Here is something interesting, following the Volvo trend perhaps?<P>BMW sedans and wagons from 2004 onward will retain the familiar odd number designations:<P><B>Sedans</B> <P>1-Series<BR>3-Series<BR>5-Series<BR>7-Series<P>Meanwhile, all upcoming coupes and cabriolets will get even number designations the first being next year's 6 Series, while today's popular 3 Series becomes a 4 Series in 2006:<P><B>Coupes/Cabriolets</B><P>2-Series<BR>4-Series<BR>6-Series<BR>8-Series<P>-Drew<p>[This message has been edited by InDy (edited 05-24-2002).]
BMW Name Scheme Changing...
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Interesting they're choosing to follow Volvo. While that's a compliment, I'm not a big fan of where BMW seems to be going. Though that next gen Z3 does look pretty cool.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by [email protected]:<BR><B>Interesting they're choosing to follow Volvo. While that's a compliment, I'm not a big fan of where BMW seems to be going. Though that next gen Z3 does look pretty cool.</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>So, what is the direction they are going? I don't know....that new Z4 looks just like their prototype. Not too crazy about the styling still.......
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I think they all, (Volvo, MB, BMW, Audi etc.) are moving to an alpha or numerical setup that is relatively easy to follow for continuity's sake.<P>Sure, BMW built the 6series and the 8 series in the past, not to mention the 2002 if you want to count that, but at the same time, the only current brand to go every other number with a different bodystyle is Volvo with their current setup, thus my preceding statement.<P>BMW is constantly trying to lead, and I understand what they seem to be trying to do.<P>However, with BMW currently in a 3/5/7 series setup wtih the exception of the Z8,I believe they are following Volvo over to the alternate setup.<p>[This message has been edited by [email protected] (edited 05-24-2002).]
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jay:<BR><B>After looking at the new 7 series I almost laughed. Did they forget to design a trunk on it then stick that hideous box-trunk thing on it as an after thought? <BR></B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I don't know...I actually like the 7 series the first time I saw it on the magazine. Then when I saw that in person, I was much more in love than ever.<P>I think the reason I don't mind the way trunk looks is b/c it reminds me of a Volvo. <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/biggrin.gif">
I am just curious, who do you guys think has the best naming system for their cars? <P>I think after 2006 BMW will have it right, but I don't like the fact that their numbers sometimes don't always match up correctly with their liter displacement figures. <P>I personally like Volvo's new naming system, because just by the alpha-numerics alone, you can tell exactly what kind of vehicle it is, except for the engine type. There is no need for things like Avant, Variant, Touring, Coupe, Wagon, Saloon, etc.<P>-Drew<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Keilidh:<BR><B>Just a point of interest though, do you realize that both companies have had a 740 and an 850 in their stables? </B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>The new '745' badge makes a nice addition to an old Volvo wagon.<P>
I think Volvo had it right in the late 70's...<P>242= 200 series, 4 cyl. 2 door. <BR>264= 200 series, 6 cyl. 4 door.<P>Tells you everything you need to know, then for trim packages you just stick GT, GL, DL, GLE etc on it and you know the car. I would have prefered if they called the 850's 854 and 855 and not ever changed it to 'S' and 'V'.<P>I think the problem was that they had exhausted all of the 3 digit numbers and then having a 1000 series or something like that would be a bit too much of a mouthful.<P>But it's not up to me, instead its up to a bunch of marketing people. <P>Jay<BR>--<BR>83 242 Turbo<BR>98 S70 T5 SE
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What will they do about wagons and SUV's. A similer situation Volvo is on with the coupes.<P>
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I actually liked where BMW was in the early 1990s. Right now, there are too many letter designations M, X, Z, etc. It gets odd when you have a Z or an X that might also be an M. See what I mean. Gets confusing.<P>I liked where Volvo was also, but they had copyright issues with other companies, 740, 850, 240 etc. (BMW and Nissan nomenclature also). I like doing the motor designation though, 2.4T, T-5, T-6, etc. I think that is more descriptive than GL, DL etc.<P>I like where Audi is. The A series is for teh normal car, the S is the hot version and the RS is the super hot version. They should apply the allroad name to any car that has the air suspension and Cross Country style treatment to it (i.e. an A4 allroad or an A3 allroad). <P>There's also room for expansion. For instance, if they did an SUV they could call it the A5, A7 or A9.<P>Where they get weak is sportscars. The TT uses a name carried over from the NSU brand, and, while cool, doesn't really fit the Audi naming philosophy. Further, they're working on an Audi version of the new baby Lamborghini, and that is rumored to be called RSR, which I don't really follow either.
