The Long Tailgate

The Long Tailgate Early Example 1946 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Class Body Style Engine Location Example(s) Honda Z Microcar Hatchback Front-engined Aston Martin Cygnet, Toyota iQ Iso Isetta Microcar Hatchback Rear-engined Smart ForTwo VELAM Isetta Microcar Cabrio Rear-engined Smart ForTwo Fiat 500 City Car Hatchback Front-engined Ford Ka, Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto, Toyota AYGO, VW Up Suzuki Cappuccino City Car Cabrio Front-engined Renault Wind Peugeot 1007 City Car MPV Front-engined DISCONTINUED Fiat Panda 4x4 City Car Crossover Front-engined Fiat Panda 4x4 Fiat 500 Retro City Car Hatchback Front-engined Fiat 500 Nissan Figaro Retro City Car Cabrio Front-engined Fiat 500C Autobianchi A112 1 Supermini Hatchback Front-engined Ford Fiesta, Honda Jazz, Nissan Micra, Peugeot 208, Suzuki Swift Talbot Samba Cabrio Supermini Cabrio Front-engined Citroen DS3, Peugeot 207CC VW Derby Supermini Saloon Front-engined Kia Rio Renault Modus Supermini MPV Front-engined Citroen C3 Picasso, Ford B-Max, Kia Venga, Nissan Note Nissan Juke Supermini Crossover Front-engined Kia Soul, Nissan Juke Suzuki Jimny Supermini SUV Front-engined Suzuki Jimny Mercedes-Benz A-Class 1st Generation 2 Premium Supermini Hatchback Front-engined Audi A1 Mini One Premium Retro Supermini Hatchback Front-engined Mini One Mini Convertible Premium Retro Supermini Cabrio Front-engined Mini Roadster Mini Coupé Premium Retro Supermini Coupé Front-engined Mini Coupé Mini Clubman Premium Retro Supermini Estate Front-engined Mini Clubman Mini Countryman Premium Retro Supermini Crossover Front-engined Mini Countryman VW Golf 1st Generation Small Family Hatchback Front-engined Citroen C4, Ford Focus, Hyundai i30, Vauxhall Astra, VW Golf Toyota Prius 4 Small Family Hatchback Front-engined, Eco Chevrolet Volt, Honda Insight, Toyota Prius vW Golf Cabriolet Small Family Cabrio Front-engined Peugeot 307CC, VW Eos VW Bora Small Family Saloon Front-engined Mazda 3, Vauxhall Astra, VW Bora Ford Escort Estate Small Family Estate Front-engined Kia Ceed, Skoda Octavia, Vauxhall Astra Renault Scénic Small Family MPV Front-engined Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford C-MAX, Kia Carens, Renault Scénic, VW Touran Toyota RAV4 Small Family Crossover Front-engined Hyundai iX35, Nissan Qashqai, Toyota RAV4, Vauxhall Antara, VW Tiguan Land Rover Freelander Small Family SUV Front-engined Ford Kuga, Land Rover Freelander VW New Beetle Retro Small Family Hatchback Front-engined VW New Beetle VW New Beetle Convertible Retro Small Family Cabrio Front-engined VW New Beetle Cabrio Audi A3 Premium Small Family Hatchback Front-engined Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Lexus CT-200h, Mercedes-Benz A-Class BMW 1-Series Cabrio Premium Small Family Cabrio Front-engined BMW 1 Series Cabrio BMW 1-Series Coupé Premium Small Family Coupé Front-engined BMW 1 Series Coupé Mercedes-Benz CLA Premium Small Family 4-door Coupé Front-engined Mercedes-Benz CLA Mercedes-Benz B-Class Premium Small Family MPV Front-engined Mercedes-Benz B-Class BMW X1 Premium Small Family Crossover Front-engined Audi Q3, BMW X1 Range Rover Evoque Premium Small Family SUV Front-engined Range Rover Evoque BMW New Class 7 Premium Compact Executive Saloon Front-engined Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Audi A5 Sportback Premium Compact Executive 4-door Coupé Front-engined Audi A5 Sportback BMW 3-Series Touring Premium Compact Executive Estate Front-engined Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3 Series Touring, Mercedes-Benz C-Class BMW 2000C Premium Compact Executive Coupé Front-engined Audi A5, BMW 3 Series Coupé, Infiniti G37 Coupé BMW 1602 Premium Compact Executive Cabrio Front-engined BMW 3 Series Cabrio, Infiniti G37 Cabrio BMW X3 Premium Compact Executive Crossover Front-engined BMW X3 Audi Q5 Premium Compact Executive SUV Front-engined Audi Q5 Ford Sierra Large Family Hatchback Front-engined Citroen