Discussion
RobDown said:
The analysts were taken to see St Athan and the DBX this week.
Bloomberg write up is quite gushing (unusual for them with AML) saying that the DBX looks much better without the Camo and “with stylish looks that we predict should go a long way to convincing skeptical investors that the company is on track to double sales”
It's 18 months since I went to the preview. I loved it then and can't wait to see the finished article.Bloomberg write up is quite gushing (unusual for them with AML) saying that the DBX looks much better without the Camo and “with stylish looks that we predict should go a long way to convincing skeptical investors that the company is on track to double sales”
The Camo cars have not really reflected what I saw especially around the rear end.
Excellent!
People want these SUV DD family cars for 3 valid reasons - looks, practicality and lifestyle. Anything an Estate car can do my Macan can do better! I rest my case. Seriously thats it! I tried both and owned 2 535d Tourings. This mid size SUV is just better at everything and more fun to drive. I know all sub 2000Kg SUV's arent dynamically as competent but compared to a stodgy cooking estate a 2.0L Diesel 40mpg SUV might well still be a better place to wallow? And, of course, its far easier to mount the pavement in St John's Wood when dropping off Clarissa and Jolyon at school ;-)
People want these SUV DD family cars for 3 valid reasons - looks, practicality and lifestyle. Anything an Estate car can do my Macan can do better! I rest my case. Seriously thats it! I tried both and owned 2 535d Tourings. This mid size SUV is just better at everything and more fun to drive. I know all sub 2000Kg SUV's arent dynamically as competent but compared to a stodgy cooking estate a 2.0L Diesel 40mpg SUV might well still be a better place to wallow? And, of course, its far easier to mount the pavement in St John's Wood when dropping off Clarissa and Jolyon at school ;-)
Ken Figenus said:
People want these SUV DD family cars for 3 valid reasons - looks, practicality and lifestyle.
Land Rover offer an Experience course, where you can drive a new Range Rover Sport through woods, along muddy tracks, water and steep inclines. Select 'Mud & Ruts Mode' and 'Descent Control' and the electronics will control the vehicle down ridiculously steep muddy hills..
When asked how many owners of new Range Rovers make use of such complex electronics, .........
Ken Figenus said:
Excellent!
People want these SUV DD family cars for 3 valid reasons - looks, practicality and lifestyle. Anything an Estate car can do my Macan can do better! I rest my case. Seriously thats it! I tried both and owned 2 535d Tourings. This mid size SUV is just better at everything and more fun to drive. I know all sub 2000Kg SUV's arent dynamically as competent but compared to a stodgy cooking estate a 2.0L Diesel 40mpg SUV might well still be a better place to wallow? And, of course, its far easier to mount the pavement in St John's Wood when dropping off Clarissa and Jolyon at school ;-)
Yeah Dewi, but there`s estates and then there`s estates! My 320PS/650NM Allroad does not really compare to a Peugeot 407, like your Macan is a few steps above a Nissan Qashqai, I`d wager. I can also switch my air suspension mode and ride over curbs too. People want these SUV DD family cars for 3 valid reasons - looks, practicality and lifestyle. Anything an Estate car can do my Macan can do better! I rest my case. Seriously thats it! I tried both and owned 2 535d Tourings. This mid size SUV is just better at everything and more fun to drive. I know all sub 2000Kg SUV's arent dynamically as competent but compared to a stodgy cooking estate a 2.0L Diesel 40mpg SUV might well still be a better place to wallow? And, of course, its far easier to mount the pavement in St John's Wood when dropping off Clarissa and Jolyon at school ;-)
I would think you`d struggle to find an SUV that can live with an RS6 Avant, (top of the tree I know) and that will also have superior load capacity to most upper-echelon SUV`s.
It`s all horses for courses, personally I`d rather have the dynamics of a car than a 4x4 when 99% of my driving is on road, but I understand, as a Rapide driver, how you`re more comfortable in something of heft and girth...
hornbaek said:
There is absolutely no rational argument for driving an SUV other than potentially ground clearance but then that has drawbacks in terms of fuel economy and handling, and the fact that you have more mass in a crash.
