Comments on: Who likes Skoda’s new trunk/hatch thing?

By: Kaylan Marie

Kaylan Marie — Fri, 09 May 2008 00:46:52 +0000

oh no. future 9k project?

lol. kidding.

By: TrakDah

TrakDah — Wed, 07 May 2008 10:39:37 +0000

Jeff, (extremely) well said!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 07 May 2008 02:46:08 +0000

I mentioned this in my long rant about the 9-1 a ways back, and I think that this new Skoda innovation is still not fully understood.

So I did some research about it and found information about the semi-circular latch assembly and steel cross bar that forms the joint between the hatch and trunk. Suffice it to say, those VW designers are some clever clever folk, and actually found a way to INCREASE the lateral rigidity of the trunk area.

And as far as real practical storage is concerned, if you really look at the difference between a concave and convex rear window/trunk arrangement, you’re not getting that big of a difference volumetrically. So, drawbacks? None. Seriously, what is wrong with this? I have this feeling that if Saab were the ones who invented it, we’d all be shouting from the rooftops about unconventional Swedish functionalist design and how the world needs catching up. When some Eastern Bloc country comes out with it first, we cry foul. Come on.

By: TrakDah

TrakDah — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:50:15 +0000

I think what’s important to Skoda here isn’t the functionality in itself, as defined by the answer to the question “does it provide more space and useability”. Rather, I believe what is important to Skoda is the novelty – here is something new, something worth a few extra characters of text in the reviews, something to show in ads and something every single car reviewer out there will be commenting. That in itself is what will sell the car.

My point is this: this is something Skoda implemented not to make the car better, but to get more notice, which they’re succeeding in rather well I think, or why else would a Skoda show up on a Saab blog?

By: BaRa

BaRa — Tue, 06 May 2008 09:24:25 +0000

I wouldn’t buy it. Difficult construction, not enough resulting space. I prefer a real hatch. Let Saab make a sedan for the States, we’ll buy the hatch in Europe.

By: eriknystrom

eriknystrom — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:54:10 +0000

I think this type of hatch is very useful for loading a baby pram that would not go in the small sedan type of opening (yes, i’m in that age…)

By: Ebbot

Ebbot — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:24:08 +0000

If it is combined with a good way to drive with it open and no tresh hold then it is great.

It is flexible and useful, this is really a thin Saab should have come up with… has Skoda snatch a Saab-goof?

By: brianl

brianl — Tue, 06 May 2008 03:33:41 +0000

I like the idea, but not everyone is tall enough to reach up and close that in hatch position. Did anyone notice how high that is? I think the height would have issues in a garage as well.

By: Kraig

Kraig — Tue, 06 May 2008 02:29:07 +0000

I think that the 9000CS/CSE had a very well disguised hatch and could swallow a whale, if the occasion arose.

By: Dan S.

Dan S. — Tue, 06 May 2008 02:27:31 +0000

I like it!! It would be superior idea as long as chassis rigidity & weight gain is nominal. I think this 2 for 1 execution is a great idea.