What car would you have like to been built ?

robunos

robunos

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A bit of fun, based on something I posted elsewhere . . .
What non-existant car do wish had been built, from any time since cars were invented, factual or fictional.
I always wanted Mitsubishi Cars to produce a competitor to the Mazda MX-5 / Miata called the Zero. It would only be available in three colours, pale grey, green, or orange, all of course with a black bonnet . . .

cheers,
Robin.
 
mitsubishi-eclipse-concept-e-photo-165120-s-original.jpg

"Hybrid technology isn’t just for fuel economy anymore. Proving that point is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Concept-E, which boasts a parallel drivetrain composed of two engines—one in front and and one in the rear—that combine to deliver around 470 horsepower. The front engine—a 3.8-liter MIVEC V-6—powers the front wheels, while the rear wheels are driven by a battery-operated electric motor that adds another 200 horsepower to the mix. Under full throttle and during gear changes, the electric motor provides a continuous stream of power, resulting in improved acceleration; Mitsubishi estimates a 0-60 mph time of five seconds. Aside from its innovative powertrain, the Concept-E is also an attractive two-plus-two coupe that heralds the design direction of the next Eclipse. But, like Concept-E’s nifty plasma running lights and neon crackle tube turn signals, the hybrid setup has little chance of making it to market on the next-generation Eclipse, which is set to debut in 2005."

"Reality is often disappointing."
 
Fictional: First generation 1989 MG Miata - a re-badged, British-assembled Mazda 'NA' with the optional Connolly Leather interior and burr elm veneer, powered by a 190 hp, aluminium-block, 3.9 L Rover V-8.

The car that the MG Rover Group should have built?
 

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Tesla battery on full frame...rear wheel drive internal combustion engine, front wheel drive electric.

Tesla battery goes dead---use the ICE and vice-versa.

Electric motors up front run on battery or engine power.

Options on a dial.
 
Original Ford Mustang concept: mid engine 2 seater.

Probably would have ended up at Corvette prices, with the Thunderbird as the luxobarge.

=====
Going farther back in time, keeping the Thunderbird as the Corvette competitor: 2 seat sports car, with the most powerful engine in the entire FoMoCo group for that specific year installed.

Apophenia said:
Fictional: First generation 1989 MG Miata - a re-badged, British-assembled Mazda 'NA' with the optional Connolly Leather interior and burr elm veneer, powered by a 190 hp, aluminium-block, 3.9 L Rover V-8.

The car that the MG Rover Group should have built?
Click to expand...
Oh, lord yes that would have been incredible!
 
Peugeot Oxia
Oxia-01-scaled.jpg
 
Apophenia said:
Fictional: First generation 1989 MG Miata - a re-badged, British-assembled Mazda 'NA' with the optional Connolly Leather interior and burr elm veneer, powered by a 190 hp, aluminium-block, 3.9 L Rover V-8.

The car that the MG Rover Group should have built?
Click to expand...
The problem with that engine you selected is mass, which greatly reduces the agility of any small car which is the very point of these small sports cars.

A high efficiency 16 valve engine with possibly electric 'assistance' would retain the weight within bounds to have an agile fun car. Good for road and track days both just look at the goal of the MX-5 and a major reason for their popularity.
 
Michel Van said:
i saw last Murena ages ago, way back in 1983
Click to expand...
Murena was a fine car except for the engines. Back then in France it was "V6 PRV = mutilated V8 Peugeot, Renault Volvo" or... nothing. Only 4-cylinders from ordinary cars, boosted. This also doomed Alpine (310, 610) and Venturi.
 
publiusr said:
Tesla battery on full frame...rear wheel drive internal combustion engine, front wheel drive electric.

Tesla battery goes dead---use the ICE and vice-versa.

Electric motors up front run on battery or engine power.

Options on a dial.
Click to expand...
So, like any number of PHEVs currently on the market, then.
 
Foo Fighter said:
The problem with that engine you selected is mass, which greatly reduces the agility of any small car which is the very point of these small sports cars.

A high efficiency 16 valve engine with possibly electric 'assistance' would retain the weight within bounds to have an agile fun car. Good for road and track days both just look at the goal of the MX-5 and a major reason for their popularity.
Click to expand...
The Rover 3.9L isn't a heavy engine, though, it's only 370lbs complete. The Miata 1.8L BP engine is 290lbs, only an 80lb difference.

Move the Miata battery to the back of the car, make it a double battery 12V installation, and you just rebalanced the beast.

Edit: alternatively, instead of the second battery, install a larger gas tank. ~40lbs is ~7 gallons.
 
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We bought a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Does 75-85km on battery, which does fine for daily use around the city. Every 3 months we do a long journey and need to buy some petrol.

Seems a good compromise so far.
 
Scott Kenny said:
The Rover 3.9L isn't a heavy engine, though, it's only 370lbs complete. The Miata 1.8L BP engine is 290lbs, only an 80lb difference.

Move the Miata battery to the back of the car, make it a double battery 12V installation, and you just rebalanced the beast.

Edit: alternatively, instead of the second battery, install a larger gas tank. ~40lbs is ~7 gallons.
Click to expand...
You will get at least as much power (With the four cylinder unit) using less fuel and without mucking about with the balance. Alternatively, add electric assist and use much less fuel for much more real world bang.

Faffing with a V8 install is also going to be a headache in the MX-5.

HOME PAGE...

New 2.8 liter flat plane V8 sets new standards for compactness and power.
www.h1v8.com
 
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Foo Fighter said:
You will get at least as much power (With the four cylinder unit) using less fuel and without mucking about with the balance.
Click to expand...
The V8 has a lot more torque, which is more useful for throwing a Miata around.


Foo Fighter said:
Alternatively, add electric assist and use much less fuel for much more real world bang.
Click to expand...
Electric assist requires significant weight in batteries, a couple hundred lbs. And the electric motor isn't light either.



Foo Fighter said:
Faffing with a V8 install is also going to be a headache in the MX-5.
Click to expand...
I've watched a guy stick a Mopar slant-6 into one. A v8 isn't all that hard.
 
Foo Fighter said:
You will get at least as much power (With the four cylinder unit) using less fuel and without mucking about with the balance. Alternatively, add electric assist and use much less fuel for much more real world bang.

Faffing with a V8 install is also going to be a headache in the MX-5.
Click to expand...

I was looking for something approaching British content for the Miata (and, yeah, I know the Rover 3500 began as a Buick 215).

And "faffing with a V8 install" didn't seem stop MG in the RW. Besides, I took Robin's question to be posed mainly in fun ... hence the bonkers V8.
 
Some of the impact resistance of an egg carton. "In order to preserve the cost to benefit ratio, we have included a novel addition to the crumple zone. The passenger".
 
Ferrari Pinin, by Pininfarina, 1980.
 

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Lotus Etna by Giorgetto Giugiaro, Ital Design 1984. Conceived as a successor to the Esprit but a step up in power and price. They had a V8 ready for it but Lotus' perennial financial problems killed it.
 

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Aston Martin Bulldog. Quite a history behind this. AM was planning a limited edition but never quite made it. The prototype has recently undergone a full restoration. The design was by William Towns, who was responsible for the wedge-shaped Lagonda of the 70s. It makes the Cybrtrk look vulgar, which it is.
 

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Entirely fictitious, dreamed up by the Franklin Mint, the 1939 Duesenberg Coupe Simone Midnight Ghost.
 

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It was inspired by the real - but unique - Phantom Corsair of 1938.
 

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