming addition of the CTS Sport Wagon to the Caddy family has allowed designers to lean a little more to the SUV side of the crossover arrangement with this SRX, losing a bit of the high wagon feel that the current car has always conveyed. The car most likely rides on the same Theta crossover platform that underpins the Saturn Vue and the upcoming Saab 9-4X, and is a good bet to be offered in both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations.

Cadillac is saving all the juicy details about the SRX for its launch at an upcoming major auto show – Detroit wouldn’t be a bad guess here – but has provided us with a few photos in the meantime. Check them out in the gallery above.

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Satillac? Caditurn? We didn’t think much of this everyday-looking Saturn Sky when we passed by it in the shopping district of downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but a closer look reveals that this Sky roadster is actually wearing Cadillac badges.

One of the surprise debuts at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, Cadillac seems to be moving right along with the development of its forthcoming Cadillac CTS Coupe.

The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is set to hit GM showroom floors this fall. For those who can’t wait, here’s the first promotional video for GM’s supercharged via Germany beast.