Car combinations manufacturers should have made...

[NelsonR32]

We were having a conversation at work today about modified cars and it got me thinking of wasted opportunities by manufacturers on model combinations. For example, when the Puma stopped being made they could have put the excellent 1.7 in the Ka and created a decent Sporty Ka. This would have been even quicker than the Puma and sold by the bucket load. Think of it as the Saxo VTR of the day.

Instead. They put an ancient 1.6 engine which whilst nippy never really went past warm hatch. Massive mistake by Ford in my opinion.

Another example is the MKIV R32 DSG never being converted for RHD market. Would have massively improved its image at the time I felt.

Any other examples people can think of?

[Hooli]

NelsonR32 said:

We were having a conversation at work today about modified cars and it got me thinking of wasted opportunities by manufacturers on model combinations. For example, when the Puma stoppeddbeing made they could have put the excellent 1.7 in the Ka and created a decent Sporty Ka. This would have been even quicker than the Puma and sold by the bucket load. Think of it as the Saxo VTR of the day.

Instead. They put an ancient 1.6 engine which whilst nippy never really went past warm hatch. Massive mistake by Ford in my opinion.

Could have called it the Ka Si

[texasjohn]

A version of the Mk3 MR2 with the 190hp VVTL-I engine

Funny you mention the Ka with a Puma engine. There was one for sale a couple of months ago.

[plfrench]

Mk 2 Focus with the Volvo D5 engine. I'm sure it would have fitted due to the platform share with the S40/V50/C30 and would have continued the 5 cylinder theme that the petrol ST Focus of that era had.

Would have a nice unique selling point over its closest competitors too.

[Tickle]

texasjohn said:

A version of the Mk3 MR2 with the 190hp VVTL-I engine

Along these lines, an MX5 with a rotary engine out of the RX8

[Northernchimp]

An MX5 with some actual power.

[FamousAfroJay]

M3 Touring

[miroku]

"Car can" ?? Sorry, long day maybe just me?

[fatboy b]

Rover SD1 without rust. Now that would have been a winner!

[Mark-C]

Jaguar XJS shooting brake. Can't afford a Lynx Eventer so rather wish Jag had made lots of their own ...

An MGF with a V6 in the back ... same for the mk2 MR2. Enough conversions of the latter to suggest Toyota could have managed one.

A GT86 with a turbo?

What I really wish for is the days of silliness to return .... a modern equivalent of a Metro/Clio with a V6 stuffed in the middle ... or Rover deciding that the soft, wallowy and rather lovely 75 needed a V8 and a complete drivetrain overhaul from FWD to RWD

[MikeOxlong]

Focus RS but four wheel drive.

[richs2891]

Styling, drive train (quattro) and interior by Audi, handling and engine by BMW - (especially the diesels)

[kiethton]

FamousAfroJay said:

M3 Touring

This.

BMW 550d in RHD
1 series with the 35d engine
New Fiesta with the 2.0 ecoboost ala Focus ST - RS if you will
Z4 with the E9x M3 engine

[aeropilot]

MikeOxlong said:

Focus RS but four wheel drive.

Focus RS but with rear wheel drive

[Vladimir]

Mk3 MR2 with the 190 vvti engine from the Celica. Would have been a proper Elise basher.

[underphil]

Alfa Romeo GT with the 2.4jtdm engine

[Eighteeteewhy]

Pug 205 mi16

Pug 309 mi16 (available in France but not over here)

[slipstream 1985]

jag x type with 4wd and diesel. biggest missed oportunity

[RenesisEvo]

FamousAfroJay said:

M3 Touring

E39 M5 Touring

And some others:

Mk4 Mondeo 3.0 V6

130i coupe

VW Phaeton 6.0 V12 TDI

Porsche Panamera 4.2 diesel

Honda Jazz Type R

Jaguar XF R Sportbrake

Mazda 3 MPS (4WD)

Mercedes C207 E63 AMG coupe

[aeropilot]

I wish Volvo had made the 2 dr 240T in RHD, I certainly would have owned one of those sometime back in the early 1990's.