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Typical pillar configurations of a sedan (three box), station wagon (two box) and hatchback (two box) from the same model range.

A hatchback is a type of car which has both a sloped back and a rear door that swings upwards when opened. Hatchbacks tend to have some common features, such as a shared passenger and cargo area, but the definition of "hatchback" depends only on the sloped back and the rear door. [1][2][3][4][5]

Station wagons, sport utility vehicles, and minivans are different than hatchbacks because their rear sections are mostly vertical (instead of being sloped). In addition, these types of cars always have a D-pillar while hatchbacks do not. While pillars are not mentioned in the formal definition of a "hatchback," car makers do use this difference when naming automobiles. Likewise, a sedan could technically be considered a hatchback by some definitions, but in practice they are separate categories especially if the trunk lid is considered a feature separate from a door. While sedans have a separate area for cargo (three-box design), hatchbacks have a two-box design where the passenger area and cargo area are combined.

The hatchback body style appeared as early as the 1930s,[citation needed] but according the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the term itself dates to 1970.[6] This automobile design has been marketed worldwide with wide range of cars from all sizes from superminis to small family cars, as well as executive cars.

Overview

Toyota Yaris III Hatchback

Hatchbacks may be described as three-door (two entry doors and the hatch) or five-door (four entry doors and the hatch) cars. A model range may include multiple configurations, as with the 2001–2007 Ford Focus which offered sedan (ZX4), wagon (ZXW), and three or five-door hatchback (ZX3 and ZX5) models. The models typically share a platform, drivetrain and bodywork forward of the A-pillar. Hatchbacks may have a removable rigid parcel shelf,[7] liftable with the tailgate, or flexible roll-up tonneau cover to cover the cargo space behind the rear seats. Sometimes a hatchback model is sold with a different name to a saloon version, but is identical bar the rear configuration, such as the Renault 9 and 11 of the 1980s.

Hatchback vs. station wagon

Diagram of a five-door hatchback (two-box) superimposed over the station wagon (two-box) from the same model range—in this case, both with a D-pillar.

Both station wagons and hatchbacks typically feature a two-box design configuration, with one shared, flexible, interior volume for passengers and cargo[8][9]—and a rear door for cargo access.[10][11] Further distinctions are highly variable:

Pillars: Both configurations typically feature A, B & C pillars, station wagons more likely also feature a D pillar as well.

Cargo Volume: Station wagons prioritize passenger and cargo volume—with windows aside the cargo volume. Of the two body styles, a station wagon's roof (viewed in profile) more likely extends to the very rearmost of the vehicle, enclosing a full-height cargo volume[9]—a hatchback roof (especially a liftback roof) might more likely rake down steeply behind the C-Pillar, prioritizing style[7] over interior volume, with shorter rear overhang and with smaller windows (or no windows) aside the cargo volume.

Cargo floor contour: Favoring cargo capacity, a station wagon may prioritize a fold-flat floor, where a hatchback would more likely allow a cargo floor with pronounced contour (e.g. the new Mini or the sixth generation Ford Fiesta).

Seating: Station wagons have two or three rows of seats (e.g., the Ford Taurus wagons) while hatchbacks have one[8] (e.g. the MGB GT) or two rows of seats.

Rear suspension: A station wagon may include reconfigured rear suspension for additional load capacity[7] and to minimize intrusion into the cargo volume, (e.g., worldwide versions of the first generation Ford Focus).

Rear Door: Hatchbacks typically feature a top-hinged liftgate for cargo access, with variations from a single liftgate to a complex tailgate that can function either as a full tailgate or as a trunk lid (e.g., the 2008 Škoda Superb's TwinDoor). Station wagons also have numerous tailgate configurations. Typically, a hatchback's hatch or liftgate does not extend down to the bumper, as on wagons — with exceptions including the Skoda Superb.

