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.