4 ms·

One could make a mix between station wagon and suv. All it requires is height adjustable dampers. Elevation is a classic status symbol think castle locations.

by acd 7y ago

One could make a mix between station wagon and suv. All it requires is height adjustable dampers. Elevation is a classic status symbol think castle locations. Upper class started driving elevated cars SUVs and middle class want to move up in status.

petre 7y ago
It's been done: the Audi Allroad. But it's plagued by damper issues.
- jansan 7y ago
  Dough de Muro called it the "second worst car ever manufactured in the entire history of the automobile" :) Actually, many upper class cars have height adaptable dampers. I know of one wealthy forest owner who bought the (at that time) super luxury Mercedes 500CL (W215) because the adaptable dampers also made it a great offroad car.
  - jacquesm 7y ago
    The W215 is a beast. It's also very scary fast. There is also an upgraded version by AMG (CL55). I highly doubt Mercedes made money on any of them, and as a - former - owners, I was very happy that mine was under warranty because of the stuff that can break on that car and what it typically costs to fix it. The ride height adjustment system is great - when it works - just like the Citroen DS, it is the proverbial magic carpet ride but the technical complexity does not really help.
ben-schaaf 7y ago
The Audi e-tron has adjustable ride height for reduced drag. It automatically lowers the car at higher speeds. Not sure if that's what you mean.
muro 7y ago
You get a much better view from an elevated position, it feels safer than in a lower car.
ahartmetz 7y ago
IMO SUVs are something that people of low status consider high status. They are primitive and brutal looking vehicles with pretty awful properties as driving machines: high weight, high drag, high center of gravity (which also forces comfort / safety compromises), much less room than station wagons. You can get cars that look and drive much nicer for the same money.
rpmisms 7y ago
That's the Toyota Venza. Technically a wagon, very much lifted.
amyjess 7y ago
The Subaru Outback comes to mind.

by acd 7y ago

petre 7y ago

It's been done: the Audi Allroad. But it's plagued by damper issues.

jansan 7y ago
Dough de Muro called it the "second worst car ever manufactured in the entire history of the automobile" :) Actually, many upper class cars have height adaptable dampers. I know of one wealthy forest owner who bought the (at that time) super luxury Mercedes 500CL (W215) because the adaptable dampers also made it a great offroad car.
- jacquesm 7y ago
  The W215 is a beast. It's also very scary fast. There is also an upgraded version by AMG (CL55). I highly doubt Mercedes made money on any of them, and as a - former - owners, I was very happy that mine was under warranty because of the stuff that can break on that car and what it typically costs to fix it. The ride height adjustment system is great - when it works - just like the Citroen DS, it is the proverbial magic carpet ride but the technical complexity does not really help.

ben-schaaf 7y ago

The Audi e-tron has adjustable ride height for reduced drag. It automatically lowers the car at higher speeds. Not sure if that's what you mean.

muro 7y ago

You get a much better view from an elevated position, it feels safer than in a lower car.

ahartmetz 7y ago

IMO SUVs are something that people of low status consider high status. They are primitive and brutal looking vehicles with pretty awful properties as driving machines: high weight, high drag, high center of gravity (which also forces comfort / safety compromises), much less room than station wagons. You can get cars that look and drive much nicer for the same money.

rpmisms 7y ago

That's the Toyota Venza. Technically a wagon, very much lifted.

amyjess 7y ago

The Subaru Outback comes to mind.