[[email protected]]

Okay, Phil had an excellent idea when he said they should do a Jag on the Miata. With that inspiration, here's what I'd do if I were calling the shots at PAG.<P>Develope a flexible new RWD small to small/mid-sized platform for use in house. With that, develope the following cars.<P>MX-5 Miata - yup, Miata replacement and a Rotary engine.<P>RX-7 - replacement for the Mazda sports coupe, but more affordable than RX-8. Rotary power for this one also.<P>X-type - next generation X-type sedan and add a wagon, but make it newer and more interesting than a scaled down XJ6.<P>F-type - smaller Jag coupe and roadster to compete with TT, BMW Z4, SLK etc.<P>Lincoln Sentinel - 3-series competitor. Build it in sedan and coupe form, but more traditional sedan shaped coupe rather than clear sportscar like F-type. Also do a 4-seater Cabriolet with retractable folding hardtop like Karmann concept from 4 years ago. If VERY successful, maybe do modern day Ford Fairlane with same components also on this platform.<P>Engines: Rotary obviously for the Mazdas. 6cyl and small displacement 8cyl for the Jags, and a biturbo 8cyl for Jag R models.<P>Transmissions: Automatic 5spd, 6speed manual<P>Other Differentiation - Engineer Aluminum and Magnesium lightweight components for suspension and body panels for Jags, limited edition RX-7 and maybe the Lincoln.<P>Optional: Ala Porsche Carrera 4, a RWD setup with Viscous coupling or newer AWD diff that will make it AWD when needed. Make optional in RX-7, F-type and X-type. If you can do a programmable system like Haldex, give it dash adjustability for full RWD, semi-RWD and AWD. <P>Finally and <B>VOLVO CONTENT</B><P>ICC - Icon Concept Car, a modern 240. Run it at the auto shows to gauge reaction. Make it more boxy without going full brick, VERY simplistic but Swedish inside and VERY durable looking. Do a wagon, and make it large enough to fit a full size clothes dryer in the back. Emphasis words should be SIMPLE and FUNCTIONAL and showcase some sort of frugal motor like Ford's new 4cyl diesel and badge the ICC with "D-4" badge, maybe showcase some continuously variable transmission (CVT) technology.<P>[This message has been edited by [email protected] (edited 09-05-2002).]<p>[This message has been edited by [email protected] (edited 09-05-2002).]

 

[Phil Pugliese]

Sorry, no rotary for the Miata, thats not what the Miata is about. Keep the Miata basic, but build a Jag variation on the platform. <P>Volvo:<BR>Make sure you do the SCC make it the new 1800 ES. Volvo should lead not follow, bring over the D5.<P>

 

[William]

George and Phil,<P>I will third the idea of bringing over the Diesel... <P>I really wish we had the D5 as an option for both the Cross Country and the XC90.<P>Phil, you are right on, the SCC should evolve into a production car.<P>Safety is no accident...<P>Lead don't follow!<P>William

 

[[email protected]]

I meant the D4 more because the 240 was a 4cyl in the hearts of most. BTW, the 4 is a commonrail and new, I wonder how much dev was Volvo's anyway.<P>I'm not Miataphile, but I still think a rotary in the Miata would be cool.

 

[GrecianVolvo]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by William:<BR><B><BR>I will third the idea of bringing over the Diesel... </B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>That would be wonderful with the right models...read on...<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><B>I really wish we had the D5 as an option for both the Cross Country and the XC90.</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>The Xc70 D5 would never sell here. It would fall flat in its face. If anyone disputes that then he/she is kidding him/herself and it is pure wishful thinking and/or fantasy. The XC70 buyer is a more "outdoorsy" type of person, more active...wants performance and not the type derived off the D5. The idea of equipping the XC70 with the "new" 2.5T engie is very good, at minimum...That car needs at least 220HP. Now, on the other hand, the XC90 could do well with the D5 (in the US) but that is also debatable. Should, in the near future, the XC90 grow "slightly" in size, then the D5 would definitely be a big plus...The American buyer is not ready, yet, for diesel. Look at what seels with diesel motors; either very small cars (VWs) who are owned by unique people that could be environmentally conscious and/or thinking that diesel is adequate or cool or BIG trucks who are owned by people who use diesel for the right purposes. ANy cars in the middle have done average, at best or have failed miserably. People here are too spoiled because of the low gas prices and want PERFORMANCE that can't be supplied by even the most advanced turbo diesel. Ask a European and it is a whole different matter.<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><B>Phil, you are right on, the SCC should evolve into a production car</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I could not agree more but this is wishful thinking and unrealistic, economically. The only "solution" is and will be the integration of certain features from that car into future models, within 3 years from now. That car is a moving lab and nothing else.<P><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><B>Lead don't follow!</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE> That sounds like AUdi...huh? <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/wink.gif"><P>

 

[Phil Pugliese]

I know it is not feasable to bring the PCC, I am talking in a styling aspect of the car not so much all the techno items the SCC offers. Thats where the PCC could come in as a V30. <P>I agree that the D5 wouldn't sell in the XC70, but I disagree on the XC90. If the rumours are true that we will see it in 2 years, thats what Il will get to replace my XC70.<P>

 

[[email protected]]

Speaking of diesel and VW, they're debating on whether to bring over the 10-cyl stump pulling Touareg. <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/wink.gif"> That's a crazy motor.<P>Seriously though, I think since the larger car market (nothing larger than the Jetta wagon) is totally wide open, that'd leave room for the XC and the XC90 ot sell fairly well. For VW, it's instant 6% sales, wherever they sell it.

 

[towerymt]

George, in this new 240, will I be able to get a cup holder?<P>How about the XC70 with 300ft-lbs of diesel torque and full time AWD?<P>

 

[Spearzy]

I've heard the mazda rotory, while being an excellent motor is really really heavy. With this in mind it would destroy the small and nimble miata's handling would it not? A guy on a another forum did a small block V8 conversion in his RX7 and said the V8 was actually a little lighter. Maybe aluminum block compared to steel whatever in the rotory? I've heard deisels tend to use steel blocks too which is also a performance no no. I think the Miata should stick with the four banger, with some turbos and such (factory?!) it could be leathal.<P>