C5, Ford Mondeo, Toyota Avensis, Vauxhall Insignia Ford Cortina Mark II Large Family Saloon Front-engined Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord, Hyundai i40, Kia Optima, VW Passat VW Passat CC Large Family 4-door Coupé Front-engined VW Passat CC Volvo C70 Large Family Cabrio Front-engined Volvo C70 Ford Cortina Mark II Estate Large Family Estate Front-engined Citroen C5, Ford Mondeo, Toyota Avensis, Vauxhall Passat, Vw Passat Renault Espace Large Family MPV Front-engined Ford S-Max, Kia Sedona, VW Sharan Volvo XC60 Large Family Crossover Front-engined Kia Sorento, Nissan X-Trail, Volvo XC60 Jeep Cherokee 10 Large Family SUV Front-engined Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover Discovery, VW Touareg Land Rover Series I Large Family Off-roader Front-engined Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Defender Mercedes-Benz W114 11 Premium Executive Saloon Front-engined Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, Infiniti M, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Mercedes-Benz CLS Premium Executive 4-door Coupé Front-engined Audi A7 Sportback, BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, Mercedes-Benz CLS Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake Premium Executive Shooting Brake Front-engined Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake Mercedes-Benz W123 Estate Premium Executive Estate Front-engined Audi A6 Avant, BMW 5 Series Touring, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Mercedes-Benz W114 Coupé Coupé BMW 6 Series Coupé , Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé Premium Executive Front-engined Mercedes-Benz W124 Convertible Premium Executive Cabrio Front-engined BMW 6 Series Convertible, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabrio Lexus RX Premium Executive Crossover Front-engined Infiniti EX, Lexus RX Infiniti FX Premium Executive Sports Crossover Front-engined BMW X6, Infiniti FX Mercedes-Benz M-Class Premium Executive SUV Front-engined BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-CIlass Range Rover Sports Premium Executive Sports SUV Front-engined Range Rover Sport Mercedes-Benz G-Class Premium Executive Off-roader Front-engined Mercedes-Benz G-Class Ford Crown Victoria Full-size Saloon Front-engined DISCONTINUED GMC Yukon Full-size SUV Front-engined Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe, Lincoln Navigator Lincoln Town Car Full-size Luxury Saloon Front-engined Lincoln Town Car Mercedes-Benz W108 Premium Luxury Saloon Front-engined Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class Mercedes-Benz W126 Coupé Premium Luxury Coupé Front-engined Mercedes-Benz CL Porsche Panamera Premium Luxury Sports Fastback Front-engined Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche Panamera Range Rover 1st Generation 12 Premium Luxury SUV Front-engined Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit Uber-Premium Luxury Saloon Front-engined Rolls-Royce Phantom Toyota Hilux Compact Pickup Truck Front-engined Chevrolet Colorado Dodge Dakota Mid-size Pickup Truck Front-engined Dodge Dakota, Toyota Tacoma, VW Amarok Ford F-Series 5th Generation 13 Full-size Pickup Truck Front-engined Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra MGB GT Compact Sports Car Coupé Front-engined Audi TT, Peugeot RCZ, Toyota GT86 Lotus Elan Compact Sports Car Roadster Front-engined Audi TT Roadster, Mazda MX5, Mercedes-Benz SLK VW Scirocco Type l Compact Sports Car Hatchback Coupé Front-engined Hyundai Veloster, VW Scirocco Porsche 914 Coupé Compact Sports Car Coupé Mid-engined DISCONTINUED Porsche 914 Targa Compact Sports Car Roadster Mid-engined DISCONTINUED Chevrolet Corvette-C2 Sports Car Coupé Front-engined Nissan 370Z BMW 507 Sports Car Roadster Front-engined BMW Z4 Roadster, Nissan 370Z Roadster Porsche 550 Sports Car Coupé Mid-engined Lotus Evora, Porsche Cayman Porsche 550 Spyder Sports Car Roadster Mid-engined Porsche Boxster Porsche 356 14 Sports Car Coupé Rear-engined