Vignale, the new name for posh Fords
Discussion
trashbat said:
You have to give Vignale some credit. They do have an illustrious history behind the name, and not just with Aston Martin. For example, there was this fine creation based on the Fiat 500.
Unfortunately it also made them go bust, but let's not dwell on that.
Now, the contemporary Ka is built on the 500 platform, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has never really gone away (I believe Brum is also still aired), so I'd say a modern recreation is more than possible.
A few of these turn up to Beaulieu/Brooklands for the Italian days
Looks like Noddy's car!Unfortunately it also made them go bust, but let's not dwell on that.
Now, the contemporary Ka is built on the 500 platform, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has never really gone away (I believe Brum is also still aired), so I'd say a modern recreation is more than possible.
A few of these turn up to Beaulieu/Brooklands for the Italian days
Edited by trashbat on Wednesday 4th September 16:23
http://cars.aol.co.uk/2013/07/17/original-noddy-ca...
I did a google and that came up! Deffo looks like Noddy's car!
I did a google and that came up! Deffo looks like Noddy's car!yes i'm mad said:
http://cars.aol.co.uk/2013/07/17/original-noddy-ca...
I did a google and that came up! Deffo looks like Noddy's car!
That can't be right. I thought Noddy drove a BMW 1 Series coupe. I did a google and that came up! Deffo looks like Noddy's car!Kozy said:
Not sure if it's been mentioned, but I'm fairly certain that Lexus (AFAIK the most successful of these 'premium' brands) has a completely different set of models from the parent brand.
This is just a Mondeo, with an awful paintjob and a ghastly interior.
Lexus IS200 is a Toyota Altezza IIRCThis is just a Mondeo, with an awful paintjob and a ghastly interior.
soad said:
DonkeyApple said:
Although,. Ford are aiming this product at the millions of middle managers in the UK. The Maybach was aimed at the 24 tin pot, 3rd world dictators living in Zurich.
And rappers. 
t done efficiently and on a huge scale. I think a rapper would have to have German roots to come close. Bit of a thread resurrection here but wanted to keep the discussion in one thread.
Looks like Ford are about to start rolling this out. Initial offering is 3 versions of the Mondeo (petrol, diesel, hybrid). Extensive personalisation options. Cars can be ordered from May. No fleet sales to protect image and residuals.
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/first-offici...
My thoughts:
I think the premium options will go down well. Some of it is garish but much of it does look really rather nice.
It actually seems like pretty decent value. For example the Mondeo hybrid normally costs about 26k. Add metallic paint, the Titanium X pack, parking sensors and the better audio and you are looking at maybe 29K. The Vignale version includes all that plus better paint, better cabin materials, even better audio, city brake, soundproofing etc. and it's about 30K.
I'm surprised they bothered to do things like better soundproofing and upgraded audio, it suggests the improvements are not just a few bits of trim, there's proper work going in there.
Not sure about the new grille but I guess I need to see it.
The special Vignale centres and service etc. - that really appeals to me, I'll happily pay more for the car if it means I get proper service and aftercare from someone who knows what they're doing. Whether this will actually materialise, or remain for any length of time, is another matter. It can't be cheap to build and staff all those centres.
Depreciation - who knows...
Overall I'm sceptical, but more impressed than I thought I would be. The hybrid version looks tempting.
I'm intrigued to see how this goes.
Looks like Ford are about to start rolling this out. Initial offering is 3 versions of the Mondeo (petrol, diesel, hybrid). Extensive personalisation options. Cars can be ordered from May. No fleet sales to protect image and residuals.
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/first-offici...
My thoughts:
I think the premium options will go down well. Some of it is garish but much of it does look really rather nice.
It actually seems like pretty decent value. For example the Mondeo hybrid normally costs about 26k. Add metallic paint, the Titanium X pack, parking sensors and the better audio and you are looking at maybe 29K. The Vignale version includes all that plus better paint, better cabin materials, even better audio, city brake, soundproofing etc. and it's about 30K.
I'm surprised they bothered to do things like better soundproofing and upgraded audio, it suggests the improvements are not just a few bits of trim, there's proper work going in there.
Not sure about the new grille but I guess I need to see it.
The special Vignale centres and service etc. - that really appeals to me, I'll happily pay more for the car if it means I get proper service and aftercare from someone who knows what they're doing. Whether this will actually materialise, or remain for any length of time, is another matter. It can't be cheap to build and staff all those centres.
Depreciation - who knows...
Overall I'm sceptical, but more impressed than I thought I would be. The hybrid version looks tempting.
I'm intrigued to see how this goes.
It will be interesting.
By all accounts 'Ghia' did alright but then they decided to go on a spree and buy in prestige brands before being forced to fire sale them all by their lenders.
I like what Ford are doing in the UK at the moment. They have some good engines, they've not wed any of their history unlike others and this new sub brand plus the RHD Mustang rings of a confidence not seen for decades.
By all accounts 'Ghia' did alright but then they decided to go on a spree and buy in prestige brands before being forced to fire sale them all by their lenders.
I like what Ford are doing in the UK at the moment. They have some good engines, they've not w
ed any of their history unlike others and this new sub brand plus the RHD Mustang rings of a confidence not seen for decades. I suspect a lot of people could be annoyed at not being able to buy the cars through their local Ford dealers though. The Ford site lets me filter down to only Mustang dealers and, as I understand it, they'll be the only ones doing Vignale as well. My nearest Ford dealer is a pretty big Evans Halshaw one five minutes away but my nearest Mustang dealer is another Evans Halshaw on the opposite side of the next city.
As I said a couple of years ago, I hate the idea of 'Vignale' being used for this.
But I don't hate the idea.
My father picked up his new daily today, a Fiesta ST3 Mountune.
A little cracker, it really is. However, whatever you tick at Ford, it's low rent inside. The concept of an 'individual' offering for something like that does appeal.
But I don't hate the idea.
My father picked up his new daily today, a Fiesta ST3 Mountune.
A little cracker, it really is. However, whatever you tick at Ford, it's low rent inside. The concept of an 'individual' offering for something like that does appeal.
AmitG said:
I'll happily pay more for the car if it means I get proper service and aftercare from someone who knows what they're doing. Whether this will actually materialise, or remain for any length of time, is another matter. It can't be cheap to build and staff all those centres.
I'd be surprised if the centres are anything more than a separate 'posh' waiting area in a normal dealership.The people / tools that service the regular mondeos will all be the same.
I imagine it to be like using a lounge in an airport. You still all end up on the same plane in the end.
MitchT said:
It's just a hugely overpriced Mondeo with some bling attached - the depreciation will be horrific. I can't see why anyone who cares that much about looking 'better' than a Mondeo driver (and can afford to pay a premium to do so) would buy this over a Merc.
Because the Merc will be a C Class for that price which will be smaller, less well equipped and pretty much the base model. How is £30k overpriced? Spec a BMW, Audi, VW, to the same spec and see how far £30k gets you. Edited to add.. Just checked out the price of a 3 series. The 320i SE spt Auto is £29k without adding one option, stick on metallic paint and your already a whisker away for the Vignale price.
Edited by stumpage on Friday 17th April 23:11
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