Will Cars Like The BMW 5GT And Audi Sportback Spell The Deathknell Of Premium Wagons In The USA?

Will Cars Like The BMW 5GT And Audi Sportback Spell The Deathknell Of Premium Wagons In The USA?
You can't say the premium car companies haven't TRIED to get Americans to buy the wagons they offer.

You also can't say their wagon offerings are deficient or not good products.

The 5-Series wagon, E-Class, Audi Avant, Volvo, Saab are all very nice wagons.

There is only one problem.

Americans have voted with their wallets that they absolutely HATE wagons.

All these companies can hardly give them away in our market yet wagons are the majority in Europe and other countries.

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Just go talk to an exec for one of these companies and just watch the body language and look of diddain on their faces when you ask them why wagons don't sell here.

Now BMW and Audi are trying two new vehicles, the 5GT and the Sportback in hopes that Americans will fall in love with he idea of the functionality of the wagon without the stigma.

But will it work?

Are either of these going to set a new trend and wow customers?

One thing for sure...if they are a hit, you will see the traditional wagons discontinued in the USA because they just don't sell.

We'd like to know your opinion on these questions.

Will they sell and is the premium wagon doomed in the USA?

WHY do American buyers HATE wagons so much?

Who will be next premium company into the fray with a Sportback/GT like vehicle?

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BondMI6BondMI6 - 9/18/2009 11:41:25 PM
+7 Boost
Um, 001 the A5/S5 sportback will not be sold here............

Only the 5GT will count and it is so much more upscale than any competitive wagon that it really makes the point moot....


Agent001Agent001 - 9/18/2009 11:50:40 PM
+1 Boost
Mark my words, if there is even a hint of success with the 5GT, the Sportback will show up in USA dealers faster than you can say 001.

001


BremboBrembo - 9/18/2009 11:52:31 PM
+4 Boost
0...0...1


Agent001Agent001 - 9/18/2009 11:56:59 PM
0 Boost
By the way, I checked out the Sportback in the Audi booth and it is a GREAT car.

I would buy one.

001


B7FANB7FAN - 9/21/2009 7:10:05 AM
+1 Boost
Actually the 5GT is not a bad looking car yeah it has a 90's SAAB sort of look to it but i think it looks good. The GT is for the new age soccer moms who are looking for utility but not in a station wagon form.
this is the first hatchback they have made since the 318i back in the early 90's. I think this car is not getting the credit it deserves im not going to lie I thought it was the ugliest thing they made also then it grew on after seeing this car for what it is.



rjvanrorjvanro - 9/19/2009 1:21:50 AM
+4 Boost
sportback does not meet N.American crash ratings...from what I last read, why is this article even up? Just another european car we cannot get.


Agent001Agent001 - 9/19/2009 1:30:34 AM
-3 Boost
Because the GT and Sportback represent a new segment that could take off and get traction. If they do, we always to be ahead of the curve.

I'll tell you one thing after driving in the new BMW GT.

If I had to decide between that and a BMW 5-Series wagon, it's GT ALL the way.

001


rxh8me9000rxh8me9000 - 9/20/2009 7:53:27 PM
+1 Boost
A lot of people on here are assholes. He gives us news and articles and people complain. Than,on top of all that they talk sh!t. Its NOT a bad discussion and actually is interesting to think about. The future of wagons can be on their way to extinction with these new cars and like 001,I feel if the Audi sells decent it will be brought over here. Looks wise alone it would outsell the 5 GT,but looks arn't everything so I want to see how these things drive and compete.


SP2HybridSP2Hybrid - 9/19/2009 3:12:10 AM
+4 Boost
Gee, it's really difficult to figure this one out!

The fact is that many Europeans who NEED a wagon could very well use something larger.
For example, it's one thing to haul an entire family in a Q7 and a completely different experience to cram the same gang in an A4 wagon. Unfortunately, in most European countries, the leap from an A4 to the Q7 is not 10K as it is in the USA, but a lot more.
On top of that you add a ton of taxes and then you add 20% VAT and registration fees in the thousands.
Then you have all the national governments take 70-80 cents out of each euro you spend on gas, so by the time you're done with all that a Q7 costs as much to own over a few years as a small US house.
So no, Europeans don't always choose to buy wagons, they have to.

That being said, that A5 would probably sell like hotcakes over here (however, it would likely steal most sales from the A4). As for the BMW, if the X6 can make money, there should be no problem for the GT.


BondMI6BondMI6 - 9/19/2009 10:26:14 AM
+1 Boost
Well, we all know how the X6 has been such a huge sales success over here.........(sarcastic comment intended).

Point is the 5GT is hot- no doubt. But will Americans buy it in enough quantities to deem it successful? Nope. Americans are not into wagons when they have their own successor- the SUV. And now the Crossover. So again the 5GT is a moot point over here- no matter how good it is. I predict the 5GT will sell no better than the X6 has here-despite it being a great car.


Agent001Agent001 - 9/19/2009 10:50:37 AM
+3 Boost
When you say the 5GT is hot, do you mean sales wise in Europe or you just think it's hot?

