Biggest automotive game changers of the last 50 years?

[white_goodman]

Which individual car models of the last 50 years do you think really moved the game on, catching the opposition napping in the process? Difficult to think of any very recent examples...

Just a few ideas for different reasons:

Engineering: BMC Mini (transverse engine FWD layout)

Styling: Ford Sierra (modern jellymould styling)

Inventing/popularising a segment of the market: Ford Fiesta (supermini market)

Massive success compared to the competition: Mazda MX5

[GravelBen]

Taking practical,affordable performance into a different league: Subaru Impreza WRX

[XJ Flyer]

Jaguar E type and Chevy Corvette in terms of affordable sports car development.

Jaguar XJ12 series 1 in terms of saloon cars.

The American muscle car formula in general in terms of performance for the cost and sales figures like the Mustang for example.

Everything else before or since has been too expensive/not enough car for the money and/or retrograde eco design based on meeting political aims not engineering ones.

Edited by XJ Flyer on Saturday 16th November 05:17

[s3fella]

Audi Quattro.
Cossie / RBS turbo . Brought affordable performance to the masses, and spurned a huge industry in remapping and tuning.

Vw PD engines. First half decent turbo diesel?

Gen 1 ford focus. Brought fwd stock hatch handling into a different league.

[AlpineWhite]

s3fella said:

Vw PD engines. First half decent turbo diesel?

I'd agree with that - started the rise of the diesel engine to the mass market.

Golf gti - the first hot hatch to get the attention of the public eye

S-class. Any generation. Seems to bring tomorrow's technology forward.

[lrs777]

s3fella said:

Audi Quattro.
Cossie / RBS turbo . Brought affordable performance to the masses, and spurned a huge industry in remapping and tuning.

Vw PD engines. First half decent turbo diesel?

Gen 1 ford focus. Brought fwd stock hatch handling into a different league.

- Jensen FF
-Fiat 124 had disc brakes & DOHC when everyone else was using pushrods and drums.
-Saab 99 Turbo
-Mk1 Golf GTi

[Troubleatmill]

Anything Japanese in the 70's.

They proved cars can actually start in winter and didn't need to have BL build quality.

[petrolsniffer]

s3fella said:

Vw PD engines. First half decent turbo diesel?

I'd argue Citroen/psa were the first to that they put alot of time and resources into diesel in the late 80's and early 90's way ahead of anyone else

[tr7v8]

petrolsniffer said:

I'd argue Citroen/psa were the first to that they put alot of time and resources into diesel in the late 80's and early 90's way ahead of anyone else

I'd agree with that, either one of the French manufacturers or Mercedes. Common Rail was invented by the Japanese but developed by Magnetti Marelli with Fiat but sold to Bosch. Mercedes & Alfa were the first to the car market with CR.

[glazbagun]

BMW Mini- the start of customisable "premium" lifestyle products for the masses? Actually, I'd say things like taxes, the availability of PCP finance and S-Line trim have done as much to shape our current automovive world as any engineering development. I mean the S2000's engine may be a great thing, but it's tax which means N/A sports cars will have it tough forever.

Toyota Prius- first non-enthusiast hybrid to really make it work as a white good.

Volvo Amazon- first car with three point seatbelt as standard.

[Walter Sobchak]

Audi Quattro
Range Rover Classic
911 Turbo

[sherbert90]

Just over 50 years, but in terms of Supercars, the Lamborghini Miura. Mid engine layout and looked outrageous, just like all supercars should. All IMHO of course.

[richwig83]

Aston Martin Cygnet.... how to crowbar 30K out of "badge loving" fools.

[mattdaniels]

Renault Espace

[Welshbeef]

Series 1 Land Rover
Jenson Incepector
Golf GTI Mk1

[Tannedbaldhead]

petrolsniffer said:

s3fella said:

Vw PD engines. First half decent turbo diesel?

I'd argue Citroen/psa were the first to that they put alot of time and resources into diesel in the late 80's and early 90's way ahead of anyone else

I'd agree 100%.

Was a company car user in the mid 90s and everything was French. I ran a 306 then a Xantia. Both, as diesels, were much better drives than their VW competitors of their day. 406 was a very desirable car first few years it was out and superior in every way to the B4 Passat.

B5 Passat and MK4 Golf were game changers. Brought high quality interiors to the everyman. There-after no matter how well a car drove if it hadn't a sort touch dash, damped grab handles and dials that looked just so it was doomed. It forced the Execs to up their game in a big way putting the likes of the Vauxhall Omega and Senator Omega out the game along with the Scorpio. Nowadays if you read a road test the "feelgood factor" and quality of interiors attract more motoring media attention than a car's dynamic abilities.

Edited by Tannedbaldhead on Saturday 16th November 18:30

[Pete Eroleum]

Welshbeef said:

Series 1 Land Rover

Not really. This was just a British version/copy of the Willys MB.

[New POD]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_A1#A1

1935, Loom manufacturer Toyoda, enter the car market with the A1.

Taiichi Ohno (大野耐一 Ōno Taiichi), February 29, 1912 – May 28, 1990 made more impact to automotive costs than anyone.

[Walter Sobchak]

petrolsniffer said:

I'd argue Citroen/psa were the first to that they put alot of time and resources into diesel in the late 80's and early 90's way ahead of anyone else

The 90s XUD engines were great compared to similar era diesels, I have to agree here.

[alock]

DSG gear box as first seen in the R32.