Humble Station Wagon Making a Comeback..

[csv8]

Move over, soft-roaders, the humble station wagon is making a comeback. A wave of new-generation wagons – or Tourers, Avants, Estates and Shooting Brakes, in marketing speak – are trading boxy utilitarianism for sleek styling to appeal to the heads and hearts of buyers who might otherwise look at a highriding SUV.

Wagons once sat proudly in many Australian driveways, but the rise of soft-roaders made several extinct, including load-lugging versions of the Ford Falcon, Mitsubishi Magna, and Toyotas Camry and Corolla. Holden bucked the trend by reincarnating its fleet-oriented Commodore wagon into the sleeker but less versatile Sportwagon to win over private buyers.

This trend of form over function is set to benefit buyers of all budgets, with incoming wagon versions of Holden’s humble Cruze to Mercedes- Benz’s CLS four-door ‘‘coupe’’.

Even Porsche is planning a wagon version of its polarising Panamera.
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While design is overriding practicality in the new breed of wagons, the ability to pack in dogs, sports gear or a young family is crucial.

In addition to a roomy boot, buyers have come to expect handy features such as shopping hooks to prevent groceries from spilling, clever cargo blinds to hide valuables from prying eyes, 12-volt power outlets, and even powered tailgates at the luxury end of the market.Here are five that really stand out.
http://brisbanetimes.drive.com.au/mo...109-291px.html

[Joe5619]

It will be intersting to see how this whole Wagon vs SVU's pans out in the next 4-6 years..

[H.G]

good.. family planners will always have a place on our roads and in our hearts..

just need that bloody panelvan to come back!!!

[LG17]

Originally Posted by H.G

good.. family planners will always have a place on our roads and in our hearts..

just need that bloody panelvan to come back!!!

For the family planners?

[nstg8a]

The return of the wagon can only be a good thing. Hopefully if the Holden sport wagon can be über successful then maybe ford may revisit it some time in the future.

A fu g6et sport wagon? Yes please....

[Dragoneletra]

Originally Posted by LG17

For the family planners?

Of course, how do you think we got SUV's ???
haha

[Itsme]

I think station wagons are good cars but people have moved on to the SUV/4 door ute market....
Even the commodore sports wagon is useless.
They will be history.

[Windsor220]

How is the Mondeo Wagon going?

[2011G6E]

I think they're missing a market niche...well, not really a niche...but a serious market segment that used to take up a lot of sales.

People used to buy wagons when they had kids...simple as that. My parents, in 1974, bought a Mazda 929 wagon with all the fruit, and our neighbour had a Holden Kingswood Vacationer wagon.

The thing is, not everyone wants an "SUV" style vehicle as the marketers have foisted on us and tried to force public opinion into thinking they need to be buying when they have a couple of kids...they're seen as big, more costly to run, and too "four wheel drive-like" when people want a "car with a bit of extra space tacked on the back"...as easy to park as a car, same running costs as a car, and without the high-riding 4WD styling.

The big makers in the USA made this mistake many years back...pushed the public into believing that they "needed" to buy massive fuel guzzling unsafe trucks masquerading as family wagons...Hummers, F250 wagons, Chev Suburbans...and then when the fickle public turned and wanted more economical "normal" cars they were stuck with unsold and unsellable monstrosities that no one wanted anymore.

[Jim Goose]

I love my AUII wagon!!!!

But possibly the best wagon idea is Dhru's FAWD!!

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...20#post4514120

[Windsor220]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

I think they're missing a market niche...well, not really a niche...but a serious market segment that used to take up a lot of sales.

People used to buy wagons when they had kids...simple as that. My parents, in 1974, bought a Mazda 929 wagon with all the fruit, and our neighbour had a Holden Kingswood Vacationer wagon.

The thing is, not everyone wants an "SUV" style vehicle as the marketers have foisted on us and tried to force public opinion into thinking they need to be buying when they have a couple of kids...they're seen as big, more costly to run, and too "four wheel drive-like" when people want a "car with a bit of extra space tacked on the back"...as easy to park as a car, same running costs as a car, and without the high-riding 4WD styling.

The big makers in the USA made this mistake many years back...pushed the public into believing that they "needed" to buy massive fuel guzzling unsafe trucks masquerading as family wagons...Hummers, F250 wagons, Chev Suburbans...and then when the fickle public turned and wanted more economical "normal" cars they were stuck with unsold and unsellable monstrosities that no one wanted anymore.

Its this reason that they have bought out cars like the CX5, Kuga, ASX etc. They would be easier to park than a Falcodore wagon while providing space for the family. If you want to go a bit bigger you go something like Territory. These types of cars weren't around back in the day so the wagon was the only choice. Sure there a handful of people that still want a normal wagon but its obvious to see now what the majority prefer.

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

Its this reason that they have bought out cars like the CX5, Kuga, ASX etc. They would be easier to park than a Falcodore wagon while providing space for the family. If you want to go a bit bigger you go something like Territory. These types of cars weren't around back in the day so the wagon was the only choice. Sure there a handful of people that still want a normal wagon but its obvious to see now what the majority prefer.

