2010 BMW 5-series Touring

2010 BMW 5-series

Over the last 25 years or so, the story of station wagons in the U.S. has been a sad one. Sales plunged with the advent of the minivan in the early/mid 1980s, and the wagon’s fate was seemingly cemented when—of all things—the SUV picked up buyers tired of the sliding-door stigma.

It's not as if there‘s a shortage of capable station wagons on the global market. As you probably know, European customers often prefer spacious five-door wagons over the executive sedans on which they are based. Three of the most popular and luxurious models are the Audi A6 Avant, the BMW 5-series Touring (known here as the Sports Wagon), and the Mercedes-Benz E-class wagon. To renew the fight in Europe—but not here, since this Bimmer won’t be imported to the U.S.—BMW will launch its next-gen 5er Touring at the Leipzig, Germany, auto show in early April.

It‘s a pity that we won’t get it, because the look of the new Touring is an improvement over that of its funky predecessor; the new model is almost coupe/fastback-like, and it’s even more elegant than the handsome if somewhat bland sedan. Furthermore, it is certainly easier on the eye than the chunky 5-series Gran Turismo.

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2010 BMW 5-series Touring

2010 BMW 5-seriesOver the last 25 years or so, the story of station wagons in the U.S. has been a sad one. Sales plunged with the advent of the minivan in the early/mid 1980s, and the wagon’s fate was seemingly cemented when—of all things—the SUV picked up buyers tired of the sliding-door stigma.It's not as if there‘s a shortage of capable station wagons on the global market. As you probably

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2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco and Cruze RS

The valiant mission of the 2011 Cruze Eco is to realize the magic 40-mpg highway fuel-economy number, thus giving Chevrolet a Cruze that offers what it calls hybrid-like efficiency without the expense of actually making a Cruze hybrid. (That, in a way, is the Volt, which utilizes Cruze architecture.) The Eco model pairs the 138-hp, 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission packed with what are likely to be some pretty tall ratios. An optimized axle ratio helps stretch the Eco model’s legs. And low-rolling-resistance tires also come along for the ride (if not the handling).

Automotive minutae-philes may remember that Chevy also pulled those same stunts to squeak an extra three to five mpg from the Cruze’s predecessor, the Cobalt, with its XFE model. With the Cruze Eco, however, aerodynamics have been made a bigger priority, resulting in less open space within the upper grille and a lower-grille shutter that closes at higher speeds to reduce drag. And—get this—the Eco model rides on a dropped suspension. Equipped thus, and riding on unique—and not altogether unattractive—multispoke 17-inch wheels, the Eco model actually winds up being one of the nicest-looking Cruze models we’ve yet seen.

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2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco and Cruze RS

The valiant mission of the 2011 Cruze Eco is to realize the magic 40-mpg highway fuel-economy number, thus giving Chevrolet a Cruze that offers what it calls hybrid-like efficiency without the expense of actually making a Cruze hybrid. (That, in a way, is the Volt, which utilizes Cruze architecture.) The Eco model pairs the 138-hp, 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a six-speed

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