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10-07-2011, 08:21 PM | #1 |
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OT - Sports Coupe trends?
A few recent news items:
- Mazda stops making rotary motors - phase out of the RX-8 in June 2012 - Alfa to release 4C in Q4 2012 - 0-100 km/h <5 secs, 170 kW, 850 kg, ~$70,000 - VW finally brings Scirocco to Oz November 2011- 0-100 km/h 6.1 secs, 188 kW, from $47,490. Although I agree with one German commentator that it looks like an elephant sat on a Golf, it will probably do well here, especially VW Australia are taling the Golf R out of the line-up to make way for it here. I think that from a motor point of view, small blown 4's are the future, underscored by the new BMW motors. If the Alfa concept meets reality with a mix of carbon fibre and aluminium, lightness must be in the mix. Is this the future, then? Shame about the RX-8, but at least Mazda gained valuable experience in several areas which could be part of their next-gen sports cars. RX-8 features like aluminium panels, carbon fibre drive shaft and a LSD in a moderately priced car are worthwhile keeping. It will be interesting see what is in the next MX-5. Mazda have always had a minimum weight philosophy, too. The Alfa 4C looks like it could be on just about every car-jackers hit list. It also looks like the sort of car that rich fathers buy for their sons, but I can't get over that tiny weight. It bet it will be fun to drive. Anyone like to punt that BMW will use some of that technology developed for the i-series electrics into conventional petrol vehicles? Let's face it, the 1-series coupes at around 1400 kg do look a bit bloated in comparison to the Alfa. |
10-08-2011, 05:55 AM | #2 |
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