Sport Wagon Daily
Your One-Click Resource for Daily Sport Wagon and Hot Hatch News
Focus RS targets FWD ring record 
Ford’s new 2009 Focus RS hot hatch has been putting serious time in at the famed Nurburgring Nordschleife. Spy photos and videos show the Focus has been running numerous hot laps with the goal of becoming the fastest front-wheel drive car around the ‘ring. While the RS is certainly an enthusiast car with 295hp, race-tuned suspension, and an impressive limited slip differential, the competition is stiff. The current holder of the record is the Renault Megane R26.6- a hot hatch that is 250kg lighter and equip with very sticky Toyo R888s. The current record for the front-wheel drive car is 8 minutes, 17 seconds (click here for more Nurburgring times). Rumors suggest that Ford is looking to announce the RS’ “victory” over the R26.R in April- a feat which is certainly not guaranteed. If April comes and goes without a word from Ford, it’s a good bet that the American RS couldn’t crack the French record. Whether the RS beats the Megane or not, we suspect the R26.R won’t hold the title at this time next year.
April 1st (Source: BridgetoGantry)
Production CTS Wagon in the Wild
Several days ago, a Jalopnik member spotted a production Cadillac CTS-4 Sport Wagon on Detroit’s I-696 freeway. The version spotted appears to be the 3.6L high-output, producing 306hp with the assistance of direct injection. Also visible is Audi-esque chrome roof bars- just like on the new B8 A4 Avant and Q7 SUV. While Cadillac’s first true sport wagon comes with an option of engines (3.0L and 3.6L) and the option of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, but as of now there is only one transmission- a 6-speed automatic. While this torque-converting unit is a good one, we hope Cadillac will attempt to compete with Audi and BMW by offering a standard transmission- perhaps from the CTS-V sedan? GM has also fairly recently added a webpage for the CTS Sport Wagon, which can be found here. Stay tuned for more information and a comprehensive road test.
March 30th (Source: Jalopnik)
Jag XF Estate to bow at Frankfurt, R to Follow?
As we reported several months ago, Jaguar is planning on unveiling an estate version of its blockbuster XF. Expected to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September, the XF Estate will expand the highly successful XF range and hopefully provide the struggling English-Indian automaker with additional sales volume. The XF Estate at Frankfurt is rumored to be a concept vehicle, and if public opinion is strong enough, Jaguar will likely give the green light to the 5-door XF. Under the bonnet will be engine options ranging from Jag’s new diesel “S,” a 3.0L twin-turbo producing 271bhp and 600NM or torque, to a 503bhp supercharged 5.0L V8. The latter engine will be available only in the flagship XFR Estate, a first for Jaguar. This high-horsepower cat will rival the BMW M5 Touring, Audi RS6 Avant, and Mercedes’ upcoming E63 AMG Wagon. In addition to a monstrous engine...
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March 29th (Source: AutoExpress)
2010 E63 AMG Wagon 
We have been seeing spy photos of the upcoming Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG estate for the past six months but now know definitively know the front of the uber-wagon will look like. Mercedes recently released a teaser image of the forthcoming E63, clearly revealing the front end. Expect a revised version of Merc’s hand-built 6.2L V8 to power the E63 estate, producing between 525-550hp. Power will be sent to the rear wheels through a 7-speed automatic transmission. Compared to the last generation E63, the 2010 model will have better handling and chassis strength, thanks to a number of innovations borrowed from the new C63 AMG. Look for the new E63 AMG saloon at the New York Auto Show, and expect the estate to debut shortly thereafter.
March 28th (Source: MotorAuthority)
Next Generation VW Passat Wagon Rendered
MotorAuthority and Schulte Design have given us a teaser of what the next VW Passat Wagon might look like. While this is merely speculation, the possibility of a more chiseled and aggressive Passat is very enticing. Indeed, MotorAuthority’s rendering follows many design elements inherent in VW’s newest generation of vehicles (namely the mk. VI Golf GTI) and may well be very accurate. Scheduled to be unveiled as a 2011 or 2012 model, VW is designing the next generation Passat to compete with the BMW 3-series Touring, C-Class Sport Wagon, and Audi A4 Avant. To rival its German competition, the Passat wagon will be loaded with innovative technological features including a highly advanced user interface/ navigation system, a sophisticated electronic stability and lane departure system, and perhaps even airless tires. Expect a 220hp turbocharged I4 as standard...
