Not facelifting the "halo" model

[Triumph Man]

Has anyone noticed how, historically at least, manufacturers sometimes do not facelift the halo model in a range?

I was just thinking this whilst looking at Alfa 156 GTAs, and two other examples sprang to mind: The Volvo S60R, and the BMW M3 E46. In 2004, the S60 range had a refresh with, notably, new head and tail lights. However, the R seemed to stick with the old ones. As with the Volvo, the 3 series coupe/convertible got a refresh around 2003/2004 (off the top of my head, please correct me if I'm wrong), yet the M3 didn't. Is there any reason for this?

[djglover]

Probably that it will take them a few years more to deliver the new model, so for that time it fills a gap in the market.

You don't develop your new model and launch the niche / halo model, you go for the mass market.

[davepoth]

If there are differences in the sheet metal compared to the regular model, it's possible that it's not economically viable to change it again for the small volumes involved.

[Gooly]

davepoth said:

If there are differences in the sheet metal compared to the regular model, it's possible that it's not economically viable to change it again for the small volumes involved.

This, as shown by the fact that the E46 got the facelift LED tails but not the redesigned front end as they would have to redesign the ///M front end. A shame, I really like the E46 facelift

[Fox-]

Triumph Man said:

Has anyone noticed how, historically at least, manufacturers sometimes do not facelift the halo model in a range?

I was just thinking this whilst looking at Alfa 156 GTAs, and two other examples sprang to mind: The Volvo S60R, and the BMW M3 E46.

The M3 did get the facelift - it just didn't get the front end part. It still got everything else. The same was then the case with the later E9x M3.

[Triumph Man]

Fox- said:

Triumph Man said:

Has anyone noticed how, historically at least, manufacturers sometimes do not facelift the halo model in a range?

I was just thinking this whilst looking at Alfa 156 GTAs, and two other examples sprang to mind: The Volvo S60R, and the BMW M3 E46.

The M3 did get the facelift - it just didn't get the front end part. It still got everything else. The same was then the case with the later E9x M3.

Ah yes, that was a bum lift haha. In the case with the S60, I'm surprised they didn't just stick the new headlights in it, just to refresh it slightly.

[Triumph Man]

Also regarding the E90 M3, I was always confused why BMW gave it the coupe nose.

[Fox-]

Triumph Man said:

Also regarding the E90 M3, I was always confused why BMW gave it the coupe nose.

Because the pre LCI E90 front end looked crap?

[ambuletz]

What's the deal with some manufacturers only selling the performance version at the start of the new models life cycle? I don't think seat do the ibiza bocanegra anymore. And I'm sure the 207 GTi wasn't around that long.
On a lesser (but similar note) toyota dropped the diesel SR180 and simplified their model range.

[interloper]

ambuletz said:

What's the deal with some manufacturers only selling the performance version at the start of the new models life cycle?

This a bit of a guess but it could be that either the GTI/Bocengra didn't sell as well as hoped and got dropped. Or alternatively as manufacturers have to stick to over all CO2 targets. Maybe they try and keep halo/higher output model runs short, so as not to effect the figures too much?