***2008 M?hldorfer Stadtplatz New Car Show (Part 4)***

[cawimmer430]

Mercedes-Benz / Chrysler / Dodge / Jeep / Smart

As with Audi and BMW, nothing really new was showcased here. They had a new S204 C-Class T-Modell with the AMG Sportpackage which was about the most exciting MB at the show. The Chrysler products displayed here weren't anything new either, except the Jeep Cherokee SRT-8, which looked pretty badass. I liked it.



C-Class T-Modell




B-Class & C-Class T-Modell


A-Class & B-Class


Chrysler 300C Estate & M-Class




Dodge & Jeep products



Jeep Cherokee SRT-8





Smart




Mitsubishi

The car I was interested in here was the new Lancer. It looked very good. I was very impressed with the exterior design and the interior, which showed massive improvements over the last generation model. I think they have a big hit on their hands as initial reviews here have been very favorable. The European Lancer even comes with a fairly modern diesel engine which is bound to increase its appeal. Mitsubishi's have however neer been popular in the M?hldorf region.

Other cars present were the Outlander, facelifted Pajero, Colt, L200 and Grandis. The Pajero might be refreshed but the diesel engine under the hood is the by now outdated 3.2-l DI-D 4-cylinder.

Mitsubishi Lancer







Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 DI-D





Mitsubishi Colt GCZ




Mitsubishi Colt Sedan


Mitsubishi Pajero Grandis




Mitsubishi Pajero L200


Mitsubishi Pajero Outlander





Nissan

Nissan had the new Tiida at the show, which looks pretty decent and like a good mainstream car. Other Nissan cars at the show were the Navarra, Qashqai, Micra, Note, X-Terra and the 350Z.




Nissan Navarra and X-Terra



Nissan Qashqai



Nissan Tiida


Nissan 350Z






END OF PART IV

[nickdrinkwater]

That's an X-TRAIL, not X-Terra.

What did you think to QASHQAI?

[cawimmer430]

That's an X-TRAIL, not X-Terra.

Saw that after I posted the shots, was too lazy to change it. 

What did you think to QASHQAI?

Not bad, not bad. Definitely looks a bit different in this class. Not a car for me though. 

[Madman]

I see Nissan is finally getting round to launching the Tiida hatch (our Versa) in Western Europe?  It's been available in Eastern Europe and, curiously enough, Ireland for a while now.

I guess the Irish are alone in Western Europe for liking boring cars?  Supposedly, Ireland was getting the Tiida because it was the only Western European country where the old Almera had sold well.  I hear they are also unique in Western Europe for preferring small saloons over hatches, too.

I still can't figure out why backwards third-world countries (Eastern Europe, Ireland, America) buy more useless-for-cargo small sedans than the far more versatile hatch alternatives?


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[ChrisV]

I still can't figure out why backwards third-world countries (Eastern Europe, Ireland, America) buy more useless-for-cargo small sedans than the far more versatile hatch alternatives?

Mostly it's because we don't buy small cars for utility that often. We buy trucks for that. And with a few exceptions, we like the styling of the trunk sedan over the hatch. I mean, my 7 series would look dorky as a hatch, and if desireable status symbol cars aren't hatches, then desireable mainstream cars aren't going to be hatches.

Personally, I like hatches in the right setting and in the right model lines. For example, I can't see the Mini or Fiat 500 as a trunk model, but I had no problem liking the Jetta over the Rabbit even in the A1 generation (and I LIKE the Rabbit AND the Scirocco which was only a hatch)

[Madman]

Mostly it's because we don't buy small cars for utility that often. We buy trucks for that. And with a few exceptions, we like the styling of the trunk sedan over the hatch. I mean, my 7 series would look dorky as a hatch, and if desireable status symbol cars aren't hatches, then desireable mainstream cars aren't going to be hatches.

Personally, I like hatches in the right setting and in the right model lines. For example, I can't see the Mini or Fiat 500 as a trunk model, but I had no problem liking the Jetta over the Rabbit even in the A1 generation (and I LIKE the Rabbit AND the Scirocco which was only a hatch)

You're absolutely right about the 7 Series.  It would look terrible as a hatch.  Luxury sedans should be exactly that; Sedans.  Small cars, however, only work as a hatch.  For example, compare the Nissan Versa hatch to the sedan.  The hatch looks quite smart.  It's balanced an well proportioned.  The sedan looks like it has a cancerous growth sticking out it's arse!  Not only does it look terrible but you can't fit anything larger than a matchbox into it's useless trunk/boot.

The general rule for car makers should be this:

C-Segment and smaller: Hatch
D-Segment: Either Hatch or Saloon/Sedan is acceptable
E-Segment and above: Saloon/Sedan

My Volvos and your 7 Series work design-wise as sedans because they are large enough to pull off the look and still have a decent-sized cargo area.  A Versa or a Focus can't look right as a sedan because their smaller size makes a trunk look like the stubby and awkward afterthought it is.

BTW, what a gorgeous and drool-worthy 7er you have there!  Your beautiful example makes the current one look like an abomination!


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[Colin]

A number of southern European markets also have a predilection for small saloons over hatches...... Spain, for instance.

So, you will find an Astra Sedan, and the Fiat Linea offered there, but not in UK, France, or even Germany (which always favoured Mondeo and Vectra sedans over the hatch). Spain and Portugal had sedan versions of previous generation Opel Corsas, as well........ presumably the same as the ones that were sold in Latin America. The Fiat Duna and Innocenti Elba (this is going back further, as these were Uno-based cars) were also sold in Italy, but were not exactly a sales success.

[nickdrinkwater]

The Astra sedan is longer than the Vectra.