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Design your Ultimate Hatchback! - READ ONLY
57 messages, Last post on Jun 17, 2007 at 6:49 AM
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What is this discussion about? Saab 9-3, Mazda MAZDA3, Mazda MAZDA6, BMW 3 Series, Scion xA, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Coupe, Hatchback, Sedan
#1 of 57 Here is the new place... by revka
Dec 10, 2002 (11:47 am)
to design your ultimate hatchback!You can list a combination of features and options you've seen in other make/models..., or create a whole new list of your own.
Perhaps your ultimate hatch is already on the market, or even the one you're driving now! Tell us what the perfect hatch would be for you.... Who's game?
Thanks for your participation!
Revka
Hatchbacks & Wagons Host
- mikelg2 (Jun 16, 2007 12:17 am)
Replies to this message:
#2 of 57 My ultimate hatchback by hamproof
Dec 10, 2002 (12:32 pm)
1. Offer it in 3 or 5 door configuration2. All Wheel Drive
3. Xenon/HID
4. 6 speed/SMG
5. 240HP
6. "Premium" content (HomeLink/Lighted switches/soft touch plastic/moonroof/leather)
7. Side curtain and head airbags.
8. $22k (yeah, I'm wishing hard here)
9. Generally as reliable as "Honda"
VW Golf R32 comes close but some will say VW is not reliable. Any takers? Of course 17" rims and summer tires w/ 3 spoke steering wheel standard.
#4 of 57 The ultimate hatch by npaladin2000
Dec 11, 2002 (9:18 pm)
-3 or 5 door-RWD w/traction and stability control
-6 speed SMG (BMW style with automatic modes, in case I don't feel like shifting)
-Full set of airbags
-front and rear sunroof (maybe SCION CCX style?)
-cabin-adjustable suspension (throw a switch to go from soft ride to sport handling)
-Interior like a VW Polo (the latest one HAS to have the best interior I've ever seen pics of, even if they aren't yet available in the US)
-MP3 player
-alarm system (kinda necessary)
-gauge cluser mounted ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL!! (I hate center-stack pods)
-4 cyl engine for fuel efficiency, but force feed the sucker, or let BMW make it, or both (no 9000 RPM VVTI-L headache-inducers)
-Have it ACTUALLY ABLE TO CARRY CARGO!! After all, if the GTI, Civic Si, and MINI can do it....
No leather, no HomeLink, and the necessity of AWD is kinda iffy. Lighted switches would be nice, but not critical.
#5 of 57 Simple... by huntzinger
Dec 16, 2002 (12:13 pm)
What I'd be happy with would be essentially a modernization of the pre-1990 Audi Coupe GT or VW Quantum Hatchback, with a few additional tweeks here or there. A modern equivalent would probably be the 2002 Audi S3 or BMW 325ti (Europe only hatchbacks), with the following elements of emphasis.1. Add ~15" to the length. Europe may need stubby little urban cars, but for the USA, we need to make sure that the car has a solid amount of rear seat legroom (and roofline) to make its back seat actually usable by adults, as well as a healthy trunk. For the latter, I'd say making as deep as a VW Sirocco 2 (production years 1983-1988) and 20 cubic feet should be the target value...this will be roughly an 8-12" increase.
2. Make sure the engine's not an embarrassment. The horsepower level's not usually the problem, but the lack of low end torque was the mistake made by BMW with their 1995-98 318ti. Figure this to mean dropping in at least a 328i motor.
3. While we're working on the motor, let's check the compression so that it doesn't have to run on Premium. Afterall, a hatch is philosophically supposed to retain some level of day to day practicality. Similarly, it should be reasonably be expected to break 30mpg on the highway through the appropriate top gear selection.
4. For poor weather driving, AWD isn't an absolute necessity, so long as it has a posi-rear differential included in its standard equipment. Let me emphasise that electronic "Traction Control" is not a satisfactory alternative to a real differential.
5. All of the modern electronic gizmo's and basic luxury items - - but let's include dashboard override switches for the gizmo's too, for those occasions when we know that we're better off without them, or when Club Racing rules require them to not be used in competition.
6. Finally, hatchback practicality also include the pragmatics of value. So it needs to be delivered at a reasonable price. Based on a basic template of the MB C230K and BMW Ti, this car should retail out at around ~$30K and be easily recognized as having sufficient content to be worth that much.
