Test Drive: 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon – The Pickup

Today I picked up a 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon from Crest Cadillac in Plano for a weekend test drive review. Tony Griggs of Crest met me at the front of the Dealership with the CTS Sport Wagon ready to go.

2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

This CTS Sport Wagon has a custom Vogue package with several upgrades:

  • Custom Vogue VT-371 20 inch Wheels & Vogue Tires
  • Vogue Front upper & lower mesh grill
  • Vogue Chrome door handles
  • Vogue Chrome fender slot with mesh grill

Here is the Crest Vogue Tyre Representative, Barry Rose:

Vogue Tyre Representative Barry Rose

Crest’s Delivery Expert Greg Vetrano was kind enough to describe the CTS Sport Wagon features to me. I especially like the thoughtful features in the cargo area with adjustable tie-downs, privacy screen, and the Pet Separator. More on these later.

This model is the CTS Sport Wagon Luxury Collection, with Navigation and Ultraview Sunroof as the main options.  It retails for $46,160.  The Vogue additions together are $6,673, bringing the as-reviewed total to $52,833.  This car has the efficient 3.0L Direct Injection V6 engine, for 270 hp.

I will be adding a number of articles about the Cadillac over the weekend, so stay tuned!

My Host for this test drive is 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

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is for you if…

Cadillac offers a Sport Wagon variant of the CTS Sedan.  The CTS Sport Wagon is a new take on the classic station wagon — full CTS luxury in front, full hauling space in back.

2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Rear View

The Escalade offers a ton of room.  The SRX offers similar flexibility.  What the CTS Sport Wagon offers is the great sedan ride and handling and the flexibility and utility of a wagon.

If you need  to seat 4 or 5 occasionally and you need space with easy access to haul scuba gear, golf clubs, TVs — the things we end up needing to haul now and then — the CTS Sport Wagon makes it easy to get them in and out of your Cadillac.  That is what luxury is all about — a vehicle that makes your lifestyle easier.

Today’s question to ponder: Are these the tallest tailfins Cadillac has ever offered?

Fun fact: If you look closely at this photo from Cadillac, that is the 2.9L Diesel variant, only available in export models.

2010 CADILLAC CTS SPORT WAGON ELEVATES AND ADVANCES A CLASSIC BODY STYLE

Cadillac’s first-ever North American wagon is a progressive take on the classic wagon body style that delivers significant functionality and fuel efficiency, including up to an estimated 28 mpg highway. It is a unique vehicle intended to connect with the changing priorities of luxury consumers.

The CTS Sport Wagon is essentially the same size as the acclaimed CTS sport sedan on the outside. However, the new Sport Wagon nearly doubles carrying capacity, with 25 cubic feet (720 liters) of space behind the rear seats; and 53.4 cubic feet (1,523 liters) with the rear seat folded. 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 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
  • Large available panoramic rear sunroof

Available features include those of the well-appointed CTS Sport Sedan, including all-wheel drive, a 40-gigabyte internal hard drive, pop-up navigation screen and a hand-cut-and-sewn cabin.

Design details

“It’s a taut, sleek design,” said Clay Dean, global design director for Cadillac. “The drama of the sedan is amplified in the 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.”

One of the more interesting integrations of form and function is 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 they acknowledge Cadillac’s design heritage. Functionality was certainly a guiding factor during development, but so was our desire to inject emotion into the normally sedate wagon category,” said Dean.

The interior of the Sport Wagon is common with the sedan, including streamlined instrumentation, LED lighting and hand-cut-and-sewn accents with French stitching.

Powertrains

Direct injection (DI) technology is integral to the CTS Sport Wagon. It maintains fuel economy and lowers emissions, while improving power. DI delivers fuel more precisely to increase the efficiency of combustion. This means less fuel is consumed and lower emissions created; it also reduces cold-start emissions by up to 25 percent.

A 3.0L DI V-6 is the standard engine and it’s rated at 270 horsepower (201 kW). Along with direct injection technology, the 3.0L engine employs variable valve timing to optimize power and fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Estimated highway fuel economy on 3.0L-equipped models is 28 mpg.

The CTS Sport Wagon also offers an optional 3.6L DI V-6 engine that produces 304 horsepower (227 kW). It is a larger-displacement member of the engine family that also includes the standard 3.0L engine. Both engines balance performance and efficiency while operating on regular unleaded gas – many competitors to the CTS require premium fuel.

GM Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmissions back both engines. The CTS Sport Wagon – like the CTS Sport Sedan – offers optional all-wheel drive.

Interior elements

On the inside, the CTS Sport Wagon takes the successful formula of its sedan predecessor and adds a level of storage capability, making it a compelling alternative to an SUV or larger vehicle. The rear cargo area contains an integrated cargo management system that stows neatly under the floor when not in use. The standard power liftgate is operated by push-button and can be programmed to lift to a specific height.

