lets play a game: What car needs to exist?

"itschrome" (itschrome) 01/15/2015 at 14:45 • Filed to: None

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this is very simple: What car does the world need now? Either a new concept or a remake of something from days gone by.

Rules:

Only one! it must be able to be produced as of today and with todays technology. So no ION thruster powered hoover cars or any thing of the sort. IF you do choose to go a bit crazy with the the tech you will need to provide proof of concept. so basically if you think you can run a thorium reactor in the trunk hooked up to 1000 hp electronic motors at each wheels.. well.. I dunno prove it!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

For me it's simple, what the world needs now is a new Datsun 510. A small RWD platform that can range from stripper econo model to a top of the line pocket racer. I want it to be cheap even at the higher end. I want it to be low tech, but efficient. size wise I'd say about a Toyota corolla. It would be cool if it was possible to integrate hybrid systems into the design or even offer a full plug in EV. but I'd love it to have a series of small rev happy N/A engines. and of course three peddles

Here have a race prep 510

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 14:48

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Cheap shooting brake a-la Jensen GT.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 14:48

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A car that is fun to drive, with good gas mileage, low insurance rates, good looks, manual transmission, and something I can afford. :) (Under $1500)

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 14:51

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More cheap, reliable, fun, basic transportation.

Along the same lines as your Datsun idea. Doesn't have to RWD, just fun to drive.

I haven't driven one to know first-hand, but the Mazda 2 might be about the only car to fit this ideal, and even then, they still kind of expensive.

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 14:51

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I'm leaning along the lines of the 510, as well. Only, let's make it the Nissan IDx concept, but in wagon form. Because a small, RWD, fun to drive wagon is exactly what I want.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 14:52

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Easy - the brown turbodiesel BMW powered miata wagon with a manual transmission, RWD, light weight, seats three, not available in automatic and only comes in "TRACK DAY BRO" form.

Mostly because I want to see who would actually buy it. I hear a lot of people opening mouths on some of these ludicrous cars, so it's time to see who opens up their wallets. And no, the 510 is actually a decent idea if you have them sell it as a sedan. People buy small sedans. They buy them by the truckload. If you and I can get one with RWD, a high revving engine, and a manual while others get AWD hybrids with CVTs on the same platform? All the better.

HammerheadFistpunch > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 14:53

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sigh...a Land Rover Defender.

Mercedes Streeter > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 14:53

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A car powered by a rotary...A rotary that doesn't live on apex seals and consume more fuel than a pickup-truck...

itschrome > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully 01/15/2015 at 14:54

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Ever since the IDx concept that's all I can think of! We need a new 510! I thought it was going to be it! but I want it to be even lower tech than what they where showing.

cazzyodo > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 14:54

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Jeep Gladiator.

I say "needs to" because the Wrangler Unlimited would be a good size for a pickup in my mind.

itschrome > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/15/2015 at 14:55

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"If you and I can get one with RWD, a high revving engine, and a manual while others get AWD hybrids with CVTs on the same platform? All the better."

That basically fills in the gaps I didn't write! I would love to see that as well.

crowmolly > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 14:56

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Mine is actually not that crazy.

This:

In rear wheel drive. That's it. No aluminum 7.0L engine, no supercharger, no turbos. Don't give a shit if it's auto, manual, or paddle. Make a 5.3L SS version or something. Just have all the underpinnings in place to do homegrown engine swaps. We will take it from there, GM.

itschrome > cazzyodo 01/15/2015 at 14:56

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*sigh*

this one just hurts that it DOESN'T exist... seriously. this needs to happen!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Mercedes Streeter 01/15/2015 at 14:56

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That might be more fantasy than the ion beam.

itschrome > HammerheadFistpunch 01/15/2015 at 14:57

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it will be ok man..

HammerheadFistpunch > crowmolly 01/15/2015 at 14:58

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so just an SS thats styled better?

crowmolly > HammerheadFistpunch 01/15/2015 at 14:59

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Styled better, and most importantly CHEAPER. I think given current examples a RWD car like this is not too much to ask for.

itschrome > HammerheadFistpunch 01/15/2015 at 15:00

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I think he's saying SS thats just plain styled.. blah. that's one boring ass car..

crowmolly > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 15:02

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Not what I am saying. I'm saying something that looks better and isn't prohibitively expensive.

GhostZ > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 15:03

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A Mustang-Chassis-based 4-Door RWD sedan. With a 270HP Ecoboost 4-cylinder for the base model, and a 435HP Coyote for the premium. Priced at $40,000 and $60,000 respectively, weighing just under 4000lbs, badged as Lincoln Continentals.

Maybe even give it a more crazy version with a supercharged Coyote engine ~550HP as an M5 fighter.

itschrome > crowmolly 01/15/2015 at 15:03

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gotcha ya. yeah they are way off base with the price on those. and no options?! wtf.. it's like they only half listen to us...

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 01/15/2015 at 15:03

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The Mazda 2 I test drove was pretty dull. It may as well have been a Versa.

Leadbull > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/15/2015 at 15:04

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BMW Z4 Clownshoe

itschrome > GhostZ 01/15/2015 at 15:04

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I like it! but those prices are nuts unless you are intending it to be for Lincoln.

GhostZ > HammerheadFistpunch 01/15/2015 at 15:05

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SS without the performance edge and cheaper.

HammerheadFistpunch > GhostZ 01/15/2015 at 15:07

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so a new caprice?

crowmolly > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 15:07

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I see a black SS every day and have talked to the owner about it. He loves the car but thinks Chevy screwed up by making it a high dollar car.

mcseanerson > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 15:08

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I would love to see a lot of automakers bring back cheap three box coupes. 510 from nissan, 142 from Volvo, Chevy has the 130R, BMW could do a 2002. They should all be stripped down nothing models with roll up windows and manual locks.

djmt1 > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 15:08

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I want a shooting brake of the XE by combining these two. Then slip in the mayhem of the F Type R plus a manual. and I'm set.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 15:09

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The P1800ES... The C30 just didn't cut it. Volvo even has the concept made up...it just needs to reach production!

ranwhenparked > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 15:15

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A fleet special.

Basically, the criteria that makes a car ideal for commercial fleets (durable construction, cheap/easy to repair, hard wearing interior, minimal annual changes) are pretty much the exact opposite of what makes a car desirable for consumers. Since the consumer market is larger and more profitable, cars are designed for that and then adapted for commercial use as an afterthought, resulting in a compromised product.

The Crown Victoria and Town Car owned the taxi, police, and livery markets for years because they were ideally suited to that work, even if consumers basically ignored them. In Japan, you have the Toyota Comfort and Nissan Cedric that are built for that role.

What I would suggest is a low-tech, body-on-frame large sedan with a solid rear axle, a vinyl and plastic interior, and minimal electronics, with a durable and efficient diesel, targeted exclusively to police, taxi, and fleet customers. If a few get sold to consumers on the side, that's a bonus, but not a priority. You would keep the same design in production for 20 years or so with evolutionary changes, and I would that 25,000 units a year should be perfectly attainable.

Justin Hughes > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 15:22

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Honestly, you said it for me - a modern 510. Doesn't have to be made by Nissan, but does need to be as affordable as other economy cars in base form, with a hot rod version (probably turbo) around $25k. Americans hate hatchbacks (I love them), so make it a sedan. Maybe have a crossover derivative, too, since that's the only way Americans buy a wagon these days.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 15:24

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Hey, anyone remember the Audi Quattro concept from a little while back? Yea. That. And affordable.

MultiplaOrgasms > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 15:28

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Gas Turbines.

Chrysler very nearly got one into production, the Rover P6 was supposed to get one too. Who doesn't want a car that revs to 40.000rpm and can run on anything that burns ?

itschrome > Justin Hughes 01/15/2015 at 15:33

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Heck I'd almost rather Nissan didn't make it! and just nooo to cross over.. haha

Justin Hughes > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 15:35

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I don't want a crossover, but to make the platform viable to sell to the masses it might be a good variant. That way they can afford to build the fun versions for us!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Mercedes Streeter 01/15/2015 at 16:00

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The Mazda2 extended range EV had/has a rotary.

itschrome > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/15/2015 at 16:44

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yes, I agree. that concept needs to be reality!

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/15/2015 at 17:07

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Damn. I guess we really do need this to come back.

GhostZ > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 17:59

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It would be comparable to the low-end CTS or high end ATS, and the M3, Jaguar XF, and just under the Ghibli.

itschrome > GhostZ 01/15/2015 at 18:00

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but as a ford or a Lincoln?

GhostZ > itschrome 01/15/2015 at 18:19

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Lincoln. Ford has the SHO and Mustang already. I'm assuming their interior quality will follow too.

itschrome > GhostZ 01/15/2015 at 18:24

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ok, I'm less unsettled by the price them. I think this plan would do wonders for the brand image and sales. any question about the platform being capable can just look at years of the falcon down under for that answer..