Kit car industry and how to revive interest and sales
Discussion
ajprice said:
From a thread over in GG, the VW XL1 hybrid. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Many many hi tech and expensive things in it, like a carbon fibre body, carbon brakes, the whole hybrid diesel system...
But the basic car is a good idea, a 2 seater aero body commuter car. With a similar GRP body, 3 cylinder engine from the Smart or 107/C1/Aygo, interior parts from the same car, it wouldn't cost the £££ that the very limited run of VW will cost.
![]( <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/U9yucpWr" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/U9yucpWr.jpg)
[/img]Many many hi tech and expensive things in it, like a carbon fibre body, carbon brakes, the whole hybrid diesel system...
But the basic car is a good idea, a 2 seater aero body commuter car. With a similar GRP body, 3 cylinder engine from the Smart or 107/C1/Aygo, interior parts from the same car, it wouldn't cost the £££ that the very limited run of VW will cost.
1) do a proper job on the styling, so it looks futuristic (not some sketched at home on a napkin monstrosity!)
2) Somehow make it more fuel efficient than the original (actually quite difficult, would come down to better aero at high speed, but it probably isn't a car that is going to be driven at high speed!)
Max_Torque said:
I reckon there are some miles in that^^^^^ idea, with the only flaw being, why not just drive the smart/107/c1/aygo as it is! For which i have two possibly answers:
1) do a proper job on the styling, so it looks futuristic (not some sketched at home on a napkin monstrosity!)
2) Somehow make it more fuel efficient than the original (actually quite difficult, would come down to better aero at high speed, but it probably isn't a car that is going to be driven at high speed!)
I'm a fan of the XL1 as well. Think it's great looking and very interesting.1) do a proper job on the styling, so it looks futuristic (not some sketched at home on a napkin monstrosity!)
2) Somehow make it more fuel efficient than the original (actually quite difficult, would come down to better aero at high speed, but it probably isn't a car that is going to be driven at high speed!)
I would rather commute in something that looks futuristic and sporty, as opposed to a 107, that's for sure!
It might also be a bit lighter (GRP body, spaceframe chassis) and potentially be more aerodynamic, which means it would be even better on fuel... Then it looks better, handles better (make it mid engined) and still costs an order of magnitude (ish) less than the XL1.
Like an updated Smart Roadster but with more focus on fuel economy and a better gearbox
What's not to like?
dom9 said:
Max_Torque said:
I reckon there are some miles in that^^^^^ idea, with the only flaw being, why not just drive the smart/107/c1/aygo as it is! For which i have two possibly answers:
1) do a proper job on the styling, so it looks futuristic (not some sketched at home on a napkin monstrosity!)
2) Somehow make it more fuel efficient than the original (actually quite difficult, would come down to better aero at high speed, but it probably isn't a car that is going to be driven at high speed!)
I'm a fan of the XL1 as well. Think it's great looking and very interesting.1) do a proper job on the styling, so it looks futuristic (not some sketched at home on a napkin monstrosity!)
2) Somehow make it more fuel efficient than the original (actually quite difficult, would come down to better aero at high speed, but it probably isn't a car that is going to be driven at high speed!)
I would rather commute in something that looks futuristic and sporty, as opposed to a 107, that's for sure!
It might also be a bit lighter (GRP body, spaceframe chassis) and potentially be more aerodynamic, which means it would be even better on fuel... Then it looks better, handles better (make it mid engined) and still costs an order of magnitude (ish) less than the XL1.
Like an updated Smart Roadster but with more focus on fuel economy and a better gearbox
What's not to like?
Maybe in the future....maybe a Yaris engine on a Seven chassis with an aerodynamic body might make for an interesting and feasable conversion.
I know that, there is a company offering a Yaris 3 cylinder engine for rear wheel drive kitcar conversions...
You now need the new body design for the AeroSeven chassis and the financing....
fuoriserie said:
I like your idea a lot, but wonder how many would sell in the kitcar industry, when for the last ten years the trend and focus of most manufacturers has been on Track Day cars....
Maybe in the future....maybe a Yaris engine on a Seven chassis with an aerodynamic body might make for an interesting and feasable conversion.
I know that, there is a company offering a Yaris 3 cylinder engine for rear wheel drive kitcar conversions...
You now need the new body design for the AeroSeven chassis and the financing....
Thing is, it could still be fun on a trackday if you get the handling 'right'. Not the quickest but on skinny, hard (economy helping) tyres it could be quite slidy with the mid-enging configuration...Maybe in the future....maybe a Yaris engine on a Seven chassis with an aerodynamic body might make for an interesting and feasable conversion.
I know that, there is a company offering a Yaris 3 cylinder engine for rear wheel drive kitcar conversions...
You now need the new body design for the AeroSeven chassis and the financing....
Ok, may not be as aerodynamic as the XL1 but with a lower weight, could be just as 'efficient', maybe... Those full body trikes are close to what I am thinking of, I guess.
Come on, get your colouring pens out, Italo - we need a 'kit' XL1!
dom9 said:
fuoriserie said:
I like your idea a lot, but wonder how many would sell in the kitcar industry, when for the last ten years the trend and focus of most manufacturers has been on Track Day cars....
Maybe in the future....maybe a Yaris engine on a Seven chassis with an aerodynamic body might make for an interesting and feasable conversion.
I know that, there is a company offering a Yaris 3 cylinder engine for rear wheel drive kitcar conversions...
You now need the new body design for the AeroSeven chassis and the financing....
.. Those full body trikes are close to what I am thinking of, I guess.Maybe in the future....maybe a Yaris engine on a Seven chassis with an aerodynamic body might make for an interesting and feasable conversion.
I know that, there is a company offering a Yaris 3 cylinder engine for rear wheel drive kitcar conversions...
You now need the new body design for the AeroSeven chassis and the financing....
Come on, get your colouring pens out, Italo - we need a 'kit' XL1!
http://uk.caterhamcars.com/news/telegram-caterham-...
Caterham is downsizing with a new entry level Seven with a new Suzuki 660cc turbo engine.
Caterham is downsizing with a new entry level Seven with a new Suzuki 660cc turbo engine.
fuoriserie said:
Not a great review, sadly!dom9 said:
fuoriserie said:
Not a great review, sadly!fuoriserie said:
I guess it may be a question of whether they were trying to pass them off as the real thing or selling them as 'Replicas'IMHO there is not enough detail in the article to make it clear. If the manufacturer of the real cars(in this case Ferrari) hasn't raised their hands in horror, and the cars are being sold as a 'car that looks like a fast sports car' is there a problem?
Hi all, returning back to this thread after some time, anyway I spoke about my contribution to the kit-car world, and everyone asked what does it look like, anyway if you want to read a story on how the prototype was built, then get this months copy of Complete Kitcar. (November issue)
Here's a photoshop image of what it should look like when finished. Running Audi 2.7 V6 bi-turbo.
[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/Xu9SU49m
[/url]
Here's a photoshop image of what it should look like when finished. Running Audi 2.7 V6 bi-turbo.
[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/Xu9SU49m[/url]
Going back to the beginning of the thread I think we have to now realise there are more second hand part built models readily available. We look at the younger generation now :0 I'm 33 they are driving around with their friends in the car etc with performance and styling added on. I think if the industry developed into making maybe a good 4 seat vehicle which had a hard top maybe removable? And doors then this would I think be useful but for youngsters to look at it (or their parents) it would have to be a factory finished piece aswell as kit form and reasonable price and good styling with performances to match. I know of a few 19 yr olds happy paying 2k on insurance around with me as its what they call a pulling car haha.
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