What car does the world need? Let's hear your suggestions

[YSSMAN]

set aside cool new cars. Hell american car makers never even took the time to make a minivan cool, a muscle car affordable or an SUV green.

Dodge Caravan R/T

Chevrolet Camaro ~ From $23K

Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon/Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

 

[neanderthal]

FAIL on the last one

a plain black tahoe with the optional escalade 22s would have done it.

 

[Joey D]

Dodge Caravan R/T

HEY! I took that picture and you linked it from Autoblog. How awesome it that! Sorry I'm easily amused.

 

[wrcsti]

Needs more cowbell.



I would say something allong the lines of a European Ford Focus or Fiesta. Cheap reliable cars with tons of room and are kinda sporty! Also get great milleage.

 

[EA11R]

Something that makes clever use of space would be mandatory, to keep size and naturally weight down, helping everything. A proper amount of power (100hp or so sounds right), minimal to survive freeways and the like. Something that doesn't look utterly stupid, or bland. Low prices are nice, as will be versatility.

Frankly, my dear, the iQ will save us all.

The same way the original Mini had many chassis variations on it, for many different purposes (van, truck, estate, etc.), I'm hoping that the same will occur to the Toyota; I've already heard rumours of either sport or convertible versions, and both seem like swell ideas.

Of course, I realize that the absolute highest space is still given by the traditional cargo van, but for normal people, much less is needed. If the iQ can give this to us in a package we can swallow, then so be it. I can't wait.

But, since I'm from America, I'm totally unfamiliar with the apparently-equal-ish Aygo already in production. I guess I'll see.

 

[homeforsummer]

Something that makes clever use of space would be mandatory, to keep size and naturally weight down, helping everything. A proper amount of power (100hp or so sounds right), minimal to survive freeways and the like. Something that doesn't look utterly stupid, or bland. Low prices are nice, as will be versatility.

👍 This would go great with the truly modular chassis idea Leo mentioned a few pages back. A simple platform containing all the features you mention, with the option then to put a sedan/hatchback/coupe/pickup/van/MPV body on it depending on the needs of the owner. 100bhp would be more than enough if the whole thing topped the scales at no more than about 1000kg. A diesel option would be necessary for Europe too, especially for those who'd be interested in the van/pickup applications.

Frankly, my dear, the iQ will save us all.

Not so sure. Certainly not in the UK at least, where it's being priced at £10k, which is £2k+ more than the Aygo. Apparently that extra is reflected in the quality and technology, but I'm not sure how important either of those things are in a small city car. In a luxury car? Great! Not so much in a runaround.

The same way the original Mini had many chassis variations on it, for many different purposes (van, truck, estate, etc.), I'm hoping that the same will occur to the Toyota; I've already heard rumours of either sport or convertible versions, and both seem like swell ideas.

There's a rumour of a roadster variant, and I posted somewhere in the iQ thread about a convertible too. I'd like, nay - love - to see a small panel van/pickup or wagon in the spirit of the classic Mini on a stretched wheelbase version of the iQ, but I don't think Toyota have the corporate guts, especially in the current economic climate.

But, since I'm from America, I'm totally unfamiliar with the apparently-equal-ish Aygo already in production. I guess I'll see.

I'd think the iQ was an absolutely stellar idea if the Aygo didn't already exist. When the iQ is released I'd love to drive both back to back to see if the iQ really is worth another 25% on top of the price of an Aygo.

EDIT: The first post has been updated with links to ease navigation. I still feel there are some great ideas out there so more links will be added if necessary 👍

 

[ExigeEvan]

The same way the original Mini had many chassis variations on it, for many different purposes (van, truck, estate, etc.), I'm hoping that the same will occur to the Toyota; I've already heard rumours of either sport or convertible versions, and both seem like swell ideas.

You just compared having a van/truck chassis variant to having a convertible/sport variant?

You do realise just about every mid-size car in the UK has a sport (3 door), family (5 door), estate and convertible variant of them. Most even have an option to turn the 3 door into a 'van'. Examples being the Focus, Astra and Megane. And trust me, while generally very good cars, they're not what the world needs, IMO.

 

[homeforsummer]

People are downsizing though. Mid-size may be bigger than many people need. They're also not particularly desirable. Even those who make more effort with the styling are still just producing a dull family car.

A smaller car however can often have more of a personality. Think of the smart - objectively not that good, but it's got character, and distinct features that make it stand out. Even the short-lived ForFour was instantly recognisable as a smart, even though mechanically it had very few similarities to the original city car.

Now think of what the iQ looks like. It's USP is that it's a high quality product, almost like a smart made by Lexus, or something (I realise the irony of this comment with smart being a M-B product). Now imagine if people love the looks and the fantastic economy, but need more carrying space. A Yaris doesn't have the same character, but an iQ estate might be right up their street, even if it costs the same as a Yaris (or more).

