Report: Volkswagen plans rear-engine Mini competitor - Page 2

Ford Prefect · February 24th, 2007, 6:13 PM

I think the rear engined renaults are among the coolest cars ever made... but smart has managed to prove very impressively that a rear engine isn´t enough to make a hunk of metal and plastic into a sportscar...

thedguy · February 24th, 2007, 9:00 PM

Sounds like someone got my memo but screwed it up.

I keep saying "Some company needs to build a small RWD car thats easily tweaked." Something the size of an E30 or 80's Corolla. Preferably turbo charged and under 18k.

Hell BMW should just license the E30 out to someone. Kind of like Caterham does with the Lotus 7's. I'm sure if it sold for under 20k it'll do quite well.

Scott · February 25th, 2007, 4:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnet

That thing must spin like a top if you put the boot in!

It certainly does, I saw one of them run the One Lap of America and it is WILD to hear what sounds like a fully kitted stock car coming at you, but then you see this thing pop around the corner. As for the soundproofing and noise, they are pretty well blocked off from the driver's area. It is all insulated firewall material and there is a lid for it as well when you are driving. Jay Leno has one with nitrous on it... it makes something stupid like 300 whp if I recall correctly.... quick search found this:

http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/modu...rder=0&thold=0

http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/images/SHOgun/Leno2.jpg

http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/images/SHOgun/Leno1.jpg

Leonidae · February 25th, 2007, 9:17 AM

If that thing will ever be made, it'll probably have TSi-engines. and most likely it's going to be closer to a 2-seater MR than 4-seating RR. why? one word: crumple zones.

Dsemaj · February 25th, 2007, 1:00 PM

That's two.

images/smilies/tongue.gif

Looks promising..

Dygear · February 25th, 2007, 1:49 PM

If that is what it looks like, we don't have an issue.

British_Rover · February 25th, 2007, 6:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vette Boss

King of platform sharing, doesn't that title belong to GM? images/smilies/mrgreen.gif

I seriously doubt VW would make another rear-engined car.

GM is the king of Badge engineering not platform sharing.

jayhawk · February 25th, 2007, 7:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by British_Rover

GM is the king of Badge engineering not platform sharing.

Too right! At one point VW was the king; IIRC, the New Beetle, Golf, Jetta, Passat, Seat Leon, Skoda Octavia, Audi TT, and A3 all shared the same platform.

un-dee · February 26th, 2007, 12:34 PM

Almost, the "old" Passat didn't use the same platform as the Golf, it was something more similar to the A4 with longitudinally mounted engine.

Adunaphel · February 26th, 2007, 12:36 PM

Not just similar to A4, it was A4 underpinnings

Dsemaj · February 26th, 2007, 12:36 PM

I don't see what's so wrong with platform sharing, as long as the cars are different enough. It saves a lot of development money. If it's just slapping a badge and calling it a day.. it's just crap.

skr · February 26th, 2007, 1:35 PM

Well, "Auto Bild" is a Spin-Off of the biggest yellow press paper (Bild) in Germany. Most of their "tests" are forged and most of the times VWs win. But this time somebody must have been seriously sick to draw such a vehicle LOL

British_Rover · February 26th, 2007, 8:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dsemaj

I don't see what's so wrong with platform sharing, as long as the cars are different enough. It saves a lot of development money. If it's just slapping a badge and calling it a day.. it's just crap.

Platform sharing is fine and most automakers could not survive in the current marketplace without it. Badge engineering however is not acceptable.

marcos_eirik · February 26th, 2007, 9:28 PM

VW Ragster + rear engine (flat four developed from Porsche's M96 flat six' R&D) Sounds interesting to me, that should make the new Beetle that car it should have been. I think the current car is every bit 'an opertunity missed' by VW...

As a large volume car it's too silly, but as a lower volume niche car I think it could be very good...

thedguy · February 26th, 2007, 11:06 PM

GM is only the king of wasting money and trying to sell us on shit ideas. Ford would be right up there but they don't quite have the number of pointless over lapping products GM does.

