Sport Wagon Search
DP Cargo Porsche 924/944 Shooting Brake
Looking for a Porsche with a little extra boot space—but don’t want to settle for a thirsty and ugly Cayenne? German tuning firm DP Cargo has at least two solutions for you: the DP24 and DP44. As modified versions of the Porsche 924 and 944, respectively, both models offer Porsche handling and power with exceptional utility and exclusivity. This article covers both the 924 and 944 as they are close cousins: the 944 was introduced in 1982 as an improved variant of the 924—featuring updated bodywork and styling, but an almost identical interior.
Both vehicles have been converted from stock using the roof of a VW Passat to create a rakish rump and loads of boot space. Although this method may sound crude, the DP44 is no hack job (like this $500 Evil Genius Racing 928 Brake). To start DP Cargo has a long and successful history—its been tuning Porsches since 1975 and has been converting 924s and 944s into shooting brakes since 1988. Secondly—as the photos testify—DP Cargo’s finished product remarkably refined and pays exceptional attention to detail and fitment...
Full Profile, Photos, and Specifications
February 7th, 2012
Audi Shooting Brake Concept
Audi has made—and continues to produce—some of the world’s greatest sport wagons and hot hatches: the RS2 Avant, the C6 V10 RS6 Avant, the B7 RS4 Avant, and the new RS3 hot hatch. Yet Ingolstadt has never invested in shooting brakes. In 2005 though, Audi previewed what could have been an epic production brake. Unimaginatively called the “Shooting Brake Concept,” Audi’s creation nevertheless inspired petrol heads and wagonphiles alike.
Starting with the chassis from the 2nd generation TT, Audi designed an aggressive and sharp concept car. It featured Audi’s 3.2L V6 producing 250 horsepower. Like the Audi/VW’s transition from the Golf R32 to the new Golf R, we would prefer to see Audi’s 265-bhp 2.0L turbocharged four under the hood—also found in the S3 hot hatch. With four-wheel drive and a short-shifting 6-speed manual...
Full Profile, Photos, and Press Release
February 1st, 2012
Ferrari FF Plays in the Alps 
In order to “unwind” before the Formula 1 official season kicks off on February 7th, Ferrari allowed their two F1 superstars some play time in the Italian Alps. At Madonna di Campiglio—which usually hosts the World Cup downhill ski competition—Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa were given two brand-new Ferrari FF’s. It was a perfect opportunity for the F1 drivers to get sideways and for Ferrari to promote their new 651 bhp shooting brake. While too promotional for our tastes, the video Ferrari produced is nevertheless pretty amazing. It’s not everyday that you get to see two V12-powered supercars racing on a ski hill. Hit the jump to enjoy pictures and some intense Ferrari advertising.
Ferrari FF Alps Video and Photos
January 30rd, 2012 (Source: Ferrari via Youtube)
Gentleman’s Sports Car: Aston DB5 Shooting Brake
If you’re the proper kind of gentleman, you enjoy bringing your two best friends—and a few guns—and getting out in the woods. Of course you’re going to drive your Aston too. Oh—and you’re going to own Aston Martin. David Brown was just this caliber of man. Needing extra room for his guns and dogs, Brown—with quintessential English taste—decided to have his company custom design a shooting break version of their gorgeous DB5 sports coupe. Although the factory was busy—Brown ran the show and his engineers built him a proper shooting brake.
Several customers were of like mind and sound judgment to Brown also desired a more practical DB5...
Full Profile and Photos
January 30th, 2012
Ferrari 250 GTO “Breadvan”
For our first installment of Shooting Brake Week, it would seem natural to begin with Ferrari’s new FF brake. As one of the few shooting brakes in production, the FF epitomizes the breed and brings enough power for Formula 1 fans. Yet beginning with the FF would reveal little about the shooting brakes deep history. To explore the roots of post-World War II shooting Brakes, we have to start with the FF’s spiritual grandfather: the 1961 250 GTO “Breadvan.”
The Breadvan is one of the most famous shooting brakes of all time—and rightly so. In 1962 Ferrari engineer Giotto Bizzarrino and several other employees quit the firm over a tiff with Enzo Ferrari’s wife. Bizzarrino and a fellow ex-Ferrari engineer—Carlo Chiti—were hired by Count Giovanni Volpi to assist with his “Scuderia SSS” race team. Yet when Enzo Ferrari learned of this defection, he canceled Scuderia’s order for a 250 GTO race car. The team was thus forced to use a 1961 250 SWB—which had been previously raced by Count Volpi—and upgrade it to GTO specs...
Full Profile, Specifications, Video, and Photos
January 28th, 2012
Welcome to Shooting Break/Brake Week!
As part of our celebration of things “hatch,” over the next week we’ll bring you a dozen articles detailing the world’s greatest shooting brakes.
While the specific definition (and spelling) of a shooting break has evolved over the past century, we are primarily concerned with the modern meaning: a three-door coupe with a rear hatch. Specifically, a sports car designed with a rakish rear and extra utility. As the gentleman’s sports car, shooting brakes are typically the fastest of the wagon categories, but blend refinement with practicality. Shooting brakes truly epitomize our motto “utilitarian performance,” with a healthy concern for the latter.
Not all three-door hatches are shooting brakes, and not all shooting brakes are worthy of note at the Sport Wagon Enthusiast. If you’ve got a favorite shooting break, shoot us an e-mail or drop a line on our Facebook page.
