sb
Part of things
Posts: 725
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Sept 21, 2015 17:27:14 GMT
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So I was thinking about this on the way home form work.
You wake up as CEO of a car manufacturer, which marque is up to you, but probably not VW you're about to be fired.
You have to create a new model and the simple question is, do you build a good car or a successful car?
In a few more words, do you build a car that will stand the test of time, 50 years later someone finds one in a barn and its still solid and running. But its likely very expensive so you either cut corners in other areas or it only sells a few to very rich clients. Or do you build a successful car, no its not got carbon fibre parts everywhere and CNC billet ali parts. But its cheap enough to sell a lot of models, and while it may not be remembered as the best car of all time people still want them after its time has passed.
So what would you rather, why and what sort of car would it be?
Personally I thought this would be easy, over engineer and be known for having a vehicle that lasts longer than you, but then I realised thats not what I would want to be knon for if given the opportunity. I realised I cared more about the engine, I would want to create a modern cheap V8, where the engine code is known better than the model. It would be a 2 seater Viper style, but the persona of an MX5. Not trying to kill you like the Viper but just good fun.
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GT4ME
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,729
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Sept 21, 2015 18:06:36 GMT
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Build an electric car for the masses with enough range to get people wanting to actually buy one.
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Sept 21, 2015 18:11:30 GMT
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Lightweight cars that handle, i.e use all the technology that has made cars stronger, to get the weight off.
Bin the catalytic converter con, work on lean burn efficiency coupled with performance, use the technology that Koenigsegg are developing for camshaft less engines running solenoid valves.
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,920
Club RR Member Number: 108
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Sept 21, 2015 18:29:09 GMT
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AFFORDABLE RWD B-C segment car with lots of lightness. Proven, revvy little engine and tiny little skinny budget tyres. And a ridiculous steering lock Think cut-cost GT-86 ethos 5dr hatch - I have no idea why it doesn't already exist.
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Sept 21, 2015 18:43:50 GMT
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Make a proper, galvanized, chassis that will take FWD, RWD or 4WD layouts by just using the appropriate subframes. Choice of electric as well as petrol & diesel engines. You could have petrol FWD with electric power to rear and selection of 4x4, FWD or RWD on the same car. Then a range of high quality fibreglass bodies that would fit the chassis so you could have MKI Escort, Capri, BMW 2002, MKI Golf, or whatever your taste. So you'd select drive train and then body and therefore RWD Golf, FWD MKI Escort, 4x4 Capri would all be available "off the shelf". Common use of components would mean parts could be kept down so dealers wouldn't have to keep items for dozens of models as all hubs, wishbones, callipers, engines, gearboxes, and such would interchangeable. Have an upgrade policy so people could start off with a base model and then be a simple add on to convert to high spec as insurance / needed changed instead of having to change cars. So you could start off with a base model 1.0 when you first start driving and end up with a 2.0 4x4 turbo without any insurance or DVLA hassles as completely "factory".
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Sept 22, 2015 2:42:14 GMT
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First of all reintroduce some styling so that it is possible to identify different marques at a distance rather than the same same jelly mould look of recent decades. Bring back the tick the boxes option list so it is possible to order a stripped out poverty spec car with the hottest motor and strongest trans and diff in the range. Have sissy stuff like carpet and a heater as extra cost options. If you feel the cold wear your greatcoat, hat and gloves. Default options must include a bench front seat and column change. Composimmonite's post above has a lot of merit too but his range would need to include two or three different sizes of standard chassis as not all of us would buy a small car.
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Sept 22, 2015 8:40:19 GMT
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Composimmonite's post above has a lot of merit too but his range would need to include two or three different sizes of standard chassis as not all of us would buy a small car. OK make the chassis in three parts. Front, middle and rear that bolt together. Then you can choose front section that will take FWD or RWD / north south or east west engine configuration as well as track width, different lengths of middle section to cover various wheelbases and rear to take RWD or dead beam axles. Liking this idea so how do we fund
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sb
Part of things
Posts: 725
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Sept 22, 2015 11:46:11 GMT
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Composimmonite's post above has a lot of merit too but his range would need to include two or three different sizes of standard chassis as not all of us would buy a small car. OK make the chassis in three parts. Front, middle and rear that bolt together. Then you can choose front section that will take FWD or RWD / north south or east west engine configuration as well as track width, different lengths of middle section to cover various wheelbases and rear to take RWD or dead beam axles. Liking this idea so how do we fund A bolted chassis would have way too many shear points for my liking!
