Wagons evolving to attract customers

Based on article from Korea Times June 9th, 2013

For many, station wagons do not sound attractive, as they were traditionally far from being stylish; probably due to their emphasis on practicality.

Sedans have long dominated the local market but the demand for more various types of vehicles have led automakers to launch various station wagons here, which have better looks and upgraded features to satisfy sophisticated drivers.

Station wagons are often marketed with different nameplates such as “touring” by BMW, “shooting break” by Mercedes-Benz and “break” by Citroen, as many automakers want to give their estate models a different and new image from the conventional boxy and ugly.

The followings are station wagon models equipped with diesel engines that are available here.

BMW 3 Series Touring

 

BMW

BMW Korea is the most active brand in introducing wagon models here.

Last year, it introduced the new 3 Series touring models to attract drivers who seek efficiency and practicality as well as premium features.

Two variants of the new 3 Series Touring are now available ― the 320d and the 320d M Sports Package, priced at 50.7 million won and 58.5 million won, respectively.

BMW Korea plans to soon add the 5 Series Touring models, which were first introduced here at the Busan Motor Show last year. Its price tag is 76.7 million won.

The idea behind a station wagon is to offer the comfort of a sedan with enough space for long journeys. But the German automaker also guarantees pure driving pleasure with its models.

The BMW 3 Series Touring combines versatility and innovative technology for a superbly sporty performance. Its turbo diesel engine offers high dynamics and efficiency with a fuel economy of 17.5 kilometers per liter. The boot also has plenty of room ― from 450 liters to 1,500 liters when the rear seat is folded down.

The BMW 525d xDrive Touring also features a strong yet elegant 2.0 diesel engine that can produce 218 horsepower, while its fuel efficiency stands at 16.0 km/l. It also has four-wheel drive, and a boot that can be expanded to 1,670 liters from 560, depending on the various rear seat arrangements.

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz sells the most expensive model on the local market with its new CLS Shooting Brake priced at 89 million won.

Since it is a modified version based on the four-door coupe CLS, it is also one of the most stylish and elegant on the market.

Mercedes introduced the original CLS in 2004 to create a new market niche ― the four-door coupe, and it upped the ante by introducing the CLS Shooting Brake, essentially a long, low estate car designed to make its rivals look square.

In this sense, the luxury automaker does not want the model to be categorized as an estate but to be called a coupe with a “liftgate.”

It comes with four cylinder 2,143 diesel turbo engine, which can generate 204 horsepower.
 

                                    Hyundai i40


Hyundai Motor

Hyundai Motor launched its first Avante Touring in 1995, based on the body of popular Avante sedan. The first ambitious trial to sell an estate car here turned out to be a failure due to its awkward design.

But the automaker has launched the all-new i40 wagon here after its success in Europe. The i40 is available in two forms ― saloon and estate.

Designed and engineered at the company's European R&D headquarters in Germany, the i40 has moved Hyundai towards a “modern premium” positioning on the continent, providing consumers with high-end features and vehicle quality at accessible prices.

It represents an evolution of Hyundai's unique “fluidic sculpture” form, creating a sleek, elegant wagon with uncompromised comfort and load capacity.

Its cargo capacity ranges from 553 liters to 1,719 liters with the rear seats folded down.

The all-new Hyundai i40 comes with either a 1.7-liter diesel or 2.0-liter gasoline engine.

The biggest advantage of the i40 wagon is affordability. Its prices range from 26 million won to 32 million won.


 

                                     Peugeot 508 SW Allure

Peugeot

Peugeot is best known for its high fuel efficiency here, and the French automaker’s estate models are no exception.

With the success of Peugeot 308 sedan, the firm has launched the five-door hatchback, the SW estate and the CC coupe convertible.

The Peugeot 308 SW e-Hdi’s fuel economy is very impressive at 18.1 km/l. The cargo capacity can be expanded to 2,149 liter from 674 liters depending on rear seat arrangements. It is priced at 33.9 million won.

The Peugeot 508 SW Allure is an impressive all-rounder. It may not be quite as sharp to drive as the saloon version, but comfort and luxury are top-notch and it certainly feels built to last.

Its 2.0-liter Hdi engine can generate 163 horsepower with a fuel efficiency of 14.8 km/l.

It is priced at 48.9 million won.