What's Wrong With This Picture: Quantum Niche Theory Edition

by Edward Niedermeyer

Published: September 25th, 2011

what s wrong with this picture quantum niche theory edition

When word first began circulating that BMW was considering an X4, I wondered

is BMW trying to prove a kind of automotive Zeno’s paradox, in which niches can be infinitely subdivided?

It was a rhetorical question, of course, and the answer was “pretty much, yeah.” This official BMW sketch preview of the X4, which has been approved for production, shows a three-door version, but according to Autocar,

The car is also depicted in a pair of official BMW sketches. Although they reveal a three-door model badged X3, they hint strongly at the X4’s design, mainly its roofline and front-end styling; BMW sources insist that too much shouldn’t be read into the fact it has three doors.

But if MINI and Range Rover already have three-door “sport activity coupes,” isn’t it just a matter of time before Audi or Mercedes jump on the trend, forcing BMW’s hand? The only problem: there’s only one number between X3 and X5. Which means we will probably end up with an X4 xDrive28i (say) and an X4 xDrive28i Coupe. You know, the coupe version of the coupe version of the X3. Or maybe they’ll just move on to the inevitable X2 coupe version of the X1 and leave the task of trying to tear logical holes in space-time to the crazies manning the supercolliders.

#BMW #Coupe #Europe #FutureVehicles #Germany #Luxury #Marketing #Niche #ProductPlanning #SUV

Edward Niedermeyer

More by Edward Niedermeyer

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 20 comments

Volt 230 on Sep 26, 2011

Does anyone care about visibility anymore, it used to be that you had to spend $200k or more to get lousy visibility, now they have lowered the price quite a bit.

Like Reply
JMII on Sep 26, 2011

Why not just build a 1 series hatchback? Oh that's right... people don't want hatchbacks they want SUVs just in case they have to drive across a puddle or a patch of road under construction to reach the Wal-Mart parking lot. I'm sick of lifted vehicles, as a teen in the 80's I remember when "cool" meant lowering your vehicle, yes even trucks!

Like Reply

Recent Comments

Jeff I noticed the last few new vehicles I have bought a 2022 Maverick and 2013 CRV had very little new vehicle smell. My 2008 Isuzu I-370 the smell lasted for years but it never really bothered me. My first car a 73 Chevelle and been a smoker's car after a couple of months I managed to get rid of the smell by cleaning the inside thoroughly, putting an air freshener in it, and rolling the windows down on a hot day parking it in the sun. The cigarette smell disappeared completely never to come back. Also you can use an ozone machine and it will get rid of most odors.
Lou_BC Synthetic oil for my diesel is expensive. It calls for Dexos2. I usually keep an eye out for sales and stock up. I can get 2 - 3 oil and filter changes done by my son for what the Chevy dealer charges for one oil change.
Joe65688619 My last new car was a 2020 Acura RDX. Left it parked in the Florida sun for a few hours with the windows up the first day I had it, and was literally coughing and hacking on the offgassing. No doubt there is a problem here, but are there regs for the makeup of the interiors? The article notes that that "shockingly"...it's only shocking to me if they are not supposed to be there to begin with.
MaintenanceCosts "GLX" with the 2.slow? I'm confused. I thought that during the Mk3 and Mk4 era "GLX" meant the car had a VR6.
Dr.Nick What about Infiniti? Some of those cars might be interesting, whereas not much at Nissan interest me other than the Z which is probably big bucks.