[Barbaton]

or did Mercedes copy the Matrix/Vibe?

 

[rpk1988]

That thing is ugly to say the least. Looks longer then a Matrix though. I would think it looks more like a Pacific/Freestyle thing.

 

[robdamanii]

Looks like the age of the SUV may come to an end.

 

[Potroast88]

Looks like the age of the SUV may come to an end.

Yeah, right.

 

[Barbaton]

That thing is ugly to say the least. Looks longer then a Matrix though. I would think it looks more like a Pacific/Freestyle thing.

You know, I think you're right. I bet it is a Pacifica/Freestyle as a mercedes. it is the same company afterall...

 

[Mike B.]

I for one am glad to see the return of the station wagon although some refuse to call them what they are. Give me cargo room, the ability to tow a small trailer, and sporty handling/power. Europe is covered with the practical wagons and there usually isn't an SUV in sight.

Now with that said, I may be selling my truck for an SUV because the truck doesn't fit my needs right now and the wagons aren't what I need them to be quite yet.

 

[Barbaton]

You know, I think you're right. I bet it is a Pacifica/Freestyle as a mercedes. it is the same company afterall...

courtesy of Car and Driver:

For some reason, it's taken Mercedes-Benz two extra years to get its version of the Chrysler Pacifica to market. There's little differing this Vision R show car from the production R Class that will be shown at the Detroit show in January, so we lumped it in with the production cars. The R Class will feature six-passenger seating and all-wheel drive with Mercedes' new 3.5-litre V-6 initially offered. Sharing a platform with the new M Class (that will also debut at Detroit), both vehicles will come from Mercedes' Alabama U.S. plant.

 

[Toshi]

i think the mercedes gets something ridiculous like a seven speed automatic tho.

 

[Changleen]

3.5 V6 is ridiculous still. Jeeze. You guys need to stop burning water and get some more octane in your fuel.

 

[Toshi]

i found out that japan/europe (and probably NZ) report RON octane. ours is (RON + MON)/2, so our "92 octane" might be more like your 98 or whatever...

 

[Changleen]

So what's the deal then? Why so low power / litre?

 

[Toshi]

we have high power/liter cars: honda s2000 for one, especially before its displacement was bumped up. what particular high hp/l car are you thinking of that's not available on these shores?

we also have low hp/l cars, too, but they are generally designed to run on 87 octane. different market.

 

[ALEXIS_DH]

i found out that japan/europe (and probably NZ) report RON octane. ours is (RON + MON)/2, so our "92 octane" might be more like your 98 or whatever...

yup, thats the deal. our 97oct is around the same, in terms of preignition handling, as premium US gas.

 

[ALEXIS_DH]

So what's the deal then? Why so low power / litre?

because americans like torque and drive automatic transaxles. no need for high revving engines there...

 

[TreeSaw]

I for one am glad to see the return of the station wagon although some refuse to call them what they are. Give me cargo room, the ability to tow a small trailer, and sporty handling/power. Europe is covered with the practical wagons and there usually isn't an SUV in sight.

Now with that said, I may be selling my truck for an SUV because the truck doesn't fit my needs right now and the wagons aren't what I need them to be quite yet.

Have you looked at the Chevy Equinox? It's a small SUV, gets good gas mileage for an AWD, can tow quite a bit and has lots of cargo room. Plus, it looks like a Pacifica/station wagon. I have had mine a year and love it! VERY comfy to drive/ride and can haul TONS of stuff (including 4 bikes--2 on the roof and 2 on my hitch or 2 bikes, gear and my snowmobiles)!