The Sport Wagon Enthusiast

2010 Mazdaspeed 3 Hatchback

Mazda recently unveiled their newest hot version of the bread and butter “3” Hatchback. Improving upon the first generation “Mazdaspeed 3” (Or Mazda3 MPS outside the U.S.), Mazda has increased the horsepower, improved the first gen’s suspension system, and added duel exhaust. Utilizing the same 2.3L turbocharged mill, the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 develops 263hp, and still sends this power to the front wheels. The second edition of Mazda’s hot hatch promises to be less prone to the torque-steer issues of the first generation, as the new suspension system (rumored to be taken from the new 300hp Focus RS) makes torque steer an issue of the past. While the new smiling face of the Mazda3 isn’t our favorite, the new styling package is sporty and unoffending. Both Subaru (with the WRX Hatchback) and Mazda seem to have toned down the styling on their most recent hot hatches, much to the dismay of enthusiasts who don’t buy into softer looks. Yet due to these benign looks, the sheepish clothing of the new Mazdaspeed 3 thoroughly hides the true wolf lying underneath. Viva Q-ships!

March 3rd

Styling of new 5-Series Touring?

According to MotorAuthority and Schulte Design, this is what BMW’s largest wagon could look like when the 2010 model is unveiled. Keeping pace with Mercedes’ new E-Class Wagon and Audi’s refreshed A6 Avant, BMW intends to keep their 5-Series fresh and competitive. Other than the next generation M5 Touring (which is expected to pack 550-580hp from a naturally aspirated or turbocharged V10), expect the most powerful Touring to come in the form of the 550iT- using BMW’s new 4.4L twin-turbo V8. Horsepower and torque should both be around 400. Europe will certainly benefit from the option of a six-speed manual, while the United States will most likely receive a new 8-speed automatic. In addition to the high-horsepower models, the 5er Touring will certainly come with a range of petrol and diesel engines. Stay tuned for more details and speculation, especially on the 2011 M5 Touring.

March 3rd (Source: MotorAuthority)

Hello Alfa MiTo GTA, Bye Bye Cooper S

At the recent Geneva Auto Show, Alfa Romeo unveiled details about the long-rumored MiTo GTA Hot Hatch. Based on the standard MiTo hatchback, the GTA (Gran Turismo Alleggerito) packs a wallop with 240hp from a sophisticated 1.75L engine. Utilizing direct injection and variable value timing, this low displacement turbo’d four promises to be entertaining and economical. Further performance modifications include a 20mm lower ride height, active suspension, and a variable geometry steering. Alfa’s engineers have also succeeded in the styling department, creating an aggressive hot hatch that makes the Cooper S look tame by comparison. Especially sexy are the MiTo GTA’s duel rear exhausts- which remind us of the Ferrari F430 Scuderia- no bad thing for a reasonable hatchback.

Full Press Release

March 2nd (Source: Autoblog)

Please No! Buick LaCrosse Wagon

While pursuing the internet, we came across a very interesting Photoshop job of a Buick LaCrosse Wagon. The rendering is certainly professionally done (by CWW Automobile Design) and the styling might even be considered "un-offensive." Yet, styling aside, the idea of a LaCrosse wagon is far from appealing. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that 200hp front-wheel drive Buick doesn’t make the cut for a "Sport Wagon" Handling would be soft and horrible on anything else than a NASCAR circuit. And the cherry on top would be the magnificent 4-speed automatic that was created by GM engineers around the time when the automobile was first invented. Our 2 cents: Please No!

November 16th (Source: CWW Automobiel Design)

Audi A5 Sportback?

As automakers strive to find new niches and segments in the market, both BMW and Audi are looking to create new “Crossover” or Sportback models. Akin to an Audi Allroad or Volvo Cross-Country, these new models will be based on sedan architecture, but will add a higher ride-height, improved off-road capability, with improved versatility and practicality. Audis rumored Sportback is based on the A5, and will retain the coupes stunning front styling. Overall, the sport-hatch will have a high waist-line with a low roof-line. Rather than a shooting-brake, the new A5 Sportback will have 5 doors. Expect to see a 3.2L V6 varient, 3.0L supercharged V6 S5 version, and perhaps even a 4.2L V8 RS5 limited-edition. The A5 Sportback appears viable and interesting, and we would like to see how BMW is competing with their new V-Series crossovers.

November 12th (Source: MotorAuthority)

Subaru Forester XTI Concept

Earlier this week we brought you the Ferrari 456T custom coach-build wagon ordered by the Sultan of Brunei and now we are proud to bring you its natural competition: the Lamborghini Countach Wagon. We know almost nothing about this very strange and intriguing creation. Unlike the front-engine Ferrari, the Lamborghini Countach had a mid-mounted V12, significantly complicating the engineering challenges of creating a wagon. While we aren’t positive this image is of a real car, it doesn’t appear to be a Photoshop job. This example is most likely packing either a 5.0L or 5.2L longitudinally mounted engine, producing somewhere between 375 and 455 horsepower. This horsepower is transferred to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission. Damn!

Full Profile

October 30th, 2008 (Source: Jalopnik)

The Perfect BMW Touring?

Hopefully we aren’t belaboring the point of BMW Tourings, but there is one we can’t ignore. E90post member RCE has created the best E91 we have ever seen. Starting with a 335d M-Sport, the base Touring was tuned to produce 350hp and 730NM of torque from the twin-turbo oil-burner. Aftermarket gunmetal rims and HID headlights complete the package. With a 6-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, sharp handling, bountiful power and excellent fuel economy, this might be the perfect BMW Touring. Look for a battle between this E91 and the titanium package B7 RS4 Avant for our perfect Touring competition. We just hope BMW will offer its 35d mill in the E91 when it comes stateside.

October 30th, 2008 (Source: E90post)

Auto Gluttony Pt. 2: M5 Touring in the Wild

Here in the states, there is about a 0% chance of seeing a new E61 M5 Touring (There are a few imported E34 M5 Tourings…more on that later). Not so oversees, especially in the United Kingdom or Germany. SWA Associate editor Tim Auer was lucky enough to see one of these 507bhp beasts in the wild…on the streets of London at the Marble Arch (Where one of the Gumball 3000s began). While this example is a left-hand drive UK variant, it still has the same 5.0L V10 as the German-spec version and the same 7-speed SMG III transmission. Seeing the M5 Touring on London streets reminds us of Clarkson’s excellent review between the V10 Bimmer and the Mercedes E63 AMG Wagon- which you should watch immediately if you haven’t. It also gets us thinking about the possibility of a 6-speed manual M5 Touring…

More on Auto Gluttony 2008

October 30th, 2008 (Source: Tim Auer)

German Polizei BMW Tourings

While SWA’s associate editor Tim Auer was recently in Germany, he observed several Police Tourings in action. As the above photo shows, the German Polizei currently operate both E46 and E91 BMW wagons. While still retaining BMW’s excellent handling and performance, these Tourings also provide the police with much needed extra versatility. The E46 3er in the above photo is a diesel 320d, but we are unsure about the drive train and engine of the newer E91, but it is probably a diesel. We know the German police also operate E39 and E91 5-series wagons, including a new E61 M5 Touring. Look for more postings from Tim’s recent Auto Gluttony 2008 in the future. 

More Images

October 29th, 2008