re: Why do rear window sills slant upward? Quote:
Originally Posted by GeeTee TSI It just seems to be an effort to keep up with the trend (currently trendy being sleek rather than boxy), with no apparent technical constraint. The latest Discovery seems to have given up its trademark low window line, so characteristic of its profile.
This trend seems go along with the rearward sloping roof line as well, with the Evoque taking this to an altogether new level! |
You’re comparing two different vehicles here. The one on top is Discovery (LR4 in North American market) & one on the bottom is Discovery Sport.
The trend towards inward slope of the rear glass and sloping rooflines (especially for cute utes that we call SUVs in India) is also in keeping with increasing emphasis on aerodynamics (the way the air flows around curves). For a number of hard core 4X4s this is not of much significance in view of their brick like design upfront (Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4 Runner, RR Discovery/LR4 etc.) that negates any advantage of this design trend.
These parameters are also driven by design signature of a particular platform/brand & if you’ve noticed off late it is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate between different vehicles belonging to a brand (Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Discovery, Discovery Sport, RR Evoque etc.).
The trend towards ever increasing wheel size is also driving these high belt lines as designers tend to maintain a certain proportion between the upper one third and the lower one third.
There is this belief among designers that the smaller the upper one third of the silhouette the sportier the design and this is resulting in porthole like windows that I’m no fan of.
Weight is a big consideration for manufacturers in order for them to improve their fuel efficiency numbers now a days & as GTO has pointed out less glass means less weight. |