2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Details

Cadillac announced last year that the CTS Sport Wagon would be available this year in V-Series Trim.  The V-Series ultra-powerful Sport Wagon strikes a special chord with some Buyers, who see it as the ultimate sleeper.  When you pull up to an elegant Cadillac station wagon, you don’t expect that it will have 556 HP and pavement ripping torque, or that it will scoot away from a stoplight in under 4 seconds.

With the continuing development of the CTS Family, the V-Series Sport Wagon falls right into place where one would expect.  The V-Series gear is as expected, powertrain, racing brakes, magnetic suspension, all heavy-duty gear.  Regardless of whether you intend to use all the power available in this Super Wagon, this is certainly the fully equipped variant.

Here are the details:

CTS-V Sport Wagon details

Like its sedan and coupe stable mates, the CTS-V Sport Wagon is powered by a supercharged 6.2L V-8, which delivers 556 horsepower (415 kW) and is backed by either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. A suite of technical and performance elements complement the powertrain, including Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 performance tires mounted on 19-inch forged aluminum wheels.

Like the other CTS V-Series models, the Sport Wagon incorporates a unique grille that doubles front-end airflow to help enable its high-performance capabilities. It is also visually identified by an aggressive front fascia and raised center section of the aluminum hood that provides clearance for the supercharger. It rides on 19-inch forged aluminum wheels available in painted or polished finishes.

The rest of the exterior carries the dramatic design of the new CTS Sport Wagon; the details of which 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 roof spoiler
  • Integrated roof load management system with available cross bars for a seamless appearance
  • Cargo management system with adjustable in-floor containment
  • Available panoramic UltraView sunroof.

At the rear is a pair of three-inch (76 mm) chrome exhaust outlet caps on a performance dual-exhaust system made of high-grade stainless steel. It will maintain a lustrous appearance longer than ordinary stainless.

Of course, cargo capability is a hallmark of wagons and the V-Series Sport Wagon delivers, with 25.4 cubic feet (720 liters) of space behind the rear seats and 58 cubic feet (1,644 liters) with the seats folded – virtually doubling the cargo space of the sedan.

Supercharged performance

The 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine powers the CTS-V Sport Wagon – the same acclaimed engine found in the V-Series Sedan and Coupe models. Rated at 556 horsepower (415 kW) and 551 lb.-ft. of torque (747 Nm), it is the most powerful engine offered in Cadillac’s history.

The engine features an intercooled Eaton Twin Vortices Series™ (TVS™) supercharger.  This unique supercharger design employs twin four-lobe rotors, twisted 160 degrees. Typical superchargers feature three lobes twisted 60 degrees. The fourth lobe and added twist, when combined with unique air inlet and outlet ports, create smoother, more efficient airflow into the engine. In addition to improved overall efficiency, this supercharger has superior noise and vibration characteristics compared to more ordinary designs.

A pair of six-speed transmissions is offered in the CTS-V Sport Wagon – a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual with a dual-disc clutch and a Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic with steering wheel-mounted shift controls. The steering wheel-mounted controls require no shift lever movement and allow immediate tap up/tap down gear selection. Performance Algorithm Shifting provides the automatic transmission with a performance-oriented shift pattern during sustained, high-performance driving. As with many Cadillac models, the driver needs only to slide the shifter into the manual “gate” to put the transmission into a performance mode.

Torque is channeled through the six-speed transmissions to a high-performance rear axle that features a limited-slip rear differential within a cast iron housing for greater thermal management, and asymmetrical half-shafts to smoothly manage the supercharged engine’s incredible torque. The unique design includes alternately sized half-shafts that also help dynamically balance the oscillation of torque from side to side, effectively eliminating “power hop.”

Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes and Michelin PS2 tires

The V-Series achieves exceptional levels of road-holding performance, but also maintains the poise of a luxury car in “regular” driving conditions. The technical enabler of this dual-mode driving character is Cadillac’s landmark Magnetic Ride Control. It is the world’s fastest-reacting suspension technology. It uses shocks controlled by advanced magneto-rheological technology, rather than mechanical valves, to greatly accelerate response time and precision. Electronic sensors at all four wheels literally “read the road” every millisecond, making constant adjustments to damping to create virtually instantaneous and extremely precise control of body motions.

The Magnetic Ride shocks also enable a broader range of damping control to optimize the ride and handling for all driving conditions. In the CTS-V Sport Wagon, an extra measure of control is offered, with two selectable modes (Tour and Sport), enabling the driver to tailor the suspension for grand touring or more spirited performance driving.

The CTS-V Sport Wagon also incorporates sophisticated braking and tire systems, in partnership with two companies renowned for high-performance technology: Brembo and Michelin. Brembo brakes are at all four corners and include powerful, six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear.

Large, vented rotors enable strong initial braking force while optimizing heat resistance and eliminating fade. The brake rotors from Brembo are manufactured with “dual-cast” technology that combines cast iron and aluminum, resulting in superior performance and weight reduction.

The CTS-V Sport Wagon also includes an electric parking brake, which allows for optimal dead pedal placement, which is important for high-performance driving.

