I've been a big fan of station wagons ever since I was a little boy. They just seem fascinating back then. Now, they're just practical, and some of them are actually pretty. And that's enough to get me going. But as much as I like wagons, it's the shooting brakes that get me really excited. It makes sense, considering they're everything a wagon is, but with a sleeker design. Unfortunately, there aren't many around. Porsche did launch the Panamera Sport Turismo recently, but other than that, there are only three options available: the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake, the CLA Shooting Brake, and the Ferrari GTC4Lusso. The Mercs aren't even available in the United States, while the Ferrari is awfully expensive.

All told, carmakers need to build more shooting brakes! Preferably affordable ones.

Not going to happen anytime soon, right? The problem is, even if it happens, it's more likely to get shooting brakes from premium companies. Just look at the one that already exists. But hey, I'm not picky. I can always buy a Volvo 1800ES or a Reliant Scimitar GTE if I want to own a shooting brake without selling my kidneys. But I have a short list of cars that could become cool shooting brakes, and they all come with renderings provided by X-Tomi Design. Let's check them out below.

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Rolls-Royce Phantom

The shooting brake version of the Phantom is an obvious choice. And that's because Rolls-Royce was among the first carmakers to offer this body style. The first motorized shooting brake ever made is tough to document, but the British firm did make such a car based on the first Silver Ghost back in 1910. It was actually more of a utilitarian, wagon-style vehicle and not the sporty shooting brake we know today, but this rendering is of the same variety.

Instead of a sleek roof with a raked rear screen, the rear section of this virtually designed Phantom is just as boxy as a standard wagon. Granted, it doesn't make much sense to buy a Rolls-Royce station wagon, but I bet such a car would have some success if the Brits would decide to make it. Just think of the options it could offer for the trunk. It could be set up picnic area with luxury cutlery and expensive champagne or even as a very fancy barbecue. Heck, Rolls-Royce could offer the option to remove the second-row seats and turn it into an old-school shooting brake for fishing and hunting parties.

It would be awesome and I bet that quite a few enthusiasts would pay a hefty premium to get such a unique car.

Bentley Continental GT

Of course a shooting brake version of the new Continental GT makes a lot of sense. For starters, Bentley is quite familiar with the concept, having already built a few in the past. Second, did you get a good look at the rendering above? Isn't it gorgeous? Unlike the Phantom, this rendering is indeed a full-blown shooting brake with a sleek roof and a tailgate that blends seamlessly with the redesigned rear fascia. And it works amazingly well with the arched, muscular rear fenders, the beefy side skirts, and the rounded front end.

What's more, judging by where the rear seats are positioned, a shooting brake version of the Continental GT would get quite the big luggage area. It would be the perfect choice for enthusiasts who want the looks, luxury, and performance of a Conti GT, but with a bit more room for grocery shopping or longer weekend trips. I know, it's a bit silly to put Bentley and practicality in the same sentence, but hey, they actually designed an SUV, so a production shooting break wouldn't be that ridiculous.

Ferrari Portofino

I know Ferrari already makes a shooting brake -- the GTC4Lusso, previously known as the FF -- but the new Portofino would make one heck of supercar if Maranello decides to make one. And it all has to do with the supercar's aggressive styling cues, especially the beefed-up rear fenders and the very long engine hood. And my favorite feature, the round taillights. I love how this small, round light units remind of vintage Ferrari models from the 1960s and 1970s and I think they would look fabulous on a shooting brake rear end.

And speaking of Ferraris from the past, Maranello has built quite a few shooting brakes. The first one, the 250 GT SWB "Breadvan," was actually a race car. Designed by Gioto Bizzarini, it has a rather awkard design, with the roof extended all the way back to the rear fascia, which looked as it was cut off with an axe. This particular feature, which was the result of Kamm aerodynamic theory, gave it the "Breadvan" name. Because to some extent it looked like a delivery van. If you ask me, I think it looks like a really fast hearse.

The 330 GT designed by Vignale and owned by Jamiroquai's Jay Kay is another example, and this one is quite eye-catching due to its green and gold color scheme. Then there's the much sleeker 365 GTB/4 by Panther Westwinds or the rather awkward 456 Venice, which also had four doors on top of a wagon rear end.

While a Portofino shooting brake isn't likely, there's a big chance that some rich fellow will order one through Ferrari's Special Projects arm.

References

Rolls Royce Phantom

Read our full review on the 2018 Rolls Royce Phantom.

Bentley Continental GT

Read our full review on the 2018 Bentley Continental GT.

Ferrari Portofino

Read our full review on the 2018 Ferrari Portofino.