Automotive journalist Dan Neil, in a 2002 New York Times report described verticality of the rear cargo door as the prime distinction between a hatchback and a station wagon: "Where you break the roofline, at what angle, defines the spirit of the vehicle," he said. "You could have a 90-degree break in the back and have a station wagon."[12]

Liftback – Toyota Celica, IV. generation, SX (ST162), 2.0

Liftback

A liftback is a broad marketing term for a hatchback, which incorporates a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—especially where the profile aspect of the rear cargo door is more horizontal than vertical, with a sharply raked or fastback profile.[8] In comparison with the hatchback the back opening area is more sloped and longer and is lifted up to open, offering more luggage space. Very similar is the "fastback", but it miss the "step" visually resembling sedan. Liftback is not used as a term in the UK, fastback or hatchback are used instead.

Early examples

Citroën Traction Avant c.1954

In 1938, Citroën introduced the Traction Avant Commerciale[13] initially with a two-piece tailgate and after 1954 with a one-piece top-hinged tailgate.

In 1946, DeSoto marketed the Suburban, a full-size sedan with a rear accessible door, and folding rear seats.[14]

In 1949, Kaiser-Frazer introduced the Vagabond and Traveler hatchbacks. Although these were styled much like the typical 1940s sedan, they incorporated an innovative split rear tailgate, folding rear seats and no separate trunk.[15][16]

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.

Worldwide

Europe

1964: With the Renault 16, hatchbacks became the virtual standard for compact cars

[17]

Peugeot 306 hatchback, with the hatch lifted

In 1961 Renault introduced the Renault 4 with a top-hinged tailgate incorporating the rear window, with only short side windows between C & D-pillars aside the load space and a steep angle from roof to rear bumper. During its production run the R4 was called a small station wagon, even after the term hatchback appeared around 1970. In 1964, Autobianchi marketed the Primula hatchback. In 1965, Renault marketed the Renault 16, a hatchback design with a folding rear seat.

In 1965, the MGB-GT was launched with a hatchback designed by Pininfarina, the first volume-production sports car so equipped. In 1967, the Simca 1100 used a transverse engine and gearbox layout, and incorporated a hatchback without side windows at the C-pillar. In 1969, British Leyland launched Austin Maxi, a five-speed, transverse front-wheel drive hatchback.

In 1973, Volkswagen marketed the Passat/Dasher hatchback, followed by the Golf/Rabbit designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, as well as the Audi 50/Volkswagen Polo in 1974. Sports cars like the Jaguar E-Type with its side-hinged opening, Toyota 2000GT, and Datsun 240Z carried rear tailgates, with one row of seats, and Ford relaunched the Capri with a hatchback in 1974. In the 1970s, the Rover SD1, Renault 30, and Saab 900 introduced the hatchback style into the executive car market.

The 1980s Ford launched the front-wheel drive Ford Escort hatchback, followed by the Lancia Delta and many others. The 1983 Fiat Uno designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, its tall, square body utilising a Kamm tail achieved a low drag coefficient of 0.34 won much praise for airy interior space and fuel economy. It incorporated many packaging lessons learnt from Giugiaro's 1978 Lancia Megagamma concept car (the first modern people carrier / MPV / mini-van) but miniaturised. Its tall car / high seating packaging is imitated by every small car today. It reversed the trend for lower and lower built cars. It showed that not just low sleek cars could be aerodynamic, but small, roomy, boxy well packaged cars could be too. In 1984 it was voted European Car of the Year.[18]

More hatchback cars followed over the decade, including the updated Opel Kadett, Austin Maestro, Vauxhall Astra, Renault 19, Fiat Tipo, and second generation Rover 200. Ford replaced the long-running Escort with the Ford Focus in 1998, featuring a model range with sedan, station wagon, and three and five door hatchbacks.

The hatchback was seen as a leap forward in practicality in Europe. From the 1960s it was adopted as a standard feature on most European cars, with saloons declining in popularity apart from at the top of the market where it was unpopular, where a saloon is seen as a sign of status. The Ford Granada Mk3 / Ford Scorpio executive car, that was launched in 1985 only as a hatchback, had to be relaunched in saloon and estate form. The hatchback was discontinued years before the other variants. Small economy cars that were more limited in load carrying ability than larger cars benefited most - long light loads like furniture could be hung out of the back of the car.

