Volkswagen’s ID. Space Vizzion Concept is a wagon by any other name

Volkswagen ID. Space Vizzion conceptHandout / Volkswagen What is it?If youve lost track of all the ID. prototypes since Volkswagen unveiled its first I.D. Concept in Paris four years ago, let us explain Volkswagens ID. Space Vizzion Concept like this: This is the ninth concept of the electric-vehicles series although were still waiting for a production vehicle on what the company calls its modular-electric-drive-matrix.The first thing youll note if you care about punctuation is that, somewhere along the road, the I.D. became ID.. For another, the Space Vizzion is effectively yet another concept (to be) built on Volkswagens MEB dedicated-platform for battery-electric vehicles. Now, just in case you forgot the previous eight ID. prototypes, it started with the I.D. compact hatchback at the Paris Motor Show in 2016 and includes a small SUV, a couple of Microbus-style vans, a racecar, and even a dune buggy.VW describes this umpteenth prototype as combining the aerodynamic design of a Gran Turismo with the spaciousness and versatility of an SUV. All of which is to say: Its a station wagon. Actually, to be more accurate, its a long station wagon: Stretching almost five meters 4,958 millimetres to be exact from bumper to bumper, were talking Audi S7 Sportback or Tesla Model S length.Check out all of our latest auto show coverage hereWhy does it matter?Well, for now, it doesnt, because were not even getting the first mass-produced EV heralded by these highly promoted concepts: The first VW ID.3, a small electric car to be launched next summer, wont reach North American shores. Rather, the company is waiting for 2021 to send us the ID.4, a four-door crossover variant, based on the VW ID. Crozz Concept unveiled two years ago.But if VWs promises made imperative by a certain Dieselgate scandal are to be believed, this ID. Space Vizzion Concept unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show might matter for Canadians. After all, station wagons have always been (a bit) more popular in Canada than in the U.S. enough, in fact, that VW is one of the rare manufacturers to (still) offer one in its lineup, even arranging extra production of the soon-departing, seventh-generation Golf Sportwagen and Alltrack.When is it coming?Dont hold your breath, or you might turn into that weird Saintly Blue Pearl Effect colour showcased on the prototypes body best described by VW as a new metallic white with shimmering blue and violet pigments. You want more bizarre? The interior is made of AppleSkin, in lieu of leather. Yes, youll be sitting on leftovers from apple juice production. Kids should love it. But back to our specifics: VW says the concept previews a potential production car for Europe and North America. This is a bit less assertive than VWs previous statement suggesting the production version will launch in late 2021 with different versions for North America, Europe, and China.Should you buy it?Too early to tell. For now, we are promised a rear-mounted motor for 275 horsepower that can be paired with a second, 101-horsepower coaxial drive motor. The latter would give all-wheel-drive capability and up to 335 horsepower. This 4Motion variant of the ID. Space Vizzion, with its 82-kWh lithium-ion pack, is said to be good for 482 kilometres more or less Tesla Model 3 range and can sprint from zero to 96 km/h (60 mph) in five
Origin: Volkswagen’s ID. Space Vizzion Concept is a wagon by any other name

First Drive: 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel, 2500 Power Wagon

