5 Reasons to Love Power Wagons

Remember, there's no such thing as a production crossover with a V8.

Crossovers of all sizes are the trend lately. Even minivans are out of style for today’s suburban warriors. A Dodge Caravan? That’s, like, so 1992. SUVs? They look cool but that monthly gas bill is too high. This isn’t 1998 after all when gas was cheap and Bill Clinton was in the Oval Office. But when you have kids and stuff to haul around, don’t go for a CUV. Get a wagon. Better yet, a wagon with a ridiculous amount of horsepower. Power wagons, although expensive, are for when gearheads have families.

We know this one is now off the market, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a good used one for a reasonable price. And what a package you’ll get: a 556-horsepower 6.2-liter supercharged V8 paired to a six-speed manual. It even comes with GM’s Magnetic Ride Control, big Brembo brakes, and 19-inch aluminum wheels and performance tires. You can also be proud knowing it’s the least fuel efficient wagon sold in the US, with a combined EPA rating of 14 mpg. It’ll make anything like a Toyota Highlander seem as boring as hearse.

Sadly, this one isn’t sold in the US. You’re in luck if you’re from Europe, though. The Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake was just revealed at Geneva earlier this month and if you’ve got the cash, you won’t be disappointed. Powered by a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 with 542 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque, it’s got a top speed of 186 mph. It even has the same eight-speed automatic gearbox as the new F-Type as well as a set of massive 20-inch alloys wrapped in Pirelli rubber and a roof-mounted spoiler.

The V60 Polestar is not that old Volvo wagon many of us grew up with. Sure, it comes with all of that Volvo safety technology, but it’s also got a 345 horsepower turbo engine. It’ll hit 60 mph in only 4.7 seconds and has an electronically controlled top speed of 155 mph. And yes, this one is actually being sold in the US. However, there’s a catch. Combined with the S60 Polestar sedan, just 120 in total will be available. If you happen to snatch one up, deliveries will begin later this fall.

This is for when you just have too much extra money to spend. Oh, how nice would that be. The Mercedes E63 AMG Wagon comes powered by a handbuilt 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 with an output of 577 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 mph happens in only 3.6 seconds. Amazingly, Mercedes offers it for sale in the US. How much, you ask? Try a sticker price of $103,295.

First things first: The Audi RS6 Avant isn’t available in the US, which doesn’t make a whole lot of sense by allowing the Mercedes E63 AMG Wagon to dominate this market segment. Of course, not many people are willing to fork over around six figures for a wagon, but the RS6 Avant is truly something special. It looks totally badass in an elegant sort of way, and its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 553 horsepower is a work of art. With all-wheel-drive on hand, this wagon can easily handle nasty weather and road conditions like a champ. Oh, how we want one.

Source:CarBuzz.com