Alpine A110 to be axed?
Discussion
SidewaysSi said:
I think it is the front driving lights that don't really work on the modern car. Look fabulous on the original rally A110 though.
The thing that strikes me is how different - and perhaps bland - the front ends of both cars would look without the driving lights.On which basis, it's possibly just as well that Caterham didn't proceed with their version.
The rear end detailing on the original is much nicer (more characterful), too, mind you, IMO.
otolith said:
Yes, it's a modern pastiche which shares only styling cues with the original and as a result is the size of a modern car.
And unfortunately while the old Mini was top of its class at the time for packaging, the new one is probably the worst in class. That doesn't apply to the Alpine which (for the type of car) is quite well packaged. Whether the styling works for you is another matter (and I agree that the old one was prettier). Personally I would have preferred it if the A110 was a bit narrower but a bit longer to retain the same, if not a bit more, luggage space.
otolith said:
DoubleD said:
There is a good reason though why the new mini is bigger than the old mini.
Yes, it's a modern pastiche which shares only styling cues with the original and as a result is the size of a modern car.I have no skin in the game here. I had an R50 and have an F56 as a tool. A transport pod.
CABC said:
otolith said:
DoubleD said:
There is a good reason though why the new mini is bigger than the old mini.
Yes, it's a modern pastiche which shares only styling cues with the original and as a result is the size of a modern car.I have no skin in the game here. I had an R50 and have an F56 as a tool. A transport pod.
Its just a shame that the newest generation is a fair bit bigger.
CABC said:
otolith said:
DoubleD said:
There is a good reason though why the new mini is bigger than the old mini.
Yes, it's a modern pastiche which shares only styling cues with the original and as a result is the size of a modern car.I have no skin in the game here. I had an R50 and have an F56 as a tool. A transport pod.
Maybe the SSS is the modern equivalent?
There is no direct successor. we’re in different times. Actors and pop stars don’t patronise cars like in the sixties and when they do it’s Prius and Tesla.
Im all for criticising modern car for lack of driver engagement but we have to be realistic.
There is no direct successor. we’re in different times. Actors and pop stars don’t patronise cars like in the sixties and when they do it’s Prius and Tesla.
Im all for criticising modern car for lack of driver engagement but we have to be realistic.
CABC said:
To be fair it offered something different to the competition- design and interior quality along with playful handling. Not that the original aimed at the first 2 of those points at all! Not sure what people expected from the new car, but please take a reality check. It was still small, no way dangerous 60s packing would work in c21. Maybe the Mini and 500 should be seen as metaphor for how cars, people and society have changed generally.
I have no skin in the game here. I had an R50 and have an F56 as a tool. A transport pod.
The thing is the Up/Citigo is a vastly better piece of packaging (shorter, narrower and still much more spacious). If the new Mini had got anywhere near that, I would have welcomed it, it's a travesty of the name as is - and getting worse every time a new model comes out. Not perhaps as bad as the Fiat 500L - but getting perilously close. I have no skin in the game here. I had an R50 and have an F56 as a tool. A transport pod.
Edited by bcr5784 on Friday 18th September 15:53
Edited by bcr5784 on Friday 18th September 15:54
bcr5784 said:
The thing is the Up/Citigo is a vastly better piece of packaging (shorter, narrower and still much more spacious). If the new Mini had got anywhere near that, I would have welcomed it, it's a travesty of the name as is - and getting worse every time a new model comes out. Not perhaps as bad as the Fiat 500L - but getting perilously close.
It has sold by the bucket load, so they have obviously got it right. Edited by bcr5784 on Friday 18th September 15:53
Edited by bcr5784 on Friday 18th September 15:54
Also dont forget, people buy things that they like and want, rather than just what they need.....a bit like you did.
DoubleD said:
It has sold by the bucket load, so they have obviously got it right.
Also dont forget, people buy things that they like and want, rather than just what they need.....a bit like you did.
You can fool some of the people.... A lot of people have voted for Trump, some still wiil.... It really doesn't prove anything, except there are a lot of gullible people and the marketing people did a good job of fooling them.Also dont forget, people buy things that they like and want, rather than just what they need.....a bit like you did.
CABC said:
Maybe the SSS is the modern equivalent?
There is no direct successor. we’re in different times. Actors and pop stars don’t patronise cars like in the sixties and when they do it’s Prius and Tesla.
Im all for criticising modern car for lack of driver engagement but we have to be realistic.
What’s an SSS?!There is no direct successor. we’re in different times. Actors and pop stars don’t patronise cars like in the sixties and when they do it’s Prius and Tesla.
Im all for criticising modern car for lack of driver engagement but we have to be realistic.
DonkeyApple said:
Shhhh! 
