KITCAR TRENDS YEAR 2008
Discussion
I've been thinking about, what major kitcar design trends are coming in the near future.
I've posted year 2008, because 3/4 years is how long it takes a car from design to production.
Of course a kitcar would take less, maybe 1/2 years from design to finished product, now taking into consideration this info, I was wondering what new cars and designs can the kit industry come up with?
Factor into the design equation, new regulations from the EU, and cleaner and more modern engines.
I've come up with a few ideas, but would like to hear from you guys, what new trends are in the pipeline.
Some of my thoughts
1) Bike engined cars , road and track.
I think Lotus seven replicas are having a new lease of life in the design with these BEC.
More kitcars will turn to BEC, especially for trackday cars.
I believe it to be a major trend by 2008, stricter road law enforcement on speed, will determine a new niche of enthusiats going to race tracks for speed thrills.
2) I believe the design of the 7 is about 50 yrs. old, or pretty soon it will be, is there a new kit that can take over this classic sportscar shape?
Is there going to be a modern seven in 2008?
3) Front wheel drive citycars are going to be the next major trend .Modern and revvy engines, hi-tech design will be mainstream for the masses.
A lot of these cars will be available for the kitcar manufacture to consider when designing the new kit. What should they design in 2008? or can they design for you ?
Thanks for your comments
Italo
I've posted year 2008, because 3/4 years is how long it takes a car from design to production.
Of course a kitcar would take less, maybe 1/2 years from design to finished product, now taking into consideration this info, I was wondering what new cars and designs can the kit industry come up with?
Factor into the design equation, new regulations from the EU, and cleaner and more modern engines.
I've come up with a few ideas, but would like to hear from you guys, what new trends are in the pipeline.
Some of my thoughts
1) Bike engined cars , road and track.
I think Lotus seven replicas are having a new lease of life in the design with these BEC.
More kitcars will turn to BEC, especially for trackday cars.
I believe it to be a major trend by 2008, stricter road law enforcement on speed, will determine a new niche of enthusiats going to race tracks for speed thrills.
2) I believe the design of the 7 is about 50 yrs. old, or pretty soon it will be, is there a new kit that can take over this classic sportscar shape?
Is there going to be a modern seven in 2008?
3) Front wheel drive citycars are going to be the next major trend .Modern and revvy engines, hi-tech design will be mainstream for the masses.
A lot of these cars will be available for the kitcar manufacture to consider when designing the new kit. What should they design in 2008? or can they design for you ?
Thanks for your comments
Italo
I also believe, that a new and modern Lotus seven will have a mid-engine layout, using a FWD engine.
I believe the first Elise to be a modern seven in concept, but maybe a little too expensive for the kit industry. Half the price, and you have a great kitcar for the many.
If someone can do that, then you will have the next kitcar winner for the comming years, and in my opinion a sales success.
A cheap and little FWD sportscar could also create a new niche in the kit industry.
We need to remember that younger people have grown up driving more fwd. cars than RWD..
They are more familiar with these cars on their daily drives then rwd sportscars.
I believe the first Elise to be a modern seven in concept, but maybe a little too expensive for the kit industry. Half the price, and you have a great kitcar for the many.
If someone can do that, then you will have the next kitcar winner for the comming years, and in my opinion a sales success.
A cheap and little FWD sportscar could also create a new niche in the kit industry.
We need to remember that younger people have grown up driving more fwd. cars than RWD..
They are more familiar with these cars on their daily drives then rwd sportscars.
meeja said:
Wacky Racer said:
Long live the classic 7 shape...........
Until the world runs out of Sierra diffs......
That remark is totally justified.....
I think I'll complain to the forum moderator.....
I'm listening.....
Sorry, I'll stop playing now.....
>> Edited by meeja on Wednesday 28th July 09:56
It is true that Seven replicas are about 70% of the kitcar market, and that it will be really difficult to replace, because of its distinct sportscar heritage, but at some point you will have to find another donor car.
Which one can be as cheap as a Sierra donor?
Very few Rwd. donors are available that can be as cheap and plentifull ......
Maybe BMW power? MG/FORD V8? MERCEDES? JAGUAR? but they are not cheap to buy or to mantain.
I'm a little worried............................I guess I'll have to get my seven now!!!!!!
Which one can be as cheap as a Sierra donor?
Very few Rwd. donors are available that can be as cheap and plentifull ......
Maybe BMW power? MG/FORD V8? MERCEDES? JAGUAR? but they are not cheap to buy or to mantain.
I'm a little worried............................I guess I'll have to get my seven now!!!!!!
fuoriserie said:
It is true that Seven replicas are about 70% of the kitcar market, and that it will be really difficult to replace, because of its distinct sportscar heritage, but at some point you will have to find another donor car.
Which one can be as cheap as a Sierra donor?
Very few Rwd. donors are available that can be as cheap and plentifull ......
