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Originally Posted by EnI  Mind that MB was working on CLS shooting brake - I don't know what is the status of this vehicle right now. |
From what I know, it was not a CLS shooting brake but a C-class shooting brake, which will be sportier than the C Estate. Would be called CLC (I believe the C Sportscoupe will remain, well, the Sportscoupe. Not the new CLC).
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Originally Posted by EnI This strategy by BMW (3er Touring, F3, 5er Touring, F5) looks much more clean & reasonable - with less overlapping than A4 Avant / A5 Sportback / A6 Avant line with too similar products. If A5 Sportback comes Audi won't be able to make A4 & A6 avant models more sportier - because in such case A5 Sportback image & sales would be hurt. |
Less overlapping, yes. But, as much as I anticipate the F5, the fact remains that it's going to be a taller vehicle than the 5-series saloon/touring. While Audi's solution for a sportier new genre is their Sportback lineup (so far, there's been only one Sportback in the market which is the A3, correct?). And, just like with the arrival of the F5, BMW would not have the need to make the 5 Touring any sportier, either would Audi with their Avants. Besides, the Tourings/Avants are not supposed to took sporty with sloping fastbacks, they are meant to be practical, aren't they.
The way I see it, the Sportback lineup is to Audi what the F-series is to BMW. Different approach but same objective, I believe.
On a side note, the issue of the Autobild that first reported the 3 Shooting Brake also had the 3 'Sport Van' on the cover. They were not to be overlapping each other as the 'Sport Van' was to be a taller vehicle than the 3 Touring (in line with the F5 concept, minus the suicide doors), while the Shooting Brake was to be true Shooting Brake with only two-doors (three if you count the rear hatch). Now I know that this type of vehicle could have a limited market, but I think it makes sense as the F3 will be the volume-seller while this 2-door Shooting Brake would be a niche vehicle.
Latter reports from various sources depicted the 3 Shooting Brake as a 5-door vehicle (like the pic I posted above), but I think this could be a misinterpretation, their own interpretation of the F3.
Scott's comment on this one would be very welcomed!
But if the 5-door 3 Shooting Brake is becoming a reality, and so is the Mercedes CLC, we could be seeing a whole new genre of vehicle coming from all the three German marques : the 3 Shooting Brake vs Audi A4/A5 Sportback vs Mercedes CLC. Interesting indeed..