What's Next?

"MooseKnuckles" (andyschenk) 01/12/2016 at 15:51 • Filed to: None

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We’re seeing the rise and fall of the midsize sedan, being replaced in driveways with crossover-CUV-SUV-active coupe sport touring cross utility gender questioning vehicles.

But what’s the next mass trend? And what about in-car autonomy, it’s so hot right now, but in what form will it take-off with?

Margin Of Error > MooseKnuckles 01/12/2016 at 15:54

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The BS car.

Connected to the Internet, disconnect from the road.

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > MooseKnuckles 01/12/2016 at 16:05

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Wagons. People used to the size and space of a crossover will realize that lowering them makes them look and drive better.

Before:

After:

The trick will be coming up with a clever marketing term so that people don’t realize that they’re buying ‘station wagons’. Maybe Sport Utility Car?

450X_FTW > MooseKnuckles 01/12/2016 at 16:10

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Midsized trucks. Tacoma has always done well, Colorado is taking off and alot of people (myself included) are waiting for that damn duramax to arrive, Ford has been teasing with the Ranger and now Jeep announces a Wrangler pickup.

pjhusa > Margin Of Error 01/12/2016 at 16:13

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hahaha, random i3 just because

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > MooseKnuckles 01/12/2016 at 16:27

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Luxotrucks.

And midsize/compact luxotrucks for those wanting to spend less $$$.

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > MooseKnuckles 01/12/2016 at 17:44

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Eventually this trend will fade out. Thankfully.

This leaves two questions:

1. When will the CUV/SUV trend fade?

I say around 2020. When is it at the state of Wagons in 2015? I say 2035.

2. What is the next trend?

Wagons. Rising gas prices and the “rarity” of station wagons will cause people to flock to them. People don’t want to follow the trend for too long, so when a new one arises (wagons) people will flock to them.

Yay.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > MooseKnuckles 01/12/2016 at 17:46

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The next trend? The increased polarization of the auto market... growing popularity of Hellcats and other high powered V8s on one side, growing popularity of BEVs on the other side.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > MooseKnuckles 01/12/2016 at 17:51

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This:

But with AWD, V8, lifted suspension as an STI/EVO rally fighter. Based on the 6th Gen Camaro.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast 01/12/2016 at 17:52

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Oh wait... this is real life.

Autofixation > MooseKnuckles 01/12/2016 at 18:26

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Wagons make comeback! Preferably with AWD, three pedals, and no sparkplugs.

MooseKnuckles > The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) 01/12/2016 at 19:10

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I think it might go opposite. Raised wagons like the Audi All Road or Opel Country Tourer (which I think we may see here in NA with the arrival of the next gen Regal).
Gives people the sedan fell+crossover look and cargo.

The 5-door hatch backs with start to move that way, and the midsize and compact crossovers will meet them

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > MooseKnuckles 01/12/2016 at 19:35

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CUVs can’t keep up overly-boxy forms and usually needlessly high roofs forever.

Roads aren't getting any better, so a bit of ride height and AWD are not the problem. I would reduce the distance between the roof and the floor, before reducing the distance between the floor and the ground too much. I had a Legacy GT sedan with AWD, and the suspension got pounded to death over bad pavement by stiff springs, short travel to the bump stops, and thin-sidewall tires. Bad pavement beats that to death. Larger tire sidewalls, longer suspension travel, and moderate or progressively-wound spring rates help, as well as being able to track through some snow, or drive on a trail or open ground in some of the flyover country.

On most 5-passenger, and some 7-passsenger CUVs, 3-5 superfluous inches of head room go almost always un-used even by above-average height people. That height creates drag both at the front and back of the vehicle. And if volume is required... usually a couple extra inches of cabin width are preferable to excess height.

It also lowers the center of gravity, and reduces body roll effects and leverage on suspension while turning.

I am hoping that a new niche that develops will be the performance compact and mid-sized CUV, especially if it brings a 3-door version.

I like Land Rover Evoque Coupe, and I want to like it even more than I already do... but the roof might be a little bit too low, especially at the back. With the distinct rake of the body, and inverse rake of the roof, the windshield is fine, but the rear glass is a mail slot. Lamborghini Urus is pretty much the same story, with five doors. Even Evoque 5-door isn’t that chopped... and the Discovery Sport is even better looking than the Evoque 5-door, with even better visibility.

Range Rover Sport evolved from the Range Stormer concept, which was a 3-door performance SUV, and it had a flat horizontal roof, a bit lower than the standard tall Range Rover. That was good.

With the fact that V6-Twin Turbo, and AWD cars seem to be coming out of the woodwork at Detroit... I can’t believe that nobody has capitalized on the 25th anniversary of the GMC Syclone and also upcoming for Typhoon.

I applaud GM for finally putting a diesel in a compact/mid truck... but it is begging for a 400 horse twin turbo V6, AWD and sinister looks... and a full length roof conversion... or a 3-door CUV-unibody variant with sharp, chiseled, yet sleek looks.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > MooseKnuckles 05/05/2016 at 15:42

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HR-V, Trax, Juke, Renegade, Cross Trek XV, GLA. yup 5 door hatch cross overs are here and here to stay.

Would at all be supersized is we see lifted Focuses in the near future.