Early examples of hatchbacks in Europe started with the Fiat Strada.[19] and the Volkswagen Golf. BMW's 3-series hatchback was offered from 1995–99.[20] The liftback version of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the Sportcoupé, was sold in North America from 2002 to 2005, lacking many amenities of German luxury imports (especially a Mercedes).[21] Audi subsequently marketd the Audi A3 In North America. The Mini Hatch range incorporates a hatchback design.

North America

American Motors Corporation (AMC) marketed the subcompact Gremlin from 1970, in a single hatchback Kammback body design.[22] The Gremlin used the AMC Hornet automobile platform, but its abrupt hatchback rear end cut the car's overall length from 179 to 161 inches (4,500 to 4,100 mm). American Motors added a semi-fastback hatchback version to its larger compact-sized Hornet line for the 1973 model year.[23]

Introduced by AMC in 1975, "like recent European variations of the theme, the Pacer had a rear door or hatchback, which further increased its utility".[24] For 1977, AMC added a longer Pacer model with a wagon-type configuration describing its large rear "hatch" as one of the car's three doors, all having different sizes.[25] The Hornet's hatchback body design was continued in the redesigned "luxury" Concord line for 1978[26] and 1979, in a "sporty model designed for performance-oriented buyers".[27] The AMC Spirit replaced the Gremlin starting with the 1979 models and was available in two designs, both featuring rear doors: a hatchback "sedan" and a semi-fastback "liftback" version.[28]

Built in AMC's Kenosha, Wisconsin factories, the 1984–1987 Encore was a two and four-door hatchback based on the European Renault 11.[29]

Chrysler Corporation introduced the Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon hatchbacks in 1978.[30] These were followed by the Dodge Charger/Plymouth Turismo. They released the liftback Dodge Daytona/Chrysler Laser in 1984, and then the Dodge Shadow/Plymouth Sundance—as well as the LeBaron GTS and Dodge Lancer hatchbacks. Captive import subcompact models included the Dodge Colt and the almost identical Plymouth Champ.

Dodge replaced its Neon sedan with the Dodge Caliber, a platform on which the Jeep branded based its Compass and Patriot.

Ford Motor Company introduced the Pinto and Bobcat in 1972. The German-built Mercury Capri II hatchbacks were imported to U.S. Lincoln-Mercury dealers for the 1976–1977 model years, and the Ford Fiesta hatchback was imported for U.S. Ford dealers later in the decade. Ford offered a hatchback version of its third-generation Escort. The third generation Mustang and Mercury Capri introduced in 1979 were offered in hatchback models. Between 1988 and 1993 Ford marketed the imported Festiva subcompact hatchback that was later restyled and renamed the Aspire for the 1994 through 1997 model years.

1973 Chevrolet Vega Hatchback

The Chevrolet Vega, introduced in September 1970, was the first hatchback model from General Motors. Over a million Vega hatchbacks were produced for the 1971–1977 model years accounting for about half of the Vega's total production.[31] GM introduced rebadged Vega hatchback variants, the 1973–1977 Pontiac Astre and the 1978 Chevrolet Monza S.

The Vega-derived Chevrolet Monza 2+2, Buick Skyhawk, and Oldsmobile Starfire introduced for the 1975 model year, were produced exclusively as hatchbacks with the Pontiac Sunbird hatchback introduced for the 1977 model year. All were produced through 1980.

A Chevrolet Nova hatchback was introduced for the 1973 model year, and was offered through 1979, another hatchback Nova was reintroduced in the 80's based on the Toyota Sprinter. The Chevrolet Chevette was introduced in 1975 as a two-door hatchback, engineered in cooperation with Isuzu. A four-door hatchback on a longer wheelbase was introduced with the 1978 models. In early 1979 the Chevrolet Citation was introduced as a 1980 model offered in 2 and 4-door hatchbacks continuing through the 1987 model year. In the 1981, General Motors included a hatchback model as part of its J-car series that included the Chevrolet Cavalier. Chevrolet offered captive import hatchbacks built by Suzuki and Izuzu. The NUMMI U.S.-made Chevrolet Nova was also offered in a hatchback model in 1987 and 1988. Its replacement, the Geo Prizm, was also available in a hatchback model and the domestic designed Chevrolet Corsica was briefly available in a hatchback version.

