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there is actually a fairly simple explanation from a design perspective for a car to have expanding girth as you get farther from the front wheels...
Space at the front of the car is usually not what the client considers useful, whereas wider rear seats, cabin or trunk space are most assuredly considered a a premium by most drivers. So if your clientele doesn't care at all how much room is availalble under the hood(and they don't) why would you spend a dime providing room? Given it is easier to have a straight line for the frame but the increased mass for longer supports to reach the mounting points for all the under bonnet components would add a substantial amount of weight as well as increase the cost. Its conveneint for the frame to be right at the edges of the motor and trans so that anything that needs to be mounted needs only to have some bolt holes instead of a strut to reach it.
But... not many passengers would be terribly comfortable or happy with the interior spaced provided with that width(my Del sol is about 3-4 inches wider at the door jam where my butt is) than where my front tires are.
So to maximize interior space and ease of manufacture under the hood the body almost automatically assumes some form of expanding shape...
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...and that is how Tempo/Topaz came to be. Ford wanted something one step up from the Escort.
From the front to the firewall it has a lot in common with the smaller Escort, then it widens out for a bigger back seat.
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tjts: The Volt is a 4000 lb CUBR subcompact. Who in their right mind is going to want to own one?
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I think it's at least a compact. Haven't found the official classification yet though.