icons of the last decade

[jackal]

what cars since 2000 changed the rules, set new benchmarks and will be remembered in the history books ?

what cars were the pioneers.... the latter-day F40s', Quattro 20v, 205GTi's, NSX's .. the cars that moved their particular breed on and expanded automotive conciousness ?

off the top of my head my vote goes to the 996GT3, clio172, Veyron, 360CS, Nissan GTr

in particular I think the GTr has had the biggest impact out of all of them.. a true game-changer if ever there was one

[Petrolhead_Rich]

Veyron, probably one of the last "look what crazy epic machine we can make" we will get from the big boys now all the manufacturers are CO2 bean counting....

Edited by Petrolhead_Rich on Monday 21st March 14:53

[Harry Monk]

As unpalatable as this may be, it's probably the Prius.

[STW2010]

So amongst the Veyron, Ferrari and Porsche you throw in a Clio.

[jackal]

Harry Monk said:

As unpalatable as this may be, it's probably the Prius.

sorry i was going to add that as well but then got scared of gettingh flamed because i dont know too much about hybrids but i gather they are massive in the USA

[anonymous-user]

Not the most inspiring choices, but the Skoda Fabia, Octavia and Superb come to mind. A budget car manufacturer proving that you can offer a good quality product at a reasonable price, and change both your own image and the perceptions of your buying market.

[jackal]

STW2010 said:

So amongst the Veyron, Ferrari and Porsche you throw in a Clio.

why not ? ....price doesnt come into it

IMO, the 172 is the only hot hatch that has kept the original hot hatch spirit alive. Its the latter day 205gti with the same philosophy.

Dont bother comparing them to a FocusRS, Leon, S3, CTR etc.. They are not the same.

Also remember that the 172 has been so successful and loved that it has become the 182, the 192, the Trophy and the 200. Like the elise it has spawned a whole lineage.

Edited by jackal on Monday 21st March 15:02

[Stuey145]

Tesla Roadster

Proof that Electricity can be fun

Veryon and Enzo are probably both in with a shout. AS is Pagani.

Rolls with the Phantom?

Then there's the Ssayingyangngyonggong rodius. An example if ever there was of NOT how to do things.

[300bhp/ton]

jackal said:

what cars since 2000 changed the rules, set new benchmarks and will be remembered in the history books ?

what cars were the pioneers.... the latter-day F40s', Quattro 20v, 205GTi's, NSX's .. the cars that moved their particular breed on and expanded automotive conciousness ?

off the top of my head my vote goes to the 996GT3, clio172, Veyron, 360CS, Nissan GTr

in particular I think the GTr has had the biggest impact out of all of them.. a true game-changer if ever there was one

Not sure about meeting all your points, but I think these will be remembered and/or sort after in years to come.

Ford GT
Mustang GT s197
Cayman
BMW Z8
Veyron
MINI R53
Wrangler Rubicon JK (although not by many in the UK as they don't really know what it is)
SVT Raptor
Carrera GT

[soad]

Ford GT
Veyron
GTR

...to name a few

[300bhp/ton]

yellowbentines said:

Not the most inspiring choices, but the Skoda Fabia, Octavia and Superb come to mind. A budget car manufacturer proving that you can offer a good quality product at a reasonable price, and change both your own image and the perceptions of your buying market.

Would that be a budget manufacturer with financial backing from one of the largest and wealthiest automotive groups? Would it also be the budget manufacturer that doesn't actually design and r&d their cars being as every single one of them is just a variation on other VAG vehicles and parts?

Amazing what huge, almost unlimited funds and no need to spend it can do for a company.....

[Harry Monk]

300bhp/ton said:

Wrangler Rubicon JK (although not by many in the UK as they don't really know what it is)

Not knowing what it is kind of precludes it from icon status.

[alock]

jackal said:

what cars since 2000 changed the rules, set new benchmarks and will be remembered in the history books?

The car that should be remembered is the Golf R32 for the introduction of the double-clutch gearbox into mass production. Almost every new sports/super/hyper car comes with one already. It wouldn't surprise me if more than 50% of new cars have one within 10 years.

[STW2010]

jackal said:

STW2010 said:

So amongst the Veyron, Ferrari and Porsche you throw in a Clio.

why not ? ....price doesnt come into it

IMO, the 172 is the only hot hatch that has kept the original hot hatch spirit alive. Its the latter day 205gti with the same philosophy.

Dont bother comparing them to a FocusRS, Leon, S3, CTR etc.. They are not the same.

Also remember that the 172 has been so successful and loved that it has become the 182, the 192, the Trophy and the 200. Like the elise it has spawned a whole lineage.

Edited by jackal on Monday 21st March 15:02

I understand your reasoning, I'm just not so sure I would call it iconic. All opinions of course.

I suggest the Ariel Atom. Absolutely mental, but if I remember correctly they emerged towards the end of the 90s, so perhaps not relevant to this thread.

Perhaps the RX8- love them or hate them the rotary engine is unique, and the RX8 continues the use of that engine. It was also the biggest selling rotary-engined car to date too.

[anonymous-user]

300bhp/ton said:

Would that be a budget manufacturer with financial backing from one of the largest and wealthiest automotive groups?

Yes, and your point is? They fit the answer to the OP's question perfectly, they changed the way people think about Skoda, and have tempted people to buy into the brand that never would have previously, whilst manging to keep pricing at reasonable, if not budget, levels for what you're actually getting.


The OP said "what cars since 2000 changed the rules, set new benchmarks and will be remembered in the history books?", I'm not sure you read the question looking at your list.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 21st March 15:19

[Efbe]

kia cee'd


pu#tting punct'uation whe^re you didn't kn£ow pos;si)ble... Ha*s cha+_ng3ed my l!i!fe forev:e@r.

[renrut]

Original Honda Insight (2000-2006) - a hybrid that didn't scream "look at me I'm saving bunnies while I'm sucking off James Cameron" but did exactly what it set out to do (84 MPG on the EPA cycle) quietly and without fuss. They're already climbing back up in price too which is usually a sign of a future classic. I want one.


Veyron - its definitely the Concorde of the car world. Technically mind boggling but something that no one is ever likely to follow because interest is now on CO2, mpg and seeing how many different 'brands' you can fit on the same car.

ETA - Disappointed I can't even find an original Honda Insight for sale in any of the usual places

Edited by renrut on Monday 21st March 15:30

[boredofmyoldname]

[jackal]

I think just being a suprecar isn't enough.

Veyron yes.

Ford GT, CGT, Enzo, Zonda .... not so sure. For sure they will be remembered but in what ways were they defining or trod new ground ?

[Stuey145]

boredofmyoldname said:

Neither of which were launched after 2000