001


sdcarguysdcarguy - 9/19/2009 11:01:29 AM
+2 Boost
At least you have to give them props for trying and being innovative. Expensive bets.

From the photos, I would buy the Sportback too, not so sure about the GT yet. But I like wagons too.

Where to put the dog?


JUGNUJUGNU - 9/19/2009 3:11:24 PM
+3 Boost
Here in Middle East also, people hate Wagons. Nobody buys them, it's only sedan and SUV. That's why Toyota discontinued even the somewhat good selling Corolla and Camry wagons altogether. Toyota was the first to reach conclusion that wagons will not do well anywhere and started new category (A mix of crossover and Wagon). Example Innova here in Middle East and Venza in US. Also Urban Cruiser in Europe is good example. I think Wagons only sell in Europe.

JUGNU


JUGNUJUGNU - 9/19/2009 3:17:25 PM
+1 Boost
One more point is, that Toyota didn't make a luxury or Lexus Wagon. Maybe they think luxury and expensive Venza-type will not sell. BMW and Audi don't seem to agree. Let's wait and see.

JUGNU


rxh8me9000rxh8me9000 - 9/20/2009 8:01:48 PM
+1 Boost
Correct,I'm actually in Jordan as we speak and we really do hate wagons.They are pointless. 99% are disgusting looking. If I want a lot of room I'll get a truck.Maybe if they looked better people would consider.


clsboyclsboy - 9/19/2009 7:08:35 PM
+1 Boost
Audi S5 sportback - YES
BMW 5 GT - NO


mmm333mmm333 - 9/19/2009 11:23:46 PM
+2 Boost
I would trade my RX350 for GT if it would be in the same price range!!!


PPowerPPower - 9/20/2009 10:59:54 PM
0 Boost
They will probably sell better than wagons for no good reason. The greater the slope of the rear glass, the less utility it gives for the weight and NVH penetration issue to pay off over a 3 box design. Instead of the GT, they could have brought the LWB 5 sold in China. To me, the Sportback is more of a 4dr coupe than wagon.

This is coming from somebody who appreciates wagons (& drives an AWD turbo stick wagon) and even minivans for when you need to seat more than 4-5.


KZ258KZ258 - 9/21/2009 3:44:38 AM
+1 Boost
i dont think i'll ever buy any type of wagon, minivan. SUVs are the only possibilty other than a sedan. sports cars are my thing and although i consider myself a family man, i still need feed my addiction


Yonder7Yonder7 - 9/21/2009 12:07:28 PM
+1 Boost
Sport back near MB CLS
5GT near minivans or R class.

Sport Back = Yes
5GT = No way.


Hachee2001Hachee2001 - 9/21/2009 12:37:37 PM
+1 Boost
Neither the GT nor the A5 SB will be any more than low volume, niche players here - just like the Audi wagons and 5 Series wagon. The GT might be a great car (we're NOT discussing looks here), but it will be very expensive. And both GT and A5 will be way outsold by the X3/X5 and Q5/Q7, as these are the cars Americans want for "utility". I personally don't understand how anyone would want one of these over the wagon counterparts if they don't require a third row. If I can have my allroad back, I'd be very happy.


DogLbDogLb - 9/21/2009 1:33:30 PM
+1 Boost
I like both cars BUT...I don't think they will sell in high volume. Plus, watch any American movie from the 70s or 80s and you'll why American have such disdain for wagons - they are ugly (INSERT SAME ARGUMENT FOR DEISEL)

I would buy an A5 sportback today (I guess calling in an A4 hatchback isn't as "sexy"...but that's all it is)

5GT - I like the X6, so this is a good looking "car". HOWEVER, starting price is too high versus it's value proposition.


AudiphileAudiphile - 9/21/2009 4:06:05 PM
+1 Boost
Based on look alone, the A5 Sportback wins hands down over the BMW 5 GT. However, the BMW and Audi wagons are great in terms of looks, and have more cargo space (and possibly headroom as well) than these 'sportbacks'.

I have been a long admirer of 'sport wagons' (i.e., high-performance station wagons). Unless one needs a third row of seats, why would anyone want a big, clumsy, ugly, gas-guzzling SUV? The CUVs are a little more reasonably sized, but they are still hindered in the handling department by their high centers of gravity. A sport wagon to me seems the ideal solution for someone who has "grownup" responsibilities like hauling cargo and kids, but still wants to have some automotive fun.


dalejeandalejean - 9/23/2009 4:42:42 PM
+2 Boost
If you need the approval of others, drive a sedan or mini-van.

As a soccer, er, football dad, I love the functionality and drive-ability of my A6 Allroad. Only wish it had the manual instead of the sick-tronic. Anyway, for all my Home Depot runs, and loading of gear, it is vastly preferable to our Odyssey.

The luxury features are appreciated with every drive and hard driving can be done with no excuses. But if you are one of the sheeple that needs the approval of others to validate your beliefs, then continue to accept the limitations of your sedan or mini-van.

Another significant advantage is that I almost never see myself coming the other way, or parked in a shopping lot.
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