[Img]https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RxtD0dCq_58/maxresdefault.jpg[/thumb]
I don't think the bulging arches or modified grill do the original any favours - and I have said that I prefer the aesthetics of the (unmodified) original many times. That said the original is ideally sized for an anorexic dwarf like me, not your average guy.[Img]https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RxtD0dCq_58/maxresdefault.jpg[/thumb]
Edited by bcr5784 on Friday 18th September 20:04
bcr5784 said:
DoubleD said:
It has sold by the bucket load, so they have obviously got it right.
Also dont forget, people buy things that they like and want, rather than just what they need.....a bit like you did.
You can fool some of the people.... A lot of people have voted for Trump, some still wiil.... It really doesn't prove anything, except there are a lot of gullible people and the marketing people did a good job of fooling them.Also dont forget, people buy things that they like and want, rather than just what they need.....a bit like you did.
Like I said, people buy what they like and want and there is nothing wrong with that.
This is a bit like the SUV thing all over again!
DoubleD said:
The modern mini is a good car and people like them. BMW have done a good job with it.
Like I said, people buy what they like and want and there is nothing wrong with that.
This is a bit like the SUV thing all over again!
This is a circular argument - and it depends on where you start on the circle. Marketing have convinced large numbers of people that they want SUVs (or Minis, short skirts, long skirts, cuban heels or whatever) So people then get what marketing have convinced them that they want. Of course if next year (for reasons of profit) they try to convince them of the opposite .... Of course marketing departments wouldn't be so venal would they....?Like I said, people buy what they like and want and there is nothing wrong with that.
This is a bit like the SUV thing all over again!
bcr5784 said:
DoubleD said:
The modern mini is a good car and people like them. BMW have done a good job with it.
Like I said, people buy what they like and want and there is nothing wrong with that.
This is a bit like the SUV thing all over again!
This is a circular argument - and it depends on where you start on the circle. Marketing have convinced large numbers of people that they want SUVs (or Minis, short skirts, long skirts, cuban heels or whatever) So people then get what marketing have convinced them that they want. Of course if next year (for reasons of profit) they try to convince them of the opposite .... Of course marketing departments wouldn't be so venal would they....?Like I said, people buy what they like and want and there is nothing wrong with that.
This is a bit like the SUV thing all over again!
DoubleD said:
bcr5784 said:
DoubleD said:
It has sold by the bucket load, so they have obviously got it right.
Also dont forget, people buy things that they like and want, rather than just what they need.....a bit like you did.
You can fool some of the people.... A lot of people have voted for Trump, some still wiil.... It really doesn't prove anything, except there are a lot of gullible people and the marketing people did a good job of fooling them.Also dont forget, people buy things that they like and want, rather than just what they need.....a bit like you did.
Like I said, people buy what they like and want and there is nothing wrong with that.
This is a bit like the SUV thing all over again!
The MINI has really got under my skin to be fair, and in the past I didn't have any time for them at all. It has really surprised me in a positive way for sure.
cerb4.5lee said:
I reckon that bcr5784 must hate me...because I've got a SUV and a MINI!
The MINI has really got under my skin to be fair, and in the past I didn't have any time for them at all. It has really surprised me in a positive way for sure.
Don't hate you or anyone else I can have a rational discussion with. I can see there are people for whom a particular (so called) SUV may well suit their needs best (only a fraction of those bought imo). A Mini I do have more problem with since it seems style over substance.The MINI has really got under my skin to be fair, and in the past I didn't have any time for them at all. It has really surprised me in a positive way for sure.
bcr5784 said:
Don't hate you or anyone else I can have a rational discussion with. I can see there are people for whom a particular (so called) SUV may well suit their needs best (only a fraction of those bought imo). A Mini I do have more problem with since it seems style over substance.
Yes and I can understand that to be fair. I know that the BMW Mini hatch is big for what it is, but I also really struggle with the Clubman/Countryman in that regard. I actually had a look around the new Mini GP today(mine was in for a service) and I personally really like the way it looked. I just wished that it was offered with a manual(unsurprisingly!).
danp said:
CABC said:
Maybe the SSS is the modern equivalent?
There is no direct successor. we’re in different times. Actors and pop stars don’t patronise cars like in the sixties and when they do it’s Prius and Tesla.
Im all for criticising modern car for lack of driver engagement but we have to be realistic.
What’s an SSS?!There is no direct successor. we’re in different times. Actors and pop stars don’t patronise cars like in the sixties and when they do it’s Prius and Tesla.
Im all for criticising modern car for lack of driver engagement but we have to be realistic.
Regarding the BMW mini -- was really disappointed when they came out. Mostly because of weight and pricing. Grown on me over the years though. After getting a few as rentals had to concede they are really quite nice to drive. R series cars also seem to start looking OK. Perhaps because everything else around is getting so massive?
On the other hand I'd have loved BMW to not go down that retro/fashion route and try for a similarly revolutionary design as the Issigonis car. They did nothing so expensive and risky and certainly made a nice bit of cash with what they came up with.
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