2020 Ram 1500 RebelDerek McNaughton / Driving Callaghan Valley, B.C. A large boulder normally sits on the upper trail leading to Sproatt Cabin, a tiny but breathtaking log abode nested in the alpine near Whistler. Its usually accessible only by snowmobile, ATV, skis or a serious hike, yet today, with the boulder mechanically moved aside, we drove to the summit in trucks.Not just any trucks, mind you. The 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel and 2500 Power Wagon two of the most off-road-ready pickups you can get right off the showroom floor became our steeds for this journey in an effort to prove these two pickups were not just about big grilles and badging, but that underneath those sculpted hoods were half tons and three quarter tons capable of conquering terrain better suited to a lifted Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.That much was evident by bush so narrow that the sides of these $60,000-plus pickups were constantly being scrubbed by branches that clawed at the paint more like brushes in an automatic car wash. It was clear, too, in the perilous drop offs, that the big rocks, steep inclines, tight turns, scraped trees, the muddy and greasy and water-laden path that would be a challenge even to the knobbiest-tired ATV. Yet onward and upward the trucks marched, like snowcats of the dirt. Introduced in the Second World War as a weapons carrier, the Power Wagon is known to many as the first mass produced 44, replete with a 10,000-pound winch and two-speed transfer case. Many of those old rigs are still around and still working. About 95,000 trucks were built from 1945 to 1968, all in the original 1945 cab style. The model was revived in 2005.Today, the big winch remains a trademark of the Power Wagon, upgraded to 12,000 pounds; the former steel winch cable is now a unique synthetic line with a much higher breaking strength. A manual transfer case also remains, but it shifts on the fly for those panic situations where momentum must absolutely be maintained. Identified by its factory two-inch lift, unique grille, roof lights, wheel flares, and glaring decals that can be optionally deleted thank goodness there really is little else like Rams Power Wagon in the HD class. The closest rival, perhaps, is the GMC Sierra 2500 AT4, itself a formidable machine for the backcountry (and available with a heavier diesel engine).The Power Wagon, available only with a six-foot-four-inch box and only as a Crew Cab, is limited to one engine choice as well a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 410 horsepower and 429 lb.-ft. of torque, and mated to a ZF eight speed automatic. But it sounds great, feels remarkably smooth, and pulls with impressive grunt. Riding on 33-inch Goodyear DuraTrac AT tires on 17-inch wheels, the Power Wagon also wears enough under armour to lead all of Scotland into battle. More importantly, it has electronic-locking front and rear Tru-Lok differentials, hill-descent control, tow hooks, specially tuned Bilstein shocks in the front and rear, and, like the Jeep Rubicons, it employs an electronically disconnecting front sway bar that allows for 26 inches of wheel travel to keep the truck from being tippy when going over large rocks. The sway bar can be disengaged in 4WD high or 4WD low below 29 km/h. A 4.10 rear axle ratio is also standard.All of which pretty much makes the Power Wagon an ideal partner for not only logging, fire, or tree-planting crews, but also heli-ski and ski operators, outdoor adventure camps or lodges, hydro-line and tree planting crews, conservation officers, park wardens, trail builders, weekend off-roaders anyone whose work or play takes them to some of the more extreme parts of our world. Starting at $64,245, the Power Wagon can also take those who might never venture into the back forty but want to know they have all the capability of doing so should the moment ever arise in high luxury. A more basic Tradesman Power Wagon, without the decals and menacing grille, is available for industrial or fleet users.But for those who want it all, Rams brilliant, 12-inch Uconnect screen is an option that comes with leather seats and 17-speaker stereo in an interior that looks and feels plenty opulent with excellent storage. A 360-camera and Ramboxes are also options on the HD and half-ton.And to be honest, while the Power Wagon does ride plenty stiff, and it sure is a tall climb to get up into the saddle, it also returns a remarkable tolerant ride. The five-link rear coil suspension removes a lot of the truckiness that normally comes with an HD truck with leaf springs. The rear suspension is also designed with joints that allow for plenty of travel for greater axle articulation. Power is excellent, the steering decently weighted, the brakes over big 14.1-inch rotors reacting with good pedal feel. Towing is decent enough at 10,620 pounds, but payload is a bit light at 1,510 pounds.On the lighter side, the 2020 Ram Rebel half-ton gets many of the same off-road features as the Power Wagon,
Origin: First Drive: 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel, 2500 Power Wagon

Want a 2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 AMG Wagon? Your pickings are slim

