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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, July 14, 2010 · 16 $ 8 OFF any oil change package Coupon required. Expiry: July,31 2010 Code: 5582 345 Speers Rd. (at Dorval), Oakville 905-842-9299 Valid at all GTA locations. Cadillac CTS puts some sport back into the wagon Story and photos by Jim Robinson Metroland Newspapers Carguide Magazine So nice, I drove it twice. In early January, I drove the 2011 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon and found it so good it was a natural for the newly created Canadian Automotive Jury Best of the Best Award for Automotive Excellence. The Best of the Best is judged by (arguably) Canada's 10 top automotive writers/broadcasters of which I am one. More information can be found at www.thecanadianautomotivejury.ca. What makes this award different is it recognizes a "family" of cars, not one specific "new" model as the overall best of the best. The just released Cadillac CTS Coupe joins the Sedan, the 556 hp CTS-V and Sport Wagon (as tested here) offering rear- or allwheel-drive, three engines and, well you get the picture. There is a Cadillac CTS for just about every taste. The CTS debuted in 2002 as one of GM's first returns to rear-wheel-drive vehicles. It was an attempt to go after younger, more affluent buyers and followed a failed earlier attempt with the Catera. The breakaway styling by Wayne Cherry with razorback lines, big forward sloping grille and signature upright head and taillights set the CTS very much apart from what GM was offering back in 2002. Instead of one engine, there are now two in the form of a 3.0-litre DOHC V6 producing 270 hp and 223 lb/ft of torque. As tested here, the other is a 3.6-litre DOHC V6 producing 304 hp and 273 lb/ft of torque. FYI, the CTSV comes with a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 with 556 hp and 551 lb/ft of torque. Standard transmission is a six-speed auto- Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon 3.6 AWD 2010 At A Glance: BODY STYLE: Premium mid-size wagon. DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, allwheel-drive. ENGINE: 3.6-litre, DOHC V6 (304 hp, 273 lb/ft). TOW RATING: 454 kg (1,000 lb). FUEL ECONOMY: Regular fuel: 11.7L/100 km city, 7.4L/100 km highway PRICE: Base, $53.790; as tested, $66,1555 including $1,420 shipping fee. WEB: www.gm.ca/cadillac Cadillac is steadily expending this CTS range of luxury mid-size vehicles from a sedan to a coupe and this, the 2010 CTS Sport Wagon that carries all of the signature Cadillac styling clues like the bumper to roofline vertical LED taillights. matic. The CTS is available in rear- and allwheel-drive as distinct models instead of AWD being an option. In the case of this week's test vehicle, it is the CTS Sports Wagon 3.6-litre AWD with base price of $53,790 and $64,735 with all options not including a $1,420 shipping fee for a total, as tested price of $66,155. In this (as tested) drivetrain configuration, fuel consumption is 11.7L/100 km city and 7.4L/100 km highway with a cruising range of 570 km. The Sport Wagon debuted last year and really stood out with its bumper to roofline rear LED taillights. The hard, straight character lines are retained as are the functional engine bay hot air extraction gills on the fender below the A pillar. As a specific model, the 3.6 AWD wagon features a brace of sumptuous standard features like wood interior trim, sports suspension, heated and cooled front seats, high intensity headlights that swivel in turns, BOSE 5.1 surround sound with 40 GB hard drive plus a bunch more stuff too numerous to mention. And speaking of those standard features, one that stood out was the new thin back front seats that are super supportive while creating more rear knee room. Open that powered liftgate and it reveals 720 litres (25.4 cu ft) of cargo space, double that of the CTS sedan. With the rear seats flat, that more than doubles again to 1,643 litres (58 cu ft). And you'll appreciate the railmounted tie-downs. Part of the $8,720 Preferred Equipment Group is the double sized UltraView power sunroof with full sliding power sunshade as fitted this week's tester. In terms of safety, the Sport Wagon has everything like six air bags, stability control and traction control. The station wagon architecture makes for one of the safest vehicles you can ride in. Volvo is a prime example. In the first 100 meters you can feel the solidity of the Sport Wagon. In truth, part of that is due to the weight that, in this case, is 1,955 kg or 4,310 lb. The power assisted steering reacts quickly to inputs but is slightly numb on centre which many people like. The four big disc brakes are more than up to the job of hauling the Sport Wagon down. In addition to ABS, it is fitted with Panic Brake Assist and Dynamic Rear Brake Proportioning. Continued on page 17