RE: Abarth Roadster - Like A Lotus, But Not?

[johnycarrera]

Lot of negativity here, I'd love one of these and hope they make it.
Bought my Abarth 500 as a city car and can't get enough of it, everything about it makes me smile, a mid engined lw sports car would be right up my street.
Think the Fiat group are making great cars at the moment!

[hornetrider]

If they give it 170 odd brake and price it low twenties then it'll be competing with the MX5 - that hasn't done too badly has it? There is a market for these things!

[kambites]

hornetrider said:

If they give it 170 odd brake and price it low twenties then it'll be competing with the MX5 - that hasn't done too badly has it? There is a market for these things!

No, but Toyota didn't bother to replace the MR2, for whatever reason.

[robsti]

kambites said:

hornetrider said:

If they give it 170 odd brake and price it low twenties then it'll be competing with the MX5 - that hasn't done too badly has it? There is a market for these things!

No, but Toyota didn't bother to replace the MR2, for whatever reason.

World shortage of hairdressers!

[kambites]

robsti said:

World shortage of hairdressers!

Clearly not, because the MX5 is apparently selling well.

[hornetrider]

kambites said:

robsti said:

World shortage of hairdressers!

Clearly not, because the MX5 is apparently selling well.

Ed Zackerly.

[Riggers]

filski666 said:

I guess with the relative low numbers anticipated for this there is very little chance of a RHD version?

unless they go 3 seater a la McLaren F1......

Or a la Matra Murena...

[robsti]

kambites said:

robsti said:

World shortage of hairdressers!

Clearly not, because the MX5 is apparently selling well.

Are you saying the MX5 is a hirdressers car?

[havoc]

kambites said:

hornetrider said:

If they give it 170 odd brake and price it low twenties then it'll be competing with the MX5 - that hasn't done too badly has it? There is a market for these things!

No, but Toyota didn't bother to replace the MR2, for whatever reason.

Didn't fit with their desired 'market position', and sold relatively poorly due to the complete lack of a boot.


If they get the styling right (and the exhaust note), this thing WILL sell - it'll be promoted as a 'baby Ferrari' FFS!

[Benjman]

Riggers said:

filski666 said:

I guess with the relative low numbers anticipated for this there is very little chance of a RHD version?

unless they go 3 seater a la McLaren F1......

Or a la Matra Murena...

But the difference between the F1 and the Murena is the steering wheel position.

F1 > center steering

Murena > LHD (in this picture)

[vicpolky]

As long as they make it lightweight, two-seater and pretty I'll be happy. I'm not really bothered about lhd. In fact, I want one already.

[Riggers]

Benjman said:

Riggers said:

filski666 said:

I guess with the relative low numbers anticipated for this there is very little chance of a RHD version?

unless they go 3 seater a la McLaren F1......

Or a la Matra Murena...

But the difference between the F1 and the Murena is the steering wheel position.

F1 > center steering

Murena > LHD (in this picture)

That's why I said 'or'

[davepoth]

I'd be surprised. The UK is Europe's largest buyer of open cars.

[Gizmo!]

Oi! Fiat! Stop cocking about and build the 2uettotanta.



Now.

Please.

[Rumblestripe]

It sounds great. I'd imagine that if it hits it's weight and price targets it will sell like pr0n tapes in a sixth form college. If it looks anything like that Alfa Spider I'd sell my left testicle for one! Please though, keep it small, keep it light.

It's a shame that Lotus see their future as solely up market but as long as someone steps into the breach then it's all good.

[otolith]

If they can make a small, light, pure sportscar and sell it in the space vacated by the Elise, good luck to them. Lotus reckon there's no money to be made in that sector, but then if you wrote off all the sectors Lotus has failed to make profitable there would be very few sporting cars at all.

I will be surprised, though, if it is a genuine lightweight and not another mainstream 1100-1200kg job.

[dandarez]

I think Lotus this morning will be thinking... Oh F...!

They (Bahar & Co) have changed the Loti aim and directed it at supercars (mission impossible?)...and then Fiat come in and steal the thunder with a new 'Elise' looker!

IF it looks anything like the car on the front cover of today's Autocar
(WHY no pics on here? this IS Haymarket!) and costs around 20k ish as indicated on front cover of Autocar Fiat will have a winner on their hands.

Elise looking, cheaper? than an Elise, plenty of power, and an Abarth badge? Who wouldn't!

Can't find any reference to the car on the net ...even on Autocar site.

Found it!!


Yes please!

Edited by dandarez on Wednesday 27th October 16:13

[sunsurfer]

otolith said:

If they can make a small, light, pure sportscar and sell it in the space vacated by the Elise, good luck to them...

I think Lotus would be idiotic to completely vacate Lotus Elise territory. I quite like some of their proposed new cars but the new Elise is a Boxster rival. I would suspect they will offer something below the new Elise - a new Lotus Seven?

[otolith]

Is that rendering entirely speculative - i.e. AutoExpress have photoshopped a picture of an Elise and stuck it on the front cover, like they usually do?

[anonymous-user]

Dont forget that as well as the 1.4T twinair there there may be a 1.8T (1750) and possibly a 2.8 turbo V8!

And remeber there are other FIAT group cars so chances are that that they will use the chassis for an Alfa or a Lancia and possibly a Chrysler/Dodge as well, so the price may well be in the twenties after all.