It may be an unpopular opinion, but true automotive enthusiasts know and understand the brilliance of the sportswagon, since it’s the near-perfect combination of performance and utility. The Audi RS4 is proof of this (respect must be given to the Ingolstadt automaker for sticking to its Avant guns).
The wagon has been plagued for years by the stigma of it having removed the pure automotive essence that we love in performance cars, but below are five examples that go against this notion. And, sadly, all five are not available in South Africa.
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate
South Africa’s favorite German brute does indeed come in a wagon and, just like the sedan, this one is a handful. Many would prefer the RS4 instead, but as far as brutality and burnouts in this niche segment, the C63 Estate is unrivalled. Some tests also reveal that it’s slightly quicker around the track than the Audi.
Volvo V70 Polestar
The Swedes love their wagons, which is why it’s quite fitting that Volvo currently makes one of the best performance estates on the global market. Updated with 2,0-litre turbocharged engine developed by Volvo’s new in-house tuner and boasting an all-wheel drive system, the V70 Polestar is the spiritual successor to the legendary 850R. Unfortunately, this won’t be coming to SA (although the S60 Polestar is here in limited numbers).
Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake
This wagon isn’t shy about its abilities to kick your teeth in and the numbers speak for themselves. The zero to 100 km/h sprint is achieved in just 4,8 seconds and it’ll reach a top speed of 300 km/h, all thanks to the supercharged 5,0-litre V8 delivering 404 kW and 680 N.m. Admittedly, it’s not as fast as the RS6 in a straight line, but it is lighter, which might make it more competitive in the bends.
Volkswagen Golf R Variant
There are arguably more Golf enthusiasts than any other kind here in SA, which is why this will probably be the least-loved wagon on this list. The Golf R Variant makes use of the brand’s terrific 221 kW and 380 N.m turbocharged 2,0-litre engine, dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive system, but with a more spacious interior. If you want a Golf R with 605-litres of luggage capacity, this would work well. Unfortunately, South Africans have to make do with the capable but underpowered (relatively speaking, anyway) Golf SV.
Audi S4 Avant
The next Audi RS4 will most likely make its way to South Africa when it is finally revealed, but it has already been confirmed that only the S4 sedan will be arriving sometime this year without its S4 Avant sibling. With its 3,0-litre TFSi powerplant, it’s able to deliver 260 kW and 500 N.m of torque to all four wheels, which is why it is perfect for those who want the dynamics of the RS4, but without the insane power.
