2016 Cadillac ATS-V Technical Review
June 3, 2025
April 9, 2025
The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon: America’s Rarest Super Wagon
The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon is one of the rarest and most iconic American performance cars ever built. With a supercharged 6.2L V8, manual transmission option, and just 1,767 units produced, this high-powered hauler blends luxury, utility, and track-ready speed like nothing else on the road.
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A Supercharged Unicorn: The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
Among the most iconic and rare performance vehicles to ever wear the Cadillac crest, the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon stands in a category of its own. Produced in limited numbers between 2011 and 2014, this bold experiment fused the unlikeliest of combinations—track-ready performance and wagon practicality—into a machine that captivated gearheads, collectors, and everyday drivers alike.
What made the CTS-V Wagon truly special was its refusal to compromise. It delivered supercar-level power via a 6.2L supercharged LSA V8 engine, all while offering space for the kids, luggage, or a Costco run. Few cars in automotive history have managed to offer that kind of duality—especially not in rear-wheel-drive, manual transmission, American-built form.
CTS-V Wagon Overview: Power Meets Practicality
The CTS-V Wagon shared its underpinnings with the second-generation Cadillac CTS-V Sedan and Coupe, but its long-roof design set it apart. Under the hood, it packed the same 6.2L supercharged LSA V8 engine, producing a monstrous 556 horsepower and 551 lb-ft of torque.
Matched with either a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission, the CTS-V Wagon could sprint from 0 to 60 mph in around 4 seconds—a staggering feat for a vehicle that could also carry groceries, pets, and car seats.
Key Performance Specs of the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon:
Engine: 6.2L Supercharged V8 (LSA)
Horsepower: 556 hp
Torque: 551 lb-ft
Transmission Options: 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual
0-60 mph: Approx. 4.0 seconds
Top Speed: 190+ mph (electronically limited)
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
Brakes: Brembo performance brakes
Suspension: Magnetic Ride Control
Production Numbers and Rarity
During its short production run from 2011 to 2014, Cadillac produced only 1,767 CTS-V Wagons for the U.S. market. Even more rare, only 514 were equipped with a manual transmission, making them unicorns among performance wagons.
Enthusiasts and collectors have flocked to these limited-production beasts for their combination of performance, practicality, and under-the-radar style.
What Makes the CTS-V Wagon So Special?
Sleeper Status: It looks like a luxury family wagon but drives like a Corvette ZR1.
Manual Transmission Option: Rare in any modern performance car, even rarer in a wagon.
Supercharged Muscle: With the LSA engine borrowed from the Corvette ZR1, the CTS-V Wagon is a bonafide street weapon.
Low Production Numbers: Scarcity alone has driven collector interest.
Cadillac V Series Legacy
The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon helped redefine the brand’s image in the 2010s. Cadillac proved it could compete with the likes of BMW M and Mercedes-AMG not just with sedans and coupes, but with a true American performance wagon.
Today, the CTS-V Wagon holds cult status within the V Series community, and its value continues to rise among collectors who appreciate analog performance with everyday usability.
Final Thoughts: Why the CTS-V Wagon Still Matters
In an age where wagons are nearly extinct in the American market, the CTS-V Wagon stands as a bold, rebellious symbol of what Cadillac was capable of. It was fast, loud, rare, and refined. Whether you’re a collector, a gearhead, or just a fan of bold automotive experiments, the CTS-V Wagon represents a golden era of Cadillac’s performance legacy.
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