How many people's ideal car would this be?
Discussion
One of these:
With one of these:
And a touch of this:
End result would be:
A good looking RWD 4 door coupe, with good pace, handling, practicality and importantly mpg and running costs.
Curb weight approx 1300-1400kg
Top speed 155mph+
0-60mph 5.5 sec
Fuel economy 32-36mpg
VED band K
In case the pics don't explain it well enough. Something like an RX-8 (or maybe actually an RX-8) so has a usable boot, good handling, 4 proper seats. It's practical, more practical than most 3 door hatches. It's RWD and it handles great. But instead of the rotary (which I know would be a shame in many ways) a 3.0 S6 from BMW. The reason for this is, this engine makes 262-276hp n/a, so lovely throttle response and plenty powerful enough for a daily driver. But importantly it's good on fuel, officially rated at 32mpg and I know some Z4C owners claim 40mpg on a run. A Z4C weighs more than an RX-8.
Yes I know some will say the RX-8 wouldn't handle as well, but frankly I don't really believe it. I'm sure, even if you had to lose an inch or two of boot space, that you could fit an engine like this, into a vehicle like this, if so designed and retain great handling.
And as it's meant to be sporty, I'd like it a little more Elise like inside. Just the essentials, more of a minimalist feel. This will help with the character, but importantly help keep weight down, so good for handling, performance, mpg and emissions.
I can't be the only one out there that doesn't really want FWD, doesn't really want or need a saloon or an estate, but would like a tad more practicality than a straight 2 door coupe. And wouldn't mind a reasonable amount of poke, but not supercar levels of fuel thirst.
What I find amazing, is, such a car could easily be pieced together using current mass production items and parts. Yet, to my knowledge not a single car maker in the entire World makes such a car.
With one of these:
And a touch of this:
End result would be:
A good looking RWD 4 door coupe, with good pace, handling, practicality and importantly mpg and running costs.
Curb weight approx 1300-1400kg
Top speed 155mph+
0-60mph 5.5 sec
Fuel economy 32-36mpg
VED band K
In case the pics don't explain it well enough. Something like an RX-8 (or maybe actually an RX-8) so has a usable boot, good handling, 4 proper seats. It's practical, more practical than most 3 door hatches. It's RWD and it handles great. But instead of the rotary (which I know would be a shame in many ways) a 3.0 S6 from BMW. The reason for this is, this engine makes 262-276hp n/a, so lovely throttle response and plenty powerful enough for a daily driver. But importantly it's good on fuel, officially rated at 32mpg and I know some Z4C owners claim 40mpg on a run. A Z4C weighs more than an RX-8.
Yes I know some will say the RX-8 wouldn't handle as well, but frankly I don't really believe it. I'm sure, even if you had to lose an inch or two of boot space, that you could fit an engine like this, into a vehicle like this, if so designed and retain great handling.
And as it's meant to be sporty, I'd like it a little more Elise like inside. Just the essentials, more of a minimalist feel. This will help with the character, but importantly help keep weight down, so good for handling, performance, mpg and emissions.
I can't be the only one out there that doesn't really want FWD, doesn't really want or need a saloon or an estate, but would like a tad more practicality than a straight 2 door coupe. And wouldn't mind a reasonable amount of poke, but not supercar levels of fuel thirst.
What I find amazing, is, such a car could easily be pieced together using current mass production items and parts. Yet, to my knowledge not a single car maker in the entire World makes such a car.
rumbletum said:
Sounds good to me 300bhp/ton.
I suppose the BMW 130i is the closest you'll get to your creation, except for the "good looking coupe" bit.
Had forgotten about the 130i, but year as a visual statement and class of car, it's firmly in the "family hatchback" segment. I like coupes, I just happen to have the need for 4 seats fairly often.I suppose the BMW 130i is the closest you'll get to your creation, except for the "good looking coupe" bit.
A normal RX-8 would be ideal, apart from the fuel thirst. So as much as I'd love a rotary, it will always be a 2nd car, and a 2nd car has seldom need for 4 doors and a decent boot.
Gaz. said:
If the RX8 had a piston engine like a Honda F20C from the S2000 it would retain most of the attributes that makes the RX8 such a good car, with none of the downsides that make it such a crap car.
That would be another option, or maybe even a turbo lump, I know you'd lose a bit of throttle response compared to n/a, but if it could still make 250hp+ and return a true average mpg of over 30mpg, then it'd be a cracker.
kambites said:
Given how cheap the RX-8 is, I think I could overlook the fuel consumption for quite a long time...
Possibly the only car that actually deserves to be called a four-door coupe, too.
Agree with the latter. The MPG is an issue for me, 14-20mpg is horrendous to run in this day and age.Possibly the only car that actually deserves to be called a four-door coupe, too.
hoppo4.2 said:
The m3 looks nothing like an a 318 but i do get your point.
Only geeks can spot the difference though. I mean in automotive terms, an e46 M3, as good looking as it might be, looks 98% the same as all other e46's. It evidently appeals to some, but isn't what I'd personally call a positive attribute.hoppo4.2 said:
Cars like you are thinking died with things like the Capri. Light ish fast ish in it's day and basic inside but they died because people stopes buying that kind of car. Maybe it's time for a return if the price is right.
Umm maybe. Didn't really associate it with a Capri, but I see you line of thought. Although the 4 door nature but coupe looks does appeal.In fact this idea was sparked partly by the 370z thread and how people said it was too impractical and too thirsty. But for me the looks and pace appeal, it'd just be great to get them in a more accommodating package to use daily.
I think its very hard to find a 4 door coupe. In fact the rx8 is prity much the only one. The rest are just saloons with a slightly changed roof line and pillerless doors. But in all honesty affordable coupes have all but gone since the calibra and corrardo. It's prob why the s
t hyundi coupe sold so well.
t hyundi coupe sold so well. hoppo4.2 said:
I think its very hard to find a 4 door coupe. In fact the rx8 is prity much the only one.
I agree, but I think it's an amazing idea really, especially for a World market.Hot hatches are popular in the UK and Europe, but less so elsewhere. And there are some people like me that just don't want a FWD (or even AWD) hatchback. I'd however happily have a practical coupe and RWD.
hoppo4.2 said:
The rest are just saloons with a slightly changed roof line and pillerless doors. But in all honesty affordable coupes have all but gone since the calibra and corrardo. It's prob why the st hyundi coupe sold so well.
t hyundi coupe sold so well. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff