Dispute needs settling

[misty]

My work colleauge seems to think that any car with a rear hatchback type door is classed as a hatchback. He insisted that my 924 is a hatchback and I told him it is a coupe. He also thinks that a four door saloon or estate/avant (just because it has a hatch rear door) is also a hatchback.

Can somebody please tell me who is right?

Many thanks
Phil

[adrian jaye]

924 is a hatchback and a coupe'

a 4dr saloon, if it has a hatchback can be called either

an estate car is generally regarded as an estate

there is no disrespect between a car being called a hatchback or a coupe'

[CJFusco]

"Hatchback" is not a car specification, it is a car feature.

That would be like saying, "Your car isn't a coupe, it's a five-speed."

[flangermog]

Coupˇ comes originally from the french, meaning literally 'cut' the term is usually used to describe a variation of a model which has something missing (such as rear doors, a boot/trunk) An example of which for instance is the peugeot 406 coupˇ which is a saloon with 2 doors as opposed to the standard 4 door example. Another reason might be that the vehicle is a two seater.

In the case of the 944 the coupˇ status is arguable in the literal sense because the only other form it exists in is the cabriolet (french for convertable) and it is not a two seater (although it might as well be!). However, the car could classed as a coupˇ these days on account of it having no rear doors and limited rear seats. My old hardtop was classified as a coupˇ on it's registration form.

In addition, there is the phrase 'fastback' which has been used by manufacturers for many years to describe a rear profile that continues from the roof to the rear of the car in one continuous line. Also known as a shooting brake design. the porsche 944 is a good example of a 'fastback' as the rear hatch continues the line of the roof to the back of the car. Generally speaking fastback cars have a much larger rear hatch than a 'hatchback' on account of the angles required to continue the roof line.

So in response to your question. You are both right, and yet, you are both wrong. The 944 is a fastback (unless it's a cabriolet of course)

[unclebilly]

Get mad at him if he calls you a hunchback...