A cadence of killer Cadillacs is on the way in 2009.

Three new models--the CTS Sport Wagon, a new SRX crossover based on the Provoq concept and the Eldorado-esq CTS Coupe--will launch every few months starting in the first quarter of next year as General Motors’ luxury brand looks to reinvigorate and expand its lineup with fresh, eye-catching products.

The Sport Wagon will be the first new Caddy to hit the market, in the spring. It will be revealed this weekend at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and then hit the auto show circuit this fall.

From a pure looks standpoint, this one is perhaps the most jaw-dropping. The business is upfront--with a conventional CTS grille and fenders--but the party is truly in the back, where tall taillights give the wagon the look of having fins, reminiscent of the great Cadillacs of yesteryear.

The multipart, vertical light pipes extend from the lower fender all the way to the top of the sloping roof line, giving the car a sleek look. A wagon was not initially part of Cadillac’s plans for the CTS cars, but quickly became part of the full lineup.

“This is one of those projects Ed [Welburn, GM design vice president] said if you have the chance, what else would you do?” said Clay Dean, Cadillac design director.

The Sport Wagon also promises utility, with room for five passengers and 25 cubic feet of cargo space. The 3.6- liter engine and interior and front-end sheetmetal are shared with the two other CTS cars, which GM brass say allows them to cut costs while broadening the product portfolio. Rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive versions will be available.

It will come with two powerplants, a direct-injection 304-hp V6 with variable valve timing (which also is in the new Chevrolet Camaro) and 263-hp unit. A choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions will offered. It also gets 17-, 18- or new 19-inch wheels.




And for really fast trips to the supermarket, a V-Series model likely will be available, though the time line for that is unclear.

Other features include a chrome detail on the roof for the utility rack, rear backup camera and dual exhaust. The car will compete against the BMW X5, Mercedes M-class and Audi Q5 and Q7.

Though it looks larger, the Sport Wagon (191.3 inches) actually is three-tenths of an inch shorter than the CTS sedan (191.6 inches), and they ride on the same 113.4-inch wheelbase.

Cadillac has sporadically sold wagons during its long history and currently sells the BLS in Europe. The Sport Wagon will be a global vehicle, and a 2.9-liter turbo-diesel V6 rated at 250 hp is being developed “primarily” for Europe and Asia. No word on whether that is coming to North America.

Admittedly, GM knows there are some pitfalls. The new Cadillac immediately will draw comparisons with the Dodge Magnum, another head-turner that ultimately is being killed off by Chrysler as consumers shift to smaller vehicles.

“If you look backwards to how wagons have done in this country, this is a really dumb idea,” said John Howell, Cadillac product director.

Still, GM says the Sport Wagon can capture customers on the other way down--people shifting from large SUVs to smaller, but not completely compact rides.