GM’s vice chairman Bob Lutz has confirmed that the 556-hp Cadillac CTS-V wagon will indeed become a production reality. Lutz dropped the W-bomb during a recent one-on-one interview while discussing how to prime the market for cool cargo haulers—like a possible Buick Regal wagon—especially among the over-35 set that grew up traumatized by wood-paneled Grand Marquis and Chrysler K-car wagon-trocities. Then Lutz said, “You know what’s really going to get you guys [on board with wagons] is the CTS-V wagon.”
“Oh, has the wagon been confirmed?” we asked, already aware that the hot-rod CTS would also be available as a coupe. “Yes,” he replied, “You’ll be able to get the CTS-V any way you want.”
As avowed wagon lovers, we kept an external cool, but inside, we were overjoyed. After all, with its 0–60 time of 3.9 seconds and beefy looks, the CTS-V sedan has been a huge favorite of ours since its debut, and we can’t wait to see how the CTS-V coupe looks and drives when it finally appears next year. But this was the first we’d heard anyone willing to go on record actually confirming the wagon. Speculation and rumors, yes, but nothing official. (Of course, given Maximum Bob’s flair for the dramatic and his claim this summer that the Pontiac G8 would live on as the Chevrolet Caprice—which didn’t happen—we’ll wait to fully exhale until we receive an actual press release on the topic.)
While Lutz didn’t provide a time frame for this most capacious CTS-V’s arrival, we wholeheartedly applaud GM’s decision to give it the green light, as such a powerful wagon can only help the brand build credibility in Europe. (The whole “ridiculously powerful wagons are super kick-ass” thing has us pretty excited, too.) Indeed, Europe is where wagons rule, and once launched on the Continent, the CTS-V wagon—bet on an official name of CTS-V Sport Wagon—would be second only to the 580-hp Audi RS6 Avant in the power wars, and with its 551 lb-ft of torque, the Caddy would be in a class by itself. As for its prospects over here, can you say, “Cult Caddy?”
Thanks to: Car and Driver