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Originally Posted by rainfall
I don't understand why either. Americans love SUVs and Sedans, but hate wagons and hatchbacks (exception to VW Golf, which appears to be very popular).
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It is not just the Golf. Compact and sub-compact hatchbacks in general sell reasonably well. In fact over the past decade or so, dozens have been introduced to the American market. Nearly every major manufacturer now has a compact and subcompact hatchback. Ironically VW still does not offer a subcompact in the US (probably comes down to lack of margin).
The general rule is that when it comes to premium automobiles, Americans prefer a five door SUV to a five door traditional passenger car. In other words hatchbacks tend to have a low budget stigma attached to them. I should add that exception is coupe-ish hatchbacks like an A7 or 4 Series GC. But those don't offer the same space efficiency as a typical two-box hatchback.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe240
Although they don't offer the A series in the US, they offer the GLA suv with the A45 setup. Personally, that "suv" actually sits as high as my 2 series and I would classify that more of a hatchback than a suv.
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Despite your personal choice of classification, the GLA is nevertheless an SUV, albeit a fairly sporty looking one. The new X2 will relate to the next 1 Series in exactly the same way the GLA relates to the A Class. Regarding the AMG model specifically, yes it has lower suspension but still the same body.
The key here is to acknowledge the fact that if manufacturers simply took existing SUVs on the market and made them a little lower, that would not suddenly negate the demand for true hatchbacks. Even if I take a Cayenne, chop it, channel it, and drop it to the ground, I didn't just out Panamera the Panamera. In fact, in many ways I've bastardized the SUV to the point that I now have neither a useful truck nor particularly sporty car.
That said, it is true that a true X2 M would be an interesting model if BMW were to offer it. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be any plans for a model above the X2 M35i. Sure, it'll likely be fun, but a true GLA45 and Q3 RS competitor would be even better.