Hatchback
A hatchback is a car with a hatch-type rear door that opens upwards[1][2][3][4][5] and often a shared volume for the passenger and cargo areas.
When the body style of a car is described as a hatchback, typically it is referring to a utilitarian small car; however hatchback doors are also used on several sports cars, SUVs and large luxury cars. The modern form of the hatchback body style was developed through the 1960s and rose in popularity through the 1970s.
Characteristics
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/15/Hatch_and_wagon_with_pillar_layout_a.svg/220px-Hatch_and_wagon_with_pillar_layout_a.svg.png)
The distinguishing feature of a hatchback is a hatch-type rear door that opens upwards[6] and is hinged at roof level (as opposed to the trunk lid of a sedan, which is hinged below the rear window). Most hatchbacks use a two-box design body style,[7][8] where the cargo area (trunk/boot) and passenger areas are a single volume. The rear seats can often be folded down to increase the available cargo area.[9] Hatchbacks may have a removable rigid parcel shelf,[10] or flexible roll-up tonneau cover to cover the cargo space behind the rear seats.
When describing the body style, the hatch is often counted as a door, therefore a hatchback with two passenger doors is called a three-door and a hatchback with four passenger doors is called a five-door.
Station wagons and hatchbacks have in common a two-box design configuration, a shared interior volume for passengers and cargo[6][11] and a rear door (often called a tailgate in the case of a wagon) that is hinged at roof level.[12][13] A wagon typically differs from a hatchback by being longer (therefore more likely to have a D-pillar). Other potential differences of a station wagon include:
- steeper rake at the rear (ie the rear door is more vertical)[6][10][14]
- a third row of seats
- rear suspension designed for increased load capacity or to minimize intrusion into the cargo area[10]
- the tailgate is more likely to be a multi-part design or extend all the way down to the bumper
Liftback
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/1986_Toyota_Celica_%28ST162%29_SX_liftback_%282016-01-04%29_02.jpg/220px-1986_Toyota_Celica_%28ST162%29_SX_liftback_%282016-01-04%29_02.jpg)
Liftback is a marketing term for a hatchback where the rear cargo door is more horizontal than a typical hatchback and the door is lifted up to open.[11]
History
The first production hatchback was released by Citroën in 1938: the Citroën 11CV Commerciale.[15] The tailgate has two pieces, a top section hinged from roof level and a bottom section hinged from below.[16] When production of the Commerciale resumed after World War II, the tailgate became a one-piece design which was hinged from roof level, as per the design used on most hatchbacks since.[17]
In 1949, Kaiser-Frazer introduced the Vagabond and Traveler hatchbacks. These models were styled much like a typical 1940s sedan; however, they included a two-piece tailgate as per the first Citroen 11CV Commerciale.[18] The Vagabond and Traveler models also had folding rear seats, and a shared volume for the passengers and cargo.[19] The design was neither fully a sedan nor a station wagon, but the folding rear seat provided for a large, 8-foot (2.4 m) long interior cargo area.[20] These Kaiser-Frazer models have been described as "America’s First Hatchback".[21]
In 1953, Aston Martin marketed the DB2 with a top-hinged rear tailgate, manufacturing 700 examples. Its successor, the 1958 DB Mark III, also offered a folding rear seat. The 1954 AC Aceca and later Aceca-Bristol from AC Cars had a similar hatch tailgate, though only 320 were built.
The British Motor Corporation launched a 'Countryman' version of the Austin A40 Farina compact car in 1959, which incorporated a horizontal-split two-piece tailgate and a more vertical rear panel in comparison to the standard saloon version. This was the first smaller car to have a hatchback; therefore, it is similar to the modern format of the hatchback, aside from its two-piece tailgate.
In 1961, Renault introduced the Renault 4, the first mass-production hatchback.[22][23] During its production run the R4 was called a small station wagon, even after the term hatchback appeared around 1970. The Renault 4 continued in production in Europe until 1986 (and through 1992 in Argentina) with over eight million cars built.
In 1965 MG had Pininfarina modify the MGB roadster MGB-GT into a hatchback design, becoming the first volume-production sports car with this type of body.[citation needed]
In 1967, the Simca 1100 was the first hatchback to use a transverse engine layout,[24] a layout which is used by the vast majority of modern hatchbacks.
Worldwide
Europe
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/VW_Golf_I_rear_20080930.jpg/220px-VW_Golf_I_rear_20080930.jpg)
Increasing demand for compact hatchbacks in Europe during the 1970s led to the release of models such as the Austin Maxi, Austin Ambassador, Austin Maestro, Fiat 127 and Renault 5. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, the majority of superminins and compact cars had been updated or replaced with hatchback models.
In 1973, the Volkswagen Golf was introduced.[25] The Golf is the third highest selling car model of all time.[26]
In the 2010s, hatchbacks became available on more large luxury cars, such as the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, Porsche Panamera and Audi A7.
In the past few years, 3-door hatchbacks have seen a fall in popularity, compared with 5-door models. This has led to many models no longer being offered in 3-door body styles, for example the Audi A3 and Renault Clio.