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Sept 22, 2015 11:49:56 GMT
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I need to give this some thought, but I would probably build something like the Nissan IDx Freeflow/Nismo, VW UP GTI (why havent they built that yet!) or something like the C4 Cactus. Now non of these are going to set the world on fire, but they would/are relatively cheap but clever/quirky cars. So I will give it a bit more thought but it I do like cheap but quirky cars & I'm not fond of the corporate identity that most new cars have (i.e I now have to look at the badge to know what model BMW/Merc/Audi I am looking at) *edit - Probably Nissan, I'm not a massive Nissan fan but they make so great concept car's - sadly this doesn't currently reflect the car's they actually make, which are generally dull as dishwater. I mean they made the IDx & the Sway, but I couldnt tell you the last time I noticed a new Nissan & I'm sure loads drive past me everyday lol.
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Last Edit: Sept 22, 2015 12:00:49 GMT by joem83
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Sept 22, 2015 11:56:51 GMT
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Just make me the CEO of Subaru and I'd have a turbo bolted on to the BRZ faster than you can say STI! The BRZ STI concept is pretty much my perfect modern car. I should add, that really most modern cars are actually very well developed. The reason that most cars conform to certain shapes and types is that customer buying habits and government regulations force them to be that way. There are plenty of special niche vehicles that I would like to be built, but I can easily understand why they haven't been built. For example: EmDee asks why there isn't a cheap, modern RWD light (B-segment) car, presumably like a BMW 1-series but cheaper. The simple answer to this question is that in that market segment, the vast majority of customers are extremely price-conscious. If we say that front-wheel drive architecture will make an equivalent car at least $500 cheaper than a RWD model, and also give better interior room, then the RWD car will really struggle with sales. There is also a reasonable sized market for 'premium' light cars, eg. the Audi A1, high-end Mini, etc. This is the market space where RWD can actually compete, and therefore BMW have had a decent crack at making exactly what EmDee wants. It's actually quite affordable in the general scheme of things! Unfortunately Ford or Hyundai could never justify the expense of RWD in the Fiesta or Accent, as it would cost them far too many sales against the front wheel drive competition. On a personal note, I would also love to see a really cheap, stripped-out track day special. Why couldn't a major car manufacturer build a version of the Ariel Atom/KTM X-Bow type vehicle for $15,000? They could use the exact same engine/transmission package from a small front wheel drive car and put it in a minimal, low-slung body. It wouldn't need any fancy or expensive components for suspension or brakes, just the normal hatchback parts should do the job with the reduced weight of a smaller body. This would compete directly on price with sportsbikes, and you would have to assume that there would be a market for them. Unfortunately, I think the simple answer to this question is, that for nearly the same development cost they could dress it up a bit, put on a decent folding roof and roll-up windows and sell it for double the price. What results is basically the Alfa Romeo 4C.
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lusciousthelock
Part of things
Who needs brakes? They only slow you down!
Posts: 95
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Sept 22, 2015 15:58:49 GMT
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I would create a new, smallish 3 box saloon car (Chevette / Escort / Avenger size) with classic RWD layout. Use badge engineering to dictate trim levels like the Rootes arrow range. The car I would really want myself is the sleeper. The GT. That basic looking 3 box saloon on the wide steel wheels with windup windows and the jaw dropping performance. Offering a performance car for drivers not the gadget whores. Basic and simple, aiming at the DIY mechanic with a way to progress and improve the product at the buyers discretion. Make something for the petrol heads by encouraging modification. That's my plan
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Sept 22, 2015 16:03:21 GMT
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I think in 10 years from now electric or hybrid cars will be regarded as normal & no longer a niche product by the mass car buying public. As soon as the Koreans and maybe Chinese start producing them at similar prices to fossil fueled cars. If I was in charge of this fictional car manufacturer I'd be investing in battery technology or maybe fuel cells to get round the whole range anxiety that puts lots of car buyers off right now. If they could design a low emission car that appealed to people who enjoy driving (an MX5 equivalent if you will) rather than just aiming at people's guilty conciences it would be a game changer. The BMW i8 is a smashing looking car but it's also way out of the price range of normal people.
