Why no descent practical coupes these days?
Discussion
I understand this might be a niche segment, but part of me does wonder if that’s more down to lack or marketing and proper backing by the big car companies.
So what the smeg am I on about?
Well, how about if you want a small lightweight fun sports or sporting car. But need that slightly added practicality. Mostly in load lugging ability. So having room to get a dog in, suitcases or maybe even a bike. A car that really could be a jack of all trades without turning into a 5 door family hatch.
Probably still a 2 seater to aid packaging and keep the entire car small, although 2+2 could evidently be an option as well.
So that’s what I mean by practical. 2 comfy seats, low slung, but room to make owning a sports car no longer a compromise except for limiting it to two seats.
In terms of looks it should at least look distinctive, preferable either pretty or aggressive or a blend of both lending it to a purposeful appearance.
The descent part would mean RWD (AWD if it must) but no FWD’ers!!
Proper engine, V8, S6 or a punchy turbo motor. Focus on being a sports car, so good handling, fun to drive, low driving position, lower roof line than a hatchback. All the essentials you’d expect from a traditional sports car (bar the open roof of course...
)
For a more visual representation, some past examples:
Scimitar GTE:
The abandoned Lynx project:
Another Triumph:
Even to things like the E-Type and to some extent an MGB GT!
But they should be affordable, not silly money hyper cars either.
And I’m sorry things like the Brera and Scirocco don’t cut the mustard. Too flabby, to regular hatchback looking and not sporting enough.
I guess the closest I can think of in recent times is the BMW M Coupe (Z3). I personally liked the styling.
And to me this just seems like another one of those “gaps” in the market. Sure if you want fast hatchback there’s loads of choice. But want a sports car, its down to things like an MX-5 or Elise which have no real carrying capability at all.
EDIT:
Ok I can see this is going to be a tough one
Right'o this ISN'T a what car. I'm not buying, already got what I want for now. It's just a hypothetical question, examining a potential gap in the market.
The reason for this is, well why not
, but on a more serious note, such a car as this seems to often be requested (usually in a round about way) in many, many "what car" threads. So I thought I'd post up the question to the general PH massive 
and see what others thought of it.
And just to clarify, RX8 is a great car and if it was to seats and not 4 with a larger load area it would fit the bill. As in aimed maybe at someone who only needs 2 seats with a dash of practicality rather than a 4 seat saloon that happens to be a bit like a sports car.
Hope this all makes sense
So what the smeg am I on about?
Well, how about if you want a small lightweight fun sports or sporting car. But need that slightly added practicality. Mostly in load lugging ability. So having room to get a dog in, suitcases or maybe even a bike. A car that really could be a jack of all trades without turning into a 5 door family hatch.
Probably still a 2 seater to aid packaging and keep the entire car small, although 2+2 could evidently be an option as well.
So that’s what I mean by practical. 2 comfy seats, low slung, but room to make owning a sports car no longer a compromise except for limiting it to two seats.
In terms of looks it should at least look distinctive, preferable either pretty or aggressive or a blend of both lending it to a purposeful appearance.
The descent part would mean RWD (AWD if it must) but no FWD’ers!!
Proper engine, V8, S6 or a punchy turbo motor. Focus on being a sports car, so good handling, fun to drive, low driving position, lower roof line than a hatchback. All the essentials you’d expect from a traditional sports car (bar the open roof of course...
)For a more visual representation, some past examples:
Scimitar GTE:
The abandoned Lynx project:
Another Triumph:
Even to things like the E-Type and to some extent an MGB GT!
But they should be affordable, not silly money hyper cars either.
And I’m sorry things like the Brera and Scirocco don’t cut the mustard. Too flabby, to regular hatchback looking and not sporting enough.
I guess the closest I can think of in recent times is the BMW M Coupe (Z3). I personally liked the styling.
And to me this just seems like another one of those “gaps” in the market. Sure if you want fast hatchback there’s loads of choice. But want a sports car, its down to things like an MX-5 or Elise which have no real carrying capability at all.
EDIT:
Ok I can see this is going to be a tough one
Right'o this ISN'T a what car. I'm not buying, already got what I want for now. It's just a hypothetical question, examining a potential gap in the market.
