As Holden ramps up its preparations for the Australian launch of the Cadillac CTS sedan later in the year, spy-pic masters Carparazzi have snapped these shots of the wagon version on test in the USA.

Code named GMX 206, the E-Class (or even Commodore) size Caddy estate goes into production at GM's Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant early in 2009, alongside the CTS sedan and coupe models. As well as Australia, the lauded CTS will also be a hopeful star for GM in Europe.

A wagon CTS would be uncertain for Australia, however, as Holden now has its Sportwagon to do chores deemed too delicate for the likes of the Captiva SUV -- and ultimately, GM will be waiting to see how the sedan is accepted by the local market before committing to a new body style that might yield just incremental sales at a price above the Luxury Car Tax threshold.

The heavily chequered sheet disguise at the back conceals much of the CTS wagon, but it does appear the rear doors, with their drop-away upper profile, might be interchangeable with the sedan and there is, like the Sportwagon, a distinctly vivacious, stylish rear end.

The base CTS wagon will most likely get the direct-injection 3.6-litre V6 which shares its architecture with Holden's Alloytec engine. If the car is headed for Europe as well, the VM Motori turbodiesel engine is a strong likelihood. Both engines drive the back wheels, as in the Commodore -- although the 4WD version of the CTS sedan available in the US would also seem a natural asset in the wagon.

The local mid-size Caddy might make do with a 3.6-litre V6 but, in the US, GM will unveil a hot, 410kW LS9 V8 version of the CTS sedan around the end of this year.

-- with Carparazzi

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