"Affordable" Sportscars Will Always Come In Pairs

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind) 12/01/2015 at 09:19 • Filed to: Questions

2

12

For over a decade manufactures have created partnerships that help off set the high cost to low sales ratio for small sportscars and roadsters. The tactic appears to be the best way of getting a four year production run of these cars while getting the starting price point significantly undercutting true competitors. This means that these small sportscars always come in pairs now.

For examples of this look to the upcoming MX-5/124 (Fiata), FR-S/GT86/BRZ (Toyobaru), and the Crossfire/SLK. The Solstice/Sky twins, though from one manufacturer, was spread across three brands. We know BMW and Lexus/Toyota will be doing something similar as well. Whether it becomes a Z4/Supra or some new $100,000 two seater is yet to be seen, but keeps to the twins tradition that has formed.

My question is what manufacturer partnership would you like to see in the next set of “cheap” sportscar twins?

I would like to see Kia (not Hyundai) partner with Nissan to make the GT4 Stinger and a future Z car that moves it into the BRZs niche rather than the Mustang/Camaro comparisons.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Wobbles the Mind 12/01/2015 at 09:24

1

Hyundai and Nissan to move the genesis coupe and make a new 240Z for the FRS niche

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Wobbles the Mind 12/01/2015 at 09:30

1

The GT4 really needs to happen. So much potential!

Wheelerguy > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 12/01/2015 at 09:31

0

But I like the Genesis Coupe around the same perf tier as the Z4, V6 ‘Stang and Charger R/T. 240Z on the FRS/BRZ tier, on the other hand... yez.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Wobbles the Mind 12/01/2015 at 09:59

1

I think you got the one that everyone is looking for. But I have a couple weird ones that I could (or would like to) see happening...

I want to see Honda bring back a roadster like the S2000 but I don’t see Honda sinking the money into developing a sporty, RWD platform for such a car anytime soon so why not borrow? They have a bit of an on-again/off-again relationship with GM (Ridgelines were almost available with 5.3L LS V8s), so why not use a modified Alpha platform that underpins some already great cars like the ATS and 6th Gen Camaro. Well it needs to come back. I’d let Honda do a roadster variant, offer it with a 2.0L engine of about 210HP (imagine the S2000 F20C detuned slightly to behave more like a K20 in the RSX-S) and then the turbo 2.0L from the New Civic R as the range topper. GM could do the Coupe version of the car, it would be like a new Nova for them. Or remember that sweet Code 130R concept they paraded around? It was based on an Alpha platform... Just sayin. Offer it with the 1.5L turbo out of the new Cruze and Malibu at 180HP and the 275HP 2.0 Turbo out of the ATS and Camaro base model as the range topper.

This next one is a little more tricky, but like everyone else here I was heartbroken to hear Nissan was pulling the plug on the iDx (aka new Datsun 510 sedan). The problem is, aside from maybe GM’s Alpha thats under the ATS, I can’t think of a small(ish) RWD platform for them to build on off the top of my head. So again, I think they need to partner up with someone to pull it off. I’m leaning towards Ford or FCA. I think FCA would be a good fit for a project like this because they are trying to position themselves as the “Fun, sporty, performance oriented” brand. But I don’t think they have a RWD platform to pull this off, so they’d have to co-develop a new one. With Ford, I’m thinking of using a cut-down Mustang chassis. Imagine a 2.3L Ecoboost Falcon?!?

Speed > Wobbles the Mind 12/01/2015 at 10:02

0

I wish Mercury would bring back the Cougar and base it on the Mustang chassis like the days of old.

Wobbles the Mind > Snuze: Needs another Swede 12/01/2015 at 10:12

1

I like where you’re at. My thing about the iDX is that it would have been FWD (or FWD based AWD) for it to hit the market where it needed to be. However, I think Nissan/Renault and Buick/Opel could work together and make a coupe iDX and a GM roadster that handles more like a MINI. Which reminds me...

Wobbles the Mind > Speed 12/01/2015 at 10:14

0

Still one of my favorite renders. The GT350 is so damn good, ugh!

Speed > Wobbles the Mind 12/01/2015 at 10:35

1

I wonder how it would sell if they built it. Taking it further, some sort of four door variant would kick ass too. We need Coyote powered saloons in America! Drop the 5.2 Voodoo into the Cougar and bring back the Eliminator!

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Speed 12/01/2015 at 12:26

0

Not sure about this. The Mustang already touches the wrong side of $40k when fully loaded, and that wouldn’t even be a specialty model—just a plain old GT loaded with all the luxury goodies.

What price point would a “luxury Mustang” be sold at? $50k? I just don’t see a market there.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Wobbles the Mind 12/01/2015 at 12:42

1

Thanks, I think your right. The iDX would have probably been based on a Sentra platform or something, but that just kills the magic of the original 510. I think the Nissan/Renault + Buick/Opel team could make a fantastic little car.

And yes! That should happen!

toadterror > Wobbles the Mind 12/01/2015 at 16:05

1

Personally? I’d love to see Subaru and Porsche do something together.

(They’ve done it before)

My dream would be some crossover between a Cayman. Kinda like a BRZ but mid-engined. (New MR2 kinda deal)

I give you the MRz ;)

I even started to draw it!

Thinking.. 197hp FA powered base with 268HP AWD range topper

Wobbles the Mind > toadterror 12/01/2015 at 16:13

0

Ha, I like that. I always wanted Subaru and Porsche to do a powertrain. I also want Mazda and Porsche to do driving dynamics and construction. Truthfully Porsche plus anyone would be fun. I’m surprised no one mentioned a McLaren partnership since that’s been most of their paychecks.