Video: 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

While we’d like to see Cadillac’s new CTS Sport Wagon (see photos and details here) up close for our final verdict, we must say that the company’s global design director Clay Dean and his team seem to have done a nice job of turning the CTS sedan into a good-looking estate that manages to keep a fine balance between American drama and European style. In these first videos of the CTS Sport Wagon, Cadillac’s Global Products Director John Howell and Global Design Director Clay Dean take a walk around the new estate discussing the car’s exterior design and utility. -Videos after the jump

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Video 1

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Video 2

New Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Available from 2009

Cadillac unveiled a stylish station-wagon version of its new CTS at this weekend’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance classic car show in Monterey, California on 15 August 2008. Dubbed the Sport Wagon, the latest addition to the CTS range follows in the footsteps of its German counterparts as it pays more attention to style than function. While it rides on the same 113.4-inch (2,880-mm) wheelbase as the CTS sedan, it’s 0.3-inch (7 mm) shorter that its 4-door sibling. However, it still offers a generous cargo area of 25 cubic feet (720 litres) behind the rear seats.

As expected, the CTS Sport Wagon’s powertrains are identical to those of the sedan including two gasoline units, a base 263 HP 3.6-liter V6 and a 304 Hp 3.6-liter direct injection V6 matched with a six-speed manual or an electronically controlled six-speed automatic. As is the case on the sedan, CTS Sport Wagon includes AWD as an option. Europe will also get a 250 HP 2.9-liter V6 turbo-diesel engine. -Continued

“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 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon will arrive in dealerships in spring 2009.

CTS SPORT WAGON PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

Vehicle type: four-door, five-passenger rear-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive wagon
Wheelbase (in / mm): 113.4 / 2880
Length (in / mm): 191.3 / 4859
Width (in / mm): 72.6 / 1842
Height (in / mm): 59.1 / 1502
Track (in / mm): 61.8 / 1570 (front); 62 / 1575 (rear)
Engines: 3.6L VVT V-6 (263 hp / 196 kW) 3.6L V-6 VVT DI (304 hp / 227 kW)
Transmissions: Aisin six-speed manual or Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic
Suspension: four-wheel independent: MacPherson strut front; multilink rear, progressive rate coil springs, monotube shock absorbers
Steering: variable-assist rack-and-pinion
Brakes: four-wheel disc; aluminum or iron dual-piston front calipers; aluminum or iron single-piston rear calipers
Wheels: 17-inch, 18-inch or 19-inch aluminum
EPA luggage capacity (cu ft / L): 25 / 720 (behind rear seats)
EPA total volume (cu ft / L): 121.9 / 3452

2009 Cadillac CTS-V Officially Rated at 556Hp, 0 to 60MPH in 3.9 sec!

GM has made it a habit lately of announcing moderate preliminary figures when it comes to its high-end sports cars. Just like the Corvette ZR1 was SAE-certified at 638 Hp instead of the preliminary 620Hp announced at its debut in Detroit, the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V’s supercharged 6.2-liter V8 LSA engine officially delivers 556 Hp at 6100 rpm and 551 lb.-ft. (747 Nm) of torque at 3800 rpm (preliminary figure: 550Hp).

The 2009 CTS-V accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 sec while it covers the quarter-mile in 12 sec at 118 mph. According to Cadillac, these official acceleration times are believed to be the fastest for any V8-powered sedan currently in production. Talking about fast times, in testing May 8 at Germany's famed Nürburgring track, the new 2009 CTS-V completed a lap in 7:59.32, which is considered to be the fastest ever publicly documented for a production sedan on factory-spec street tires. You can see the video here.

2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Picture/Info Leak?

We already knew that Cadillac was planning a sporty station-wagon version of the new CTS; we just didn’t know how it would look like. This screen picture that was forwarded to our friends over at Jalopnik allegedly comes from a Harris Opinion Survey about the upcoming CTS Sport Wagon. While we can’t be 100% sure, it does look like it’s the real thing.

Judging from the scans, the CTS Sport Wagon that will compete against the BMW 3-Series Touring and the Audi A4 Avant, looks the part, especially in concern of the rear-end design with the cool back-hugging tail-lamps. Pictures aside, the poll also reveals significant details on the CTS Sport Wagon including the price range ($37,500 to $42,500), the initial engine line-up (260Hp 3.0-liter V6 & 304Hp 3.6-liter V6) and that an all-wheel drive version will be offered. -Continued

Via: Jalopnik

Video: Cadillac CTS-V’s Record Breaking 7:59.32 Nurburgring Lap

As we were promised last week when it was officially announced that the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V lapped the Nurburgring race track in 7:59.32 which could possibly be the fastest recorded time for a production sedan on factory-spec street tires, GM released the video featuring driver John Heinricy behind the wheel of the CTS-V as he completed the allegedly record lap of the legendary Nordschleife. Check out the video right after the jump. -Continued

2009 Cadillac CTS-V Laps the “Ring” in 7:59.32 – Fastest Production Sedan Ever?

During testing today at Germany’s Nurburgring race track, the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V managed to complete a lap of the Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 59.32 seconds. According to Cadillac, the sub-8 minute lap appears to be the fastest ever publicly recorded for a production version sedan.

