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Station wagon cars are a complete family vehicle. They are not preferred very much in Turkey. Light commercial vehicles have replaced station wagons.
The Turkish equivalent of Station Wagon (SW) is “station wagon”, “station case”. It is a type of vehicle that emerges from the vehicles used to transport cargo and passengers at train stations. It is actually an automobile segment or model. They are long vehicles that are distinguished from other cars by their large and long trunk. Its roof extends to the rear end of the vehicle. We can say that hatchbacks have long trunks and sedans have higher trunks. It is generally a 5-door, high load carrying capacity car type. With its large luggage volume behind the rear seats, it is an ideal car especially for crowded families. Many automotive companies produce station wagons in different models and designs. However, they are not preferred vehicles due to factors such as weight and high fuel consumption.
Not everyone wants to drive a station wagon; however, the enthusiasts of these models do not use other vehicles. It is a very popular car in America. For this reason, it is known as the “car of America”. We often come across in the business world in Turkey. It is common in industries as a practical load-bearing tool. It is a design that some business lines cannot give up. It is preferred more often in rural areas. Turks call it “stayşın” for short. In our article you can find the history of station wagons, their differences from other cars and their features.
(1935 model wooden body Ford Jensen)
History
The concept of “station wagon” is an expression that emerged from the vehicles that carry freight and passengers between train stations in America. In England, it is based on the word “estate” meaning “mansion, residence”; It is a word that describes vehicles used to transport passengers and cargo between mansions. For this reason, it is also known as the “estate wagon”. Early examples were known by the names “carrier” or “suburban” for train stations.
In the 1950s woods were abandoned, steel-bodied SWs became commonplace. SWs began to be produced for commercial purposes as a different version of pickup trucks or pickups. The first SWs with fixed roofs had no glass in the rear seats. According to some automobile experts, the history of SWs began in 1923 with the first station wagon produced by the Star company; It was finished in 1996 with the Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon.
(1947 model wooden body Pontiac Woodie)
The historical process of station wagons is as follows;
In 1922, Essex company introduced the first “closed sedan” car.
In 1923 Star company produced the first SW with wooden body.
In 1929 Ford became the largest manufacturer of SW style cars. . Wood materials were used in some parts of the bodywork in Ford’s SWs.
In the 1930s, wood-bodied SWs became popular. More expensive than regular cars, these models came to symbolize prestige and wealth.
In 1935, General Motors introduced a steel-bodied 8-seater suburban wagon based on a Chevrolet truck.
In 1935, Chevrolet introduced a commercial truck. introduced the steel-bodied SW Chevy Suburban on its chassis.
In 1946, Willys-Overland company produced the steel-bodied SW based on the Jeep.
In 1947, the Crosley company introduced an automobile-based steel-bodied wagon in Europe .
Wooden bodies were abandoned in SWs produced between 1950 and 1960.
From the 1950s to the 1970s, SWs reached peak production levels in the United States.This figure is known as the highest SW production figure.
The following statements were included in an article about SWs in the automobile, science and technology magazine Popular Mechanics, published in the USA in 1969: “Station wagon style, same as sedan. It offers the same comfort and practical options with the same gearbox and engine options on the axle width.”
Features and Differences of Station Wagons
In SWs, the first Huge changes have been made since their inception. Today, cars are the symbol of luxury and comfort. Elements such as dynamic handling, large load carrying capacity, flexibility, wide seats, large luggage volume are important factors that attract SW enthusiasts. Let’s take a look at the features of SWs, which are cars preferred by enthusiasts with their powerful turbo engines, 4×2 or 4×4 drive options, ergonomic design and practicality:
Station wagons are “D” segment cars.
Longer, wider than hatchback cars. They are cars with trunks.
They are the same length as sedans; but their trunks are higher than sedans.
The roof extends to the rear end of the vehicle.
It is usually 4×2, that is, two-wheel drive.For this reason, it consumes more fuel than other cars.
It is quite ideal for nature trips, vacations, various sportive activities and hobby activities such as fishing, picnic and social activities.
Generally, it is for 5 people. On some models, there is a folding 2-seater seat in the trunk. They are five-door cars.
The interior and seats are wider. The size of the luggage volume allows to carry more cargo compared to sedans and hatchbacks. For this reason, it is ideal for large families.
There is a risk of swaying, especially on bends, as the SWs are long. However, its handling is much better than other cars.
SWs can be 4-5 meters long and 1.5-2 meters wide.
SWs need powerful engines. Some models have turbo engines. They usually have 110-150 horsepower engines. Its engines, which can reach 5000 revolutions per minute, can produce 200-300 Nm of torque. Engine specifications vary by brand and model.
The rear suspension systems of SWs are more developed compared to the trunk size.
(The most used station wagons in Turkey; Tofaş Kartal and Renault Toros 12 SW)
These Do you know?
There are two station wagon models that are the best-selling and most-used in Turkey and that are still common especially in districts and villages in Anatolia.These vehicles are the automobiles that are preferred for transporting goods over short distances in many business lines from farming to carpentry, from hardware to blacksmithing.
Although Kartal and Toros SW models are highly preferred, these light commercial vehicles have replaced SWs. The reason why station wagons are not preferred much in Turkey is shown as light commercial vehicles. With the spread of light commercial vehicles, these vehicles have replaced station wagons as “family vehicles”.
As the reason why Turks do not prefer SWs; vehicle design, the perception of Kartal and Toros SWs as business vehicles, the emergence of light commercial vehicles, their expensiveness, high tax and maintenance costs, difficulty in selling second hand, and the fact that the prices of Crossover vehicles are close. kind of station wagons. Crossovers, which are higher than cars, have started to be preferred instead of station wagons today.
Expatriates living abroad generally prefer station wagon cars when they come to Turkey for vacation. The reason for this is to carry more cargo and passengers.
Station wagons; It is not preferred for reasons such as being expensive, high fuel consumption, problems in supply of parts and not being able to be sold easily. There are some opinions that the latest new design SW models are stimulating the market in Turkey and they are preferred more.
Station wagons are very common in America and Europe.
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