Three-box styling
Encyclopedia
Three-box design is a broad automotive styling term describing a coupé
, sedan, notchback
or hatchback
where — when viewed in profile — principal volumes are articulated into three separate compartments or boxes: engine, passenger and cargo.
Three-box designs are highly variable. The Renault Dauphine
is a three-box that carries its engine in the rear and its cargo up front. The styling of the Škoda Octavia
integrates a hatchback
with the articulation of a three-box. This style was later used by its larger Škoda Superb, which marketed as the TwinDoor, within the liftgate operable as a trunk lid or as a full hatchback. As with the third generation European Ford Escort (also a hatchback), the third box may be vestigial. And three-box styling need not be boxy: Car Design News
calls the fluid and rounded Fiat Linea
a three-box design — and most examples of the markedly bulbous styling of the ponton genre
are three-box designs.
forward,
softening any distinction between separate volumes and enclosing the entire interior of a vehicle in a single form — as with the 1992 Renault Twingo
, third generation Chrysler minivan or Tata Nano
.
The one-box design is also called a monospace or monovolume configuration.
s or (three or five-door) hatchbacks.
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
, sedan, notchback
Notchback
Notchback is a styling term describing a car body style, a variation of three-box styling where the third distinct volume or "box" is less pronounced — especially where the rear deck is short or where the rear window is upright...
or hatchback
Hatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
where — when viewed in profile — principal volumes are articulated into three separate compartments or boxes: engine, passenger and cargo.
Three-box designs are highly variable. The Renault Dauphine
Renault Dauphine
Renault Dauphine is a rear-engined economy car manufactured by Renault in one body style — a three-box, four-door sedan — as the successor to the Renault 4CV, with over two million examples marketed worldwide during its production from 1956-1967....
is a three-box that carries its engine in the rear and its cargo up front. The styling of the Škoda Octavia
Škoda Octavia
The Škoda Octavia is a small family car produced by Czech automaker Škoda Auto since 1996, its name revived from a model originally produced between 1959 and 1971. The current Octavia is available in five-door liftback and station wagon....
integrates a hatchback
Hatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
with the articulation of a three-box. This style was later used by its larger Škoda Superb, which marketed as the TwinDoor, within the liftgate operable as a trunk lid or as a full hatchback. As with the third generation European Ford Escort (also a hatchback), the third box may be vestigial. And three-box styling need not be boxy: Car Design News
Car Design News
Car Design News is the leading online news, picture and information service for the international automotive design community. It regularly publishes: information on new production and concept cars; design reviews and design development features; interviews with senior designers; coverage of the...
calls the fluid and rounded Fiat Linea
Fiat Linea
The Fiat Linea is a small family car released on March 26, 2007 at Tofaş plant in Bursa, Turkey, by the Italian automaker Fiat as a world car in developing countries. It replaced the aging Marea as the largest saloon in the Fiat range. It is based on the current Fiat Grande Punto platform...
a three-box design — and most examples of the markedly bulbous styling of the ponton genre
Ponton (automobile)
Ponton or Pontoon styling refers to a 1930s-1960s design genre — ultimately the precursor of modern automotive styling. The trend emerged as distinct running boards and fully articulated fenders became less common and bodywork began to enclose the full width and uninterrupted length of a car...
are three-box designs.
One-box design
One-box design pull the base of a vehicle's A-pillarsPillar (car)
Pillars are the vertical supports of the greenhouse of an automobile — known respectively as the A, B, C or D-pillar moving in profile view from the front to rear....
forward,
softening any distinction between separate volumes and enclosing the entire interior of a vehicle in a single form — as with the 1992 Renault Twingo
Renault Twingo
The Renault Twingo is a city car built by French automaker Renault, first presented at the Paris Motor Show in September 1992 and sold in continental European markets beginning in 1993...
, third generation Chrysler minivan or Tata Nano
Tata Nano
The Tata Nano is an inexpensive, rear-engined, four-passenger city car built by the Indian company Tata Motors and is aimed primarily at the Indian domestic market....
.
The one-box design is also called a monospace or monovolume configuration.
Two-box design
Two-box designs articulate a volume for engine and a volume that combines passenger and cargo volumes, e.g., station wagonStation wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
s or (three or five-door) hatchbacks.