For many petrolheads, there’s nothing more enticing
than a high-performance wagon. Sadly these days, the offerings are fairly
limited unless you want something German and very expensive.
Nonetheless, one wagon that has always caught our
attention is the Japanese-market Nissan Stagea. Produced between 1996 and 2007,
it was a Skyline-based and infused, turbocharged V6 powerhouse with immense
cult status.
So what could a modern day Stagea look like? Let’s
envisage further. This study adopts Nissan’s current styling philosophy
incorporating a dominant V-shaped grille, wedge headlamps and sheetmetal
surfacing inspired by the upcoming new Altima. The front fenders, hood and
a-pillars are a deliberate ploy to visually link it with the current GT-R,
somewhat appropriate since the two nameplates have shared mechanicals in the
past.
Like the original Stagea, it has shorter than usual
rear doors and long side glass. Lower door scollops flick down towards the rear
wheels for that go-fast appearance; whilst the rear is finished off with a
vertical tailgate, quad exhausts and boomerang-styled LED tail lights.
Nissan’s 399 hp, 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6 (VR30DDTT) would
do just nicely here. Power would be sent to either the rear or all four wheels,
via a 7-speed automatic transmission.
Many of the Stagea’s past competitors have been put
out to pasture due to the obsession with SUV’s, low sales and ever-tightening
emissions standards. Mid-size wagons like Subaru’s Legacy GT-B, Toyota Caldina
GT-T and Mitsubishi Legnum VR-4 were a hoot to drive and are dearly missed.