-hh
#6 of 57 Did the thread die? by npaladin2000
Jan 14, 2003 (11:25 pm)
It would suck if it did. This is a place where we can really be creative about the cars we'd like to drive. And one never knows if a car company might be watching...#7 of 57 OK...here's mine by orangelebaron
Jan 15, 2003 (9:38 pm)
This may be a multiple post after what I stated in Mazda 6 hatchback.It should be the size of a Saab 9-3.
Must have all the Euro-standard safety features such as:
Folding side mirrors (heated of course)
Repeat turn signals for added lane change safety.
Real rear seat head rests.
Active front head restraints.
Super comfortable seats that will hold me in place
in 60 mph off ramps.
6 speed gearbox
High fuel economy with either a hybrid or diesel powerplant that also has a nice amount of torque.
Front passenger seat should fold flat for that maybe chance I will transport a ladder or shelves.
It should have sleek styling and come in a distinctive color such as copper, yellow gold or ice green
Lots of cubbies and arm rests made of vinyl...NOT cloth!
Lights on insides of doors
Full size spare
Sequential, fiber optic taillights
large roof panel that slides open
8 mph bumpers that have the color in them... so they don't scratch
OK... plastic body panels too
Reliable and and easy to fix
under $25000
I can dream... can't I?
#8 of 57 Ultimate Hatchback? by big_guy
Feb 27, 2003 (11:53 am)
Mazda 6 MPS . . . in hatchback form.2.3L, 4 cyl turbo charged engine
280 HP/ 266 lb-ft
All Wheel Drive
6-speed manual tranny
safety airbags all round
sweet looking
#9 of 57 OK, here's mine by mikus
Feb 28, 2003 (9:34 pm)
I will base my "ultimate" hatchback on Toyota Matrix, because it is the closest to my understanding of properly designed car.1. Driver-oriented pilot-style dashboard with soft plastic (not just soft-look!) Take current BMW, SAAB or Volvo as an example. And do not say it is outdated.
2. No faux anything. Especially faux carbon, aluminum or crome. No real crome, too. I can take either anodized aluminum (real!) or titanium (absolutely unnecessary inside cabin). No flashy stuff. No shiny Pontiac-style gauges. Should be simple, classy and modest.
3. FWD and AWD versions.
4. Any engine with any gearbox and any trim level. No stupid compulsory plastic stuff all around only because it is sporty. No only auto because it is AWD.
5. Drop old-fashioned autobox. Either manual or CVT. If tight on money, then CVT only with manual mode (real one, so "3" means third gear only, not 1,2 or 3)
6. Easy to fold-flat trunk with durable plastic lining. See Matrix -- the best trunk ever. I want to change nothing. But I do not care much about separately opened rear window.
7. Full-size spare for those who would like one, or slim-size for city guys.
8. Availability of: black/gray non-painted scratch-resistant bumpers, non-painted door handles, mirrors. No crome outside. For _any_ trim. I want to be able to get the most powerful sporty version with big wheels and black bumpers. Why not?
9. Rear sprinkler is a must! Along with wiper.
10. Headlight adjusters (like in Europe) is a must.
11. Xenon option.
12. Side blinkers on fenders.
13. No ugly separate side markers (see Protege5 or even Impreza, ugh!)
14. Powerful inline 4. I do not live V engines, they are complex and heavy. So, 2.0 to 2.3 would be a nice range. Also, smaller displacement engine must have VTEC/VVTi version for fighter pilots with wider usable range, say from 5000 to 8500. Diesel also should be included. So far, 4 engines: 2.0 (maybe GDI) "economy", 2.0 (VTEC) "sportivo", 2.3 (long stroke) "torquey" and 2.x turbo diesel "ultra-frugal".
15. ABS probably should be a must, but Traction Control or ESP do not. All electronic helpers should be able to be turned off -- except ABS.
16. 5-door version is a must and should have all the amenities as 3-door. Ford SVT is a good example.
17. Should have at least (at least!!!) 30mpg in city and 35-38mpg on highway.
18. And the biggest thing: modern production site, so anyone can really build a car for his own taste, using the common parts bin. And more colors.
19. Ability to have wiring only for stereo, or wiring and speakers (without head unit).
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