Why no saloon 4x4's?
Discussion
Well I'm sure there must have been some. But it seems almost all 4x4's are "estate" style with the odd exception of the hatch/coupe X6.
But I'm surprised there hasn't been or aren't any saloon styled 4x4's? Ok it'd be no good for the dogs, but the boot would be just as accessible otherwise.
EDIT:
Years ago we in Britain didn't use the American "Sports Utility Vehicle" nomenclature, we called things like a Range Rover or a Shogun a 4x4 (four by four).
I may not have specifically stated this in the op, however by the obvious fact I cited the X6 and by the nature of the question I'd have thought it simplistic in it's meaning that it wasn't referring to all wheel drive saloon cars....
But was referring to good old fashioned 4x4's....
e.g.
Something like this is highly unlikely to be reviewing a Maxda 6MPS or 3 Series BMW
http://www.4x4i.com/
But I'm surprised there hasn't been or aren't any saloon styled 4x4's? Ok it'd be no good for the dogs, but the boot would be just as accessible otherwise.
EDIT:
Years ago we in Britain didn't use the American "Sports Utility Vehicle" nomenclature, we called things like a Range Rover or a Shogun a 4x4 (four by four).
I may not have specifically stated this in the op, however by the obvious fact I cited the X6 and by the nature of the question I'd have thought it simplistic in it's meaning that it wasn't referring to all wheel drive saloon cars....
But was referring to good old fashioned 4x4's....
e.g.
Something like this is highly unlikely to be reviewing a Maxda 6MPS or 3 Series BMW
http://www.4x4i.com/
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Wednesday 26th June 12:48
Mainly because car buyers are too busy thinking about throwing dogs, kids and all other kinds of crap in their cars, leading to the decline of the saloon and the rise of the mumsy estate car.
Remember the 80's and 90's with their 4x4 saloons? Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4, Cavalier Turbo, Peugeot 406 Mi16 4x4 etc etc...
Remember the 80's and 90's with their 4x4 saloons? Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4, Cavalier Turbo, Peugeot 406 Mi16 4x4 etc etc...
300bhp/ton said:
Well I'm sure there must have been some. But it seems almost all 4x4's are "estate" style with the odd exception of the hatch/coupe X6.
But I'm surprised there hasn't been or aren't any saloon styled 4x4's? Ok it'd be no good for the dogs, but the boot would be just as accessible otherwise.
What are you on about? There's loads of them!But I'm surprised there hasn't been or aren't any saloon styled 4x4's? Ok it'd be no good for the dogs, but the boot would be just as accessible otherwise.
king hell, how could I forget that. I owned one!I too assume you're talking about big of road 4x4 things, rather than an Audi quatro saloon.
I'd guess it's a question of demand.
I can't think of any reason someone would want one.
With off road suspension and engine you may as well give a decent load bay.
That said.
The evoque isn't far off being a small hatchback.
Not a saloon, but certainly not a bit 4x4 estate.
I'd guess it's a question of demand.
I can't think of any reason someone would want one.
With off road suspension and engine you may as well give a decent load bay.
That said.
The evoque isn't far off being a small hatchback.
Not a saloon, but certainly not a bit 4x4 estate.
Saloons aren't as popular in the UK market look at the fact there are plenty of small saloons that sell on the continent but not here. The 4x4 ranges aren't always available here, maybe due to engineering reasons maybe due to marketing but what ever the reason we don't get them, add the first point to the second and you will find manufacturers are unlikely to offer un-popular vehicles when the SUV or Estate will sell better.
A lot of the market for big 4x4s is families who want/need the space but want something more prestigous and with a flashier image than a people carrier.
Another portion of the market is people with dogs and farmers etc who also want the space/practicallity.
What you have left are people who just like the image and saloons aren't actually seen as very cool so they wouldn't want one either.
So in short, there is no market for them.
Another portion of the market is people with dogs and farmers etc who also want the space/practicallity.
What you have left are people who just like the image and saloons aren't actually seen as very cool so they wouldn't want one either.
So in short, there is no market for them.
CraigyMc said:
I'm unable to accept the premise of the question on account of it being nonsense.
3-series xdrive (most of the range, and all the popular models)
Audi A4, A6 and A8 Quattros
Jaguar X-types
Tons of others.
C
It's really not such a dumb question.3-series xdrive (most of the range, and all the popular models)
Audi A4, A6 and A8 Quattros
Jaguar X-types
Tons of others.
C
The X-type hasn't been on sale for quite a few years now.
BMW has only recently introduced the xDrive saloons.
A year or so ago, before BMW waded in, the only mainstream AWD saloons were Subarus and Audis.
Back in the 90s, it wasn't just the premium manufacturers who sold 4x4 saloons. Ford, Vauxhall, Peugeot all had a go. But back then, people cared less about fuel economy and CO2 emissions, and softroaders hadn't yet gone mainstream.
The title of the thread could just as easily be "What happened to family saloons", never mind the 4x4 bit. Softroaders and mini-MPVs have stolen a lot of sales from traditional family saloons.
excel monkey said:
It's really not such a dumb question.
The X-type hasn't been on sale for quite a few years now.
BMW has only recently introduced the xDrive saloons.
A year or so ago, before BMW waded in, the only mainstream AWD saloons were Subarus and Audis.
Back in the 90s, it wasn't just the premium manufacturers who sold 4x4 saloons. Ford, Vauxhall, Peugeot all had a go. But back then, people cared less about fuel economy and CO2 emissions, and softroaders hadn't yet gone mainstream.
The title of the thread could just as easily be "What happened to family saloons", never mind the 4x4 bit. Softroaders and mini-MPVs have stolen a lot of sales from traditional family saloons.
Xdrive has been around since the 80's iirc. Just rarely in the UK. Same with Merc's 4matic models.The X-type hasn't been on sale for quite a few years now.
BMW has only recently introduced the xDrive saloons.
A year or so ago, before BMW waded in, the only mainstream AWD saloons were Subarus and Audis.
Back in the 90s, it wasn't just the premium manufacturers who sold 4x4 saloons. Ford, Vauxhall, Peugeot all had a go. But back then, people cared less about fuel economy and CO2 emissions, and softroaders hadn't yet gone mainstream.
The title of the thread could just as easily be "What happened to family saloons", never mind the 4x4 bit. Softroaders and mini-MPVs have stolen a lot of sales from traditional family saloons.
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