I think I saw a turbo in the ND

Odd · Postby **Odd** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 4:42 pm

A soft top will be available, inferring that a hard top will lead the sales charge.

Interesting comment....I got the impression that the base model would be soft top (to save weight)
are we talking folding roof or fixed hard top???

Personally I'd be totally disinterested in a tin top....;(

aka_juffa · Postby **aka_juffa** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 5:24 pm

Odd wrote: [Interesting comment....I got the impression that the base model would be soft top (to save weight)
are we talking folding roof or fixed hard top???

Personally I'd be totally disinterested in a tin top....;(

Folding was my understanding.

J

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 8:18 pm

My inclination is weight 1040KG soft top version, engine 135KW size 2000 not turbo,( ?) touring model and rht ( i.e. a convertible car, led lights for signals,drls, projector for headlamps, cloth interior for base model, and price for base model i.e. touring ( proper soft top ) $37000 and RHT $39000 and full leather and better sound system $41000. I think they have to find a way to keep the price down so it should be easy to have an entry level car even though it will get outsold by an rht. If they could achieve those numbers the car would perform better than an 86 but not be just a hot rod.

The question that it does pose however is that something like 135KW needs to be on tap and its pretty easy to achieve that with a turbo on a small engine- like what VW / BMW have been doing. One of the Minis has now got a 3 cylinder turbo engine. Ford were getting outstanding performance out of the 2litre engine in the Falcon- apparently so good it was a match for the big 6.

bootz · Postby **bootz** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:26 pm

Ford are getting good results with their turbo 1000cc triple. Do I hear updated version of the Austin Healey Sprite, anyone ?

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 11:47 pm

Mr M,
Multiple model variants just push prices up, gone are the days of built to order.
Greg.

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 2:01 am

Mr Morlock wrote:My inclination is weight 1040KG soft top version, engine 135KW size 2000 not turbo,( ?) touring model and rht ( i.e. a convertible car, led lights for signals,drls, projector for headlamps, cloth interior for base model, and price for base model i.e. touring ( proper soft top ) $37000 and RHT $39000 and full leather and better sound system $41000. I think they have to find a way to keep the price down so it should be easy to have an entry level car even though it will get outsold by an rht. If they could achieve those numbers the car would perform better than an 86 but not be just a hot rod.
The question that it does pose however is that something like 135KW needs to be on tap and its pretty easy to achieve that with a turbo on a small engine- like what VW / BMW have been doing. One of the Minis has now got a 3 cylinder turbo engine. Ford were getting outstanding performance out of the 2litre engine in the Falcon- apparently so good it was a match for the big 6.

Avoid the extra R&D, marketing and stocking costs of offering multiple models. No need for leather or Bose or tin tops etc. Just do a near 1000kg hi-tune 14.5:1 comp 98 octane version of the 2.5L with maybe 145kW and 270 torques. As it's so light it'll test at under 6.0L per 100km (although most buyers won't care much about fuel consumption). Price a base spec as above at $35k manual or $37k with flippy puddles. That would satisfy traditional MX5 buyers as well as bringing a whole new bunch of people into our dealerships to buy these cars while providing a halo effect for the rest of the range. I reckon this combo would fly out the door albeit at the expense of some small loss of sales of SP25s.

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 10:42 am

Apart from the 'horse n rider' thing is there any other information coming out about the ethos of the ND? I.E. we knew from the start that the GT86 was designed for owners to take on track.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 12:24 pm

deviant wrote:Apart from the 'horse n rider' thing is there any other information coming out about the ethos of the ND? I.E. we knew from the start that the GT86 was designed for owners to take on track.

What? Just like the MX-5 always has been?

rjastra2 · Postby **rjastra2** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 2:40 pm

davekmoore wrote:I reckon this combo would fly out the door albeit at the expense of some small loss of sales of SP25s.

People cross shop a 2 seater convertible with a hatch that starts at $26K????

It's like saying that FT86 sales impacted, in a negative way, the sales of Corollas.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 8:42 pm

Model variations are alive and well. BMW and Mercedes have more model variations than most people can recall. The Japanese not so much but still there for most makers. Track use does not amount to a blip on a sales chart. 86s are being bought by ladies etc ie not always enthusiasts ie main stream but niche.

I have taken a crack at a prediction on some key points and we have seen some of the leaks so what do others think.

If people think about it Mazda with the MX5 have always offered so called specials ie limited runs with different seats colours sound systems etc so the variation was always there. You will not see a 2.5 litre engine and unlikely a car from them running 98 octane adding possibly 10% to fuel economy. The people buying smaller cars I reckon do want a smaller footprint.

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 10:52 pm

rjastra2 wrote:
davekmoore wrote:I reckon this combo would fly out the door albeit at the expense of some small loss of sales of SP25s.

People cross shop a 2 seater convertible with a hatch that starts at $26K????

Yes, and I do speak from personal experience.