2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 WagonNadine Filion / Driving So, you want a Mercedes-Benz station wagon. Good choice! Excellent choice, even. For one thing, youve shown yourself not to be a slave to fashion as the wagon (or Estate, as the Europeans sometimes call them) is not one of those omnipresent sport utilities that everyone is buying these days to show their individuality. More important, a wagon especially a Mercedes-Benz will be lighter, more fuel-efficient and ironically, despite what the S in SUV stands for, sportier as well. Thats most certainly the case in the case of the 2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Wagon, which is, in no particular order of importance, passably roomy, all-wheel-drive practical and twin-turbocharged sporty. This last is turbocharged even more than before, all C43s receiving a boost to 385 horsepower this year as well as a bump to 384 lb.-ft. of torque. Thats not half bad, especially for an engine that was not hand-fettled by a AMG technician you dont get a handwritten signature from an AMG technician, it seems, for the C43s $59,900 asking price. Mass-produced the 3.0-litre V6 may be, but it will scoot the 1,760 kilogram wagon from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. Not half bad for a wagon now, is it? If thats not enough, let me add this bit of controversy: I like the sound of the C43s V6 more especially with the optional AMGs performance valve opened than Mercedes V8s, which though most might not consider this a fault, sound way too North American-ized to me. The benefits of wagon over SUV are manifold. For one thing, having a lower centre of gravity will mean much better handling. Indeed, this C43 unravels twisty roads as well as many a sports sedan we’re looking at you, BMW M340i xDrive with excellent turn-in, minimal body roll, and great grip. This last is augmented by the AMG-fettled 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, which distributes 69 per cent of the engines torque (Nice. – Ed.) to the rear wheels. And yes, youre probably thinking the same thing as I am; either some Mercedes tech was given way too much time to optimize torque split data or someone at AMG is trying sexual innuendo as marketing ploy for their tuned 4Matic system.Throw in a fairly roomy cargo area, a svelte exterior I find the wagons silhouette more pleasing than the C43 sedans bubble-gum shape and a fairly luxurious interior for a fairly comprehensive luxury ride. Quibbles are few: I still think the add-on look of the infotainment screen looks cheap and Mercedes older infotainment syste isnt nearly as good as the latest MBUX system. As well, like all AMG-tuned suspensions, the C43s dampers are heavy on the compression damping yes, they keep the wheels well under control, but the ride is noticeably choppy, especially noticeable this year since our thoroughfares seem more pock-marked than ever. 2019 BMW 3 Series Touring Handout / BMW You’re more a BMW aficionado. Well, BMW has a 3 Series wagon, only they call it a Touring yet another Europeanism so they dont have to call it wagon. Still based on the previous-generation 3 Series, the 330i xDrive Touring version has a few advantages, mainly its superior ride BMWs suspension calibration has always been a bit better than Mercedes. Its also way roomy, virtually as comely, and perhaps a bit more frugal.All that said, BMW obviously has less confidence in the allure of a wagon than Mercedes. They only import the 330i version powered by a lowly 2.0-litre turbo-four that boasts 248 horsepower and its about $1,500 more expensive than the equivalent Merc. Theres also nary a fire-breathing i.e. an M340i version in sight. The 330i xDrive Touring is a solid car; practical to be sure, and like the Mercedes, a more sensible alternative to the SUV. But theyre not even trying to make it sexy.In fact, theyre not even going to make it. BMW Canada is dropping the 3 Series Touring from its lineup for 2020. So, if youre in the hunt for one, you better hustle on down to your local dealer. 2019 Volvo V60 Handout / Volvo You want something even sportier than the C43. Well then, you might want to head over to your Volvo dealer. Yes, Volvo. Sometime in October, they will be receiving their first batch of V60 Polestars. Like the BMW, its powered by a 2.0-litre four but what an engine. Not only is it turbocharged, its also supercharged. And, as if thats not enough, its also electrified, two small electric motors throwing in an additional 87 horsepower to bring the grand total to 415 force-fed and electrified ponies. It also boasts shades of turbocharged V8s 494 lb.-ft. of torque, all that supercharging and electrification kicking in at seriously low rpm. Throw in Ohlins suspension bits, some big Brembo brakes, and some frame stiffening, and you have a recipe for one rapid Scandinavian.We havent driven this latest generation of Polestar-tuned V60. But we did sample the previous version, and it made a great argument for Swedish dominion over German
Origin: Want a 2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 AMG Wagon? Your pickings are slim

