RE: Long-wheelbase BMW 3 Series for China
Monday 6th February 2012
Not the 335LiThe BMW 3 Series is the latest model line to get a China-specific, with an extended-wheelbase '335Li' reportedly in the works.
Audi knows this well; its A6L and A4L are the top two sellers in the premium segment in China.
Long-wheelbase BMW 3 Series for China
Stretched 3er set to be built and sold in Chinese market
Not the 335Li
It's a measure of how important the Chinese market is becoming to prestige and luxury car manufacturers that they have for some time been creating Sino-oriented models. And the chief weakness Chinese buyers of luxury cars seem to have is for long-wheelbase versions of existing models.
BMW already plays this game, too, with a 535Li already in its Chinese price lists, but creating a stretched version of the 3 Series - BMW's core model, let's not forget - is a pretty big deal for the German manufacturer.
When it appears later this year, the 335Li might even be powered by a four-cylinder engine. But given that the ordinary 335i (which will also be produced in China) still gets turbocharged straight-six power, and that the Chinese aren't yet overly concerned with minimising their carbon footprint, this sounds red and herring-like to us...
Discussion
t.E38Ross said:
What's the point? Want a car with a longer wheelbase than a 3? Get a 5. Want One with a longer wheelbase than a 5? Get a 7. Want a longer wheelbase than a 7? Get a LWB 7.
Or am I missing something?
Yes. a 5er is much bigger and more expensive than a 3er. More to the point Audi are already doing a LWB A4.Or am I missing something?
E38Ross said:
What's the point? Want a car with a longer wheelbase than a 3? Get a 5. Want One with a longer wheelbase than a 5? Get a 7. Want a longer wheelbase than a 7? Get a LWB 7.
Or am I missing something?
I've absolutely no idea, my mind's as boggled as yours, but possibly because many (nouveau riche) urban dwellers want a limo-like experience without having to worry about barginess on narrow, crowded roads?Or am I missing something?
Oh, and what a fantastic Photoshop! Well done, PH.
doogz said:
I watched Top Gear last night.
Can anyone confirm that there's some truth in the fact that rear legroom is one of the most important things to the Chinese, when buying a new car?
And can anyone explain why?
Possibly a deeply-ingrained notion among a people used to being subjugated by dictators in stretched limousines that 'LWB = important'. At a guess there might also be prestige in being driven, rather than driving yourself - Chinese city streets look pretty hectic so being able to sit in the back and let someone else deal with the ensuing urban turmoil when you can't be bothered would make sense as a kind of status-symbol.Can anyone confirm that there's some truth in the fact that rear legroom is one of the most important things to the Chinese, when buying a new car?
And can anyone explain why?
Apparently manufacturers have a hard time selling hatchbacks over there for some reason too, maybe because a saloon looks more like a limo than a hatch.
Can't help but think that, as their streets get more and more congested, Chinese motorists might find themselves ruing these decisions sooner rather than later.
Twincam16 said:
doogz said:
I watched Top Gear last night.
Can anyone confirm that there's some truth in the fact that rear legroom is one of the most important things to the Chinese, when buying a new car?
And can anyone explain why?
Possibly a deeply-ingrained notion among a people used to being subjugated by dictators in stretched limousines that 'LWB = important'. At a guess there might also be prestige in being driven, rather than driving yourself - Chinese city streets look pretty hectic so being able to sit in the back and let someone else deal with the ensuing urban turmoil when you can't be bothered would make sense as a kind of status-symbol.Can anyone confirm that there's some truth in the fact that rear legroom is one of the most important things to the Chinese, when buying a new car?
And can anyone explain why?
Apparently manufacturers have a hard time selling hatchbacks over there for some reason too, maybe because a saloon looks more like a limo than a hatch.
Can't help but think that, as their streets get more and more congested, Chinese motorists might find themselves ruing these decisions sooner rather than later.
Twincam16 said:
Possibly a deeply-ingrained notion among a people used to being subjugated by dictators in stretched limousines that 'LWB = important'. At a guess there might also be prestige in being driven, rather than driving yourself - Chinese city streets look pretty hectic so being able to sit in the back and let someone else deal with the ensuing urban turmoil when you can't be bothered would make sense as a kind of status-symbol.
Apparently manufacturers have a hard time selling hatchbacks over there for some reason too, maybe because a saloon looks more like a limo than a hatch.
Can't help but think that, as their streets get more and more congested, Chinese motorists might find themselves ruing these decisions sooner rather than later.
There are some weird and wonderful cars out in India. Fancy a ford fiesta with a boot ? I give you the ford ikon . It has been a while since I was there but for the car nut , plenty to keep you occupied.Apparently manufacturers have a hard time selling hatchbacks over there for some reason too, maybe because a saloon looks more like a limo than a hatch.
Can't help but think that, as their streets get more and more congested, Chinese motorists might find themselves ruing these decisions sooner rather than later.
E38Ross said:
What's the point? Want a car with a longer wheelbase than a 3? Get a 5. Want One with a longer wheelbase than a 5? Get a 7. Want a longer wheelbase than a 7? Get a LWB 7.
Or am I missing something?
Yes you are missing something and that something is how new cars are taxed in China. They are taxed on vehicle class and as such you pay a higher %age on a 7 over a 5. The Chinese like to have as much space in the back as possible as being driven is a status symbol. However, buying a 7 series would cost most in tax than a 5 series LWB but space in the rear etc would be very similar.Or am I missing something?
What you need to understand is that most of the current crop of Chinese drivers probably only have got a car in the past decade or so, and that their parents probably didn't have a driving license. In other words, there is no such thing as a 'driving' culture in China. if you have a car, you are somebody. If you have a larger car, you are more than somebody. And if you can afford to be driven...
A manual transmission is on a lower/earlier step of the evolutionary ladder than an automatic, so if you can afford an automatic you will buy that, etc.
There is little or no understanding of why you would pay more for a sports or super car that eschews any or all luxury/tech features in favour of what we'd call the driving experience - at least not yet.
This is what brands like Lamborghini are battling against in the top end market - their core values may align with 'ours', but are alien to the markets where the centre of gravity within that segment is shifitng towards.
A manual transmission is on a lower/earlier step of the evolutionary ladder than an automatic, so if you can afford an automatic you will buy that, etc.
There is little or no understanding of why you would pay more for a sports or super car that eschews any or all luxury/tech features in favour of what we'd call the driving experience - at least not yet.
This is what brands like Lamborghini are battling against in the top end market - their core values may align with 'ours', but are alien to the markets where the centre of gravity within that segment is shifitng towards.
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