(1) Easier access (un/)loading little kids / grandparents in or out of them?hornbaek said:
There is absolutely no rational argument for driving an SUV other than potentially ground clearance but then that has drawbacks in terms of fuel economy and handling, and the fact that you have more mass in a crash.
I have a Countryman JCW - so a crossover rather than a strict SUV. Coming from an Audi TT, the everyday ease of use has been refreshing. Practicality wise, despite it being shorter and narrower than a TT, it has acres more usable room as the wheel wells don't intrude on the cabin as much. I say usable, because the quoted load capacity of the Audi wasn't far off, but they provide it in load space that isn't viable for tall, long loads. The height of the seat is quite nice to, you just get into it - it's not like on a sports car than you clamber into and unfold yourself from afterwards, but it's not like the big Volvo's which I found were far short of needing the running boards - they truly feel like they're over compensating for something. Saying that, I've had a Hummer H1 itch to scratch for a long time
I never thought I'd own something like an SUV, but for my use, it makes sense and there's not many downsides to it (in the case of the JCW, it has zero understeer, compared to the TT that was like a canal boat).
I'm quite keen on the DBX, I didn't think I would be, so they've gone and built another car I like the look of (as the camo car isn't the finished article). Curse them.
dbs2000 said:
hornbaek said:
There is absolutely no rational argument for driving an SUV other than potentially ground clearance but then that has drawbacks in terms of fuel economy and handling, and the fact that you have more mass in a crash.
(1) Easier access (un/)loading little kids / grandparents in or out of them?Ultimately it's a debate that will run and run because it's all a matter of personal taste. I have been fortunate enough to have benefitted from a new Volvo of my choice every 6-9 months for the last 25 years. Over the years I always revert back to my V70s in various guises as my favourites with the T5Rs topping the bunch. Current;y I'm on an XC60 but will revert to a V60T5 next. I say revert simply because i prefer driving a saloon/estate to a high up car. I once had an XC90 and hated it, it was like driving a posh bus but I know some people like them. What I would say is that the boot area in an estate is always bigger than the equivalent 4x4 indeed with the rear seats up in a 7 seater 4x4 one has very little boot space. As for the forthcoming DBX, what I will say is that so far in it's semi-camouflaged state it looks like a Ford Mondeo Soft Roader not an Aston Martin. I don't like it (indeed I think it's ugly as sin) but look at what Lamborghini have done with their 4x4 and compare the approach. 
dbs2000 said:
hornbaek said:
There is absolutely no rational argument for driving an SUV other than potentially ground clearance but then that has drawbacks in terms of fuel economy and handling, and the fact that you have more mass in a crash.
(1) Easier access (un/)loading little kids / grandparents in or out of them?RichB said:
Ultimately it's a debate that will run and run because it's all a matter of personal taste. I have been fortunate enough to have benefitted from a new Volvo of my choice every 6-9 months for the last 25 years. Over the years I always revert back to my V70s in various guises as my favourites with the T5Rs topping the bunch. Current;y I'm on an XC60 but will revert to a V60T5 next. I say revert simply because i prefer driving a saloon/estate to a high up car. I once had an XC90 and hated it, it was like driving a posh bus but I know some people like them. What I would say is that the boot area in an estate is always bigger than the equivalent 4x4 indeed with the rear seats up in a 7 seater 4x4 one has very little boot space. As for the forthcoming DBX, what I will say is that so far in it's semi-camouflaged state it looks like a Ford Mondeo Soft Roader not an Aston Martin. I don't like it (indeed I think it's ugly as sin) but look at what Lamborghini have done with their 4x4 and compare the approach.
As you say it’s all about personal choice. I love estate cars tooI know it sounds counter-intuitive but the high up driving position works really well in London. If you remember the roads in Ealing, they’re quite often double parked and being able to see over them does wonders for safety
I’m reserving judgement on DBX until I see it without the camo. But my first thought is that it looks too small for a family of 5
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