The third generation Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird produced for the 1982–1992 model years, featured a curved glass hatchback liftgate. GM marketed a series of hatchbacks in North America as a joint venture with Suzuki, the Swift/Metro/Firefly.[32] Chevrolet offered a longer wheelbase, hatchback vesion of the Malibu, the Malibu Maxx from 2004 to 2007. In 2008, GM introduced the 3-door and 5-door Belgian-assembled Saturn Astra. Chevrolet added a hatchback version of its Korean-built Aveo in 2009.[33]

The Chevrolet Corvette was first offered with an opening rear glass hatch for the 1982 Collector Edition model.[34] It was adopted on all Corvette Coupes beginning in 1984, with the fourth generation models.

Japan

Nissan Fairlady Z (S30)

One of the first hatchbacks offered was the 1970 Nissan Fairlady Z, 1972 Honda Civic, the Nissan Sunny B210, and the Nissan Cherry, with the Civic and Cherry offering front wheel drive powertrains. In addition to specific models of captive imports mentioned above, a number of Japanese brands have been available in the hatchback body style as a primary model: Nissan Pulsar, Toyota Allex, Toyota Prius, Honda CR-X, and the Honda Insight. Almost all Japanese "city cars", called "kei jidosha" use a hatchback bodystyle for cargo carrying ability in a regulated vehicle size, such as the Mitsubishi Minica, Honda Life, Suzuki Fronte, Subaru Vivio, and Daihatsu Mira. Other large-sized hatchback body style vehicles include Lexus CT, Nissan Murano, and the Nissan Skyline Crossover. The Nissan Fairlady Z is often classified as hatchbacks because of its styling, including the Z33 and the Z34. Other sports cars with hatchback body style in Japan are Toyota Celica and Nissan 180SX.

USSR

Lada Samara 2109

The first Soviet hatchback was the rear-wheel drive IZh-2125 Kombi, which entered production in 1973. This was followed in the 1980s by the front-wheel drive Lada Samara, ZAZ Tavria and Moskvich Aleko.

India

Maruti 800 hatchback in India

Hatchbacks are popular 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]

Other regions

Hatchbacks have proved to be less popular in South America, Africa, and some parts of Asia than in Europe, and as a result, manufacturers have had to develop sedan versions of their small cars.[citation needed] In Brazil, for example, the Fiat Premio was developed from the Fiat Uno in the 1980s, with Ford and GM subsequently offering sedan versions of the Opel Corsa and Ford Fiesta in the 1990s. (The first generation Opel Corsa was sold in Europe as a sedan as well as a hatchback, but proved unpopular, and the three-box sedan was not replaced in 1993). These models were also sold in South Africa and China.