January 28th, 2012 BMW M550d Tri-Turbo Diesel Touring Unveiled
After months of speculation concerning an “M-Division diesel” and a new line of triple turbocharged engines, BMW has confirmed both rumors and unveiled the 550d xDrive Touring. BMW has also given this “M-diesel” treatment to three others: the 5er sedan, and the X5 and X6 SUVs. Before we inundate you will the brilliance of the 550d M-Touring, a fair warning to our North American readers: this is a Euro only affair.
As BMW’s first M-diesel model—the badge actually says “M550d”—the Bavarian automaker is following in Mercedes’ path, as they released their C30 AMG TDI diesel-powered wagon nearly a decade ago. Here at SWE—where we are devoted to utility, performance, and efficiency—you can easily guess our reaction: childlike giddiness. What could be better than a tri-turbo, high-performance, super-efficient diesel wagon?!
Enough context already—lets get down to the important details: the F11 M550d wagon features a 3.0L inline-six diesel engine. Yet this is no ordinary diesel—it offers direct injection, two smaller turbos, and one large turbocharger...
Full Story, Specifications, and Press Release
January 26th, 2012 (Source: BMW)
SWE Photo of the Day: Detailed E36 M3 Touring
Click here for updated photos of Gerald’s—recently detailed—custom-built E36 M3 Evo Touring. He’s made his M3 sport wagon even more utilitarian with the addition of a trailer hitch.
January 25th, 2012
SWE Photo of the Day: Touring > SUV
If you’re still trying to figure out why people buy SUVs, welcome to our world. As many sport wagons can to traverse difficult off-road terrain (we’re thinking of the Audi Allroad here) and haul plenty of people and cargo, what is the point of a gas-guzzler? Case and point: this BMW E46 Touring in the wild.
January 25th, 2012
2013 Audi RS6 Avant Spied
With the unveiling of Audi’s newest A6 and S6 Avants (internally code named “C7”), wagon enthusiasts the world over have been excitedly awaiting the RS6 Avant.
For those who don’t know, the RS6 is one of the most storied battlewagons of all time. The RS6—or Rennsport, literally translated as “racing sport”—first debuted in 2002 (code named C5) with a twin-turbo V8 producing 444 bhp (thanks to engine tuning from Cosworth). To compete with Mercedes’ E63 AMG wagon and BMW’s V10-powered M5 Touring, Audi designed the next iteration of the RS6 to be the world’s fastest production wagon (at the time in 2008). Featuring a twin-turbo 5.0L V10, the C6 RS6 Avant was Audi’s most powerful production car and was manufactured between April 2008 and August of 2010.
Full Story...
January 25th, 2012 (Source: Carscoop)
SWE Photo of the Day: Arctic White S4 Avant
Let me dispense with my bias up front: there are few things cooler than a white sport wagon. As evidenced by this Audi S4 Avant (B7), white paint and the proper tint accentuates the wagon’s rakish form. With a 6-speed manual, Quattro all-wheel drive, a snowboard on the roof rack, and Audi’s venerable 4.2L V8 under the bonnet, this S4 Avant checks all the right boxes. Special thanks to Curtis for the photos!
Hit the jump to enjoy all ten photos of this gorgeous arctic white Avant. J
January 23rd, 2012
Audi Avantissimo Concept: The S8 Avant That Never Was
Recently, two petrol heads were having a friendly conversation and I overheard one of them utter the phrase “Audi S8 Avant.” As a wagon enthusiast, it was obviously my duty to correct this gaffe; there was never a 5-door S8. Yet many may be surprised to learn that Audi did produce a concept that might have become an S8 Avant: the 2002 Avantissimo Concept.
Designed to be the pinnacle of station wagon luxury and refinement, the Avantissimo was displayed to the public at the 2001 Frankfurt Auto Show. Featuring Audi’s venerable 4.2 liter V8—born from Audi’s direct experience with their R8 Le Mans racecar (not to be confused with the 2008 supercar)—with twin turbos, this Daddy wagon churns out an impressive 430 bhp. Power is transferred to all four wheels via Audi’s Quattro system and a 6-speed automatic transmission. In many respects, the concept presages Audi’s epic first generation RS6 Avant, which debuted in 2002 and offered a similar 450 bhp twin-turbo 4.2L V8 matted to an automatic transmission...
Full Profile, Photos, and Press Release
January 23rd, 2012 (Source: Audi AG)
Fastest Wagons List Updated
January 20th, 2012
SWE Daily Photo: TDI in the Nasty Nati
For your daily visual wagon fix, check out this facelifted VW Jetta TDI Sportwagon. Featuring a 6-speed manual and super efficient turbo-diesel engine, the Jetta is one of the most efficient “green” wagon available on the North American market. This one was spotted in Cincinnati, Ohio.
More Photos Here...
January 20th, 2012
Rarified Estate: UK-Spec BMW 550iT 6MT
Every so often, we’re informed of a rare production wagon that we can’t ignore. An Scotsman named Graeme owns just such an estate. BMW made a wide variety of E61 5-series sport wagons, with the most well known being their V10-powered M5 Touring. Yet in focusing exclusively on the M5, the other very capable variants are too often overlooked. The 6-speed manual-equip U.S.-spec 535xiT and the UK-spec 550iT are two such examples.
In 2005, BMW unveiled the 550iT Touring with a new, higher-performance 4.8L V8. Featuring the last iteration of the N62 V8 family (code named N62B48), the 550 produced 367 horsepower and 361 lb-ft of torque—nearly matching the never-produced E39 M5 Touring. With this impressive power, the 550 Touring sprints to sixty in just 5.3 seconds and is capable of top speed of 175 when the electronic governor is removed...
Full Profile and Photos
January 19th, 2012