Quote:
Originally Posted by advantage20
Copying... are you guys serious? The X6 opened a new niche segment which has proven a successful gamble, Mercedes only naturally followed up the general idea (= SUV with coupé-like raking roofline) while still giving it a pretty different interpretation as we can see on the profile. Audi will also put a competitor on the market.
Do you also complain about BMW following up the 4 door coupé trend initiated by the CLS?
It is quite ridiculous to blame the 3 German premium manufacturers for copying each other nowadays as they have been doing this for some time already, as well in terms of market segment coverage as in range nomenclature, design gimmicks, on-board technology, customization... Every manufacturer seeking to appropriate whatever makes the others special: BMW pushing forward FWD and xDrive technology, Audi making the next A8 RWD with the help of Porsche, BMW opening the M Performance line and Mercedes the AMG Sport line as an answer to the Audi S line, etc. etc...
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The Mercedes CLS did not begin the 4 door coupe trend.
Even corvairs of the 60s had 4 door coupe versions.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...hevrolet/page2
The most recent 4 door coupe versions to erupt in the 21st century US market is actually the passat CC in 2006 or so, and the IS from Lexus around 2005 with a market release in 2005-6.
The passat CC was more of a base design for the 6 series gran coupe than the IS. It was an obvious thing to emulate in such a large coupe, as the 6 series BMW was suited to the shape of the Passat CC.
No, 4 door coupes have been around for a long time.
But ultimately, design copy is human nature, and there is a greater compliment than a copy or recreation.