Cars Which Made a Massive Impact When Launched
Discussion
In a quiet moment today I began mulling over the last time a "reasonably" priced car genuinely made a massive impact when it was launched, due to it being more beautiful, more powerful or better handling than anything that had gone before.
The benchmark, of course, is the E Type which, on its launch in 1961 to a world of flat caps and side valve Morrises must have looked like it came from Mars. As fast as a Ferrari, but yet a third of the price, so almost attainable by the Everyman.
Moving more up to date we have seen cars like the Ur quattro, Sierra and Escort RS Cosworth and E34 M5 really lift the bar in terms of the attributes they offered compared to the price.
Who can forget the Car magazine group test of the E34 M5 against the then current Ferrari Testarossa.
The launch of the SL55 was a real moment too. Such power in a "stock" Mercedes had never been contemplated before.
To a lesser extent cars like the original Subaru Imprezas, Mitsubishi Evos and Lotus Elise offered something really special for a reasonable sum.
In recent years it seems to be more "fashion statement" cars that make an impact at large, cars like the new Mini, Mk1 Audi TT and Fiat 500.
Even moving up the value chain, it has been a long time since a junior super car made me go "Wow" as much as when the DB7 and F355 were launched.
Full fat supercars continue to impress, but to me none create the excitement of cars like the Countach, F40 and 959 when they were contemporary. The launch of the McLaren F1 was a true ground breaking moment, as was the Veyron (but I recognise that divides opinion on here).
Why do new cars morph into a pool of blandness? Safety regulations must come into it, as they severely limit how cars look with lots of cars looking the same - step forward the Porsche range and the Aston Martin range.
Also, the standard car power benchmark has risen. 500bhp is becoming the norm for supersaloons now. The V10 RS6 can be remapped to 700bhp for God's sake.
I don't think a car will ever again have the same impact on launch as the E Type did.
Unless Jaguar can launch a stunningly beautiful sports car with 1000 bhp for £30k.
Imagine.....
The benchmark, of course, is the E Type which, on its launch in 1961 to a world of flat caps and side valve Morrises must have looked like it came from Mars. As fast as a Ferrari, but yet a third of the price, so almost attainable by the Everyman.
Moving more up to date we have seen cars like the Ur quattro, Sierra and Escort RS Cosworth and E34 M5 really lift the bar in terms of the attributes they offered compared to the price.
Who can forget the Car magazine group test of the E34 M5 against the then current Ferrari Testarossa.
The launch of the SL55 was a real moment too. Such power in a "stock" Mercedes had never been contemplated before.
To a lesser extent cars like the original Subaru Imprezas, Mitsubishi Evos and Lotus Elise offered something really special for a reasonable sum.
In recent years it seems to be more "fashion statement" cars that make an impact at large, cars like the new Mini, Mk1 Audi TT and Fiat 500.
Even moving up the value chain, it has been a long time since a junior super car made me go "Wow" as much as when the DB7 and F355 were launched.
Full fat supercars continue to impress, but to me none create the excitement of cars like the Countach, F40 and 959 when they were contemporary. The launch of the McLaren F1 was a true ground breaking moment, as was the Veyron (but I recognise that divides opinion on here).
Why do new cars morph into a pool of blandness? Safety regulations must come into it, as they severely limit how cars look with lots of cars looking the same - step forward the Porsche range and the Aston Martin range.
Also, the standard car power benchmark has risen. 500bhp is becoming the norm for supersaloons now. The V10 RS6 can be remapped to 700bhp for God's sake.
I don't think a car will ever again have the same impact on launch as the E Type did.
Unless Jaguar can launch a stunningly beautiful sports car with 1000 bhp for £30k.
Imagine.....
Im not a VW fan but i have to admit the Golf GTi's launch was one of the most revolutionary moments in motoring.
The Ford Fiesta has had a massive impact not just from launch but an everlasting influence as it practically invented the term supermini.
I'd be even more boring and say the Ford Focus had a huge impact upon its launch in 1998, Ford kept the Escort in production for 2 years to give people 'time to adjust' but nobody needed time to adjust, the car was a hit seller from day one, it was like an asteroid hitting and exploding into the marketplace. A car which has become the new benchmark for small family hatchback.
The Ford Fiesta has had a massive impact not just from launch but an everlasting influence as it practically invented the term supermini.
I'd be even more boring and say the Ford Focus had a huge impact upon its launch in 1998, Ford kept the Escort in production for 2 years to give people 'time to adjust' but nobody needed time to adjust, the car was a hit seller from day one, it was like an asteroid hitting and exploding into the marketplace. A car which has become the new benchmark for small family hatchback.
I agree with you the E type held an unassailable place in the Auto World at its launch throughout Europe. Even my Father who was an Archdeacon, and naturally a Rover 75 man knew, about the E type.
Right time, right car, right place and still with the memories of the Second World War in everyone's minds.
The sheer stunning combination of Grace Space and Pace and the radiant beauty of the car and all at a total cost, (I think}, of £1700, can never be bettered
But the Mini launched in 1969 by BMC and Alec Issigonis, was a stunning concept at its launch. And has had for greater effect on general car manufacture over the last 50 years than any other car ever made.
Virtually every other manufacturer copied the layout for all small to medium sized cares where space matters.
But for sheer impact at its launch. The E type.
Right time, right car, right place and still with the memories of the Second World War in everyone's minds.
The sheer stunning combination of Grace Space and Pace and the radiant beauty of the car and all at a total cost, (I think}, of £1700, can never be bettered
But the Mini launched in 1969 by BMC and Alec Issigonis, was a stunning concept at its launch. And has had for greater effect on general car manufacture over the last 50 years than any other car ever made.
Virtually every other manufacturer copied the layout for all small to medium sized cares where space matters.
But for sheer impact at its launch. The E type.
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