February 24th, 2007, 6:13 PM	#21
Ford Prefect Joined: Dec 10th, 2006 Last Online: 9:37 AM Location: Munich/Regensburg Age: 26 Posts: 1,280 Car: MINI Rep Power: 27	I think the rear engined renaults are among the coolest cars ever made... but smart has managed to prove very impressively that a rear engine isn´t enough to make a hunk of metal and plastic into a sportscar... __________________

February 25th, 2007, 1:00 PM	#25
Dsemaj Previously Known As Jamesd Joined: May 3rd, 2006 Last Online: 9:11 AM Location: Adelaide, Australia. Age: 18 Posts: 2,673 Car: '95 BMW 530i, '85 Nissan Bluebird S3 GXE Rep Power: 40	That's two. Looks promising.. __________________ 1995 BMW E34 530i V8 M60B30 218HP/163kW 5sp Auto 1985 Nissan 910 Bluebird I4 CA20S 105HP/78kW 3sp Auto

February 25th, 2007, 1:49 PM	#26
Dygear Joined: Dec 5th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Levittown, NY Age: 20 Posts: 305 Car: 1992 Ford Mustang LX LFS Status: Rep Power: 21	If that is what it looks like, we don't have an issue. __________________ *Eagle Race Team*

February 26th, 2007, 12:36 PM	#31
Dsemaj Previously Known As Jamesd Joined: May 3rd, 2006 Last Online: 9:11 AM Location: Adelaide, Australia. Age: 18 Posts: 2,673 Car: '95 BMW 530i, '85 Nissan Bluebird S3 GXE Rep Power: 40	I don't see what's so wrong with platform sharing, as long as the cars are different enough. It saves a lot of development money. If it's just slapping a badge and calling it a day.. it's just crap. __________________ 1995 BMW E34 530i V8 M60B30 218HP/163kW 5sp Auto 1985 Nissan 910 Bluebird I4 CA20S 105HP/78kW 3sp Auto

February 26th, 2007, 9:28 PM	#34
marcos_eirik Joined: Nov 28th, 2004 Last Online: 12:05 PM Location: Askim, Norway Age: 22 Posts: 1,614 Car: Whichever of the cars we have at home... Rep Power: 40	VW Ragster + rear engine (flat four developed from Porsche's M96 flat six' R&D) Sounds interesting to me, that should make the new Beetle that car it should have been. I think the current car is every bit 'an opertunity missed' by VW... As a large volume car it's too silly, but as a lower volume niche car I think it could be very good... __________________ Wenn ist das Nunstruck geht und Slottermeier? Ja. Beierhund das Oder, die Flipperwald gespürt! Greetings from Norway... I miss Texas already...

February 24th, 2007, 9:00 PM	#22
thedguy ^ will bore you to death Joined: Jun 18th, 2004 Last Online: 8:12 AM Location: Under the Counter at McD's Posts: 7,435 Car: 1990 Mazda MX-5 & 91 318i. Rep Power: 148	Sounds like someone got my memo but screwed it up. I keep saying "Some company needs to build a small RWD car thats easily tweaked." Something the size of an E30 or 80's Corolla. Preferably turbo charged and under 18k. Hell BMW should just license the E30 out to someone. Kind of like Caterham does with the Lotus 7's. I'm sure if it sold for under 20k it'll do quite well.

February 25th, 2007, 9:17 AM	#24
Leonidae Banned Joined: Jun 2nd, 2006 Last Online: September 25th, 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 849 Rep Power: 0	If that thing will ever be made, it'll probably have TSi-engines. and most likely it's going to be closer to a 2-seater MR than 4-seating RR. why? one word: crumple zones.

February 26th, 2007, 12:34 PM	#29
un-dee I hate your sig! Joined: May 21st, 2004 Last Online: November 16th, 2009 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Age: 25 Posts: 1,482 Car: Mazda MX-3 Rep Power: 35	Almost, the "old" Passat didn't use the same platform as the Golf, it was something more similar to the A4 with longitudinally mounted engine.

February 26th, 2007, 12:36 PM	#30
Adunaphel Global Moderator Joined: Jan 18th, 2006 Last Online: 10:22 AM Location: [ˈneːdərlɑnt] Age: 29 Posts: 4,633 Car: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E (W201) Rep Power: 153	Not just similar to A4, it was A4 underpinnings

February 26th, 2007, 1:35 PM	#32
skr Joined: May 25th, 2006 Last Online: November 17th, 2009 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 381 Car: 1992 BMW 525iA, 1999 Ford Focus Estate Ghia 1.8 Rep Power: 15	Well, "Auto Bild" is a Spin-Off of the biggest yellow press paper (Bild) in Germany. Most of their "tests" are forged and most of the times VWs win. But this time somebody must have been seriously sick to draw such a vehicle LOL

February 26th, 2007, 11:06 PM	#35
thedguy ^ will bore you to death Joined: Jun 18th, 2004 Last Online: 8:12 AM Location: Under the Counter at McD's Posts: 7,435 Car: 1990 Mazda MX-5 & 91 318i. Rep Power: 148	GM is only the king of wasting money and trying to sell us on shit ideas. Ford would be right up there but they don't quite have the number of pointless over lapping products GM does.

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