2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate
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(Posted 1/30/10)
C63 AMG Performance Plus Estate Unveiled 
Is your 457hp 6.2 liter V8-powered C-Class wagon not fast enough? Do you feel like you want more of the new Mercedes SLS supercar is your estate? Is 4.6 seconds to sixty too slow for you? Then Mercedes has just the car for you! But seriously, C63 Estate + more horsepower + bigger brakes = what you want. With the C63’s newest “Performance Plus” package, Mercedes’ C-Class battlewagon just became a whole lot more formidable. Mostly importantly power is increased by 30 horses thanks to forged pistons from the SLS supercar and retuned ECU. This allows the refreshed C63 to reach sixty in 4.5 seconds and thanks to the new upgraded AMG high-performance brakes, stop faster too. Top speed remains a waiting-to-be de-governed, electronically limited 155 mph...
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Source: Mercedes-Benz (October 26th)
Audi to Sell A3 TDI Stateside, but Not S4 Avant
Often good news comes with a taste of the bad. Such is the case with Audi’s product lineup for the U.S. market. While Audi will sell the fuel efficient and utilitarian A3 TDI in the United States, it is withholding its new supercharged S4 Avant. Since the turn of the century, the S4 Avant has been the benchmark for entry-level performance sport wagons, and we are sad to see it go. Adding insult to injury, the 2010 S4 Avant, with its efficient and powerful supercharged V6, looks to be the best since the dominating twin-turbo B5 S4 Avant.
Fortunately Audi has not completely forsaken the U.S. market. Sport Wagon Green fans will rejoin at the arrival of the A3 TDI. Here’s the beef: Starting from $29,950, the A3 TDI will have a 2.0L turbo-diesel four cylinder packing 140hp and an impressive 236lb-ft of torque. This oil-burning mill will allow the 5-door A3 (no 3-door will be offered) to reach 130mph. Most importantly, the efficient A3 TDI will return 30 mpg city and 42 highway. All hail the new age of American diesels!
November 21st (Source: CarScoop)
MTM RS6 R Avant Sets Sport Wagon Speed Record: 214 MPH!
The mechanically gifted German tuning firm MTM has taken a jewel, the C6 Audi RS6 Avant, and turned it into a diamond in the rough. In the process, they have also smashed the unofficial (and closely watched by the Sport Wagon Enthusiast) Sport Wagon Speed Record. MTM’s 702hp uber-wagon was recently clocked traveling a cool 344.2 km/h, or 214 mph. That’s faster than some of the world’s fastest supercars; Porsche 997 GT2? Pssh, it can only manage 205. How about an Edo Competition tuned Ford GT? A measly 211.
The test was performed at the annual Nardo High Speed event in Italy. Last year the sport wagons there (a tuned E55 AMG and tuned M5 Touring) never broke 200 mph. The RS6 smashed them, and then some. But that's not really surprising considering the Audi packs a twin-turbo V10 and all-wheel drive. The only question now is who will be the next tuner to break 214?
November 18th (Source: CarScoop)
Superior Glass Works 54 Sports Wagon
In 1954, Chevrolet displayed a radical new vehicle known as the Nomad. Styled after and built upon the C1 Corvette, the Nomad was a 3-door family-hauler that invented the “Sport Wagon.” The public loved the design and GM enthusiastically put the Nomad into production- without any corvette styling. 55 years later, Superior Glass Works has decided to produce a modern version of the greatest American Sport Wagon.
The modern rendition is also based on the corvette. Starting with a C5 chassis and suspension, the Oregon-based company completely recreates the 1954 body in fiberglass. Best of all, the 54 Sports Wagon can be had with a 6-speed manual and an LS small block V8. Because the engine bay can accommodate any GM LS-series...