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by [email protected]:<BR><B>I actually liked where BMW was in the early 1990s. Right now, there are too many letter designations M, X, Z, etc. It gets odd when you have a Z or an X that might also be an M. See what I mean. Gets confusing.</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Even BMW was confusing. They had so many suffixs that I never could figure out what the car was just by the name.<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by [email protected]:<BR><B>I liked where Volvo was also, but they had copyright issues with other companies, 740, 850, 240 etc. (BMW and Nissan nomenclature also). I like doing the motor designation though, 2.4T, T-5, T-6, etc. I think that is more descriptive than GL, DL etc.</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>You can copyright a number? That is dumb that you can't use numbers because someone owns them.<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jay:<BR><B>I think Volvo had it right in the late 70's....</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I agree with Jay<P>
Here I go WAY into left field...<P>Look a BMW, they've had a 3, 5, and 7 series for YEARS and those cars have been built on many different chassis, even within the same series. Why does Volvo have to change the name everytime the chassis changes?? <P>Is the S/V40 really so radically different from the 200's (excluding obvious technical advances)? I don't think so, these cars are aimed at the customers they lost when they went upmarket and dropped the 240. So why not call it a 240?? As far as marketing goes think of the ad campaigns... Comparing a venerable and much loved 240 with the "new" 240. (this would work in the NA market anyway since we only got the 40's a couple of years ago) <P>While you're at it.. Call the S80 a 960 since it is exactly what it replaced. I could go on but I'll leave it there.<P>Food for thought anyway...<P>But then I still consider the Saab 93 to be a 900...<P>Jay<BR>--<BR>83 242 Turbo<BR>98 S70 T5 SE
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jay:<BR><B>Why does Volvo have to change the name everytime the chassis changes?? <P>Jay<BR></B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>IMHO, Volvo's new naming system is pretty much set in stone. For example, I do not think that Mercedes will ever change their C, E, and S Class names, or BMW their 3, 5, 7 Series, or Audi their A4, A6, or A8 for sedans.<P>People say that it takes 2.5 generations for a car line to establish itself, and it would would be really ridiculous if Volvo did any more name changing.<P>The S80 and S60 are on their first generations and the S40 will soon be on to its second generation, which I have a feeling will get much more respect than the current models. They just need to stick with these names S40/S60/S80 and get them established in the market-place.<P>My 0.2...<P>-Drew<P>
I agree, it is set in stone... But I just don't think they needed to change it in the first place. Personally I dislike the S/V scheme and prefered it the old way.<P>Also let me clarify my statement comparing the S/V40's with the 200's...<P>The 40 series is directly aimed at old 240 drivers... For example, my parents are avid 240 drivers. If they buy another Volvo it will likely be a 40 series because it is the closest match in todays lineup to their 240's. When they bought their current cars there were 700's and 900's in the lineup then, just like there are 60's, and 80's today. Therefore the S/V40 is the same as the 240 (excluding obvious technical advances). At least from a marketing perspective.<P>Jay<BR>--<BR>83 242 Turbo<BR>98 S70 T5 SE
You are giving the marketing guys way too much credit. Rest assured that after a period of time (could be long) the marketing folks will need to do something "new", and they will change from numbers back to names (and then from names back to numbers again). Mercedes (the benchmark) will likely do it first to differentiate themselves, and then others will follow. These marketing patterns are almost boaringly predictable.<P>As for BMW, by creating a 4 and 6 series, they make you think you are getting something more than the 3/5. Again, pure marketing. And talk about lake of inovation, have you ever looked at the rear of a current 3 series and an older 5 series. They look the same. Then look at a current 5 series and an older 3 series. Surprise! Again they look the same. At least Volvo had the guts to take bold design steps.
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by InDy:<BR><B> My 0.2...<P>-Drew<P></B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><BR>Drew,<P>is this TWO cents or...TWENTY? If it is TWENTY then you are far richer than all of us as we can only (usually) "afford" TWO cents...Hehehe! <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/biggrin.gif"><P>Yannis<BR><P>
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GrecianVolvo:<BR><B> <BR>Drew,<P>is this TWO cents or...TWENTY? If it is TWENTY then you are far richer than all of us as we can only (usually) "afford" TWO cents...Hehehe! <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/biggrin.gif"><P>Yannis<BR></B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Yannis,<BR> <BR>LOL! Good catch, yeah it is my TWENTY cents opinion, which is about 10 times more valuable than my TWO cents opinions. <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/smile.gif"><P>-Drew<BR>
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