Porsche 911 Porsche 356 Cabriolet Sports Car Roadster Rear-engined Porsche 911 Cabriolet Aston Martin DB5 Grand Tourer Coupé Front-engined Maserati Gran Turismo, Mercedes-Benz SL Aston Martin DB5 Convertible Grand Tourer Cabrio Front-engined Aston Martin DB9, Ferrari California, Mercedes-Benz SL Ferrari FF Grand Tourer Shooting Brake Front-engined Ferrari FF Ferrari Daytona High Performance Sports Car Coupé Front-engined Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Nissan GT-R AC Cobra 427 High Performance Sports Car Cabrio Front-engined DISCONTINUED Maserati Bora High Performance Sports Car Coupé Mid-engined Audi R8, Ferrari 458, Lamborghini Gallardo, McLaren MP4-12C Ferrari 355 Spider High Performance Sports Car Cabrio Mid-engined Audi R8 Spyder, Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder Porsche 911 Turbo High Performance Sports Car Coupé Rear-engined Porsche 911 Turbo Ferrari 250 GTO Supercar Coupé Front-engined DISCONTINUED Lamborghini Miura 15 Supercar Coupé Mid-engined Lamborghini Aventodor Porsche 959 Supercar Coupé Rear-engined DISCONTINUED Early Example 1946 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Class Body Style Engine Location Example(s) Gamechangers 2 4 5 Autobianchi A112, 1969 - 1986 Way ahead of its time, the A112 created the template for the modern supermini hatch, which remains a key market segment for volume car manufacturers. The A112 survived well into the 1980s, losing some of its purity along the way as various plastic protuberances were added. Mercedes-Benz A-Class 1st Generation, 1997 - 2004 Due in part to embarrassing safety failures the A-Class didn't quire achieve the commercial success initially envisaged. However, it was important as it brought the technical innovations and quality of larger cars to the small car segment, now an important market for Audi, BMW and Lexus. VW Golf 1st Generation, 1974 - 1983 The list would not be complete without a Giorgetto Giugaro masterpiece. Earlier examples of small family hatches, such as the Autobianchi Primula, might exist but none had managed to combine the crisp lines, high build quality, and unfussy practicality of the first Golf. Renault Scénic, 1996 - Present Based on the mechanical underpinnings of an unloved family hatch, the Scénic became a smash hit in Europe due its roomy interior and general practicality. Much imitated and arguably bettered by the competition since its launch, the Scénic created a new mini-MPV market segment Toyota Prius, 1997 - Present As much a frame of mind as a car, the Prius has become synonymous with the environmental movement. Awkward yet instantly recognisable looks helped the first Prius to stand out, and the innovative hybrid technology put Toyota years ahead of its rivals. 7 8 10 Toyota RAV4, 1994 - Present Derided by some as a 4x4 imposter, the RAV4 is important as it popularised the Crossover SUV look on both sides of the Atlantic. Nowadays, any serious car manufacturer, from Ford to Mercedes-Benz, seems be mandated to have at least one crossover in their range. BMW New Class, 1962 - 1976 Not the best known BMW but the looks and packaging of the New Class appear to have set the template for the compact executive car. This vehicle category is critically important as it is generally viewed as an aspirational stepping stone to the world of luxury cars. Ford Sierra, 1982 - 1993 Renault Espace, 1984 - Present Jeep Cherokee, 1984 - 2001 Replacing the popular Ford Cortina, the European-designed Sierra was initially resisted due to its highly aerodynamic “Jellymould" styling, but eventually came to be a common sight on the roads. The clean looks and practical hatchback layout have been imitated often but rarely bettered. The future still hasn't caught up with this composite-bodied, living space on wheels. The original may have been penned by a Brit but the combination of great looks, peerless practicality, and surprisingly decent handling, encapsulate everything great about French car design. There are many claims on the title of first mass market SUV but the Cherokee stands out due to its influential styling and unibody construction. The Cherokee's designers deftly managed to uphold the brand's reputation for utility whilst optimising the on-road driving experience. 