The cockpit and rear seating areas of the Sport Wagon are shared with the award-winning CTS sedan. The CTS’ interior emphasizes technical precision with elegant, hand-crafted details. An integrated center stack design, with either a satin metallic finish or genuine Sapele Pommele wood, blends into the lower instrument panel that sweeps forward and away from front-seat occupants. The hand-assembled center console leads seamlessly into the center stack, providing a sportier “cockpit” feel for the driver and passenger without compromising space.

Available heated and ventilated seats incorporate “thin-seat” technology for maximum occupant comfort and enhanced rear-seat leg, knee and foot room. French stitching is used throughout the interior, including the upper instrument panel, door inserts, seats and the shifter boot.

Driving dynamics

The CTS chassis enables a great balance of performance and luxury. The hardware includes structural enhancements via a tower-to-tower brace; large, four-wheel disc brakes and premium steering. Three suspension tuning levels are available: FE1 (standard), FE2 (standard on 3.6L models and optional on 3.0L models) and the FE3 sport suspension with a summer-only tire (RWD only).

All models feature an independent short/long arm (SLA) front suspension system, with performance characteristics optimized with the use of low-mass aluminum for the upper and lower control arms, as well as the knuckles. Hydraulic control arm front bushings are used for motion control and help minimize high-speed road vibration by damping energy transmitted through the vehicle structure. Also, hollow front stabilizer bars bring weight savings and are sized specifically to each of the three available suspension levels.

A multi-link rear suspension, with a fully isolated subframe that delivers excellent kinematics, contributes to a superior ride with excellent handling. The CTS Sport Wagon also features advanced chassis technology in the form of Cadillac’s StabiliTrak electronic chassis control system. It integrates the car’s standard four-channel ABS with the full-function traction control, hydraulic brake assist and engine drag control systems.

Infotainment and vehicle technology

The CTS Sport Wagon incorporates the industry’s best attributes, advanced technologies and electronics, including:

  • Integrated iPod/MP3 capability
  • Hard drive audio system
  • Navigation system
  • Adaptive forward lighting system
  • Available Bluetooth connectivity
  • Keyless Access and Smart Remote Start
  • Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround™ audio system
  • Ultrasonic park assist and more

Safety features

The 2010 CTS Sport Wagon is designed to enhance Cadillac’s reputation for providing safe occupant environments in luxury vehicles. Details include:

  • Dual-stage driver front air bag
  • Segment-first dual depth front passenger air bag
  • Driver and front passenger side seat-mounted pelvic/thorax side air bags
  • Roof-rail side curtain air bags that cover front and rear seating rows
  • Front safety belt pretensioners
  • Tire pressure monitoring system
  • Body structure with strategically placed high-strength steel

As with other Cadillac models, the 2010 CTS Sport Wagon comes standard with a full year of OnStar, featuring Turn-by-Turn Navigation, a factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system.

Cadillac V-Series Sport Wagon debuts at NY Auto Show

  • V-Series performance combined with dramatic CTS Sport Wagon design
  • 556-hp (415-kW) supercharged 6.2L V-8
  • Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic with steering wheel shift controls
  • Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires
  • Limited availability beginning in late 2010

NEW YORK – Cadillac today unveiled the CTS-V Sport Wagon show car, foreshadowing the next addition to its V-Series performance line. It combines the performance and luxury of the landmark CTS-V Sport Sedan with the dramatic design of the CTS Sport Wagon.

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon

“The CTS-V Sport Wagon is a natural extension of both the V-Series and the CTS lineup, offering an uncompromising performance car to enthusiasts who want the extra room of a wagon,” said Don Butler, vice president for Cadillac marketing. “The V-Series Sport Wagon is another hallmark of the dramatic presence and power of Cadillac vehicles.”

The exterior is finished in Midnight Silver, first seen on the Cadillac Sixteen Concept, and accented by lustrous Liquid Silver-finished wheels and a black chrome finish on the grille’s mesh insert. The rear fascia, upper spoiler and center high-mounted stop lamp are also unique to the show car.

Inside, the CTS-V Sport Wagon show car is trimmed in exclusive black leather with Alcantara accents. The upper section of the instrument panel and upper door panels are covered in the same premium leather, accented with midnight Sapele wood, while the microfiber material and stitching is applied to the lower door panels, pillars, console lid, headliner and steering wheel center. The show car features fine-grain black leather-trimmed Recaro seats with Alcantara seat inserts. The seat inserts are divided in the center and accented with dark gray stitching, while the V-series logo is laser etched into the seatbacks. Obsidian Black accents grace the center stack, console, steering wheel and door panels.

The show car’s bespoke color and trim elements hint at the potential direction of color and trim in future Cadillac models. These elements are not yet intended for production, but represent Cadillac’s desire to gauge customer reaction to new color and trim options.

