Notchback
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Notchback is a very common form of car body style characterized by a sharp vertical drop-off from roof to trunk, as opposed to hatchback or fastback. All notchbacks are what is known as 3-box designs - seen from the side, three separate volumes - the engine area, the passenger area, and the trunk area.
The notchback is usually a synonym for sedan, although many coupé cars are notchbacks as well. Notchback can also refer to liftback or hatchback vehicles, if there is a discontinuous line from roof to rear fender.
As fuel consumption has become a larger focus in automobile design, the notchback and fastback forms are rapidly merging in four door sedans - the traditional sharply raked notch shape is apparently not optimal for aerodynamic performance.
[edit] Examples
- Plymouth Barracuda
- Pontiac Trans Am
- Chevrolet Vega
- Volkswagen Notchback
- Ford Mustang
- Pontiac Fiero
- Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
[edit] See also
