New smaller engine car name... confirmed?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
2002 C230 K
Originally posted by SoCal240/6
Stop 100 people on the street, show them a C230, and give them this quiz:
Is that car:
a) A convertible.
b) A coupe.
c) A sedan.
d) A hatchback
Stop 100 people on the street, show them a C230, and give them this quiz:
Is that car:
a) A convertible.
b) A coupe.
c) A sedan.
d) A hatchback
Of course, one of the best discussions about this I saw years ago on the TV show Fraiser. Niles had rented a car but they were out of the size he reserved so he was complaining to Fraiser how they had given him a different one.
Fraiser asked, "What kind of car was it?"
Niles replied, "Something called a hunchback."
Fraiser, "Sounds awful."
Cheers, BT
PS: My television viewing habits are better now. Honest.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 867
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
2008 C300 Sport
Coupe Definition
Just to add to the confusion - a coupe is officially defined as a closed car (no convertibles) with two side doors and less than 33 cubic feet of rear interior volume. I don't know if the C230 Coupe meets this volume requirement. But, all 2 door cars are not necessarily coupes.
The MB website lists total cabin volume as 89.4 cubic feet (or is that 84.9?) for the C230. The trunk (or hatch in this case) is another 15 plus cubic feet.
The MB website lists total cabin volume as 89.4 cubic feet (or is that 84.9?) for the C230. The trunk (or hatch in this case) is another 15 plus cubic feet.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Then a Cadilac Coupe DeVille is not a coupe since the rear seat area is likely more than 33 cu. ft. Is then a 2 door sedan? Then by your definition a 2 door Ford Ranger Supercab is a coupe.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 867
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
2008 C300 Sport
Originally posted by Buellwinkle
Then a Cadilac Coupe DeVille is not a coupe since the rear seat area is likely more than 33 cu. ft. Is then a 2 door sedan? Then by your definition a 2 door Ford Ranger Supercab is a coupe.
Then a Cadilac Coupe DeVille is not a coupe since the rear seat area is likely more than 33 cu. ft. Is then a 2 door sedan? Then by your definition a 2 door Ford Ranger Supercab is a coupe.
Car and Driver does confirm that a 2 door closed car with more that 33 cubic feet of rear interior volume would, indeed, be considered to be a 2 door sedan. Therefore, your satement about the Caddy would be correct.
Of course, as the difference between cars and trucks become more vague, anything can happen in the future.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada
2005 smart cabrio; 2008 Mercedes-Benz B 200
Enough semantic drivel
How about some other examples. Are the following cars hatchbacks?
- Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV
- Alfa Romeo GTV6
- BMW 2002 Touring
- Porsche 924
- Porsche 944
- Porsche 928
- Renault Fuego
- Renault 17 Gordini
- Chevrolet Corvette
- TVR Tasmin
- Jaguar E-Type FHC
- Toyota Celica
- Toyota Supra
- Alpine-Renault A 310
- Alpine Renault V6 GT Turbo
- Triumph GT6
- Datsun 240/260/280 Z
- Nissan 300 ZX
- Mercedes-Benz C Sportcoupé
...
I could go on.
The answer, yes or no, MUST be the same for all the above cars.
Cheers
- Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV
- Alfa Romeo GTV6
- BMW 2002 Touring
- Porsche 924
- Porsche 944
- Porsche 928
- Renault Fuego
- Renault 17 Gordini
- Chevrolet Corvette
- TVR Tasmin
- Jaguar E-Type FHC
- Toyota Celica
- Toyota Supra
- Alpine-Renault A 310
- Alpine Renault V6 GT Turbo
- Triumph GT6
- Datsun 240/260/280 Z
- Nissan 300 ZX
- Mercedes-Benz C Sportcoupé
...
I could go on.
The answer, yes or no, MUST be the same for all the above cars.
Cheers
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: Canada
The best criteria for determining if a vehicle is a hatchback is the location of the trunk pivot point. If the hinges are anchored to the roof of the car the vehicle is considered a hatchback. It does not matter if the hatch is a piece of glass or a metal framework. The connection point is what matters. All other definitons are problematic.
Last edited by viper; Jun 20, 2002 at 10:19 AM.
