DARE DZ Styling Update

[fuoriserie]

The DARe DZ hasn't had the success it deserved, maybe becuase it was ahead of its time, or because it was too expensive, I don't know, but it does deserve a second chance.

The styling was unique and avantgarde , and a modern styling update would make the DZ a cracking sportscar in todays market.

Just thought of posting a few rough sketches just for fun, as a styling update, and wondered what issues to consider, and on what kitcar chassis would you base the update?, engine options?

Any thoughts and ideas?

Italo

Edited by fuoriserie on Sunday 10th June 11:20

[g32turbo]

The Walkletts have always designed brilliant chassis so why would you want to base the updated design on another kit cars chassis, just use the original. As for engines I would go for the V6 Duratec.

[Broomsticklady]

fuoriserie said:

Just thought of posting a few rough sketches just for fun, as a styling update, and wondered what issues to consider

Along with most Walkett designs, the car needs to accommodate people who are not the same size as the average Walkett (i.e. 5'8",slim and with short legs...)

My Long Cockpit G4 fits like a glove, but the pedals were moved 5" forward to fit me...

G4-Man (hijacking Broomsticklady's id again...)

Edited by Broomsticklady on Sunday 10th June 23:04

[fuoriserie]

g32turbo said:

The Walkletts have always designed brilliant chassis so why would you want to base the updated design on another kit cars chassis, just use the original. As for engines I would go for the V6 Duratec.

Because I had read it wasn't as confortable to get in, and out, for people ever 5.9........- and I'm 5.11.

In reality I've never seen pictures of the chassis, and when I sketch; I normally use chassis pictures as overlays, so that the sketch is based on real dimensions, and easy to replicate if needed.

Edited by fuoriserie on Monday 11th June 17:30

[Cynic]

fuoriserie said:

The DARe DZ hasn't had the success it deserved, maybe becuase it was ahead of its time, or because it was too expensive, I don't know, but it does deserve a second chance.

The styling was unique and avantgarde , and a modern styling update would make the DZ a cracking sportscar in todays market.

Just thought of posting a few rough sketches just for fun, as a styling update, and wondered what issues to consider, and on what kitcar chassis would you base the update?, engine options?

Any thoughts and ideas?

Italo

Edited by fuoriserie on Sunday 10th June 11:20

IMHO, ditch the open wheeler look, no point trying to compete with the Lotus 7 and the aero is poor on fast circuits. The DZ chassis is superb, so I would go for styling that emphasises this performance aspect i.e. a doorless car to minimise both the shut lines and the weight(as per the original Elise concept) and concentrate on the form not the details to define the look. With such a small market, this impracticality can be tolerated and the chassis can be made stiff enough without having to put the Clifton Suspension bridge in the sills, making the whole thing light enough to embarass exotica at a 10th of the price. as it's also cheaper to make, and so you drop the price to-boot!

[fuoriserie]

Cynic said:

[
IMHO, ditch the open wheeler look, no point trying to compete with the Lotus 7 and the aero is poor on fast circuits. The DZ chassis is superb, so I would go for styling that emphasises this performance aspect i.e. a doorless car to minimise both the shut lines and the weight(as per the original Elise concept) and concentrate on the form not the details to define the look. With such a small market, this impracticality can be tolerated and the chassis can be made stiff enough without having to put the Clifton Suspension bridge in the sills, making the whole thing light enough to embarass exotica at a 10th of the price. as it's also cheaper to make, and so you drop the price to-boot!

To summarize your design brief, it would have to be doorless, light and with a lower price.....a tough brief to meet....

I do like the wraparound windshield though, and the sigar front end look, but will see what I can come up with......., but if KTM with its X-BOW has sold out its production at 30K', then there is a niche for an updated DZ ....