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Now here’s another desirable wagon to add to the list above, and probably in the unlikeliest form too: Meet the Seat Leon ST, in FR-Line guise.

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Quick Bite: Seat Leon ST FR-Line

IN SEAT, Leon, Leon ST, 2.0 TDI, SEAT Leon 2.0 TDI, Turbodiesel, Diesel, Spain, Wagon, Family wagon, Manual, SEAT Centre Singapore

Not exactly the sort of car you would expect to deliver both fun and practicality in one comprehensive package - this Leon ST is admirably full of surprises

Out on the expressway, the refinement level is definitely at an all-time high. Unwanted noises, particularly from the engine, are very well masked out of the cabin. Then to make things even better, VW slapped on a set of premium Dynaudio speaker system. If one of VW’s major intentions here were to provide an enjoyable cabin for all occupants, then it must be said they’ve done a swell job.

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More Than A 6-Pack? | Volkswagen Passat Variant R-Line

IN Volkswagen, VW, Veedub, Passat, Variant, Passat Variant, Volkswagen Passat Variant, Wagon, 2016, R-Line, 2.0-litre, TSI, DSG, Volkswagen Centre Singapore

It's cheaper than an E-Class equivalent, but delivers almost similar quality with a friendlier price tag - is the wagon Passat's job already done, and VW has nothing to worry about for this class?

Yes, you’ve probably read our previous review of the more affordable 1.5-litre Cooper version; in local context, that would outsell this Cooper S version just based on economical reasons (cheaper road tax, insurance and fuel economy).

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New Club In Town | MINI Cooper S Clubman

IN MINI, Mini, Clubman, Cooper S, Cooper S Clubman, MINI Cooper S Clubman, 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, Turbocharged, Eurokars Habitat, BMW Asia

There's an additional door gained but with bootspace still smaller than a regular wagon, could the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine be its saving grace?

But suddenly the Germans decided they wanted to be part of the party too. Along came the Mercedes-Benz ML, BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg. The Japanese didn’t want to lose out too, churning out more modern versions of their ‘Jeep’ — the Mitsubishi Pajero suddenly won’t look out of place at the driveway of Marina Mandarin, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado became a status symbol and, later on, Nissan’s Murano became the choice of soccer mums.

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Coming In Late | Mercedes-Benz GLC250 4MATIC

IN Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes, GLC250, 4MATIC, Mercedes-Benz GLC250 4MATIC, SUV, Daimler South East Asia, Cycle & Carriage

Is Mercedes-Benz's super late entry into this segment a good or bad thing? Or has the X3 and Q5 sorted it out already?

With 123 bhp and 200 Nm worth of torque available courtesy of a 1.4-litre turbocharged TSI powerplant mated to a 7-speed DSG ‘box, the Golf Variant is a surprisingly eager sprinter; flooring the accelerator could still cause the front two wheels to wheelspin off the mark. Well, it’s ok to be a little juvenile every once in a while.

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Wagon Special 4: Volkswagen Golf Variant

IN Volkswagen, Golf, Variant, Wagon, VW, Veedub, Volkswagen Golf Variant, 1.4 TSI, R-Line, Volkswagen Centre Singapore

With the Golf successfully dominating the hatchback segment, can this wagon variant do the same?

Anyway out on the expressway, the Clubman behaves in a very gentlemanly manner with the engine spinning below 2,500 rpm at 100 km/h — which means engine noise is barely intruding. Heck, Mini’s engineers also ensured wind noise is kept to the barest minimal, making themselves heard only near three-figures region. Somehow this compliments the style as well — style and refinement rarely come hand in hand for cars below $150k.

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Wagon Special 3: MINI Cooper Clubman

IN MINI, Mini, Clubman, Cooper, Cooper Clubman, MINI Cooper Clubman, 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder, Turbocharged, Eurokars Habitat, BMW Asia

Into its second modern iteration, can the new Clubman break into the mainstream market and be a volume seller?

The Impreza TS had to compete with Ford’s Focus Wagon and Chevrolet’s Optra Estate, and not forgetting the parallel-imported Corolla Fielder; but it outshone all three in sales volume. It’s the same with the Legacy GT Wagon — despite having to compete directly with the Volvo V50 T5 and Saab 9-3 SportCombi, it also had to go against the SUV brigade, which at that point in time, was a burgeoning market. Then again, it was the only turbocharged wagon that offered a fine balance of brilliant drivability, ample space and most importantly, a price tag the sat comfortably below $100k with COE (oh, how we missed those times). Being Japanese also meant long-term reliability was the last issue to be concerned about.

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Wagon Special 2: Subaru Levorg GT-S

IN Subaru, Levorg, Levorg GT-S, 1.6, Wagon, Estate, Turbocharged, Boxer, MotorImage

Subaru's missing Legacy Wagon and Impreza Wagon makes a return - in this one car

Just like this new Volvo V40 T2. While the Swede calls it a hatchback, the exterior style clearly meant it deserves to be called a wagon instead. So for those of you wanting a hatchback with the general style of a sporty-looking pseudo wagon, this should be right down your alley.

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Wagon Special 1: Volvo V40 T2

IN Volvo, V40, T2, Petrol, Turbocharged, Volvo V40 T2, Wearnes Automotive

The most affordable Volvo money can buy right now, it opens the door to premium motoring — does it work like what the label says though?

But lets be honest here. How many people actually do plan to buy a compact crossover like the trio and plan to keep it long term? Because realistically speaking, changes in circumstances like (a) once the number of family members increases, (b) promotion at work or, (c) you just want something bigger, there will be the need to also get another car with more space. And due to those examples, the GLA250, Q3 and X1 are just something you’d have for, well perhaps, four years maximum.