The 2009 CTS-V, which is undergoing the final stages of testing and development is equipped with GM’s new 6.2-litre Supercharged V8 engine that develops an estimated 550Hp. That’s the same unit found in the also new Corvette ZR1 (see here). Only difference is that in the much lighter Vette, the supercharged V8 generates an awesome 638Hp. Makes you wonder how fast the ZR1 can lap the “Ring”… -More pics after the jump

2010 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Renderings

Though not officially confirmed, a top-of-the-line “V” model of Cadillac’s upcoming CTS Coupe (based on the Detroit Show concept) is probably in the works as there’s no better way of promoting a car like this than creating a “halo” version. As these photo illustrations created by Nick Wilcox for Insideline suggest, apart from receiving GM’s supercharged 550Hp 6.2-liter V8 engine, Cadillac’s answer to the BMW M3 will also feature an aggressive bodykit to help it stand out from the standard versions.

Via: Straightline , Photos by Nick Wilcox

2010 Cadillac CTS Station Wagon Caught in the Open

The development of Cadillac’s second-ever official station wagon -the first one is the Saab 9-3 based, Euro only, BLS Wagon, is well underway as these spy pictures prove. Expected to be unveiled as early as this year’s Paris Motor Show in September, the CTS SW (we don’t know the official name yet), will be powered by the same engines found in the saloon -with the exception of the CTS-V’s 550Hp V8.

Production of the CTS SW will start in the US in the first half of 2009 at GM’s Michigan plant. Following in the footsteps of its German adversaries, Cadillac is also developing a coupe version of the CTS based on the prototype that premiered at the Detroit Show in January (see here). Head over to our friends at Jalopnik for more images of the CTS Station Wagon.

Via: Jalopnik

2008 Cadillac CTS by D3 – Girls Not Included

Somewhere in-between the two girls you see in the picture above is the 2008 Cadillac CTS dressed in “D3’s” new performance exterior package. The American based tuning firm that specializes on Caddys, offers a full bodykit that includes front and rear lips, a new stainless steel wire-mesh grille, side skirts, a rear deck lid spoiler and a rear roof spoiler. D3 supports that the exterior enhancements on the 2008 CTS are fully functional improving the Cadillac’s aerodynamics. Full image gallery –with and without the gals – after the jump.

GM Auctions “Pink” Cadillac CTS Autographed by Aretha Franklin

Driving around in a 50’s or 60’s pink Caddy with tail fins larger than life is one thing, but to be seen behind the wheel of an all-new, pink 2009 CTS is something we’d definitely avoid doing even if it concerns this one-off example that has been hand-signed by Aretha Franklin in spirit of her song "Freeway of Love” that contained the lyrics "Goin' ridin' on the freeway of love in my pink Cadillac"

The customized “Pink” Cadillac CTS went up for auction at the at the 2008 MusiCare Person of the Year Gala during GRAMMY Week earlier this month. The proceeds from the auction went to MusiCares, which ensures that music people have a place to turn in times of need. –Details after the jump

Press Release

Custom "Pink" Cadillac Autographed by Aretha Franklin Up for Auction at the 2008 MusiCares Person of the Year Gala During GRAMMY® Week

LOS ANGELES - When the auction gets underway at the 2008 MusiCares Person of the Year Gala during GRAMMY Week, one lucky bidder will be able climb behind the wheel of a one-of-a-kind Cadillac to drive down the "Freeway of Love" as stylishly as the "Queen of Soul" herself. A Cadillac CTS - the 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year- has been customized with a special pink hue and hand-signed by Aretha Franklin for live auction in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2008.

Franklin, a 17-time GRAMMY-winning recording artist and Detroit native, will be honored at the 18th annual MusiCares Person of the Year dinner and concert. Proceeds from the annual GRAMMY Week gala provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

"Cadillac is tickled pink to provide a unique auction item celebrating Detroit native Aretha Franklin at this year's MusiCares gala," said George Doss, regional divisional marketing manager for Cadillac in GM's Western Region. "Cadillac is proud to return for the fourth consecutive year as a major sponsor of this prestigious GRAMMY Week event."

The "pink" hue was chosen in the spirit of Franklin's memorable lyrics "Goin' ridin' on the freeway of love in my pink Cadillac" from her hit song "Freeway of Love" that earned her a GRAMMY Award in the "Best R&B Vocal Performance - Female" category at the 28th Annual GRAMMY Awards in 1985. The custom CTS will be hand-signed by Franklin.

The all-new 2008 Cadillac CTS includes a level of new features and technologies, including (but not limited to): a 40 gigabyte hard drive that allows pause and rewinding of live radio, and is tailored for MP3 players, iPods, and other digital devices; a 304-horsepower 3.6 L direct injection V-6 engine; an all-new redesigned cabin with handcrafted accents; a "double" sunroof enabling both front and rear passengers a sky view; heated leather seats; a retractable navigation system with real-time traffic and weather data; OnStar; XM Satellite Radio; a BOSE eight-speaker sound system; and a six-speed automatic transmission. With direct-injection technology, the CTS is fuel efficient and produces 25 percent fewer hydrocarbons. The multiple award-winning 2008 CTS achieves a remarkable combination of luxury, technology and performance in a sedan aimed at creating the desire and head-turning quotient normally reserved for sports cars.

The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Feb. 10, 2008 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. The show will be broadcast live by the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), supported on radio via Westwood One worldwide, and covered on the Internet at GRAMMY.com.

Video: Cadillac’s Design Chief Takes Us Around the 2009 CTS-V

If there’s one thing we admire about car designers is the way they talk and Cadillac’s design director, Clay Dean, is no exception. You may or may not fancy the all-new CTS-V’s (details and pics here) appearance –we’re leaning towards the not liking, but its interesting to hear what Dean has to say about the sports-sedan. -Follow the jump for the video