North America
In 1970, American Motors Corporation (AMC) released the first North American subcompact car since the 1953-1961 Nash Metropolitan, the AMC Gremlin.[27] Although the Gremlin has the appearance of a hatchback, it is technically a Kammback coupe instead,[28] since it is only the rear window that opens.[29] The Gremlin was based on the AMC Hornet, but its abrupt hatchback rear end cut the car's overall length from 179 to 161 inches (4,500 to 4,100 mm).
AMC added a hatchback version to its larger compact-sized Hornet line for the 1973 model year.[30] The design and fold-down rear seat more than doubled cargo space and the Hornet was claimed to be the "first compact hatchback" manufactured by U.S. automaker.[31]
General Motors' first hatchback model was the Chevrolet Vega, introduced in September 1970. Over a million Vega hatchbacks were produced for the 1971–1977 model years accounting for about half of the Vega's total production.[32] The Vega hatchback was also rebadged and sold as the 1973–1977 Pontiac Astre, 1978 Chevrolet Monza S, 1795–1980 Buick Skyhawk, 1975–1980 Oldsmobile Starfire and 1977–1980 Pontiac Sunbird.
In 1974, the larger Chevrolet Nova became available in a hatchback body style. The Nova hatchback was also rebadged as the Chevrolet Concours, Pontiac Ventura, Pontiac Phoenix, Oldsmobile Omega, Buick Apollo and Buick Skylark. In 1980, General Motors released its first front-wheel drive hatchback models, the Chevrolet Citation and Pontiac Phoenix.
Ford Motor Company's first hatchback was the Ford Pinto Runabout, introduced in 1971. From 1974, the Pinto was also rebadged and sold as the Mercury Bobcat. The 1974-1978 Ford Mustang II offered a hatchback Mustang for the first time.
Chrysler Corporation's first hatchbacks (and first front-wheel drive cars) were the 1978 Dodge Omni / Plymouth Horizon models, which were based on the French Simca-Talbot Horizon.[33] These were followed by the 3-door hatchback Dodge Omni 024 / Plymouth Horizon TC3 which were later renamed Dodge Charger and Plymouth Turismo.
Japan
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7b/1978-1979_Honda_Civic_3-door_hatchback_02.jpg/220px-1978-1979_Honda_Civic_3-door_hatchback_02.jpg)
The first Japanese hatchbacks were the 1972 Honda Civic, Nissan Sunny and Nissan Cherry.[citation needed] The Civic and Cherry had front-wheel drive powertrains, which later became the common configuration for a hatchback. Along with the Honda Civic, other long-running Japanese hatchback models are the Nissan Pulsar, Toyota Corolla and Suzuki Swift.
Almost all Japanese Kei cars ("city cars") use a hatchback bodystyle, to maximise cargo capacity given the overall vehicle size is limited by Kei car regulations. Kei cars include the Mitsubishi Minica, Honda Life, Suzuki Fronte, Subaru Vivio, and Daihatsu Mira.
USSR
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Lada_Samara_1500_1993_%2815799320486%29.jpg/220px-Lada_Samara_1500_1993_%2815799320486%29.jpg)
The first Soviet hatchback was the rear-wheel drive IZh 2125 Kombi, which entered production in 1973. This was followed only in the 1980s by the front-wheel drive Lada Samara in 1984, the Moskvitch 2141/Aleko in 1986 and ZAZ Tavria in 1987.
Brazil
In 2014, four of the top five selling models in Brazil were hatchbacks.[34] However in the 1980s and 1990s, hatchbacks were less popular than sedans, leading manufacturers to develop compact sedan models for the Brazilian market, for example the Fiat Premio and sedan versions of the Opel Corsa and Ford Fiesta.
India
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Maruti_800_AC.jpg/220px-Maruti_800_AC.jpg)
Hatchbacks are the highest selling car body style in India.[35] The Maruti 800 sold over 2.5 million units since its launch in 1983.[36] Since 2004, Maruti 800 has been overtaken by Maruti Alto as the car with highest annual sales. In March 2009, Tata Motors launched the Nano hatchback, the least expensive road car in the world.[37]
Examples
- See Hatchbacks category.
See also
References
- ^ "hatchback - definition by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia". Thefreedictionary.com. n.d. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ^ "Hatchback - Definition from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary". Merriam-webster.com. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ^ "Hatchback definition at Dictionary.com". Dictionary.reference.com. n.d. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ^ "hatchback - Definition from Longman English Dictionary Online". Ldoceonline.com. n.d. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ^ "hatchback: definition of hatchback in Oxford dictionary (British & World English)". Oxforddictionaries.com. n.d. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ^ a b c Erjavec, Jack (2005). Automotive Technology: a Systems Approach Volume 2. Thomposon Delmar Learning. p. 55. ISBN 978-1-4018-4831-6. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
Liftback or Hatchback: The distinguishing feature of this vehicle is its luggage compartment, which is an extension of the passenger compartment. Access to the luggage compartment is gained through an upward opening hatch-type door. A car of this design can be a three or five door model, the third or fifth door is the rear hatch. Station Wagon: A station wagon is characterized by its roof which extends straight back, allowing a spacious interior luggage compartment in the rear. The rear door, which can be opened numerous ways depending on the model, provides access to the luggage compartment. Station wagons come in two and four-door models and have space for up to nine passengers.
