Is the S550 Really a Fastback? Why?

[Vlad Soare]

Silly question probably, but why is the S550 considered a fastback?
A fastback is by definition a design style that consists of a single, uninterrupted slope from the roof to the very end of the vehicle. But the S550 is nothing of the sort. The tail is obviously not part of the roof/rear window line at all.
What gives?

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[ICU812]

non fast back

Fastback

I think the marketing is just any design with a laid back glass, over the formal roof Almost straight up and down rear glass.
The laid back glass body style looks fast standing still, unlike the "formal" roof coupe .
hence the fast-back

 

[Vlad Soare]

OK, but in that case, why isn't the S197 considered a fastback? It has the same kind of roof line:

Why do they say the S550 has brought back the fastback design? It seems to me the fastback design (if you want to call it that despite the shape of the tail) has always been there.

 

[Vlad Soare]

Even the SN-95 had the same kind of roof slope:

And yet only the S550 is called a "fastback". How come?

 

[ICU812]

The s550 is a retro car, and the car it coped was called a what now?
Most everyone thought of the s197 and sn95 as fast backs, the fox body had the fastback or the notch aka formal roof line.
Think you are overthinking this.
The name is just a marketing tool. not a set in stone design cue.

 

[Twin Turbo]

Don't get hung up on it. The definition isn't that specific......rather like what makes a coupe (when we now have a number of 4 door coupes). Is the Mustang a pony car or a muscle car? Really, it just comes down to marketing.

Ironically, the Mustang with the most "fastback" roofline was the '71-'73, and Ford dropped the Fastback tag and these were known as Sportsroofs

 

[Bikeman315]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fastback

 

[Basspro302]

The s550 is a station wagon

 

[Bikeman315]

The s550 is a station wagon

Been there, done that!

And for 2023……

 

[CJJon]

Coupe

Fastback

Boattail

 

[Twin Turbo]

And I guess those would be (almost) classed as Kammbacks

Been there, done that!

And for 2023……

 

[Kristian87]

Saw this at Goodwood Revival a few weeks back, I still find it uncomfortable to look at the photos!

 

[WD Pro]

Coupe

Fastback

Boattail

Boat

WD

 

[moose13]

Coupe

Fastback

Boattail

Boat

WD

This gives a whole new meaning to the saying my dad has in regards to almost-too-small parallel parking spaces:

"Are you kidding me? I could park an aircraft carrier in there!"

 

[Bikeman315]

Saw this at Goodwood Revival a few weeks back, I still find it uncomfortable to look at the photos!

Now wouldn't that be called a "Shooting Brake"?

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