Michelin partnered with Cadillac engineers to develop an exclusive Pilot Sport PS2 tire specifically engineered for the CTS-V. The tires support high levels of grip in track conditions, while also affording excellent performance on the road.

Comfort, style and technology

The interior of the CTS-V Sport Wagon is shared with the sedan, including streamlined instrumentation, LED lighting and hand-cut-and-sewn accents. It includes performance seats featuring perforated sueded microfiber inserts designed to hold the driver and front passenger in place during cornering. Recaro performance driving seats are optional and provide excellent support for spirited driving. These 14-way adjustable performance seats include pneumatic bolster controls in the seat cushions and backrests.

Complementing the performance seating are a thick steering wheel and a gauge package designed for easy, at-a-glance reference during performance driving. Large instruments have bold readouts, including an LED-lit “tracer” function in the tachometer that flashes as the engine nears the red line. The gauge layout includes a boost gauge and a lateral acceleration display.

Obsidian Black accents grace the center stack, console, steering wheel and door panels. The production steering wheel and shifter are available in Alcantara, providing the luxurious character of suede. These accents are elegant to the touch and aid the driver during high-performance driving. Just like every CTS, the V-Series includes a hand-stitched instrument panel, door trim and center console.

Leading-edge infotainment features extend to the V-Series. Standard features include an advanced navigation system with a deployable screen, Bose 5.1 digital surround audio, factory-installed Bluetooth phone integration and a 40-gigabyte hard drive that allows the customer to store a large library of music files. The system uploads files via a USB port or the in-dash DVD/CD drive and allows stored tracks to be searched and selected through the radio controls.

The Surprising Result of Test Drives

Recently I have done weekend test drives of the Cadillac CTS-V, the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, the Cadillac Escalade ESV, and the Cadillac SRX 3L.  You can find all of my test drives under the ‘Test Drive‘ tag.

I have enjoyed each vehicle.  A part of testing each vehicle is trying to understand that individual design, what the Design Team had in mind, who the target audience for the vehicle is.    With the Cadillac CTS-V, I fit within the demographic that the team is targeting.   People who want maximum sport, with all the luxury appointments of a Cadillac.   That one was easy for me to ‘get’ and to understand.

The Cadillac Escalade ESV offers amazing space and storage ability, along with 3 rows of seating.  It is a terrific vehicle for when you need to tow, or carry a large family, or frequently carry large items.  It drives well, and is extremely well mannered regardless of size, but especially for a large vehicle.

The Cadillac Sport Wagon offers the feel of the sedan — lower weight, lower center of gravity, more sporty handling — while providing easy access storage space and utility.  The Cadillac Team has carefully engineered the cargo storage and seat configurations with actual uses of the Sport Wagon in mind.

The Cadillac SRX was a real surprise to me.  The inherent goodness of this vehicle is very high.  The package as a whole is delightful.   Integration of a digital display in the dash, along with thoughtful features like folding mirrors and predictive pathing on the back up camera display push this Cadillac very high on my list of desirable vehicles.  Before I drove one, I was pleased that the SRX was selling well for Cadillac, but would never consider it as a daily driver.  After driving one, I not only appreciate why they sell so well, but would consider purchasing one.

And therein lies the interesting side-effect of my test drives.  My palate is expanding.  I have come to appreciate an even wider variety of Cadillac designs and choices.  While I am fond of pointing out that “every Cadillac does not have to be a CTS-V”, now I feel that more than ever.

I have been shopping for a low-mile 2008 Cadillac STS-V as my next vehicle.   Now I plan to consider a low-mile 2009 Cadillac CTS Premium Model as well until the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V prices come down to my budget.  Before I valued the V-series packaging and absolute acceleration/braking/cornering; now I appreciate the balanced packaging of the current Cadillac line.

Test Drive 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Final Thoughts

I drove a 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon from Crest Cadillac in Plano for a weekend test drive review last weekend.  This is a collection of final thoughts, notes, and comments that were not  included in my other review posts.

  • The Sport Wagon is the same size as the Sedan.  I know this empirically, and it drives as the same size, but I think of a Wagon as being longer than the Sedan.  I suppose I am thinking of old, traditional station wagons and not this modern efficient equivalent.
  • The test vehicle had a 20″ Vogue wheel & tire package, and still had a smooth ride, not stiff or harsh.  I like the stainless steel mesh grill from the 1st Generation V-Series as used on the Vogue grill on the test Sport Wagon.
  • The Sport Wagon has all the appointments of the CTS Sedan, including iPod interface in the center console.
  • There is an available backup camera option, although the test vehicle did not have this feature.  I had no problem seeing out of the back of the vehicle when backing, but I like backup cameras as gadgets.
  • The wood trim in the current CTS family on the steering wheel, shift, and along the doors is almost perfect.  My Wife suggested another panel along the glove box would add some additional styling there.
  • My opinion of the 3L+6speed auto power train combo continues to improve, although I would look for the 3.6L V6 or the V-Series variant of the Sport Wagon if price is not the driving factor.

My Host for this test drive was Crest Cadillac of Plano, Texas.  They are located at 2701 North Central Expressway, Plano, Texas.  You can contact them by phone Toll-free at 1-866-697-9144 or locally at (972)578-7511, or on Twitter or Facebook