Hatches that look like saloons & vice-versa
Discussion
One of the first road tests I read when I picked up Autocar as a child was the Daihatsu Applause. This otherwise unremarkable 1.6L family hatch hides a trick - although its three-box shape looks just like a four door saloon, in fact when you release the boot, it turns out to be a more practical hatchback
More recently, the Polestar 2 with its distinct flat 'bootlid' arguably doesn't advertise its fifth door, whereas conversely the car it aspires to poach customers from, the Tesla Model 3, looks for all the world like a five door fastback hatch, so much so that I was surprised and disappointed to discover at the dealership that it's actually a saloon.
But the piece de resistance of non-hatches, the 'anti-Applause' if you like, must be the original Renault Megane Coupe. I just saw this described as a two-door on social media, was all set to jump in and correct the author, went to find a pic to prove my point - and ended up disproving it instead:
The boot opening looks like that of a convertible. Renault must have seen the error of their ways, since subsequent Coupes are indeed three-door.
What other cars have mislead or surprised you as to their bootlid arrangement?
More recently, the Polestar 2 with its distinct flat 'bootlid' arguably doesn't advertise its fifth door, whereas conversely the car it aspires to poach customers from, the Tesla Model 3, looks for all the world like a five door fastback hatch, so much so that I was surprised and disappointed to discover at the dealership that it's actually a saloon.
But the piece de resistance of non-hatches, the 'anti-Applause' if you like, must be the original Renault Megane Coupe. I just saw this described as a two-door on social media, was all set to jump in and correct the author, went to find a pic to prove my point - and ended up disproving it instead:
The boot opening looks like that of a convertible. Renault must have seen the error of their ways, since subsequent Coupes are indeed three-door.
What other cars have mislead or surprised you as to their bootlid arrangement?
M4cruiser said:
Original Passat
Great example, especially as VW subsequently seem to have introduced hatchback variants with identical profiles.Going back to the 60s/70s there are quite a few more examples I think, as the hatchback was then a fairly new idea so there are more cars that look like they 'should' have one that don't. The Citroen GS and GSA would be another example like the Passat of the same shape coming in both formats, with the hatch introduced later.
The original Mini would be another car which to today's eyes looks like it 'should' be a hatch, but has a small vertical boot opening akin to the Megane Coupe above. But of course in 1959 people wouldn't have expected a hatchback.
I think the MK1 Astra started life as a saloon, or perhaps it was a base model - but quickly dropped for a hatch option?
I think maybe the early AlfaSud was too
I suppose at that time hatchbacks were becoming more popular but there were still many models with those little hatch type boots. The Renault Coupe is a good one though because that is late to have that time of design.
I think maybe the early AlfaSud was too
I suppose at that time hatchbacks were becoming more popular but there were still many models with those little hatch type boots. The Renault Coupe is a good one though because that is late to have that time of design.
galro said:
How about the Citroen XM? It have a hatch opening, but it is really a sedan.
Although it is possible to remove the window to make it into a proper hatch.
Whats the point in that? Does it have 2 rear windows?Although it is possible to remove the window to make it into a proper hatch.
The new Audi A5 “Saloon” that is really a hatch.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 24th February 22:00
Gad-Westy said:
The original Mini being a saloon always amuses me. Only because that basic shape is now absolutely synonymous with hatchbacks.
For some reason as well, I always think the Tesla Model S looks more like a saloon and the Model 3 looks more like a hatchback.
Austin allegro also looks like it should be a hatchback, but isn’t For some reason as well, I always think the Tesla Model S looks more like a saloon and the Model 3 looks more like a hatchback.
wyson said:
galro said:
How about the Citroen XM? It have a hatch opening, but it is really a sedan.
Although it is possible to remove the window to make it into a proper hatch.
Whats the point in that? Does it have 2 rear windows?Although it is possible to remove the window to make it into a proper hatch.
The new Audi A5 “Saloon” that is really a hatch.
Edited by wyson on Monday 24th February 22:00
Another....e Tron GT looks like a hatch but has a boot
Lancia Beta
Alfa SZ
Hub said:
I think the MK1 Astra started life as a saloon, or perhaps it was a base model - but quickly dropped for a hatch option?
The boot and hatch versions were sold at the same time - the booted one actually had a different rear end with a smaller rear window and larger area of metal to make the boot panel.jpg?width=1200&height=800&rmode=crop)
Dapster said:
The boot and hatch versions were sold at the same time - the booted one actually had a different rear end with a smaller rear window and larger area of metal to make the boot panel
One for the Bad Parking thread? 
As its a picture from the 1970s, the dodgy old man fishing is checking out the kids. Im suprised its not a BBC promotional shot.
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