BMW’s secret M5 wagon mule hides McLaren F1 power

The McLaren F1 set the world on fire when it came out, boasting incredible performance specs and offering no compromises, not even on driving position.The star of the show is undoubtedly the engine, commissioned by McLaren from BMW, who the racing firm knew would take the projects details to the nth degree.Of course, the engine would have to be tested before being given to the supercar manufacturer, but BMW didnt really have a mid-engined car that it could use for the application, save for the classic M1.Enter the E34 M5 Wagon, an extremely unlikely donor for the 6.1-litre V12 but. nevertheless, the car that would be the mule used to develop this insane engine.The existence of the wagon was revealed in talks with David Clark, former director of McLaren road and race car programs from 1994 through 1998, on Chris Harris Collecting Cars podcast; the vehicles otherwise remained a total mystery until now. Clark says hes driven the car, and that its an outrageous thing.It isnt hard to see why. In the McLaren F1, the 627-horsepower engine helped the carbon-fibre-bodied supercar reach 240.1 miles per hour (386 km/h), which is still the current record for a naturally aspirated road car. Of course, the car was built for racing, in which it achieved great success, even scoring an outright victory at Le Mans in 1995.While 627 horsepower doesnt seem like much these days, in 1995 it was more than double the 311 horsepower the M5 would have made stock, making for a wild ride,
Origin: BMW’s secret M5 wagon mule hides McLaren F1 power

