[grudk]

Originally Posted by the

Those cars pictured above just won't sell in the U.S if they are badged and sold as Porsches.

Americans just won't pay premium dollars for an economy car style hatchback. They are always viewed as cheap.

BMW tried it with the 318Ti (R.I.P.), Mercedes followed with the failed C class "Coupe" (R.I.P. - oh, and trying to trick everyone by calling a Hatchback a "Coupe" doesn't work either).

Maybe it would sell ok in Europe or other places. But not in the US.

Have to disagree. With higher fuel costs and the ongoing shift in popular culture (more pro-environment, anti-consumerism), Americans will be re-thinking what defines 'premium.'

The BMW and Mercedes models you mention were crap, BTW. M-coupe is a better comparison, and that certainly had/has a following.