- ^ "2018 Hyundai Elantra GT - Driven". www.topspeed.com. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
- ^ "Hatchback vs Wagon: What's the Difference Here?". www.wheelscene.com. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
- ^ "Hatchback buying info". www.edmunds.com. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
- ^ a b c Hillier, Victor; Coombes, Peter (2004). Hillier's Fundamentals of Motor Vehicle Technology: Volume 1 (Fifth ed.). Nelson Thornes. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-7487-8082-2. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
The estate body, also known as station wagons in some countries, has the roofline extended to the rear of the body to enlarge its internal capacity. Folding the rear seats down gives a large floor area for the carriage of luggage or goods. Stronger suspension springs are fitted at the rear to support the extra load. Hatchback: The hatchback is generally based on a saloon body but with the boot or trunk area blended into the centre section of the body. The hatchback is therefore halfway between a saloon and estate car. This type of body is very popular due to its versatility and style. Although some hatchbacks are in fact saloon bodies with the boot or trunk effectively removed (usually the smaller cars), many hatchbacks retain the full length of the saloon but the roofline extends down to the rear of the vehicle. As with the saloon bodies, a hatchback can have two or four passenger doors, however there is a tendency to refer to hatchbacks as three or five doors because the rear compartment lid (or tailgate) is also referred to as a door on the hatchback bodies. As with the estate, the rear seats fold down to give a flat floor for the transportation of luggage or other objects. When the tailgate is closed, the luggage compartment is usually covered with a parcel shelf.
- ^ a b Jaza, Reza N. (2008). Vehicle dynamics: theory and applications. Springer-Verlag. pp. 30–31. ISBN 978-0-387-74243-4. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
A hatchback car is called a liftback when the opening area is very sloped and is lifted up to open.
- ^ "Car Design Glossary – Part 2: One-Box (Monospace or Monovolume)". Car Design News. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
A three or five-door hatchback (no separate trunk compartment) is a 'two-box' car.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Mueller, Mike (2003). American Cars of the '50s. MBI Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7603-1712-9.
- ^ Neil, Dan (28 April 2002). "The Hatchback Is Back (but Nobody Uses the H-Word)". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ^ Citroen Car Club. "Traction Avant". Citroen Car Club. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- ^ Carter Johnson (9 February 2017). "Citroën Traction Avant 11CV Commerciale – The World's First Hatchback". The Truth about Cars. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
- ^ "History Of Hatchbacks & The Best Hatchback Cars 2014". www.globalcarsbrands.com. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- ^ "Historic Hatchback". www.oldcarsweekly.com. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- ^ Vance, Bill (27 March 2001). "Motoring Memories: Motoring Memories: Kaiser Traveler – the first hatchback". Autos.ca. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- ^ the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (17 October 2007). "1949-1953 Kaiser Traveler and Vagabond". HowStuffWorks.com. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
{{cite web}}
:|author=
has generic name (help) - ^ Strohl, Daniel (23 January 2011). "SIA Flashback – 1949 Kaiser Traveler: America's First Hatchback". Hemmings. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- ^ "Le Curbside Classic: Renault 4 – The First Hatchback". www.curbsideclassic.com. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
- ^ "Groupe Renault history since 1898". www.renault.com. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
- ^ "Simca 1100". www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
- ^ "History's 10 Best Selling Cars Of All Time". www.autoblog.com. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
- ^ "Top 10 Best Selling Cars of All Time". www.therichest.com. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
- ^ "The Spirit Is Still Alive: American Motors Corporation 1954-1987". www.allpar.com. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ "History of the Gremlin and it's Unique Birth". www.gremlinx.com. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ "Do Not Feed After Midnight: The AMC Gremlin". www.ateupwithmotor.com. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ Lamm, Michae (October 1972). "AMC: Hornet hatchback leads the lineup". Popular Mechanics. 138 (4): 118–202. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ^ "1973 AMC Hornet". amchornet.com. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ h-body.org
- ^ Lund, Robert (January 1978). "Driving the Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon". Popular Mechanics. 149 (1): 64–65, 136. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ^ "The 30 Best-Selling Car Models In Brazil". www.thebrazilbusiness.com. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
- ^ "The best hatchbacks in India". rediff.com. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- ^ "1983-Maruti 800 is launched: Driving the India story". India Today. 24 December 2009. Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Tata Nano set to drive into Taiwan". The Economic Times. 3 June 2010. Archived from the original on 24 July 2010.
{{cite news}}
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External links
The dictionary definition of hatchback at Wiktionary
Media related to Hatchbacks at Wikimedia Commons
Media related to Liftbacks at Wikimedia Commons