FWD kit concept - initial rendering

[jay w]

I'd originally posted this on the "who makes a transverse engined kit?" thread but in the interests of stopping my bad habit of thread hijacking, I'll start afresh.

In the original thread I'd grudgingly agreed to put aside my unreasonable opposition to FWD kits and try to design a new low-cost kit based on one donor car which uses as much as reasonably possible from that donor.

The car I've tentatively designed is below:



Minor changes are being looked at (ex-biker wants round lights ) and I'm now working on a drawing with a windscreen instead of a full cage.

Suggestions and feedback welcome...

Is this concept any good in your opinion - and if not, what would you prefer to see?
Is it too "ordinary" looking?
Are there any styling ideas which can be improved on?
Would you prefer a screen, doors, boot and roof or would only a screen do?
Would you buy a FWD kit and then spend money on more power, adjustable suspension, better brakes etc, or would you prefer a RWD / mid engined kit to a lower spec?

BTW I can happily do a transverse mid engined design instead... depends what you say!

Thanks for looking!

[peetbee]

Jay, that does look good, the rear looks high enough to take a rear/mid engine layout, so the overall appearance wouldn't have to change too much?

With the front lights, how about a cluster using small lights, similar to what you see on the newer tvrs?

Personally my preference would be for a mid engined car

[tigerk]

I like it too, although it does look reminiscent of a lot of recent production models (mk 4/5 eescort springs to mind). Still a very impressive design

Have you thought of a coupe design? Would accommodate that mid engined layout nicely under the rear window. I guess the gear change is the main issue against mid engined..

[Ex-Biker]

peetbee said:

Personally my preference would be for a mid engined car

Why?

tigerk said:

Have you thought of a coupe design? Would accommodate that mid engined layout nicely under the rear window. I guess the gear change is the main issue against mid engined..

In the interest of budget, yes but if mid engined is preferred . . . . .


Will it sell well as a front transverse engined car or is it better to increase the selling cost to go for the mid engined design?

My own opinion is to keep the budget down by going for the former. Also lots of companies are doing the mid engined option.




>> Edited by Ex-Biker on Monday 26th January 18:35

[peetbee]

For a sportscar, I've always felt that putting the power through the front wheels wouldn't give the traction or handling that I'd be after. Which end is the engine on the 5exi again?

If you're not doing a sportscar, but something along the lines of the Quantum, then I'd be happier with front wheel drive.

I'm not sure that it would be that much more expensive to go midengined, it should only be the cost of the front suspension & gear linkage that would push the price up. Unless I'm being too simplistic?

Previous attempts at front wheel drive cars don't seem to have been big sellers, although the right design could change that?

>> Edited by peetbee on Monday 26th January 19:47