Sportbacks and 4-door Coupes

[Chilliman]

It may seem a contradiction in terms, a 4-door sedan with coupe or as Audi term it 'sportback' styling seems to to gathering in popularity with more and more manufacturers offering the body style e.g.

Mercedes CLS
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._CLS_front.jpg

Audi A5 Sportback
http://img.stern.de/_content/60/72/6...-h-new_750.jpg

VW Passat CC
http://www.eliteautoworx.com/store/i...-passat-cc.jpg

Do you think this body style would fly for Falcon, may be as export model like an all new T-bird (in the same vien as the new Chrysler Charger) for the US market? Personally I like the style though I realise its not everyone cup-of-tea.

Thoughts

[TUF_302]

I love the CLS!, it is pure horn! :

[demondan]

what's amusing is when the AU was released one of it's biggest criticisms was the rear roofline dropping away causing rear passenger access issues, now all these years later that type of design is the in thing. Scott Strong the man responsible for designing the BA and now head of design at Ford Oz was right in a sense when he said the AU would age gracefully. Not sure I agree with him re the AU but can see where he was coming from, especially when looking at the rear end of the CLS.

[Fairlane]

Still think they are an answer to a question no body asked.

[04redxr8]

AU was ahead of its time. The Mercedes design is just a Eroupean version of AU. Still, would like a new CLS 500.

[cosmo20btt]

Originally Posted by Chilliman

It may seem a contradiction in terms, a 4-door sedan with coupe or as Audi term it 'sportback' styling seems to to gathering in popularity with more and more manufacturers offering the body style e.g.

Mercedes CLS
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._CLS_front.jpg

Audi A5 Sportback
http://img.stern.de/_content/60/72/6...-h-new_750.jpg

VW Passat CC
http://www.eliteautoworx.com/store/i...-passat-cc.jpg

Do you think this body style would fly for Falcon, may be as export model like an all new T-bird (in the same vien as the new Chrysler Charger) for the US market? Personally I like the style though I realise its not everyone cup-of-tea.

Thoughts

I don't mean to sound smart but it is an AU without a boot, all looking rather dated.

[tex]

I drove the CLS recently, bit uninspiring, great looker though, love that glass roof.

Checked out an A5 sportback at the dealer, they look really good, but at 90k for the base model, make you think twice. They are smaller than they look.......

We have ordered an S3 5 door (sportback) this week, and can't wait. Never owned an Audi before.

[jpd80]

I see a lot of similarities between Jaguar XF and in what Ford was trying to achieve with FG Falcon,
I know the tail is shorter and the wheelbase longer but one can dream...

[Chilliman]

Originally Posted by jpd80

I see a lot of similarities between Jaguar XF and in what Ford was trying to achieve with FG Falcon,
I know the tail is shorter and the wheelbase longer but one can dream...

Yes the Jaguar does have a very 'Coupe' look to it. It seems this styling is all the rage with the Euro's at the moment - I wonder how long it will be before it enevitably spreads to the copy-cat Japanese and the Ital-design Koreans.

[Magna]

Originally Posted by Chilliman

Yes the Jaguar does have a very 'Coupe' look to it. It seems this styling is all the rage with the Euro's at the moment - I wonder how long it will be before it enevitably spreads to the copy-cat Japanese and the Ital-design Koreans.

check out the Lexus GS300 its got that styling



its the badge that matters if hyundai made the rolls royce phantom and sold it for 1/20 the price no one would buy it.

[Bossxr8]

I don't see the point of selling one alongside a 2 door coupe and a 4 door sedan, just buy one or the other FFS.

I'd take a Jag XF over any of the others, love them.

[Chilliman]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I don't see the point of selling one alongside a 2 door coupe and a 4 door sedan, just buy one or the other FFS.

I'd take a Jag XF over any of the others, love them.

I'm thinking of it as an avenue for export mainly, built here with 4-door sport back styling and badged as a T-Bird or Torino or some other nostalgic American name and sold in to the North American market - of cours since its built here Ford Aus could still offer it to the local market for those who want something a little different?

[outback_ute]

There is a relation to the Thunderbird which had a 4 door version at one point.

[chevypower]

Now there's the Accord Crosstour http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-.../exterior.aspx
Seriously... why? I like cars that are great at something, these new styles of vehicles seem to be crap or mediocre at everything.

[XR6_661]

Originally Posted by jpd80

BF GT Wheels anyone?