Go watch the soccer moms at shopping center carparks who do a 5 point turn to get into a parking spot while driving their landcruiser (or similar) which never sees a dirt road in its life... always good for a laugh.
Visibility in some FWD wagaons that i have driven is extremly poor in some models (out the rear quarters)... as your so high up sometimes you cant see the car beside you (and yes i use my mirrors, but clearly a lot of people dont).

I never have a drama parking in my wagon at supermarket carparks.
Then again I watched a male P plater in a nissan Micra (?) who had to try twice to park...

Im thinking most who buy "SUVs" ( I hate the term ) are swayed by "ill look cool in this" as opposed to buying a station wagon because you have kids.

[falconnut]

AWD/RWD Wagon would be awesome

[KIWI-1]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

The return of the wagon can only be a good thing. Hopefully if the Holden sport wagon can be über successful then maybe ford may revisit it some time in the future.

A fu g6et sport wagon? Yes please....

More likely to be a Mondeo

[mik]

I'm thinking fg wagon Rtv, bit of extra ground clearance, nice wide opening tail gate, easier entry for old farts, one of the things I notice these days even on some suv's the loading area is pretty low which suks(back pain anyone).

[TheInterceptor]

Theyre all pretty small in my opinion. None i would call a station wagon.
Skoda Superb would be the biggest one out of the ones in that article..and thats nothing like the Falcon wagon

[new2ford]

The thing that kills these new breed of wagons is the streamlined rear end, meaning you can't get a decent bit of furniture or boxes in because the top of the "square" meets the curve well short of the actual rear of the cargo space. The Falcon wagon had it all over the others in this regard.

As a Territory owner I can tell you the Terri isn't a substitute for the Falcon wagon at all (apart from a bit more height) because of the rear streamlining, and if Ford thinks it is, it's kidding itself. So really I can't think of a "real" wagon on the market - did the old aerodynamic wind tunnel test kill them off in the quest for fuel economy I wonder?

So if you still want the max within this design constraint, the Superb is really the best. I'm driving an Octavia wagon in Europe and it's reasonably square at the rear so not bad as a smaller wagon. Wagons are quite popular over here, both car and SUV type.

[mike_nofx]

Bring back wood grain... On the OUTSIDE of the wagon!

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by TheInterceptor

Theyre all pretty small in my opinion. None i would call a station wagon.
Skoda Superb would be the biggest one out of the ones in that article..and thats nothing like the Falcon wagon

Wagons come in lots of different shapes and sizes, just because these are not as large as a Falcon wagon doesn't make them "not a wagon".

A Focus wagon is just as much a wagon as a Falcon wagon, just the class/size is different.

Wagons aren't just about size they are about versatility as well.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Wagons come in lots of different shapes and sizes, just because these are not as large as a Falcon wagon doesn't make them "not a wagon".

A Focus wagon is just as much a wagon as a Falcon wagon, just the class/size is different.

Wagons aren't just about size they are about versatility as well.

Technically you're correct but for many the underlying need for a wagon is to get something really significant in the back, beyond what you can get in a hatchback. That size of wagon (bigger than Superb) isn't available any more as a car and even the SUVs are usually compromised by a shorter wheelbase and the streamlined rear.

Having said that I've found the Octavia wagon handy but not sure that it achieves that much more than a hatchback.

[TheInterceptor]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Wagons come in lots of different shapes and sizes, just because these are not as large as a Falcon wagon doesn't make them "not a wagon".

A Focus wagon is just as much a wagon as a Falcon wagon, just the class/size is different.

Wagons aren't just about size they are about versatility as well.

Ah, key word was station in my post.

sta·tion wag·on
Noun:
A car with a long body, incorporating a large carrying area behind the seats and having a rear door for easy loading.

Yeah, i agree with you, there are many different sorts of wagons.
But a Focus wagon isnt a station wagon! So i disagree when you say it is as much a wagon as a Falcon wagon.
Wouldn't a Falcon wagon be more versatile than a Sportswagon?

[nstg8a]

Semantics.....

[flappist]

Originally Posted by The article that started this thread

Ford Mondeo Wagon
The Belgian-built Mondeo is Ford’s load-lugging replacement for the Falcon wagon.

It might be due for replacement soon, but the Mondeo wagon is a class act with good road manners, keen driving dynamics to please enthusiasts, and a massive boot to shame many larger vehicles.

The rear load floor can fold flat, the tailgate has a decent-size opening for bulky items, and there are little nifties, such as tie-down points on the load floor and a 12-volt power outlet in the side panel. The 542-litre load space is lengthy, usefully shaped, and expands to a hefty 1733 litres with the back seats folded.

Under the load floor is a spacesaver spare tyre and a series of compartments for storing valuable items out of sight. The rear seats are comfortable and, as with the hatch version of the Mondeo, offer plenty of room for taller occupants.

