RR Evoque success attracts competitors

[haven]

The Evoque has been an unqualified success for Land Rover. The Evoque outsells the LR4 and the full size Range Rover, and is running second to the new Range Rover Sport. (source: http://www.goodcarbadcar.com)

While selling 900 Evoques a month in USA does not impress the managers at Jeep, it does catch the attention of Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche. These European brands have decided to build "urban sports activity vehicles" with the Evoque's winning combination of small size, luxurious appointments, and stylish exterior, plus SUV-like stance and all wheel drive security.

Porsche is about to introduce the Macan, a sporty AWD model based on the Audi Q5 SUV. This image is from the Porsche web site.

BMW is working on the X4, a coupe-like SUV that is smaller and less expensive than the X6. The image is a drawing from the BMWUSA web site.

Mercedes is rumored to be considering a more stylish version of the GLK small SUV. The new model will be called the GLC. This image is from Car and Driver's blog site, posted in December 2013.

All three vehicles will have price tags between $45K and $50K, just like the Evoque.

 

[WagoneerSX4]

This is crap I don't understand. Why don't station wagons sell, but these things sell like hot-cakes? Nobody will ever take these things off road (most small x-overs barely have over 6" of ground clearance these days) and are probably strictly sold to middle-aged people with more than one child. Doesn't that scream station wagon territory?

I might be biased (look at my screen name), but don't awd station wagons make 100% more sense? Way more cargo room, lower center of gravity = better handling, better looks (in my opinion), and usually a cheaper price tag. I'd rather have an E350 4matic than that ugly thing that mercedes designed up. More functional in pretty every single way.

 

[haven]

For better or worse, the public is accepting of the crossover design, while continuing to ignore traditional wagons.

Mercedes will continue to sell the E Class wagons, plus the M Class SUVs. The GLC is smaller, and based on C Class parts.

 

[Rallyroo]

This is crap I don't understand. Why don't station wagons sell, but these things sell like hot-cakes?

I love wagons too. I'm saddened that Subaru killed the Legacy Wagon and turned the Outback and Forester into crossovers. And the new WRX is going sedan only.

I'll be holding onto my WRX wagon as long as I can.

We can't even get the all the cool BMW wagons and Audi wagons. Just a few limited choices.

 

[madmax718]

Nobody wants wagons. Practicality has little to do with car selection. Its all about image.