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hatchback
  2. ^ http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hatchback
  3. ^ http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hatchback
  4. ^ http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/hatchback
  5. ^ http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/hatchback
  6. ^ "Definition: Hatchback". Merriam-Webster. 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  7. ^ a b c Hillier, Victor; Coombes, Peter (2004). Hillier's Fundamentals of Motor Vehicle Technology: Volume 1 (5th ed.). Nelson Thornes. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-7487-8082-2. Retrieved 2010-12-31. 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.
  8. ^ a b c Jaza, Reza N. (2008). Vehicle dynamics: theory and applications. Springer-Verlag. pp. 30–31. ISBN 978-0-387-74243-4. Retrieved 2010-12-31.
  9. ^ a b Erjavec, Jack (2005). Automotive Technology: a Systems Approach Volume 2. Thomposon Delmar Learning. p. 55. ISBN 978-1-4018-4831-6. Retrieved 11 May 2011. 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.
  10. ^ "Car Design Glossary – Part 2: One-Box (Monospace or Monovolume)". Car Design News. Retrieved 11 May 2011. A three or five-door hatchback (no separate trunk compartment) is a 'two-box' car.
  11. ^ Mueller, Mike (2003). American Cars of the '50s. MBI Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7603-1712-9.
  12. ^ Neil, Dan (2002-04-28). "The Hatchback Is Back (but Nobody Uses the H-Word)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-12-31.
  13. ^ Citroen Car Club (2005-01-15). "Supporting all Citroën owners and enthusiasts, in the UK and worldwide". Citroen Car Club. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
  14. ^ Olsen, Byron (2000). Station Wagons. MBI Publishing. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-7603-0632-1. Retrieved 2010-12-31.
  15. ^ Vance, Bill (27 March 2001). "Motoring Memories: Motoring Memories: Kaiser Traveler – the first hatchback". Autos.ca. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  16. ^ Strohl, Daniel (23 January 2011). "SIA Flashback – 1949 Kaiser Traveler: America's First Hatchback". Hemmings. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  17. ^ "Renault historic vehicles - Renault 16". Renault. 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012. The R16 was completely different from existing cars. When it first came out, it was criticized for being too original. Potential buyers were taken aback. But the barriers soon came down. The R16 was widely advertised by word of mouth and sales took off. Half-way between a station wagon and a sedan, the R16 introduced new cues in automotive design. To quote the advert, it aimed to "point the way forward". To the extent that its unusual profile was quickly copied by its competitors.
  18. ^ "Previous_Cars". caroftheyear.org. Archived from the original on 2007-05-23. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
  19. ^ Lamm, Michael (1979). "Driving the Fiat Strada". Popular Mechanics. 151 (5): 56. Retrieved 11 May 2011. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  20. ^ Wilson, Greg (2002-01-10). "Test Drive: 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sport Coupe". CanadianDriver. Retrieved 2010-12-31.
  21. ^ Frank, Michael. "Mercedes Benz C230 Sports Coupe". Forbes.com. Retrieved 2010-12-31.
  22. ^ Hinckley, James (2005). The Big Book of Car Culture: The Armchair Guide to Automotive Americana. MotorBooks/MBI. pp. 120–121. ISBN 978-0-7603-1965-9. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  23. ^ Lamm, Michae (1972). "AMC: Hornet hatchback leads the lineup". Popular Mechanics. 138 (4): 118–202. Retrieved 22 April 2011. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  24. ^ Wilson, Paul Carroll (1976). Chrome dreams: automobile styling since 1893. Chilton Book. p. 303. ISBN 9780801963520. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  25. ^ "AMC Pacer Wagon ad". Popular Science. 209 (5): 1–2. 1976. Retrieved 22 April 2011. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  26. ^ Ceppos, Rich (1977). "AMC for '78 – a V-8 for the Pacer, and now there's Concord". Popular Science. 211 (4): 98. Retrieved 22 April 2011. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  27. ^ "American Motors". Michigan manufacturer and financial record: 40. 1977. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  28. ^ Witzenburg, Gary (1978). "Driving the '79 American Motors models". Popular Mechanics. 150 (4): 114, 115, 164, 166, 168. Retrieved 22 April 2011. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  29. ^ Ross, Daniel Charles; Hill, Ray (1983). "AMC's Double Thrust: all new Jeep and Renault Encore". Popular Mechanics. 160 (4): 106, 107, 158, 159. Retrieved 22 April 2011. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  30. ^ Lund, Robert (1978). "Driving the Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon". Popular Mechanics. 149 (1): 64–65, 136. Retrieved 22 April 2011. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  31. ^ h-body.org
  32. ^ "Canada: CAMI ends Suzuki Swift production". Just-auto.com. 5 June 2001. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  33. ^ Blackett, Thom. "2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 Preview Chevy's imported import fighter grows a hatchback". myride com. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
  34. ^ Prince, Richard (2004). Corvette C3 Buyer's Guide 1968–1982. BMI Publishing. p. 134. ISBN 978-0-7603-1655-9. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  35. ^ "The best hatchbacks in India". rediff.com. Retrieved 2012-01-03.
  36. ^ "1983-Maruti 800 is launched: Driving the India story". India Today. 24 December 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  37. ^ "Tata Nano set to drive into Taiwan". The Economic Times. 2010-06-03. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) [dead link‍]
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