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Volvo V60 Cross Country | Balanced Act

IN Volvo, V60, Cross Country, Volvo V60 Cross Country, Volvo V60, Wearnes Automotive, New Car

Volvo gives you a rugged wagon in the form of their new V60 Cross Country — should be able to match your Camel boots and loafers

The CLA Shooting Brake (SB) is based on the exact same platform as the four other variants mentioned above. As such, engines, interior and driving feel would be extremely familiar to anybody who's driven any of the other cars.

Happenings

Rooftop launch for Mercedes' new CLA Shooting Brake

IN Mercedes Benz, CLA, Shooting Brake, Wagon, Launch

The latest result of Mercedes' genre-bending onslaught, the CLA Shooting Brake is targeted at the "discerning urbanite".

The turbo engine of the Golf R Variant provides up to 380 Nm torque via a standard 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) to the permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive. Distribution of the drive power over all four wheels guarantees maximum traction, performance and active safety.

Happenings

Wagon'd R - A Golf R In Wagon Form!

IN Volkswagen, Golf, R, Golf R, Golf R Variant, Wagon, LA Auto Show 2014, Veedub

Volkswagen presented the 296 bhp Golf R as a station wagon at the LA Auto Show

Well, that is on paper. Factor in the almost 2-tonne kerb weight and you should be able to realize why it takes 9.5 seconds to get from standstill to 100km/h. Realistically speaking though, the 508 RXH feels brisk when moving off traffic light junctions; it won’t do the job as rapid as an A4 Avant (2.0 TFSI quattro), but it is not as breathless as you would expect as well. I took the car up for a day-trip to Melaka, and I must say it does the job of chomping mileage at high speeds rather respectably — notably, while it seems flat higher up the power band, the sweet spot lies within the mid-range.

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Rubic’s Cube | Peugeot 508 RXH Hybrid

IN Peugeot, 508, 508 RXH, Peugeot 508 RXH Hybrid, Pug, Diesel, Hybrid

Peugeot is aggressively introducing diesel-powered models, and to up the ante, they have a hybrid-diesel wagon available now — yay, or nay?

If you're an avid Burnpavement.com reader, you might be aware that I am a fan of station wagons. In fact my own car is a wagon and I will readily replace it with another estate when the time comes. So yes, I might be a bit biased when it comes to reviewing one. But hear me out, because the RS6 is no ordinary wagon, and I'm quite sure you would be compelled to take a closer look, even if you're a 'anti-wagonist' - if there was such a thing.

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Wagon Wonder | Audi RS6 Avant 4.0 TFSI

IN Audi, RS, RS 6, V8, 4.0, TFSI, Audi Centre Singapore, Audi Singapore, Premium Automobiles

What has plenty of space, loads of power, a lot of presence and the ability keep up with exotic cars double its price? You're staring at it. Audi's RS 6 is truly a wonderful piece of machinery.

Then there is the space. The front bucket seats are rather huge and do eat into the rear legroom, but they still leave enough margin for three adults to be seated comfortably. As a wagon though, the boot space is substantial and it will swallow up a whole lot of things.

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RS Is For Rudolf's Sled | Audi RS 4 Avant 4.2 FSI

IN Audi RS4, Audi Singapore, Premium Automobiles, RS, Avant, V8, 4.2 FSI, Christmas

Audi's RS 4 Avant is one cracking wagon. An astonishingly fast car that is the epitome of 'vroom and room'. But how does it perform as Santa's helper? We put some antlers on and find out.

Up close, the 5GT actually looks huge, both in length and height. My wife's first impression was that seemed to be in a similar class as the 7 Series. At almost 5 meters long, the measurements are not far off. Subtle changes to the front face and rear sharpen the look a bit. A set of large and sexy 20-inch wheels also add to the new modernized look. Smoothened and curvier lines help make the car look less chunky, and refreshed adaptive LED headlights are now standard on both the 528i and 535i.

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BMW 5 Series GT 535i

IN BMW, 5 Series GT, 535i, Performance Motors

Ever been in a situation where you found someone more attractive only after getting to know her/him better? Well, that was certainly the case with my encounter with the 5 Series GT, or 5GT for short.

The E250 Estate might not be as sharp as the 5 Series or A6, but looking at the average Mercedes audience, it is still up to the task when taking sweeping corners slightly faster. Body movements are well controlled and you don’t get any unsettling sensation from the rear suspension while doing quick lane changes.

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Real Estate Agent | Mercedes-Benz E250 Estate Avantgarde

IN Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes, E-Class, E250, Avantgarde

Two words — “Mercedes wagon” — when combined, sound like the epitome of boringness. But by golly, this new one comes with some pleasant surprises.

Like previous versions, the vRS will be available in both petrol and diesel form, and gets identical mechanicals to the current Golf, which means either the 220 bhp, 350 Nm 2.0-litre TSI from the GTI, or the 184 bhp, 380 Nm 2.0-litre TDI from the GTD. To give an idea of how the Fastest Octavia Ever performs, the TSI version equipped with a 6-speed manual will do 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds and will top out at 248km/h. Stop-start, Brake Energy Regeneration and the optional 6-speed DSG gearbox should help fulfill Skoda’s claims of a 19% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the old models.

Happenings

Czech-mate

IN Skoda, Octavia, VRS, Hot hatch, Wagon, Estate

With a new Golf out, comes a new Octavia. And as predictable as the GTI version is for the Golf, so too is the vRS for Skoda, in both hatch and estate form.