Production CTS-V Sport Wagon

The CTS-V Sport Wagon will go into production in late 2010, with initial sales in North America, followed by export markets including Europe and the Middle East. The new model rounds out the V-Series offerings, which include all variants of the CTS family’s sedan, coupe and sport wagon body styles.

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 3-inch (76 mm) chrome exhaust outlets, which caps a performance dual-exhaust system made of high-grade stainless steel that 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 available 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 automotive 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

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 standard on the CTS-V Sport Wagon and 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. This is of particular benefit for a high-performance car because it helps keep the car very composed during hard cornering, acceleration, braking and other dynamic maneuvers.

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.

Cadillac pioneered Magnetic Ride Control, bringing it to production first in 2002, following decades of research on magneto-rheological science. Today, the technology appears only on a short roster of the world’s most elite vehicles, including Cadillac V-Series models, the Escalade luxury SUV and the STS and DTS luxury sedans.

Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires

The CTS-V Sport Wagon 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.

The CTS-V Sport Wagon production model will come standard with 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 support 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.

2011 CADILLAC CTS-V SPORT WAGON SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Model: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon
Body style / driveline: 4-door sport luxury wagon, RWD
Construction: unitized welded steel body with direct-mounted front cradle and rubber-isolated, multi-link independent rear suspension
EPA vehicle class: wagon
Manufacturing location: Lansing Grand River Assembly, Lansing, Mich.


Engine

6.2L Supercharged V-8
Displacement (cu in / cc): 376 / 6162
Bore & stroke (in / mm): 4.06 / 103.25 x 3.62 / 92 mm
Block material: cast aluminum
Cylinder head material: roto-cast aluminum
Valvetrain: overhead valve, two valves per cylinder
Fuel delivery: 1.9L supercharger with intercooler; sequential fuel injection
Ignition: direct-mount ignition coils
Compression ratio: 9.1:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): 556 / 415 @ 6100*
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): 551 / 747 @ 3800*
Recommended fuel: premium required
Maximum engine speed (rpm): 6200
Estimated fuel economy
(city / hwy):
14 / 19


Transmissions

Tremec TR6060 Hydra-Matic 6L90
Type: six-speed manual; fully synchronized with single overdrive six-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive with torque converter clutch
Gear ratios (:1):
First: 2.66 4.03
Second: 1.78 2.36
Third: 1.30 1.53
Fourth: 1.00 1.15
Fifth: 0.80 0.85
Sixth: 0.63 0.67
Reverse: 2.90 3.06
Final drive ratio: 3.73 3.23


Chassis / Suspension

Configuration RWD
Differential: limited-slip
Front: independent SLA; 29-mm hollow stabilizer bar; elastomeric handling and ride bushings; 65-N/mm spring rate; Magnetic Ride Control with electro-magnetically controlled shocks
Rear : independent SLA; 24-mm hollow stabilizer bar; elastomeric trailing arm bushing; 90-N/mm spring rate; Magnetic Ride Control with electro-magnetically controlled shocks
Steering type: power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Steering ratio: 16.1:1
Steering turns, lock-to-lock: 2.7
Turn circle (ft / m): 37.9 / 11.55
Chassis control: four-channel StabiliTrak w/ brake assist


Wheels and tires

Wheel size and type: front: 19 x 9-inch; forged alloy, 5-lug
rear: 19 x 9.5-inch, forged alloy, 5-lug
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
front: 255/40ZR19 (96Y) high-performance summer tire
rear: 285/35ZR19 (99Y) high-performance summer tire


Brakes

Type: four-wheel disc with four-channel ABS, hydraulic brake assist and dynamic rear brake proportioning
Rotor type and thickness (in / mm)
Front : 15 x 1.26 / 380 x 32, vented, co-cast
Rear: 14.7 x 1.1 / 373 x 28, vented


Dimensions
Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm): 113.4 / 2880
Length (in / mm): 191.3 / 4859
Height (in / mm): 59.1 / 1502
Width (in / mm): 72.6 / 1842
Track (in / mm): front: 61.8 / 1570
rear: 62 / 1575
Curb weight (lb / kg): 4390 / 1995
Weight distribution (% front / rear): 52 / 48


Interior

Headroom (in / mm): front: 38.8 / 986
rear: 37.2 / 944
Legroom (in / mm): front: 42.4 / 1078
rear: 35.9 / 913
Shoulder room (in / mm): front: 56.7 / 1441
rear: 57.4 / 1390
Hip room (in / mm): front: 55.1 / 1400
rear: 54.1 / 1375


Capacities

Seating capacity (front / rear): 2 / 3
EPA passenger volume (cu ft / L): 96.5 / 2732
EPA cargo volume (cu ft / L): 25.4 / 720 (behind rear seats)
58 / 1644 (rear seats folded)
Trailer towing maximum (lb / kg): TBD
Fuel tank (gal / L): 18 / 68
Engine oil (qt / L): 6.3 / 6
Cooling system (qt / L): 12.42 / 11.75

*SAE certified.
Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.