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June 27th (Source: Superior Glass Works)
2010 Saab 9-5 SportCombi Teased
Recently revealed at Saab’s “showroom of the future,” this photo shows upcoming 9-5 Wagon. Saab’s newest 9-5 has received significant media attention, and rumors suggest that the model will be the best 9-5 in years. This new 9-5 is rumored to be so good that GM was rethinking selling the ailing Swedish brand. Expect a cutting edge interior fitted with high quality materials and lots of technology when the 9-5 SportCombi is unveiled later this year. Additionally, the driving dynamics of Saab’s largest wagon should be superb. Look for an advanced all-wheel drive system similar to the XWD system fitted to the Turbo X. Furthermore, engine options will provide significant power and efficiency increases over the outgoing model. Specifically we are looking forward to the 9-5 Aero SportCombi, which will pack a (twin?) turbocharged 2.8L V6 that will put out north of 300 horsepower. The Aero has consistently outpaced Opel’s new OPC Sports Tourer, and looks to be the fastest wagon yet from Saab.
June 15th (Source: SaabsUnited)
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Wagon by WALD
Japan’s WALD tuning has unveiled a number of styling, aerodynamic, and body kits for premium models ranging from the Lexus IS-F, to the Nissan GT-R, to the Bentley Continental GT. The firm’s newest patient is Mercedes W204 C-Class Estate. While the company released a similar styling package for the C-Class sedan in 2008, they have only recently revealed the aero kit for the wagon. WALD has a long history of offering body kits for Mercedes Estates, as they have tuned the W202 C-Class (1997), W210 E-Class (1999), and W211 E-Class (2006) Like most of their creations, their W204 C-Class offers aggressive and busy styling which translates guarantees divisive opinions. Especially be wary of the front fog lights, which look too busy and distract the otherwise excellent lines of the fascia. The wheels are our favorite part about the package, and fortunately like all WALD kits, each individual styling accessory can be purchased separately. If buyers opt for the entire kit, the damage will be about 5,000 dollars. Hit the jump to judge for yourself.
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June 14th (Source: WALD)
Manhart Racing builds V10-powered M3 Touring
First and foremost, BMW never produced an E91 M3 Touring. Plenty of enthusiasts yearned for BMW to combat Audi’s RS4 Avant with its own 4.0L V8 powered Touring, but it was not meant to be. Enter Manhart Racing. The German tuning firm decided it was going to create an E91 M3 Touring, but concluded that the E92 M3’s V8 wouldn’t suffice. To remedy this power “discrepancy,” Manhart shoehorned the E60 M5’s V10 into the E91. Displacing 5.0L and packing slightly over 500hp, BMW’s V10 was an ideal choice as it was awarded “International Engine of the Year” for both 2005 and 2006. All five-hundred Bavarian ponies are sent to the rear wheels via the M5’s 7-speed sequential manual (SMG III) transmission. While Manhart Racing didn’t release any specific performance specifications went it showed off the M3 T V10 (M3 Touring V10) at this year’s Tuning World Bodensee, we suspect it can spring to sixty in about 4 seconds and reach at least 190 mph. Combined with an interior that is filled with carbon fiber and plenty of accessories from BMW’s performance catalog, the M3 T V10 is certainly a sport wagon for the history books.
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June 14th
Subaru Legacy STI S402 Wagon
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3-Series GT Planned for 2011?
When BMW unveils its next generation 3-Series, it will add a 5-door hatchback body style to the traditional line up of the coupe, convertible, sedan, and touring. Known as the 3er GT (or perhaps GT Sports Touring), the newest 3-Series will essentially be a smaller version of the recently unveiled 5-Series GT. This new 3-Series will sport a coupe like roof-line and practical rear hatch. While offering less luggage room than the touring, the GT will be slotted as above the wagon, coupe, and sedan (bringing with it a modest price premium) and come standard with a wide range of luxury options. By creating a new market segment BMW is looking to increase sales and establish a niche market. Boss Norbert Reithofer is on record saying they’ve gone ahead with the 3-Series Crossover because it is “considered a volume builder with which we can earn good money.” This 3er GT will be offered with most of the lines engine options, but don’t be surprised if only the most powerful engines (3.0L twin-turbo diesel, twin-turbo petrol, and naturally aspirated petrol) show up as options for consumers. Don’t expect a V8 powered M3 GT as this new 3-Series Crossover is more family hatchback than road-going race car.
June 10th (Source: AutoExpress)
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