Car Fule

If it finds its origins in the 1960s in the United States, with models such as the Jeep Wagoneer, and established itself in 1970 in Europe with the Land Rover Range Rover, it was not really until the end of the years. 90 than the SUV segment really takes off on the Old Continent. In particular with the appearance of the Mercedes Class M and other BMW X5.

First disparaged, mocked for their size Imposing and clumsy, these “Sport Utility Vehicles” quickly seduce customers thanks to their substantial interior space and their elevated position, which allows easier accessibility and offers a dominant driving position. The success is such that all the manufacturers get started quickly …

Today, almost all brands have at least one SUV in their catalog. Including the most prestigious such as Bentley (Bentayga) or Rolls-Royce (Cullinan).

Manufacturers are surfing the success of SUVs

Over time, and to meet an ever-increasing demand in this area, manufacturers have even declined the SUV to all the sauces. There are now all kinds and for all tastes: compacts, family and even city dwellers. The SUV, originally imposing, has indeed gone so far as to invade the small streets of our city centers.

Result, with this bloated offer, the SUV is now THE fashionable bodywork. In France, in 2020, nearly 4 out of 10 new passenger cars sold were SUVs *.

Everything for the look

But to keep this success story going, manufacturers now have no other choice but to renew themselves. In recent years, the market has seen the arrival of new types of SUV. Convertible SUVs in particular (Volkswagen T-Roc, Range Rover Evoque, etc.). And especially SUVs… Coupé. The principle ? Equipped with an SUV ofa plunging roof line and D’a tilted rear window. In other words, favor aesthetics and dynamism of a line to the detriment of livability and cargo volume, yet two of the udders of the SUV. All for a hefty price! A incongruous mixture therefore on paper but which works nevertheless.

BMW X6, the pioneer

Launched in 2008 by BMW with the X6, and long the preserve of the brand with the propeller, this segment with significant potential now stirs up many lusts. Mercedes first responded to its best enemy. It was in 2015 with the GLE Coupé then more recently with the GLC, always Coupé necessarily. Himself competitor of the new X4 …

Mercedes against BMW. It feels like the European beginnings of SUVs (Class M against X5). And since history is an eternal restart, as with SUVs, other manufacturers in turn want to have their share of the pie. They therefore go there from their creation. Porsche Cayenne Coupé, Audi Q3 Sportback. Toyota C-HR, soon Volkswagen Taigo… SUV coupes are popping up everywhere. Even in France where Renault rushed into the breach by recently launching the Arkana.

A major trend that Auto Plus TV has seized. In the program “La Rédac”, hosted by Cécile de Ménibus, Auto Plus experts try to understand and analyze the phenomenon.

To find the program ” The Rédac ” in its entirety every week, and discover more exclusive Auto Plus content, subscribe quickly to Auto Plus TV, from just € 1 per month.

* Source Committee of French Automobile Manufacturers

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