For a long time, the Corvette ZR1 has been the ultimate expression of what General Motors can do. The current ZR1 is a twin-turbocharged, 1,064-horsepower V8-powered monster that can hit 233 mph and eats supercars for breakfast. The ZR1 models have generally been easy to live with, relatively speaking, compared to a high-maintenance old-school supercar, but you probably wouldn't be doing the shopping in one. You certainly wouldn't think of heading down to the hardware store for some two-by-four in a ZR1, or dream of taking it on a fishing trip, or picking up the kids from soccer practice, or taking grandpa and grandma to bingo, or...well, you get the point.But there is an option to do all these things and get the ferocious power of a ZR1, all wrapped into one daily driver. This isn't even a sedan, it's a wagon, with nice usable boot space and cubby holes. And the best bit? You can pick one of these up for just over $30,000 right now. Is it a wagon, is it a sleeper, is it a muscle car? The truth is, it's all of those things and more. The Cadillac CTS-V Is A ZR1 With Space For The Dog Bring A Trailer Introduced for 2010, the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon was a fairly straightforward load-lugger from Cadillac. The upmarket styling that suited the brand was there, albeit with the modern, sharp creases and unfussy lines that were being used to bring Cadillac out of just being a retiree option. The Sport Wagon was available in rear-drive and all-wheel-drive, powered by a choice of 3.0-liter V6 or 3.6-liter V6. This was all fairly sensible stuff. A few eagle-eyed punters had noticed, however, that Cadillac also marketed a 556-horsepower CTS-V version of the sedan body shape. The CTS-V Wagon Was The Car That Caddy Fans Asked For Bring A Trailer This car was not powered by some gas-station-annoying V6; it was powered by an LSA supercharged 6.2-liter V8, which appeared to be pretty much a slightly detuned version of the ZR1’s 638-horsepower LS9. Why couldn't the wagon have that engine, they asked. During a blog chat in 2009, then vice chairman of products at GM, Bob Lutz, was asked by a fan of Caddy's V cars if there would be a wagon version. "As of now, the v package is planned only for the sedan and coupe," Lutz reportedly replied. "However, should sufficient demand materialize, there is no reason why we couldn't do a v-series wagon, and I would be standing in line for one, just ahead of you."It seems that Bob's mailbox may have then started pinging with Caddy wagon fans wanting to stand in the line. In 2010, the CTS-V Wagon went on sale for the 2011 year, powered by the same 556 horsepower and 551 lb-ft of torque V8 that seemed suspiciously similar to the one in the ZR1. GM's greatest Swiss Army Knife car ever arrived. A Better Look At The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon2013 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon rear endThe engine that had arrived in Caddy's wagon was a 6.2-liter supercharged LSA V8. Just how close this unit is to the ZR1's engine is open to debate. You could either view it as a less powerful version of the ZR1's 638-horsepower LS9, but there are several differences, including a smaller 1.9-liter supercharger in the LSA, one intercooler heat exchanger against the 'Vette's two, and wet sump oiling compared to the ZR1's dry sump setup. The CTS-V also features lower compression and less fancy cast pistons instead of forged items. Ultimately, you could view it as a de-tuned version of the ZR1's engine, or call it a standard Corvette C6 6.2-liter lump with a blower bolted on. One thing that is not open for discussion is the potency of the unit under the hood of the CTS-V. The Caddy Load-Lugger Has More Power Than A Porsche 911 Turbo Bring A TrailerWith more power than a Porsche 911 (997) Turbo, all channeled to the rear wheels, the CTS-V Wagon could cosplay as a supercar when you weren't on school run duty. This practical Caddy accelerates from 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and hits a top speed of 185 mph. The standing quarter mile is dispatched in a handy 12.3 seconds, too. What most supercars can't boast, however, is anywhere near the CTS-V's 25 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 58 cubic feet when folded down. "The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon is a limited production offering for connoisseurs who are interested in the unique combination of V-Series performance with wagon style and capability," said Don Butler, vice president, Cadillac marketing. The Caddy Had Plenty Of Upgrades To Handle The Crazy Power Via: Bring a Trailer Usefully, the CTS-V also came with a standard six-speed manual (plus the option of a six-speed automatic transmission), further bolstering its sporting credentials. Caddy also fitted Brembo brakes, standard Magnetic Ride Control, and 19-inch forged-aluminum wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires. There are tons of standard features too, including heated leather seats, a sat-nav, Xenon headlights, and a Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround audio system. All this for a sticker price of $62,990.Buyers could also opt for heated and vented front seats (a $3,400 option) and a suede steering wheel and shifter (another $300). Reviewers talked about how the CTS-V was the ultimate versatile all-rounder, providing supercar speed, with Caddy luxury, and practical load-carrying ability. It is truly a unique gem. Other Badass American Muscle Wagons You Can Buy InsteadStatic photo of a 2007 Dodge Magnum SRT-8The Audi S4 Avant still had V8 power in 2008, with the car later replaced by a 3.0-liter direct-injection V6 combined with an Eaton supercharger. The 4.2-liter eight-cylinder model has 340 horsepower and 304 lb-ft of torque, so down on the Caddy CTS-V Wagon, and came in at around $52,000. This V8 Audi wagon could only manage to hit 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, so it wouldn't keep up with the Cadillac either. The Dodge Magnum SRT8 is a budget alternative, costing $37,995 in 2006. This car is powered by a 6.1-liter Hemi V8, which is good for 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft, although 60 mph still arrives slower than the Caddy, at around 5.0 seconds. Get one of these now, because prices could skyrocket. Prices Of The CTS-V Wagon In 2025Cadillac CTS-V Wagon 2013 interiorThe Cadillac CTS-V Wagon still stands up as a quick car even in 2025. These are also limited production cars, so they are extremely rare too - it's not hard to imagine that they will keep their prices or go up in the future. Just 514 manual CTS-V Wagons were built before production ended in 2014, says Classic.com, and 1,253 automatic versions. The cheapest cars are the more plentiful autos, with average prices sitting at around $47,869 for all model years, says Classic.com.If you look carefully, there are auto CTS-V Wagons going for a little over $30,000 with high mileage. For example, an example with 68,000 miles recently sold for $38,207. Manual cars hover around the $70,000 mark, with the cheapest model year being 2011 at an average of $64,903, says Classic.com.Sources: Classic.com
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