RE: Driven: Audi RS3 Sportback

[anonymous-user]

Carfolio said:

Here's a good contrast of a real hatchback opening:


Fastback, possibly. In my book, "saloon" with a lifting rear window more like it.

A saloon with a lifting rear window is a hatchback! Doesnt matter if its an SUV, coupe, etc. A car with a fully opening rear (boot plus window) is a hatchback!

[yellowbentines]

Carfolio said:

Here's a good contrast of a real hatchback opening

I'm really not seeing the contrast - large hatchback vs small hatchback?

No matter what they are called, they're quite simply hatchbacks!

[Carfolio]

MonkeyMatt said:

A saloon with a lifting rear window is a hatchback! Doesnt matter if its an SUV, coupe, etc. A car with a fully opening rear (boot plus window) is a hatchback!

The term "liftback" or even "fastback" - or in fact, even just plain "saloon" - is more appropriate in this case (the A5/A7) because of the way the rear slopes as well as the narrow opening of the "hatch" area. A traditional "hatchback" has a more sharply truncated rear before the rear window area. The A5/A7 Sportbacks are very similar to the 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4, yet the term "hatchback" wasn't coined until about 20 years later. I believe (although I may be mistaken on this point) that the VW Golf popularised the term.

[Carfolio]

yellowbentines said:

I'm really not seeing the contrast - large hatchback vs small hatchback?

No matter what they are called, they're quite simply hatchbacks!

I still disagree. The slope of a hatchback starts at the hinge, whereas the liftbacks have no change in attitude at the hinge itself. In addition, the opening of the hatchback extends outwards above the waistline. In an liftback or fastback, this is not the case.

[Carfolio]

I think the discussion of body styles is dragging this thread off course though. New thread?

[Maldini35]

Pugland53 said:

I have a wife and two young children. They fit in the 1M just fine.

Fair enough, but when your kids get a bit older they may not agree.
Not sure my spaniel would be happy in a 1M either.

Horses for courses I guess.
The good news is we have a choice, something the Audi-haters sadly don't agree with.

[Dave Hedgehog]

Maldini35 said:

Pugland53 said:

I have a wife and two young children. They fit in the 1M just fine.

Fair enough, but when your kids get a bit older they may not agree.
Not sure my spaniel would be happy in a 1M either.

Horses for courses I guess.
The good news is we have a choice, something the Audi-haters sadly don't agree with.

my 88 year old MIL with a dodgy hip would never get in the back of the 1M

I don't fit either