11 12 13 14 15 Range Rover 1st Generation, 1970 - 1996 Rugged, handsome, and desirable, all at the same time. The original side profile view is iconic, and just about survives under layers of cladding in the modern version. Exhibited at the Louvre in the early 70s as an "exemplary work of industrial design". Case closed. Mercedes-Benz W114, 1968 - 1976 Introduced in the late 1960s, The W114 combined refined looks and Lamborghini Miura, 1966 - 1974 Many have tried - including the Miura's designer Marcello Gandini - but all have failed to out "super", the first of the supercars. The Miura combines sleek yet muscular looks with innovative technical features including the transversely-mounted mid-engine layout. Ford F-Series 5th Generation, 1967 - 1972 Porsche 356, 1948 - 1965 bulletproof reliability with an innovative new chassis design. An undoubted classic, and a template that is consistently being refined by the likes of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, naturally. The F-Series was born as early as 1948 but the 5th generation model stands out for its imposing stance and sheer scale. The F-Series, now in its 12th incarnation, remains immensely popular in North America, especially in the US where 645,000 units were sold in 2012. The 356 might have been Porsche's first production car, but the underlying shape and mechanical layout live on in the current 911. The combination of compact dimensions, low curb weight and responsive handling also provide an object lesson to the sports car designers of today. Notes: gamechangers and early examples are subjective choices. Timeline year refer to ears of production rather than sales years. Sources: Manufacturer Websites, CAR Magazine, Wikipedia The Long Tailgate Early Example 1946 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Class Body Style Engine Location Example(s) Honda Z Microcar Hatchback Front-engined Aston Martin Cygnet, Toyota iQ Iso Isetta Microcar Hatchback Rear-engined Smart ForTwo VELAM Isetta Microcar Cabrio Rear-engined Smart ForTwo Fiat 500 City Car Hatchback Front-engined Ford Ka, Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto, Toyota AYGO, VW Up Suzuki Cappuccino City Car Cabrio Front-engined Renault Wind Peugeot 1007 City Car MPV Front-engined DISCONTINUED Fiat Panda 4x4 City Car Crossover Front-engined Fiat Panda 4x4 Fiat 500 Retro City Car Hatchback Front-engined Fiat 500 Nissan Figaro Retro City Car Cabrio Front-engined Fiat 500C Autobianchi A112 1 Supermini Hatchback Front-engined Ford Fiesta, Honda Jazz, Nissan Micra, Peugeot 208, Suzuki Swift Talbot Samba Cabrio Supermini Cabrio Front-engined Citroen DS3, Peugeot 207CC VW Derby Supermini Saloon Front-engined Kia Rio Renault Modus Supermini MPV Front-engined Citroen C3 Picasso, Ford B-Max, Kia Venga, Nissan Note Nissan Juke Supermini Crossover Front-engined Kia Soul, Nissan Juke Suzuki Jimny Supermini SUV Front-engined Suzuki Jimny Mercedes-Benz A-Class 1st Generation 2 Premium Supermini Hatchback Front-engined Audi A1 Mini One Premium Retro Supermini Hatchback Front-engined Mini One Mini Convertible Premium Retro Supermini Cabrio Front-engined Mini Roadster Mini Coupé Premium Retro Supermini Coupé Front-engined Mini Coupé Mini Clubman Premium Retro Supermini Estate Front-engined Mini Clubman Mini Countryman Premium Retro Supermini Crossover Front-engined Mini Countryman VW Golf 1st Generation Small Family Hatchback Front-engined Citroen C4, Ford Focus, Hyundai i30, Vauxhall Astra, VW Golf Toyota Prius 4 Small Family Hatchback Front-engined, Eco Chevrolet Volt, Honda Insight, Toyota Prius vW Golf Cabriolet Small Family Cabrio Front-engined Peugeot 307CC, VW Eos VW Bora Small Family Saloon Front-engined Mazda 