I've always had a soft spot with big, honking "power wagons" like the Magnum RT/SRT-8, Volvo V70R, Audi S4 Avant, etc. I think these things just make so much more sense than the big, awkward, thirsty, clumsy SUVs so many are anamored with as social status symbols in that simplistic "mine's bigger than yours" mentality. These power wagons are certainly big enough for perhaps 90% of the folks who by leviathan SUVs but work and drive far better in actual use.

Now GM comes out with the VE Commodore Sportwagon. It certainly take some styling cues from the Magnum, espcecially the hatch that opens well into the roof, but is definitely its own thing and looks very well executed inside and out. While it is shown here in powered by an E85 motor, it will surely have the regular 6.0 V8 to get the kids to school on time. GM's just gotta bring this thing to the U.S. and hopefully offer all the regular running gear options, i.e., big V8 and manual cog swapper. I bit they do bring it over here but in typical reflexive (and self fullfilling) myopia, castrate it for mommy-mobile duty. I think this would be a mistake. Sure, primarily women may by station wagons with just "enough" oats under the hood to tote their darlings around, but that doesn't mean that guys, with a need to tote their stash of stuff and spawn around too, wouldn't be interested in a wagon that could smoke'em in two gears were such a beast offered. The Magnum RT and especially SRT-8 certainly fit this mold, even if the latter was getting a bit pricey and the interior was a bit cheap (except for superb seats) -- I'd be interested in what the sales figures on these were.

Anyway, slap a 435hp LS3 into this grocery/pony-keg getter, backed up by a six-speed stick and a well toned suspension and GM would certainly have my interest. "Hey wifey, I've finally decided to grow up and settle down -- get'n rid of that raucuos, cramped M3 and getting an nice, sensible wagon. I'll just be running down the store for a twelve-pack, errrr, dozen eggs, be right back sweetums. VROOOOM, SCREEEEEEECHHHHH....."

 

rhump, you're allllll right
totally agree with everything you said, and this car totally kicks some serious ****

 

The sedan version of this Commodore - the 'SS' - IS coming to the States...it's otherwise known as the G8 in Pontiac-speak.

 

Yeah, given the G8, and likely at least a Chevy version too, are coming Stateside, I'd give the wagon an 80-90% chance of making it over too. But never underestimate GMs ability to overanalyze things -- "would compete too much with our beloved SUVs..."

But yeah, a definite stream of cool cars starting to trickle into GMs veins. Ford's really gonna have to step up more than they have so far.

 

Ford needs to build this.

And maybe now that the former Toyota/Lexus marketing guru has joined the Blue Oval, it might just portend such things.

 

Thats a pretty sweet wagon.

 

Rumors are already flying about a G8 wagon comming over as well as a even slighter possibility of the ute comming over as a reborn El Camino. Standard motor for the G8 is an L76 the LS2 is dead. 364 hp and 6 speed auto. Its in the air whether or not the M6 will get the nod a year later.