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March 26th (Source: MotorAuthority)
Opel Insignia Sports Tourer OPC
Looks like Europeans will have the opportunity to purchase another high-horsepower estate sometime very soon. Spy photographers have caught Opel’s new Insignia Sports Tourer wearing OPC badges (Opel Performance Center) and sporting the fitting performance parts to match. Under the hood lies GM’s 2.8L turbocharged V6, currently also used in Saab’s Turbo X SportCombi. In its new OPC application this engine will produce about twenty more horsepower than Saab’s highest performance estate- right in the neighborhood of 300bhp. Like the Saab, an all-wheel drive system will be utilized with a 6-speed manual (and later optional automatic) transmission. Expect OPC’s hot wagon to reach 60 in under 6 seconds and top out at an electronically limited 155 mph. Another crucial performance component of the Sports Tourer is stopping power- as the estate will be fitted with a Brembo developed brake package. This new sports wagon will also be sold in the UK as the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer VXR, and is expected to go on sale before the end of 2009. Rumors also suggest that the Insignia sedan could be heading to the United States in 2010 as the Buick Regal, but we highly doubt the OPC/VXR 5-door will make it stateside.
March 25th (Source: AutoExpress)
Audi RS3 in the Works?
For several years now there has been speculation throughout the automotive community that Audi is planning on producing its hottest hatch yet- the RS3. As the automaker recently unveiled the newest RS model (the TT-RS) and has made its intentions very clear to surpass Mercedes and BMW as the largest German automaker, we believe the that there is a strong chance Audi will produce the super-hot hatch. Speaking with the German website Autovisie, Audi’s development boss Michael Dick said an RS3 fitted with the TT-RS’ turbocharged five-cylinder was under serious consideration. When the 2010 or 2011 RS3 is finally unveiled, expect a more aggressive aero package (compared to the current S3), tighter suspension, and of course the heart of a lion. Output would likely remain the same as the TT-RS, with 340hp and 332lb-ft of torque from the 2.5L mill. Like the TT-RS, the RS3...
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March 23rd (Source: MotorAuthority)
AC Schnitzer E91 Touring
German tuner AC Schnitzer has recently unveiled its kit for the BMW E91 3-Series Touring. The 33-year old tuner offers a range of styling options, with an aggressive all-around aero package, and wheel options ranging from 17 inches to 20 inches. Especially impressive is the tuners engine upgrade for BMW’s 3.0L Twin-Turbo Inline-Six (from the 335iT) which is tweaked to produce 360hp and 383lb-ft of torque. Other performance options include a limited slip differential, sports antiroll bar, strut brace kit (front and rear), suspension spring kit (lowers 25-30mm), and sports and racing suspension. If you are looking to make your E91 more aggressive, or just make it a faster 5-door, AC Schnitzer has some options for you!
March 22nd (Source: AC Schnitzer)
Nissan GT-R Wagon?
Has Nissan given us the ultimate birthday present, or are we just dreaming? Unfortunately, this image isn’t what is appears to be: there is no R35 GT-R Wagon. Seen here at the Nagoya Auto Trend show, this is actually a converted Nissan M35 series Stagea wagon. That being said, this “GT-R Sport Wagon” is an incredibly clean conversion and gives an excellent idea of what a (dead-on-arrival) production version would look like. The greatest mystery about this creation is what lies under the bonnet. While no one knows for sure, the Nissan fanatics over at GTRblog speculate there may be a twin-turbo VQ series 3.5L V6 powering the insane creation. It is very likely that this power is put to all four wheels via a four-wheel drive system that was an option for the Stagea wagon (if not, then it is rear-wheel drive). Transmission is unknown, although a 6-speed manual is highly likely...
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March 21st (Source: GTRblog)
Eurospec Honda Accord Tourer Type-S
At the 2009 Geneva Auto Show, Honda unveiled it’s sportier “Type-S” version of the Accord Tourer. Intended only for European shores, this is essentially the Sport Wagon version of the Acura TSX. For the new Type-S model, Honda has given the Tourer a new iDTEC 2.2L diesel four cylinder engine. Producing a modest 178hp and (much more importantly) an impressive 280lb-ft of torque, Honda’s new diesel mill promises to be economically and torque. We think the Accord Tourer was already one of the best looking Sport Wagons on sale today, and with the advent of the Type-S (and its larger 18-inch rims), our opinion has been doubly vindicated.
March 6th (Source: Honda Europe)
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