3, Vauxhall Astra, VW Bora Ford Escort Estate Small Family Estate Front-engined Kia Ceed, Skoda Octavia, Vauxhall Astra Renault Scénic Small Family MPV Front-engined Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford C-MAX, Kia Carens, Renault Scénic, VW Touran Toyota RAV4 Small Family Crossover Front-engined Hyundai iX35, Nissan Qashqai, Toyota RAV4, Vauxhall Antara, VW Tiguan Land Rover Freelander Small Family SUV Front-engined Ford Kuga, Land Rover Freelander VW New Beetle Retro Small Family Hatchback Front-engined VW New Beetle VW New Beetle Convertible Retro Small Family Cabrio Front-engined VW New Beetle Cabrio Audi A3 Premium Small Family Hatchback Front-engined Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Lexus CT-200h, Mercedes-Benz A-Class BMW 1-Series Cabrio Premium Small Family Cabrio Front-engined BMW 1 Series Cabrio BMW 1-Series Coupé Premium Small Family Coupé Front-engined BMW 1 Series Coupé Mercedes-Benz CLA Premium Small Family 4-door Coupé Front-engined Mercedes-Benz CLA Mercedes-Benz B-Class Premium Small Family MPV Front-engined Mercedes-Benz B-Class BMW X1 Premium Small Family Crossover Front-engined Audi Q3, BMW X1 Range Rover Evoque Premium Small Family SUV Front-engined Range Rover Evoque BMW New Class 7 Premium Compact Executive Saloon Front-engined Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Audi A5 Sportback Premium Compact Executive 4-door Coupé Front-engined Audi A5 Sportback BMW 3-Series Touring Premium Compact Executive Estate Front-engined Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3 Series Touring, Mercedes-Benz C-Class BMW 2000C Premium Compact Executive Coupé Front-engined Audi A5, BMW 3 Series Coupé, Infiniti G37 Coupé BMW 1602 Premium Compact Executive Cabrio Front-engined BMW 3 Series Cabrio, Infiniti G37 Cabrio BMW X3 Premium Compact Executive Crossover Front-engined BMW X3 Audi Q5 Premium Compact Executive SUV Front-engined Audi Q5 Ford Sierra Large Family Hatchback Front-engined Citroen C5, Ford Mondeo, Toyota Avensis, Vauxhall Insignia Ford Cortina Mark II Large Family Saloon Front-engined Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord, Hyundai i40, Kia Optima, VW Passat VW Passat CC Large Family 4-door Coupé Front-engined VW Passat CC Volvo C70 Large Family Cabrio Front-engined Volvo C70 Ford Cortina Mark II Estate Large Family Estate Front-engined Citroen C5, Ford Mondeo, Toyota Avensis, Vauxhall Passat, Vw Passat Renault Espace Large Family MPV Front-engined Ford S-Max, Kia Sedona, VW Sharan Volvo XC60 Large Family Crossover Front-engined Kia Sorento, Nissan X-Trail, Volvo XC60 Jeep Cherokee 10 Large Family SUV Front-engined Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover Discovery, VW Touareg Land Rover Series I Large Family Off-roader Front-engined Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Defender Mercedes-Benz W114 11 Premium Executive Saloon Front-engined Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, Infiniti M, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Mercedes-Benz CLS Premium Executive 4-door Coupé Front-engined Audi A7 Sportback, BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, Mercedes-Benz CLS Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake Premium Executive Shooting Brake Front-engined Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake Mercedes-Benz W123 Estate Premium Executive Estate Front-engined Audi A6 Avant, BMW 5 Series Touring, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Mercedes-Benz W114 Coupé Coupé BMW 6 Series Coupé , Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé Premium Executive Front-engined Mercedes-Benz W124 Convertible Premium Executive Cabrio Front-engined BMW 6 Series Convertible, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabrio Lexus RX Premium Executive Crossover Front-engined Infiniti EX, Lexus RX Infiniti FX Premium Executive Sports Crossover Front-engined BMW X6, Infiniti FX Mercedes-Benz M-Class Premium Executive SUV Front-engined BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-CIlass Range Rover Sports Premium Executive Sports SUV Front-engined Range Rover Sport Mercedes-Benz G-Class Premium Executive Off-roader Front-engined Mercedes-Benz G-Class Ford Crown Victoria Full-size Saloon Front-engined DISCONTINUED GMC Yukon Full-size SUV Front-engined Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe, Lincoln Navigator Lincoln Town Car Full-size Luxury Saloon Front-engined Lincoln Town Car Mercedes-Benz W108 Premium Luxury Saloon Front-engined Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class Mercedes-Benz W126 Coupé Premium Luxury Coupé Front-engined Mercedes-Benz CL Porsche Panamera Premium Luxury Sports Fastback Front-engined Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche Panamera Range Rover 1st Generation 12 Premium Luxury SUV Front-engined Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit Uber-Premium Luxury Saloon Front-engined Rolls-Royce Phantom Toyota Hilux Compact Pickup Truck Front-engined Chevrolet Colorado Dodge Dakota Mid-size Pickup Truck Front-engined Dodge Dakota, Toyota Tacoma, VW Amarok Ford F-Series 5th Generation 13 Full-size Pickup Truck Front-engined Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra MGB GT Compact Sports Car Coupé Front-engined Audi TT, Peugeot RCZ, Toyota GT86 Lotus Elan Compact Sports Car Roadster Front-engined Audi TT Roadster, Mazda MX5, Mercedes-Benz SLK VW Scirocco Type l Compact Sports Car Hatchback Coupé Front-engined Hyundai Veloster, VW Scirocco Porsche 914 Coupé Compact Sports Car Coupé Mid-engined DISCONTINUED Porsche 914 Targa Compact Sports Car Roadster Mid-engined DISCONTINUED Chevrolet Corvette-C2 Sports Car Coupé Front-engined Nissan 370Z BMW 507 Sports Car Roadster Front-engined BMW Z4 Roadster, Nissan 370Z Roadster Porsche 550 Sports Car Coupé Mid-engined Lotus Evora, Porsche Cayman Porsche 550 Spyder Sports Car Roadster Mid-engined Porsche Boxster Porsche 356 14 Sports Car Coupé Rear-engined Porsche 911 Porsche 356 Cabriolet Sports Car Roadster Rear-engined Porsche 911 Cabriolet Aston Martin DB5 Grand Tourer Coupé Front-engined Maserati Gran Turismo, Mercedes-Benz SL Aston Martin DB5 Convertible Grand Tourer Cabrio Front-engined Aston Martin DB9, Ferrari California, Mercedes-Benz SL Ferrari FF Grand Tourer Shooting Brake Front-engined Ferrari FF Ferrari Daytona High Performance Sports Car Coupé Front-engined Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Nissan GT-R AC Cobra 427 High Performance Sports Car Cabrio Front-engined DISCONTINUED Maserati Bora High Performance Sports Car Coupé Mid-engined Audi R8, Ferrari 458, Lamborghini Gallardo, McLaren MP4-12C Ferrari 355 Spider High Performance Sports Car Cabrio Mid-engined Audi R8 Spyder, Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder Porsche 911 Turbo High Performance Sports Car Coupé Rear-engined Porsche 911 Turbo Ferrari 250 GTO Supercar Coupé Front-engined DISCONTINUED Lamborghini Miura 15 Supercar Coupé Mid-engined Lamborghini Aventodor Porsche 959 Supercar Coupé Rear-engined DISCONTINUED Early Example 1946 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Class Body Style Engine Location Example(s) Gamechangers 2 4 5 Autobianchi A112, 1969 - 1986 Way ahead of its time, the A112 created the template for the modern supermini hatch, which remains a key market segment for volume car manufacturers. The A112 survived well into the 1980s, losing some of its purity along the way as various plastic protuberances were added. Mercedes-Benz A-Class 1st Generation, 1997 - 2004 Due in part to embarrassing safety failures the A-Class didn't quire achieve the commercial success initially envisaged. However, it was important as it brought the technical innovations and quality of larger cars to the small car segment, now an important market for Audi, BMW and Lexus. VW Golf 1st Generation, 1974 - 1983 The list would not be complete without a Giorgetto Giugaro masterpiece. Earlier examples of small family