Phantom Vortex >>>>> Virago???
Discussion
Auto Express report an NEC debut at Autosport International for the £50,000 Virago Sports Car.
It looks uncannily like the Vortex.
I won't deny it's a fabulous car or that I would love it to sell, but will it?? It's certainly in a similar bracket to the Noble and the factory built examples I've seen have been good (as is Nick's obviously
), but it won't be easy......
It looks uncannily like the Vortex.
I won't deny it's a fabulous car or that I would love it to sell, but will it?? It's certainly in a similar bracket to the Noble and the factory built examples I've seen have been good (as is Nick's obviously
), but it won't be easy......Spoke to the car's designer earlier this evening. He was interested to know how I knew about this, so well spotted ferg.
The Virago is basically a development of the Phantom, with the intention being to build it as a production car. The new name is basically a means of distancing it from its kit car roots.
Same people still involved, though contrary to the impression given on the Auto Express site things still aren't finalised yet with regards to either funding or aspects of the car.
Would agree with Stig that £50k is too much, especially in view of what Marcos and TVR offer for that sort of money.
I reckon £30 - £35K would be more like it.
The Virago is basically a development of the Phantom, with the intention being to build it as a production car. The new name is basically a means of distancing it from its kit car roots.
Same people still involved, though contrary to the impression given on the Auto Express site things still aren't finalised yet with regards to either funding or aspects of the car.
Would agree with Stig that £50k is too much, especially in view of what Marcos and TVR offer for that sort of money.
I reckon £30 - £35K would be more like it.
ozzie dave said:
why would 50K be too much.
Just going on past experience. Noble originally tried selling the Duratec engined M10 for around £30k but only sold a handful. Marcos tried selling the Duratec engined TS250 for around £30k but only sold a handful.
So standard Duratec power for £50k? Can't see people going for it, especially when they can get a Boxster/Cayman for less.
Personally, for similar performance/price I'd much rather have a Phantom/Virago than yet another common Boxster, but for £50k I'd rather have the superior performance of a Noble or Marcos.
Phantom have been working on this for about seven months, I have some copies of the intended sales literature, as said it's an attempt to move up-market as the sales of the kits were very slow.
AFAIK it still depends on the availability of venture capital which may be easier to find when talking millions rather than thousands.
I'm not holging my breath
Nick
AFAIK it still depends on the availability of venture capital which may be easier to find when talking millions rather than thousands.
I'm not holging my breath
Nick
I'm not a regular contributor but I know the people involved in this project and without breaking any confidences, I'd like to clarify a couple of things.
Virago Cars Ltd have a deal with Phantom primarily to use the body shape as a basis for a new production car. The Phantom owners are not part of the new company.
Amongst the planned changes: the chassis/suspension, I believe, is being substantially redesigned for production sourcing and build, along with a change of powerplant and driveline components. The body design will probably change before it goes into production and the interior is being completely redesigned completely.
Regarding price etc, I would reserve judgement on what it's worth until we've seen the new package late this year - until then we're just guessing.
The great thing about new cars being launched into the marketplace is that it expands choice and variety. Many people consider Porsches to be very 'samey' and, these days, lacking exclusivity.
Hopefully there'll always be some room in the marketplace for a TVR, Noble or Virago.
David Morris
Virago Cars Ltd have a deal with Phantom primarily to use the body shape as a basis for a new production car. The Phantom owners are not part of the new company.
Amongst the planned changes: the chassis/suspension, I believe, is being substantially redesigned for production sourcing and build, along with a change of powerplant and driveline components. The body design will probably change before it goes into production and the interior is being completely redesigned completely.
Regarding price etc, I would reserve judgement on what it's worth until we've seen the new package late this year - until then we're just guessing.
The great thing about new cars being launched into the marketplace is that it expands choice and variety. Many people consider Porsches to be very 'samey' and, these days, lacking exclusivity.
Hopefully there'll always be some room in the marketplace for a TVR, Noble or Virago.
David Morris
DavidMM said:
I'm not a regular contributor but I know the people involved in this project and without breaking any confidences, I'd like to clarify a couple of things.
Virago Cars Ltd have a deal with Phantom primarily to use the body shape as a basis for a new production car. The Phantom owners are not part of the new company.
Amongst the planned changes: the chassis/suspension, I believe, is being substantially redesigned for production sourcing and build, along with a change of powerplant and driveline components. The body design will probably change before it goes into production and the interior is being completely redesigned completely.
Regarding price etc, I would reserve judgement on what it's worth until we've seen the new package late this year - until then we're just guessing.
The great thing about new cars being launched into the marketplace is that it expands choice and variety. Many people consider Porsches to be very 'samey' and, these days, lacking exclusivity.
Hopefully there'll always be some room in the marketplace for a TVR, Noble or Virago.
David Morris
David? Any relation to Norman Morris by any chance?
ferg said:
.... I'd like to clarify a couple of things.
DavidMM said:
The Phantom owners are not part of the new company.
Graham Bell said:
Same people still involved
That's clarified that then.
Er - yes.
I'll be having a chat with them about this at the Autosport Show on Thursday so should have better picture by end of week.
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