The reason for this is, well why not
, but on a more serious note, such a car as this seems to often be requested (usually in a round about way) in many, many "what car" threads. So I thought I'd post up the question to the general PH massive and see what others thought of it.And just to clarify, RX8 is a great car and if it was to seats and not 4 with a larger load area it would fit the bill. As in aimed maybe at someone who only needs 2 seats with a dash of practicality rather than a 4 seat saloon that happens to be a bit like a sports car.
Hope this all makes sense
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Wednesday 31st March 14:21
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Wednesday 31st March 14:22
pilchardthecat said:
135i
RWD, straight 6 twin turbo, and the rear seats fold like a hatchback. It's also almost exactly the same size as a Scimitar funnily enough.
I suppose, shame it looks so dreadful though. And it's not really a sports car, just a top of the range model of an entry level line up.RWD, straight 6 twin turbo, and the rear seats fold like a hatchback. It's also almost exactly the same size as a Scimitar funnily enough.
But I give it credit, it's probably not a bad car. But I was thinking, more sports car, less luxury, more individual, less rep mobill sort of thing.
Probably because it's such a niche market there's not enough to make developing such a car worthwhile.
Don't forget only one of the cars in your posting made it into production, and even then it was a slow seller. Plus it was a car which these days would be impossible to put into production, bearing in mind type approval, emissions, safety regs etc.
Also bear in mind that most people who mainstream cars are aimed at these days have been brought up on FWD, for which there is a not bad market and a fair few cars which fill your criteria.
Don't forget only one of the cars in your posting made it into production, and even then it was a slow seller. Plus it was a car which these days would be impossible to put into production, bearing in mind type approval, emissions, safety regs etc.
Also bear in mind that most people who mainstream cars are aimed at these days have been brought up on FWD, for which there is a not bad market and a fair few cars which fill your criteria.
this is probably the time when there have never been more practical coupes....
RX-8
Scirroco
1 series coupe
Infiniti G37
Audi A5 / S5
Merc CLC
Volvo coupe thing
Alfa Brera and GT
and in america....
Camaro, Mustang, etc.
and Toyota with the forthcoming FT-86....
you might not *like* them all, but they do exist - the niche is being (over)filled. Also its worth pointing out that the ones you mention didnt really sell very well, wheras the more recent types...do?
RX-8
Scirroco
1 series coupe
Infiniti G37
Audi A5 / S5
Merc CLC
Volvo coupe thing
Alfa Brera and GT
and in america....
Camaro, Mustang, etc.
and Toyota with the forthcoming FT-86....
you might not *like* them all, but they do exist - the niche is being (over)filled. Also its worth pointing out that the ones you mention didnt really sell very well, wheras the more recent types...do?
Edited by Wadeski on Wednesday 31st March 14:22
300bhp/ton said:
HiAsAKite said:
RX8?
Reckon you could really get a dog or a bike in the boot?Seems you're not really talking about a Coupe though, more a HPE (like the Scimitar or Lancia's Beta).
Really the hot hatch has taken over that niche (and pretty well) - If you're obsessed with big engines and RWD, the BMW 1 series is your oyster...
M.
Edited by marcosgt on Wednesday 31st March 14:22
300bhp/ton said:
pilchardthecat said:
135i
RWD, straight 6 twin turbo, and the rear seats fold like a hatchback. It's also almost exactly the same size as a Scimitar funnily enough.
I suppose, shame it looks so dreadful though. And it's not really a sports car, just a top of the range model of an entry level line up.RWD, straight 6 twin turbo, and the rear seats fold like a hatchback. It's also almost exactly the same size as a Scimitar funnily enough.
But I give it credit, it's probably not a bad car. But I was thinking, more sports car, less luxury, more individual, less rep mobill sort of thing.
Nobody dismisses the M3/M5 as "just a 3/5 series in a frock" even though really the same principle applies
marcosgt said:
300bhp/ton said:
HiAsAKite said:
RX8?
Reckon you could really get a dog or a bike in the boot?Seems you're not really talking about a Coupe though, more a HPE (like the Scimitar or Lancia's Beta).
Really the hot hatch has taken over that niche (and pretty well) - If you're obsessed with big engines and RWD, the BMW 1 series is your oyster...
M.
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