Maybe BMW power? MG/FORD V8? MERCEDES? JAGUAR? but they are not cheap to buy or to mantain.
I'm a little worried............................I guess I'll have to get my seven now!!!!!!
I read an article about a firm that was specialising in re-furbing Sierra diffs and gearboxes.... IIRC they reckoned that they could supply bucketloads of them!
1. How about a small / medium sized, front engined, FWD car.
Versatility is the thing though.
Buy the chassis and basic bodywork, then choose your body style. Be it Sports, Saloon or Estate. The idea being you buy what you want, but can change the bodystyle in minutes. Sort of the next stage of smart car.
2. Otherwise why not look to other futuristic designs. Concepts that many major manufacturers show but never develop.
3. Could always develop a sports people carrier. Afterall Frank Williams did it. A Renault Espace with an F1 engine fitted.
They might actually work. Lower with race car handling, but with 7 seats. I would say '& luggage space' but would be tempting to fit the engine towards the back.
Could always fit the engine under the passenger seats?!
Versatility is the thing though.
Buy the chassis and basic bodywork, then choose your body style. Be it Sports, Saloon or Estate. The idea being you buy what you want, but can change the bodystyle in minutes. Sort of the next stage of smart car.
2. Otherwise why not look to other futuristic designs. Concepts that many major manufacturers show but never develop.
3. Could always develop a sports people carrier. Afterall Frank Williams did it. A Renault Espace with an F1 engine fitted.
They might actually work. Lower with race car handling, but with 7 seats. I would say '& luggage space' but would be tempting to fit the engine towards the back.
Could always fit the engine under the passenger seats?!
A 7 seater with an engine under their seats, sounds like a 1991 TOYOTA PREVIA!!!
I agree with you, a basic FWD. chassis with interchangeble body, would make a cheap and fun affordable new kitcar.
You could have your track day racer body for the weekend races, and then have your regular road car body for the working week.
I think that for a good fit and finish, cars other than roadsters are hard to achieve for small kitcar outfits.
Thats why Simon Saunders of ARIEL ATOM fame decided to make his car so bare.( maybe a little too much for my taste, but that could be the future in kitcar design)
You can keep the original chassis, and then supply a new and updated body design every 3/4 years to the owner.
I agree with you, a basic FWD. chassis with interchangeble body, would make a cheap and fun affordable new kitcar.
You could have your track day racer body for the weekend races, and then have your regular road car body for the working week.
I think that for a good fit and finish, cars other than roadsters are hard to achieve for small kitcar outfits.
Thats why Simon Saunders of ARIEL ATOM fame decided to make his car so bare.( maybe a little too much for my taste, but that could be the future in kitcar design)
You can keep the original chassis, and then supply a new and updated body design every 3/4 years to the owner.
fuoriserie said:
A 7 seater with an engine under their seats, sounds like a 1991 TOYOTA PREVIA!!!
mmmmmm!
Lower, wider, faster, better handling with sporty looks.
Apart from that a Previa.
I bet there are a few kit car enthusiasts that would like to have a people carrier that you can drive properly. Take the family to Donnington, then have a quick trip around the track. They can even design the interior to get more seats or more space etc.
fuoriserie said:
I believe the first Elise to be a modern seven in concept, but maybe a little too expensive for the kit industry. Half the price, and you have a great kitcar for the many.
If someone can do that, then you will have the next kitcar winner for the comming years, and in my opinion a sales success.
Ahem, did someone say GTM Libra?
people carrier that can drive properly:
the new SEAT ALTEA!
For the GTM:
Love the shape of this kit, very nice design, but asking prices are a little high, but then everything is relative.
A high price for me, could be a low price for someone else.
I guess the GTM LIBRA is going to be around in 2008, but any others??
the new SEAT ALTEA!
For the GTM:
Love the shape of this kit, very nice design, but asking prices are a little high, but then everything is relative.
A high price for me, could be a low price for someone else.
I guess the GTM LIBRA is going to be around in 2008, but any others??
meeja said:Ummm, well, yes...
Ahem, did someone say GTM Libra?
I've got the kit. And most of the shortages have come in too.
But, rather than getting stuck into it in a single garage containing the tub and all the bits, I'm waiting till they've finished rebuilding the workshop. Which, as all they need to do now is fit the seconds set of double doors, should be done this week.
So all being well it'll be well underway by this time next week.
LexSport said:
LexSport said:
Ahem, did someone say GTM Libra?
What is the latest on yours Lex?
Ummm, well, yes...
I've got the kit. And most of the shortages have come in too.
But, rather than getting stuck into it in a single garage containing the tub and all the bits, I'm waiting till they've finished rebuilding the workshop. Which, as all they need to do now is fit the seconds set of double doors, should be done this week.
So all being well it'll be well underway by this time next week.
Will there be an online build diary?!
Knowing your programming knowledge and the digital camera you have access to
I am expecting something rather flash.....Gassing Station | Kit Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff