<center><img src="http://cwimg.sv.publicus.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=CW&amp;Date=20080815&amp;Category=FREE&amp;ArtNo=34 4456462"></center><p>So it's a Caddy (CTS) but it comes with a 306 hp V6 and 6sp MT! America is catching on to the sportwagon... hopefully.

Its about time little people had a proper funeral hearse from Cadillac. :-)

uh, no thank you...looks a little garish/tawdry to me

...they calculate the precise amount of chrome that the car should have then multiply by 4. Get some blackout trim and some descent wheels and you'd have a reasonable looking car.

I've driven the current CTS4...nice car, good interior, nice fit/finish, reasonably well executed with a lazy slushbox that sucks all the life out of the car. An unremarkable drive...think 'dry toast'...feels 'big'. If they ever figure out how to make it an engaging drive, I might start to take them seriously, as some aspects of the car are impressive.

<center><img src="http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n307/bretfraz/Memday08113.jpg"></center><p>Thanks jalopnik.

<img src="http://www.airliners.net/uf/536920628/phpiW3Eq3.jpg">

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8pPV5a0D1g">"You think you hate it now... but wait 'til you drive it!"</a>

Maybe what I saw was the previous generation?

I was the program manager on the tail lights last year (now I have the sedan lighting). Other than the wheels in that photo, which are optional, there's not much chrome on the car vs. other cars. The interior is carryover from the sedan, as is the exterior from the A-pillar forward. Tail lamps and CHMSL are 100% LED, with the tail lamps being big from the fascia to the roof rack similar to the Saab Sport wagon and the Alfa 156 Sport wagon.

I was at the plant yesterday and also saw the CTS-V launching next month. It looks awesome, and sounds even better.

back then.

That is the reason why people that are on the fence with avants see that and decide to go with the sedan.

I like it. Lower it, black trim, tined windows and I think its very nice. I read there will be a diesel engine option as well!

There are a lot of Audi Avant lovers who are very disappointed in the lack of MT or DSG options in the new A4 Avant. Then there's the long wait to get the 3.0 tdi in the car.....

A common remark on this forum is the lack of American interest in the "sportwagon". Here's an American manufacturer investing in the luxury sportwagon concept ala Audi of Europe and offering powerful V6's and MT's to boot!

and give me friggin DSG/S-tronic w/ tdi!

then there were the SUV's.

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45534/leichenwagen_2und3.jpg"></center><p>

and the fact that Caddy is at least making an effort to provide sportwagon options to this market. Big Sales Mgr, make some friggin noise and get us some options over here so we don't jump ship!

Btw, how many Audi's have you owned? Avants? I mean owned, not just driven home every night. I hope you put your money where your mouth is ;)

I gave S-tronic a chance and don't care for it. And if I have to settle for a FWD car, I might as well get a VW and save some money. Who knows, maybe when I'm ready to part with my A3, VW will have stopped making ugly Japanese-looking cars.

do you know if they're offering MT, quattro w/ 2.0t? I know the DSG is there.

I get the distinct impression that AoA's long-term plan is to eliminate manual transmissions from their model line-up.