It’s a similar story up front, with comfortable, supportive seats and plenty of standard equipment, even on the base-model LX (from $33,340 plus costs), which has hands-free Bluetooth connectivity with voice activation, cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Zetec version (from $37,740) gets bigger 17-inch wheels, a USB port, different seat trim, and a detailed trip computer with audio display in the instrument panel.

Ford has thrown just about everything into the diesel-powered Titanium flagship (from $48,490): keyless entry, a sunroof, adaptive xenon headlights, radar cruise control, lane departure and blind-spot warning systems and heated seats.

The Mondeo’s 118kW/208Nm 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is not a strong point, and can struggle when under load. It’s refined and willing to rev, but it needs a decent prod to get going off the mark.

The better choice is the 2.0-litre turbo diesel with a healthier 120kW of power and 340Nm of torque. It’s also more fuel efficient, sipping just 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres compared with the petrol’s 9.5L/100km figure. Unfortunately, Ford’s 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder ‘‘EcoBoost’’ unit – which now also serves the Falcon – is available only in the hatch.

Well there it is......

So now why aren't you all buying wagons? After all it is in the "Top 5".

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by TheInterceptor

Wouldn't a Falcon wagon be more versatile than a Sportswagon?

Not if you want a brand new one

[Mechan1k]

Such a shame Ford didn't do an AWD wagon alongside the Territory I guess.
Dhru will be the only one that can get a BFII Falcon wagon over Big Red ... EVER.
He even has pics to prove it.

Lets see a Skoda do that.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by flappist

Well there it is......

So now why aren't you all buying wagons? After all it is in the "Top 5".

I'd be quite happy with another Mondeo wagon but it doesn't come with...

Titanium spec (in NZ)
Manual transmission
Self levelling rear suspension (previous model did)


So looks like Subaru will get my business again.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Not if you want a brand new one

And that was the problem. Apart from fleets very few people did.

Falcon Wagon started to die in the late e series/early AU.

Firstly manuals were discontinued due to lack of sales.
Then the Ghia.
Then V8
Then Fairmont.
Finally by BA all that was selling was auto XT for fleets and the odd Futura.

Falcon wagon is dead because no one wanted to buy it other than low profit fleet sales.

Now who here has actually bought a NEW Falcon wagon privately in the last 20 years? (EB onward).

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

Such a shame Ford didn't do an AWD wagon alongside the Territory I guess.
Dhru will be the only one that can get a BFII Falcon wagon over Big Red ... EVER.
He even has pics to prove it.

Lets see a Skoda do that.

When I understand what you mean I can answer that lol!

The Superb is also available as an AWD. I see cars in Europe doing things that in Australia only big tough Aussie cars are meant to do - and with better fuel economy, but that's another discussion. When I compare this tough little nugget Octavia with my delicate, bits falling off, gently mothered Territory back at home I'm a bit challenged by this "Aussie tough" concept!

But I do think it's a damn shame they canned the Falcon wagon, that was in a class of its own - bucket of bolts quality and all. To paraphrase Paul Hogan, that's not a wagon, this is a wagon (pointing to Falcon).

[TheInterceptor]

Yeah, id have bought a brand newie back in '01 except i was 8 years old then.....

11 years later, Ford Aus sell nothing id buy new, and nothing beat the AUII to me for my needs, everything is just perfect..even build quality.

Damn shame indeed but if people want bloated SUV things and small FWD things...thats what theyll get... Wish that wasnt so but hey.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

I think they're missing a market niche...well, not really a niche...but a serious market segment that used to take up a lot of sales.

People used to buy wagons when they had kids...simple as that. My parents, in 1974, bought a Mazda 929 wagon with all the fruit, and our neighbour had a Holden Kingswood Vacationer wagon.

The thing is, not everyone wants an "SUV" style vehicle as the marketers have foisted on us and tried to force public opinion into thinking they need to be buying when they have a couple of kids...they're seen as big, more costly to run, and too "four wheel drive-like" when people want a "car with a bit of extra space tacked on the back"...as easy to park as a car, same running costs as a car, and without the high-riding 4WD styling.

The big makers in the USA made this mistake many years back...pushed the public into believing that they "needed" to buy massive fuel guzzling unsafe trucks masquerading as family wagons...Hummers, F250 wagons, Chev Suburbans...and then when the fickle public turned and wanted more economical "normal" cars they were stuck with unsold and unsellable monstrosities that no one wanted anymore.

Everyone buys SUV's now. Ford Aus are just lucky they were smart enough to build the Territory back in 2004...

I would never have bought a Falcon wagon... All they were good for were taxi's and Telstra fleet, my Territory smashes the wagon all day everyday.

I don't know too many Falcon wagons that would do 850 - 900 km's week in week out on a single tank of fuel.

I reckon the Territory is easier to drive, extra vision. My Mrs agrees, shes says its so much easier to use in car parks because she can see pass the cars around her, especially when backing out of a space.