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Sept 22, 2015 17:06:15 GMT
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Composimmonite's post above has a lot of merit too but his range would need to include two or three different sizes of standard chassis as not all of us would buy a small car. OK make the chassis in three parts. Front, middle and rear that bolt together. Then you can choose front section that will take FWD or RWD / north south or east west engine configuration as well as track width, different lengths of middle section to cover various wheelbases and rear to take RWD or dead beam axles. Liking this idea so how do we fund Volkswagen already comes kinda close, just follow the link. Free track, wheelbase, engine config everything. Not quite there yet of course but still great way of building things.
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Sept 22, 2015 18:09:18 GMT
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BMW please.
Immediately cancel the horrendous niche models (X6 I'm looking at you whatever you're supposed to be) and divert those resources into the production of a modern 1602/2002 based on the 1 series platform.
Who'd want an M4 when you could have a 2002 Tii instead?
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Sept 22, 2015 18:30:13 GMT
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Rover!
Just so I can finally get my hands on the R&D info on the L series engine, lol
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You're like a crazy backyard genius!
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Sept 22, 2015 18:49:23 GMT
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First of all reintroduce some styling so that it is possible to identify different marques at a distance rather than the same same jelly mould look of recent decades. Bring back the tick the boxes option list so it is possible to order a stripped out poverty spec car with the hottest motor and strongest trans and diff in the range. Have sissy stuff like carpet and a heater as extra cost options. If you feel the cold wear your greatcoat, hat and gloves. Default options must include a bench front seat and column change This works for me. Call the base stripped out model the taxi pack factory fit straight lpg option. Maybe a diesel/ electric option with the engine just providing electrical power for the green people. What's been said about lean burn already too. Ditch the complex cat system
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sb
Part of things
Posts: 725
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Sept 22, 2015 20:32:52 GMT
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Some interesting answers, seems the main response is cheap, simple, fast. As to be expected really!
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Sept 22, 2015 22:42:52 GMT
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I'd be looking at what Toyota are doing as there doing it pretty well and have been at the top of the best sellers globally for a while now.
But I'd still want that TVR project, noise and drop dead gorgeous looks.
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Some days you just need to take a grinder to an inanimate object, just to make your day a tiny bit better!!
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Sept 22, 2015 22:59:26 GMT
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The problem is not with the manufacturers, or even with the customers, it is with the regulators. It's all very well to build a light car using exotic materials but this costs stupid money and there's no other way to do it because the regulators want even your stripped out, no fancy gadget, poverty spec racer to have 19 airbags - and ABS - and great big girders in the doors - and catalytic converters - and EGR valves - and crumple zones - and a ton of other unnecessary junk that slows it down and costs too much for too little reward, either in performance or environmental terms.
Much as I hate to admit it, the days of the pure petrol car are numbered (and it looks like the diesel is doomed, which doesn't upset me at all, noisy, smelly, rattly things) so my new car would have a constant speed small petrol engine who's only job is to run a giant alternator providing electricity to drive the wheels, the ONLY efficient Hybrid. Simple and quick goes without saying, but I would also like to pay particular attention to making it easy to work on. (Basically just ban anyone French from the design process!)
Steve
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Sept 22, 2015 23:39:01 GMT
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so my new car would have a constant speed small petrol engine who's only job is to run a giant alternator providing electricity to drive the wheels, the ONLY efficient Hybrid. Simple and quick goes without saying, but I would also like to pay particular attention to making it easy to work on. (Basically just ban anyone French from the design process!) Steve Already been done with the Tilling Stevens - in 1906 !
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