[ragingclue]

Saw this at the dealer today. Technically, I think it is correct, right? Or am I wrong?

[BTM]

According to wikipedia Coupe is defined as a closed body, which is how I've always understood it as well. I have the Road and Track dictionary at home I'll post the official definition when I'm there

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by BTM

According to wikipedia Coupe is defined as a closed body, which is how I've always understood it as well. I have the Road and Track dictionary at home I'll post the official definition when I'm there

My initial response was "WTF this is fucked." That's why I took the pic.

Then I thought about it, and they MUST know more about the correct terminology than I do, right? I thought maybe an open top coupe could be a truism. Then I thought I don't know either way. It's bothering the shit out of me.

[Freakazoid]

merriam webster just says a 2 door...

2 usually coupe : a 2-door automobile often seating only two persons; also : one with a tight-spaced rear seat — compare sedan

Sounds about right.. not usually used that way, but still the definition of a coupe

[Freakazoid]

looking at multiple sites definitely seems the consensus is just a 2 door.... nothing to do with roof

[BTM]

Could just be a PR/Marketing mistake...I've seen it happen before not necessarily BMW though

[BTM]

Originally Posted by Freakazoid

merriam webster just says a 2 door...

2 usually coupe : a 2-door automobile often seating only two persons; also : one with a tight-spaced rear seat — compare sedan

Sounds about right.. not usually used that way, but still the definition of a coupe

Interesting. Seems that term has been phased out for referring to verts, but I guess not

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by BTM

Interesting. Seems that term has been phased out for referring to verts, but I guess not

Meh I think we'd be better off finding the origin of the word itself....

French history then....

[MCMLXXXIX]

i would think it makes sense. i mean BMW used to badge their verts as "Cic" right?

[ragingclue]

Sacre-Bleu!

It seems you can have an open top coupe.... From everything I'm reading, nothing insists you have to have a roof....

Victimized by modern definition distortion once again.

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by MCMLXXXIX

i would think it makes sense. i mean BMW used to badge their verts as "Cic" right?

What struck me as odd was that BMW themselves sells a "1XXi Coupe", and a "1XXi Convertible". Since their own methodology of differentiating between the two different models is with that very term, I would think they would refrain from using it in that manner, even if it is correct by definition (which it seems it may be).

[grieverr]

Well, isn't the official name of the car 128/135i? The "c, ci, cic" is used internally, right? I don't think that officially the name of the car indicates coupe/sedan/convertible.

[PsychoSlug]

I think BMW stretches the definition of "coupe" anyway. The X6 is marketed as a coupe, yet it has 4 doors and is a SUV. Sorry, SAV!

[MCMLXXXIX]

yea they definitely used the term there to describe 2 doors. also could be since the 3-door hatch isnt available in the US, so they felt the need to just say Coupe. ooorrr they couldnt find a picture of a 1er Coupe lol

Originally Posted by dpratt34

I think BMW stretches the definition of "coupe" anyway. The X6 is marketed as a coupe, yet it has 4 doors and is a SUV. Sorry, SAV!

BMW uses "coupe" on the X6 and Gran Coupe because they both have **coupe-like proportions**. just like the MB CLS. its all BS

[BTM]

Here it is from the R&T dictionary (seems a little dated to say the least)

coupe: A two-door closed body type, typically distinguished from a two-door sedan by a sleeker, shorter roof and longer trunk, but frequently different in other ways too. Variations include the soft-top convertible couple (now simply convertible) and the pillarless hardtop convertible coupe (shortened to hardtop). Coupes are generally thought of as sportier and more "personal" than two-door sedans.

This led me to look up sedan

sedan: Typically a closed car with four doors (but sometimes two and possibly three or five in a hatchback), four or six side windows, fixed B-pillars, and seating for four or more occupants. Sedans are intended for family transport and are generally driven by the owner. The term is derived from a kind of handcart used in the township of Sedan in France to transport fish; it was later applied to the sedan chair, a single seat conveyance carried by two bearers.

[Verbiage]

Pshh that ad is wrong.

[shuarma]

cabriolet

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by shuarma

cabriolet

[radix]

http://www.autoevolution.com/auto-glossary/c.html

A coupe (or coupé) is a two or four-seater vehicle with a fixed roof and only two doors. There is no globally accepted official definition for the term though. According to SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) standards, a coupe is a fixed-roof automobile which has less than 33 CuFt (approximately 934 liters) of interior volume. Any car with a greater interior volume is technically called a two-door sedan, not a coupe, even if it has only two doors.

Bleh, ninja edit... it's confusing as fuck, call it what you want. I dunno.

[BTM]

Originally Posted by radix

http://www.autoevolution.com/auto-glossary/c.html



So yes, the car in the OP can be called a coupe. It just depends on how strict a definition you want to use. Here's the real kicker, it could be called a coupe even if it had four doors.

And a 2 door can be correctly referred to as a sedan

Edit: did you read your defn? It seems to maintain a "fixed roof" provision. Mine however does not.

[radix]

Originally Posted by BTM

And a 2 door can be correctly referred to as a sedan

I don't even know anymore man... this subject is confusing as hell. I think the bottom line is that there is no universally accepted definition for coupe.

[BTM]

LOL I drive an 4d coupe-hardtop spider

PS you have PM