Road Trip: 2019 Mercedes-AMG C 43 Wagon

2019 Mercedes-AMG C 43 WagonPeter Bleakney OVERVIEW AMG “light” wagon a thrilling, functional performer PROSfast, handles, AMG cache, it’s a wagon CONSstiff ride even in Comfort Mode, options add up VALUE FOR MONEYfair WHAT TO CHANGE?Find some more compliance in the underpinnings HOW TO SPEC IT?this is good, love that blue Allow me to let you in on a little secret: wagons are cool. And performance wagons? Even cooler. The Europeans know this, as do many Canadians. Also cool is the fact that Mercedes-Benz is aware that #wethenorth dig our wagons, so consider the 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43 4Matic Wagon a reward of sorts for our long-roof affections. Danke schon.For 2019, the C 43 Wagon joins its stable mates, the C 43 Sedan, Coupe and Cabriolet, but only here in Canada. The Americans dont get it, because well, the Americans dont get it the part about wagons being cool, that is.The soul of the C 43 4Matic Wagon is a lusty 3.0L twin-turbo V6 that kicks out 385 horsepower (up from 362 last year thanks to bigger turbos) and 384 lb-ft of torque. It routes through a nine-speed AMG Speedshift TCT Sport gearbox to Benzs 4Matic all-wheel-drive here with a sporty 69 percent rear bias. The 100 km/h mark is dispatched in a trim 4.8 seconds.With a starting point of $59,900, the C 43 Wagon is less expensive than the Coupe and Cabriolet, and just $900 above the Sedan. Of course, any German luxury vehicle requires a host of upgrades and packages, and as such, this Brilliant Blue Metallic Pai ($890) specimen comes in at $76,380 after factoring in interior, exterior and tech upgrades. Other changes for the 2019 C43 line up include redesigned LED headlamps and taillamps, a new twin-louver grill, fresh front and rear fascias and round quad exhaust tips. Inside we get a new Nappa-trimmed steering wheel with thumb touch-pads.Having this potent wagon in my possession for a week, I really wanted to do something other than just haul ass. I wanted to haul stuff. Isnt that the whole point of a wagon? So our Golden Retriever jumped in the back for a ride to her favourite forest trails. I went to our local transfer station to load up on free compost. And, perhaps most importantly, good friends/wine enthusiasts/legendary drummers Bob DiSalle and Dave Johannesson joined me for a tour of the Niagara Wine Region.I know what youre thinking. Not one, but two drummers? And wine? What could go wrong? As the designated driver, I was prepared. Bob showed up with a vintage Gretsch bass drum in which to put our spoils. Sure, a cardboard box would do, but wheres the fun in that?So off we set. No complaints were registered from the back seat as headroom and legroom seem competitive for this segment, and while cargo space behind the rear seat is not cavernous, the bass drum and other odds and ends fit with no fuss. Imminently more useful than the C 43 Sedan, and better looking too. First stop was the lovely Angels Gate Winery in Beamsville. The 3.0L biturbo V6 may not be hand built and signed by a single technician in Affalterbach like the mighty AMG V8s, but it does sail to its 6,500 rpm redline in a linear rush, and turbo-lag is a non-issue.The nine-speed auto is a willing ally too, banging off the gears with aggression when Sport or Sport Plus Mode is selected, and giving instant response to shift paddle inputs. A double-click of the left paddle gives multi-gear downshifts. However, I noticed the occasional jerky shift in lower gears when puttering around in Comfort mode.With any C 43 model, I would posit the $2,000 AMG Drivers Package as mandatory as it adds among other doo-dads the AMG Performance Exhaust System that, when activated, spits out some rather spectacular metallic farts on full throttle upshifts. A big part of the AMG experience had always been the aural hijinks, and this bent-six does not disappoint. We were all impressed with the C 43s cabin, beautifully rendered, boldly styled and here upgraded with an AMG Carbon Fibre trim package ($1,500). It doesnt brag Mercedes-Benzs new-gen MBUX infotainment that is starting to show up on some models, but the available 10.25-inch screen and digital instrument cluster will keep it feeling contemporary. If youre feeling racy, theres a G-Force meter and a race timer that shows lap times, average speed, distance covered, current engine torque, and horsepower levels.The true fun to be found in this wagon is when Sport+ is selected and you start unraveling a snaking road. We found one on the way to Hernder Estates Winery and picked up the pace. Its easy to get a nice flow going in the C 43 Wagon its poised, planted and is blessed with an accurate and natural feeling helm. There is a dynamic cohesiveness that comes into play when pressing on, and yes, this long-roof is mighty swift when picking off the gears with those metal shift paddles.The C 43 Wagons only foible and you can say this of all C 43 derivatives is that the ride is stiff and
Origin: Road Trip: 2019 Mercedes-AMG C 43 Wagon

Road Trip: 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43 4Matic Wagon

BMW’s 3 Series wagon is saying good-bye to Canada next year

Photos leaked mid-June of the wagon variant of the new BMW 3 Series, a good-looking Touring model that unfortunately won’t be headed for Canadian shores. Yes, the 2019 model year will mark your last chance to get a 3 Series station wagon here for a while, apparently. Der 3 has always been a worldwide staple for the brand, even in the face of ever-increasing SUV and crossover sales threatening sedans. And while spy pics of the new 3 Series Touring have been floating around the internet for a while, they’ve always shown a wagon draped in several iterations of camouflage. These images, posted by a member of Germancarforum, are allegedly the “first pictures G21”. Given what we’ve already seen, they’re surely not too far off the real thing. If accurate, the 3 Series Touring will be a bit of a looker. Its front end mimics that of the sedan, with angry headlights and a hood cutline that mercifully vanished during the redesign. The side looks familiar, too, at least until one get to the C-pillar. It might just be our jaundiced eyes, but that wagon liftback glass looks a lot more steeply raked than the old 3er wagon. Combined with taillights seemingly lifted part-and-parcel from the sedan, this is one car we hate to see go but love to watch leave. Twin sewer-cannon exhaust tips look righteous, too. We emailed the folks at BMW Canada, who confirmed our suspicions this über-wagon won’t be coming to our country. “The BMW 3 Series Touring, currently on sale as a model year 2019,” said Rob Dexter of corporate communications, “will not be part of the 2020 BMW 3 Series lineup in Canada.” The decision is understandable, as the Touring likely makes up a very small slice of the sales pie in this country. If you’re looking for a new Drei – German for three – Series Touring, then, best get yourself down to a BMW dealer before the 2019s
Origin: BMW’s 3 Series wagon is saying good-bye to Canada next year

