Mondeo in drag
So how come we don't get similar comment every time the VAG bring out some new premium model "It's only a Skoda in drag" ?
Which would normally be much nearer the fact.
Ten... stars of the Geneva Motor Show
Reg Hardware Car Week The annual automotive get-together on the shores of Lake Geneva is arguably now the premier annual European car show. With auto makers having a better time of the current economic situation than many other manufacturing concerns, there was a definite feeling of optimism about the halls of the 82nd Geneva …
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Friday 9th March 2012 10:28 GMT Shades
Re: Mondeo in drag
I always thought it was the other way, Volkswagen & Audi design the platform while Skoda & SEAT get the benefits.
But you are right about the Jag, at least the old version of the X-Type, the underpinnings to that were Ford through and through... lift up its skirt and there was more Ford badges hidden away on various bits than there were Jaguar. Whether this is still going to be the case for the X-Types replacement (as we all know platform/parts sharing goes on on massive scale), now JLR are owned by Tata, I'm not so sure. Mind you, the XKs are just as bad, peel back various bits and you'll find a plethora of Ford and even Land Rover badges. Some obvious (like various switches lifted straight from Volvos), some hidden in plain sight (like head light electronics borrowed from Land Rover), and some completely hidden (like the explosive roll-over hoops from Ford/Land Rover).
While we're on the subject of Jaguar I may as well post this here:
From the article: "expect the bulk of the sales to go to the excellent 3.0-litre, six-cylinder and 2.2-litre, four-cylinder diesel models"
If they're anything like those present in the old X-Type and S-Type they are good engines, but not excellent. Yes, they do go like stink once you get them going, yes, they are smooth and waft you along quite comfortably and yes, they have plenty of torque but coupled with auto 'boxes, as they invariably were, they were horrendously lethargic and lazy. I realise this may have been the fault of the 'boxes but, put foot down and... nothing, nothing, nothing then wooooosh off we go. However, the 3.0-litre 6 cylinder petrol engines in the X-Types, when snuggled up to a manual box at least (which I found to be as rare as rocking horse sh*t) were actually very nice to drive.
Still, not as nice as the 4.2-litre supercharged V8s in the S-Type R and XK Rs though (I'm not counting those in the XJs as they were like driving round in a barge... or small house!)
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Friday 9th March 2012 13:28 GMT ChrisC
Re: Mondeo in drag
Pretty much all of the laziness in the 2.7D used in the S-Type is down to turbo lag, and pretty much all of that is apparent only when moving away from a standing start when the engine has been idling - asking for more power when you're already moving results in a significantly quicker response. The autobox can also be a bit reluctant to change down if you don't floor the accelerator hard enough with the box in normal mode, but if you've put it into sport mode or are manually persuading it to downshift via the left-hand side of the J-gate, then it's quite willing to shuffle the cogs around in a manner that promotes rapid acceleration...
From what I've heard about the 3.0D used in the XF, a significant reduction in this turbo lag is one of the ticks in the "ways this engine is shedloads better than the old lump" column, so it probably does deserve to be described as "excellent".
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Friday 9th March 2012 09:56 GMT DrXym
Oh dear
That Toyota FT-Bh has to be one of the ugliest cars I've seen in a long time. I wonder why this happens so much with concept vehicles. Yes it's a good idea to try out new looks but there must be a stage in the process where you can render a design in software and decide - "nope that looks absolutely hideous." before producing the thing.
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Friday 9th March 2012 10:44 GMT Shades
Re: Oh dear
I'm surprised neither of you have picked upon the vertical blades that seem to form the front "wings". Even for a technological show-piece concept, with zero chance of making it into production with that body, the wings, for me at least, really detract (distract?) from the overall message of the car. All it puts in my mind is Toyota have really taken a disliking to pedestrians!
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Friday 9th March 2012 10:36 GMT Shades
Just my opinions...
Bentley EX P 9: Liberace with wheels. Completely vulgar but going to be popular with a certain set in Cheshire.
Citroën DS5: Citroën seem to be getting their noses very right just recently, still not sure about the "swoosh" running from headlight to front side windows. Or the curled-back moustache fog/running lights.
Ford B-Max: As with the model this is replacing, the Fusion, Ford don't seem to be able to get the proportions quite right. Still, slightly better looking than the Fusion at least.
Hyundai i-oniq concept: Lose the ridiculous doors, as it surely will, and put it into production!
Infiniti EMERG-E concept: One word. Beautiful. As with the Hyundai above they seem to be designing cars from the future.
Jaguar XF Sportbrake: Soon to be parked up in a space reserved for visiting reps in some faceless business park near you. Or the golf club. Actually, thats a little harsh, the rear end still has a slight whiff of Mondeo about it but its not a bad looker for an estate. (C'mon Jaguar, along with Audi and their "Sportbacks" and "Avants", you're fooling nobody!)
Mazda Takeri: Why does this, from the front quarter panels backwards, make me think of the new MG? Better than the drab saloons they usually produce though.
Morgan Plus E concept: Do Morgan only make cars for Richard Hammond?
Peugeot 208 GTi Concept: Not sure about this at all. Reminds me of an old drunks bulbous red nose and seems to have been given unnecessary creases because everybody else is doing it and they couldn't really think of anything else to differentiate backwards of the front quarter from the previous models. Wouldn't surprise me if they don't tone it down for production and end up with something essentially the same as the long-since uninspiring 206 (which just seems to get tubbier and tubbier with every incarnation).
Toyota FT-Bh: I know its just a technological show-piece, but still, WTF? LOL
And last, but by no means least:
The model (visitor??) in the first picture: Forget the cars, where do I get myself one of those?
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Friday 9th March 2012 10:57 GMT David Evans
On the Bentley - its wilfully ugly but the interior is superb. Will be a huge hit with Arabs, Russians and rappers.
The Citroen, I've liked the look of this since I first saw it last year, but I've heard discouraging stories about the ride and the gearbox quality, which is a real shame because its quite the looker inside and out.
Ford B-Max, innovative but ugly. When the S-Max is so right, why can't Ford seem to replicate that with its smaller MPVs? There's also a new Kuga at Geneva that shows they've still got some design chops.
The Jaguar. I've reached the time in my life when I can get away with driving a Jaaaag, and I have a young family, so do want. Premium estates are the new black dontcha know, and this is much prettier than the Audi Avant or the 5-Series touring (even if they both probably objectively better cars - I don't care).
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Saturday 10th March 2012 21:27 GMT Anonymous Coward
Love that Hyundai
The i-oniq looks very Giugiaro-esque to me. I love it. Gull-wing doors FTMFW. I really hope it still looks like that once in production.
Same sentiment goes for the FT-Bh, I would so roll that all day long if it ever saw the light of day. In white but with blue vinyl trim please Toyoda San ;-)
(I'll pass on the Bentley though, thanx. And the Morgan... well if I fancied one I'd prefer the fun of nailing it together for myself.)
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Monday 12th March 2012 09:37 GMT MJI
More thoughts
Only one I could see myself in (if I could afford it) would be the XF, actually if the XFs depreciate enough I may get an early one in a few years - that or a BMW 530D. Since GM stopped making large cars interesting cars for the UK market (sorry can't afford a V8). The non premium large RWD sector has almost vanished.
I do not like Wrong Wheel Drive - just feels wrong I am afraid.
That Bentley (again) why would anyone not buy a Range Rover if they had the money?
The Nissan - would prefer a Z370 or a GT-R.
Mazda - good styling.
Morgan - need to think electric more, gearbox - do not need, that is what electronics are for.
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