By Team Lenspeed

Stretch your imagination and you might derive plenty of fun in a couple of Lenspeed’s favourite wagons

Estates – a variant usually shunned by locals for being aesthetically unappealing usually tend to fall right smack under Lenspeed’s radar. No, we’re not challenging the “norm” for the sake of it. Rather, there are a couple of wagons that are of worthy mention – most of them never made their way to Singapore. We’re usually tempted to focus our attention to Q-cars in sedan guise, but going one step “further” to elevate its exclusivity and understated charm by opting for a wagon can reap decent rewards, too.

Audi RS 6 (C5)
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The Audi RS 6 (C5) was a stab right in the heart of supercar owners. Introduced in 2002, the twin turbo V8 motor gathers 450bhp and sprints to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds. That’s splitting fast even by modern day standards. Whats more impressive to us is the level of dedication placed to differentiate the Avant from non “RS” models. Honeycomb grilles and flared wheel arches serve to remind us that this Bahnstormer means serious business. Even then, the fact that it fits five in supreme comfort suggests that most will still write it off as a regular people carrier. Until…
Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Estate
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Most will shrug off naturally aspirated applications in a wagon due to its “lack” of low-end torque, but when it comes to the 6.2-litre M156 AMG V8, the issue on torque gaps can be forgiven. With respect to this motor, the fun lies in going full-on with the throttle and then revel in the delight of a smooth, power delivery accompanied by an addictive bent-V growl. And we reckon it can produce a meatier exhaust note due to its heavier kerb weight. In a transition period where other models in AMG’s stable were switching to the 5.5-litre M157 twin turbo V8, AMG stuck deep with the M156 in the C wagon – and this is precisely why Lenspeed found it desirable. High revving NA wagons sounds like a thing of the past, but there are still a couple of them roaming in Singapore if you’re lucky enough to spot them.
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We might prefer cars with a chassis that is more playful than capable, but we also understand that there is fun to be had when hooning a properly fast wagon through the straights. It won’t be the most precise driving tool, but this blend of lethal supercar performance wedged in a functional wagon shell is more than sufficient to place these two estates into Lenspeed’s list of cars to drive.
What are your thoughts on performance wagons? Leave your comments below!