Aircon in a Seven; from a commercial perspective, why not?
Discussion
I'll probably get flamed for this, but from a commercial point of view I'm amazed that Caterham haven't found a way to get aircon into a Seven.
I fully appreciate that Sevens are all about 'adding lightness', but surely if they are targeting 'high end' customers with the Harrods signature model etc. then they must be losing sales to folks who see air-conditioning as a 'must have'. Surely folks like this chap would rather aircon than those unsightly chest patches http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/10/02/article-...
Ansar Ali has admitted that aircon is a deal breaker for many markets and would be an option in a new model (should that ever arrive!): "Ali says that means new customer requirements...you can tick a box for air-con...if we’re going to sell in the Far East, and India, and other emerging markets, no one’s going to buy a Seven...you’ll just die of heat exhaustion. We’ve got to be realistic about the opportunities and limitations of the Seven, and that’s where I see opportunities for new Caterham product." (http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/spy-shots/caterham/caterhams-new-sports-car-2015-the-full-scoop/).
So whilst I can see that aircon won't appeal to the purist, I am amazed that Catherham hasn't found a way to fit it into a standard S3/SV chassis and offer a 'soft, touring' Seven to customers who like the idea of a Caterham but don't want one if they can't have aircon.
Am I mad, or are Caterham missing out on a relatively quick and easy way to broaden the appeal of their car/brand and generate more sales?
chemistry
I fully appreciate that Sevens are all about 'adding lightness', but surely if they are targeting 'high end' customers with the Harrods signature model etc. then they must be losing sales to folks who see air-conditioning as a 'must have'. Surely folks like this chap would rather aircon than those unsightly chest patches http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/10/02/article-...
Ansar Ali has admitted that aircon is a deal breaker for many markets and would be an option in a new model (should that ever arrive!): "Ali says that means new customer requirements...you can tick a box for air-con...if we’re going to sell in the Far East, and India, and other emerging markets, no one’s going to buy a Seven...you’ll just die of heat exhaustion. We’ve got to be realistic about the opportunities and limitations of the Seven, and that’s where I see opportunities for new Caterham product." (http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/spy-shots/caterham/caterhams-new-sports-car-2015-the-full-scoop/).
So whilst I can see that aircon won't appeal to the purist, I am amazed that Catherham hasn't found a way to fit it into a standard S3/SV chassis and offer a 'soft, touring' Seven to customers who like the idea of a Caterham but don't want one if they can't have aircon.
Am I mad, or are Caterham missing out on a relatively quick and easy way to broaden the appeal of their car/brand and generate more sales?
chemistry
air con would only work with the roof on. you can't use air con with a full atmospheric opening in the car. E.g. a window open in a regular car.
In the summer, why would you have the roof on? and in the winter, the last thing you want is air con.
I can't understand the use case for air con in a 7.
In the summer, why would you have the roof on? and in the winter, the last thing you want is air con.
I can't understand the use case for air con in a 7.
Hugo a Gogo said:
an air conditioner doesn't have to be a sealed climate control, surely? you can run air-con in a regular convertible
just some sort of compressor and it'll be a cool air blower
But the condenser would essentially be working flat out, to try and cool the whole world! in a normal car, it cools until the thermostat tells it to stop cooling so much, and it backs off. In a Caterham, you'd be running the compressor flat out all the time. You'd literally be replacing the coolant every few months on sheer usage alone. just some sort of compressor and it'll be a cool air blower
Even on the hottest day I can't see how moving in a 7 wouldn't keep you cool (but then I live in the UK)
Another thing people seem to forget, is that if you have a heater, you don't just have to use it to "heat" your car. If you have the roof on and its bit warm, just close the heater valve and turn the blower on. Cool fresh air will be brought into the cabin.
You are mad.
Having said that tthe direct cooilng through in seat system would cool the occupant more than the atmosphere.
http://openroadautogroup.com/blog/high-tech-ventil...
Having said that tthe direct cooilng through in seat system would cool the occupant more than the atmosphere.
http://openroadautogroup.com/blog/high-tech-ventil...
Ha ha! Lots of good comments, thank you! All very amusing!
In all honesty though I do still think aircon would broaden the appeal of the Seven, for (presumably) very little outlay by Caterham.
Whilst I can completely see why it would be an anathema to Seven purists, from a business point of view I would have thought it was a no-brainer, as it would open the Seven up to a different type of (softer?!) customer and new (hotter...) territories. You certainly can drive convertibles with the roof down and aircon on (and benefit from the cooled air) - I've done it in several cars - so that wouldn't be a barrier; cool air pumped into the footwells would surely be appealing to some folks. Hood up, it might also help with the fogging/condensation issue in colder and damper weather too.
Indeed, as I put in my original post, when he was there even Ansar Ali alluded to the fact that future Caterham models would have an aircon option, so unless there's an engineering reason why it can't be done (not enough room to fit a compressor & pipework?) in the existing S3/SV/CSR then I'm surprised that it isn't offered as an option, purely to broaden the product's appeal to the widest possible marketplace.
In all honesty though I do still think aircon would broaden the appeal of the Seven, for (presumably) very little outlay by Caterham.
Whilst I can completely see why it would be an anathema to Seven purists, from a business point of view I would have thought it was a no-brainer, as it would open the Seven up to a different type of (softer?!) customer and new (hotter...) territories. You certainly can drive convertibles with the roof down and aircon on (and benefit from the cooled air) - I've done it in several cars - so that wouldn't be a barrier; cool air pumped into the footwells would surely be appealing to some folks. Hood up, it might also help with the fogging/condensation issue in colder and damper weather too.
Indeed, as I put in my original post, when he was there even Ansar Ali alluded to the fact that future Caterham models would have an aircon option, so unless there's an engineering reason why it can't be done (not enough room to fit a compressor & pipework?) in the existing S3/SV/CSR then I'm surprised that it isn't offered as an option, purely to broaden the product's appeal to the widest possible marketplace.
spyder dryver said:
Does anyone buy a Caterham who isn't a "purist"?
Arguably not, but that's my point; I wonder whether aircon might broaden their appeal beyond 'purists', thereby increasing sales. A good thing.I realise that taking this argument to it's farcical logical conclusion, one could add more and more and more 'comforts' until a Seven became a Range Rover(!). Nonetheless, Sevens do increasingly feature some creature comforts (heated seats, etc.) and I personally think a/c has become viewed by many folks as a necessity these days. I realise Colin Chapman would be turning in his grave, but as a commercial proposition I reckon 'luxury' Sevens such as that Harrods one would enjoy better sales if a/c were an option.
I can't see any mechanical reason why rudimentary a/c couldn't be installed - many Morgans have it, for example, especially in the USA - and feel that it would increase sales amongst people looking for a slightly more civilised weekend toy that was more viable for hot weather motoring.
Alternatively, I could be completely wrong. It's happened before
Purist...
A purist is one who desires that an item remain true to its essence.
A person who insists on absolute adherence to traditional rules or structures
A purist is a person who wants something to be totally correct or unchanged
Does anyone think that by diluting the "essence of Caterham" that they stand a chance of losing a customer for every one that they might gain?
A purist is one who desires that an item remain true to its essence.
A person who insists on absolute adherence to traditional rules or structures
A purist is a person who wants something to be totally correct or unchanged
Does anyone think that by diluting the "essence of Caterham" that they stand a chance of losing a customer for every one that they might gain?
By that same argument though, the SV, CSR, heated seats, etc. are all departures from the 'pure' Seven and so would have cost Caterham sales too.
Personally, I don't think there would be a negative effect. If some folks put A/C in their Seven, why would that spoil things for the purists that didn't want it? They wouldn't have to have it.
Personally, I don't think there would be a negative effect. If some folks put A/C in their Seven, why would that spoil things for the purists that didn't want it? They wouldn't have to have it.
spyder dryver said:
Purist...
A purist is one who desires that an item remain true to its essence.
A person who insists on absolute adherence to traditional rules or structures
A purist is a person who wants something to be totally correct or unchanged
Does anyone think that by diluting the "essence of Caterham" that they stand a chance of losing a customer for every one that they might gain?
I see where you are coming from - but (some) current Caterhams have a heater, heated windscreen, proper seats, air vents (CSR) so what represents the Rubicon that you cannot cross? Proper doors? Radio? Sat Nav?!A purist is one who desires that an item remain true to its essence.
A person who insists on absolute adherence to traditional rules or structures
A purist is a person who wants something to be totally correct or unchanged
Does anyone think that by diluting the "essence of Caterham" that they stand a chance of losing a customer for every one that they might gain?
I actually think that the look of the 7 is a big part of its appeal - the fact that it looks like something out of the ark, but can still humble supercars. That's a pity because its aerodynamics are, by far, its worst fault dynamically and you would have to change the look pretty drastically to fix them.
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