2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon crosses over to pure performance

The next addition to Cadillac's athletic V-Series is breaking cover at the New York auto show with the reveal of the CTS-V Sport Wagon. Packing 556 hp from a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, the CTS-V Sport Wagon launches late this year.

Cadillac will use the bright lights of New York to debut a special version of the wagon, which it's calling a show car. It's not intended for production, but some of its outfittings could be used for future trim packages. The show car gets a unique rear fascia and upper spoiler.

The CTS-V Sport Wagon rounds out the CTS line, which has become almost a subbrand for Cadillac. It joins the landmark sedan, which was key to the brand's rebirth through design and performance, and the coupe which launches this summer. All versions now have V editions. Cadillac is trying to position its performance line in the same manner as BMW's vaunted M models.

"This is about establishing the V-Series as an important subbrand," Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell said.

The CTS-V Sport Wagon offers six-speed automatic and manual transmissions and pushes out 551 lb-ft of torque from the 376-cubic-inch engine with a cast aluminum block and roto-cast cylinder heads. Look for a 0-to-60-mph time of less than four seconds, which is in line with the rest of its V siblings. Despite the stretched demeanor, the wagon loads on only about 200 pounds over the sedan. The V6 wagons and sedans share about 85 percent common parts, Caldwell said.

The chassis is bolstered with magnetic ride control that has tour and sport settings, Brembo brakes and 19-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin PS2 tires. The rear-wheel-drive wagon will have power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and a limited-slip differential. The car is expected to get 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway.

The performance wagon will start at about $61,000, and many will go for about $65,000 when loaded with options.

Staff reporter Chrissie Thompson contributed to this report.