‘National Lampoon’ station wagon clone clears US$100,000 at auction

A replica of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster crossing the block at Barrett-Jacksons Palm Beach event in April 2019.Barrett-Jackson A replica of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster from National Lampoon’s Family Vacation netted more than US$100,000 at auction (after fees) this past weekend in Florida, far exceeding what many expected it to sell for. Pre-event estimates may have been tempered by the fact one of the actual vehicles from the film did not sell in 2013, running up to a US$35,000 high bid. Chalk it up to a classic car market sweetening on Hollywood nostalgia or to the clever marketing by Barrett-Jackson – the car crossed the block with a bunch of suitcases and Aunt Edna lashed to the roof – but this well-done clone almost tripled that, hammering at US$91,000, before auction fees. Based off of a 1981 Ford Country Squire wagon, unlike the movie car’s 1979 donor, this Family Truckster is painted “Metallic Pea,” and doesn’t come with the Rally Fun Pack that Clark ordered. What it does come with, though, is a 5.0-litre V8 and a four-speed. A 1947 Buick 8 Custom Convertible restomod by Don Gasiunas of Toronto, sold at Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach event April 2019. Barrett-Jackson The top-selling lot at the Palm Beach event was a 1947 Buick Super 8 convertible, highly modified with a supercharged LSA V8 by Don Gasiunas of Toronto, Ontario. It traded hands for a full US$412,500 after fees, and led three other US$250,000-plus classic customs in the top 10. It suggests the market may be switching its attention from original, factory-stock vehicles to hot rods and restomods. Late ’80s and early ’90s cars also showed growth at the Barrett-Jackson sale, buoyed by the swelling of Millennials and Gen X-ers flooding into the classic car market. In total, 632 vehicles were sold for a cumulative US$30.18
Origin: ‘National Lampoon’ station wagon clone clears US$100,000 at auction

Audi RS6 Avant Wagon could be coming to North America

The Audi RS6 Avant produces 553 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque. And its not for us.Handout Audi is poised to drop a bombshell on the North American market with a slew of new vehicles that haven’t yet seen our soil, including the much-fawned-after RS6 Avant Wagon. According to Car and Driver, Audi Sport’s research and development chief Oliver Hoffmann says some of its new products are going to be heading to North America. We are preparing for the biggest product offensive we ever had, he said. We will also see a new RS Q8, plus the next-generation RS7 Sportback. However, the big news here is that RS6 Avant. Audi pulled its wagons from the North American market after the C5 generation and didn’t offer the vehicles for lack of interest. That is all changing, however, with the North American market starting to turn onto wagons once again, and Audi is willing to place its bets the Avant will stand out amongst all the CUV craziness. The U.S. market is increasingly interested in real station wagons like the RS6 Avant, Hoffman adds. Therefore, it is entirely possible that we will bring it back to North America. Currently, European market versions of the fast-brake makes up to 553 horsepower from its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. The closest thing we’ve gotten to the latest generation of RS6 Avant has been the RS7 Sportback, which shares a lot of the DNA. It will be refreshing for a true wagon to come back to the continent that viewed most of the world through the rear-facing seat of
Origin: Audi RS6 Avant Wagon could be coming to North America