hatches, such as the Autobianchi Primula, might exist but none had managed to combine the crisp lines, high build quality, and unfussy practicality of the first Golf. Renault Scénic, 1996 - Present Based on the mechanical underpinnings of an unloved family hatch, the Scénic became a smash hit in Europe due its roomy interior and general practicality. Much imitated and arguably bettered by the competition since its launch, the Scénic created a new mini-MPV market segment Toyota Prius, 1997 - Present As much a frame of mind as a car, the Prius has become synonymous with the environmental movement. Awkward yet instantly recognisable looks helped the first Prius to stand out, and the innovative hybrid technology put Toyota years ahead of its rivals. 7 8 10 Toyota RAV4, 1994 - Present Derided by some as a 4x4 imposter, the RAV4 is important as it popularised the Crossover SUV look on both sides of the Atlantic. Nowadays, any serious car manufacturer, from Ford to Mercedes-Benz, seems be mandated to have at least one crossover in their range. BMW New Class, 1962 - 1976 Not the best known BMW but the looks and packaging of the New Class appear to have set the template for the compact executive car. This vehicle category is critically important as it is generally viewed as an aspirational stepping stone to the world of luxury cars. Ford Sierra, 1982 - 1993 Renault Espace, 1984 - Present Jeep Cherokee, 1984 - 2001 Replacing the popular Ford Cortina, the European-designed Sierra was initially resisted due to its highly aerodynamic “Jellymould" styling, but eventually came to be a common sight on the roads. The clean looks and practical hatchback layout have been imitated often but rarely bettered. The future still hasn't caught up with this composite-bodied, living space on wheels. The original may have been penned by a Brit but the combination of great looks, peerless practicality, and surprisingly decent handling, encapsulate everything great about French car design. There are many claims on the title of first mass market SUV but the Cherokee stands out due to its influential styling and unibody construction. The Cherokee's designers deftly managed to uphold the brand's reputation for utility whilst optimising the on-road driving experience. 11 12 13 14 15 Range Rover 1st Generation, 1970 - 1996 Rugged, handsome, and desirable, all at the same time. The original side profile view is iconic, and just about survives under layers of cladding in the modern version. Exhibited at the Louvre in the early 70s as an "exemplary work of industrial design". Case closed. Mercedes-Benz W114, 1968 - 1976 Introduced in the late 1960s, The W114 combined refined looks and Lamborghini Miura, 1966 - 1974 Many have tried - including the Miura's designer Marcello Gandini - but all have failed to out "super", the first of the supercars. The Miura combines sleek yet muscular looks with innovative technical features including the transversely-mounted mid-engine layout. Ford F-Series 5th Generation, 1967 - 1972 Porsche 356, 1948 - 1965 bulletproof reliability with an innovative new chassis design. An undoubted classic, and a template that is consistently being refined by the likes of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, naturally. The F-Series was born as early as 1948 but the 5th generation model stands out for its imposing stance and sheer scale. The F-Series, now in its 12th incarnation, remains immensely popular in North America, especially in the US where 645,000 units were sold in 2012. The 356 might have been Porsche's first production car, but the underlying shape and mechanical layout live on in the current 911. The combination of compact dimensions, low curb weight and responsive handling also provide an object lesson to the sports car designers of today. Notes: gamechangers and early examples are subjective choices. Timeline year refer to ears of production rather than sales years. Sources: Manufacturer Websites, CAR Magazine, Wikipedia