Or maybe, consider a small business. A good example might be something like a mobile coffee shop, or maybe a florists. Currently when I see these sorts of companies, they're going around in little Daihatsu Hijets, or Piaggio Apes, or smarts. They get the job done, but they're either very awkward and slow (Daihatsu, Piaggio) or impractical (smart). Toyota releases a funky small van on a slightly extended iQ platform? I see that being pretty popular. Small business owners wouldn't be too displeased about it doing 60mpg or thereabouts, I'm sure.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Except it being "funky" will always mean it will attract a premium. So why doesn't a small business just buy a Yaris? The vast majority of people recieving the flowers (assuming women) will care little for what the car delivering the flowers looks like, and if they do I'm sure a paint/decal job, like most my local florists have, will disguise any blemishes.

I'm not saying that it won't sell, but I don't see florists rushing out for Mini Clubmen's and I don't see the world needing one.

 

[Joey D]

We get this thing over here, it's an HHR Panel and it is pretty much bought by florist and other small businesses that don't really transport anything large and heavy.

And small business owners wouldn't buy MINI Clubman's, they are way to expensive and over here you have to wait 14-16 weeks for one.

 

[homeforsummer]

Except it being "funky" will always mean it will attract a premium.

No more than the iQ does already for being a "premium" city car.

So why doesn't a small business just buy a Yaris?

Because they have no image, and when you're a small business trying to make an impression and you need a vehicle as part of that business, it doesn't make sense choosing something bland. Why do estate agents choose MINIs and not Fiestas? Why do companies make "sport" versions of vans now? People are prepared to pay a premium, in this country at least, for something with a better image.

The vast majority of people recieving the flowers (assuming women) will care little for what the car delivering the flowers looks like, and if they do I'm sure a paint/decal job, like most my local florists have, will disguise any blemishes.

It isn't about disguising blemishes, it's about standing out. And you'd be surprised. Around where I go to uni there's a small coffee company using a Piaggio Ape (as below) to sell out the back of, and there's a smoothie company that uses one of those weird looking electric vans. Neither would have as much impact if they just sold their produce out the back of a Corsa van, or a Yaris, for example. I suspect if they used a classic Mini van, however, they'd get similar levels of attention. People look at stuff like that. And that's the sort of market that an iQ van would be aiming at.

Incidentally, with the business below, the owner tows the Ape around on the back of a trailer behind a bigger car. With the iQ, he wouldn't need to as it would have proper performance all on it's own.

I'm not saying that it won't sell, but I don't see florists rushing out for Mini Clubmen's and I don't see the world needing one.

Joey pretty much answered this one:

And small business owners wouldn't buy MINI Clubman's, they are way to expensive and over here you have to wait 14-16 weeks for one.

Clubmans start at £14k in the UK. That's at least £4k more than the ideal iQ van would be, plus the clubman is a car and the van is a van, which means car road tax versus commercial vehicle road tax, and you could claim the 15% VAT back with the van too. Plus, MINI are pretty mean with standard equipment, in the UK at least.

And Joey, the HHR panel is exactly what I'm getting at, only on a sort of American, bigger scale They look great, and may not be as practical as other choices but stand out a mile.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Because they have no image, and when you're a small business trying to make an impression and you need a vehicle as part of that business, it doesn't make sense choosing something bland. Why do estate agents choose MINIs and not Fiestas? Why do companies make "sport" versions of vans now? People are prepared to pay a premium, in this country at least, for something with a better image.

Estate agents buy Mini's for the same reason they wear suits, to give them that ego boost, to make them look the top salesman. Frankly, I've never heard of anyone, nor think anyone, is going to buy a house just because the estate agent turns up in a nice car.

Sports vans? Well I'll conceded that one, a Transit with racing stripes looks kick ass.

It isn't about disguising blemishes, it's about standing out. And you'd be surprised.

Well yes, very few decal jobs for commercial vehicles are designed to make the car inconspicuous.

Around where I go to uni there's a small coffee company using a Piaggio Ape (as below) to sell out the back of

There's a company in Cardiff that delivers "supplies" to parties that also uses one. It doesn't look quirky, it looks tacky.

Neither would have as much impact if they just sold their produce out the back of a Corsa van, or a Yaris, for example. I suspect if they used a classic Mini van, however, they'd get similar levels of attention. People look at stuff like that. And that's the sort of market that an iQ van would be aiming at.

Really? I mean Smoothies might win out if you combine "healthy" food with a "green" car but again, I don't think anyone is walking past teh competition to get to them just because they have an electric car.

Clubmans start at £14k in the UK. That's at least £4k more than the ideal iQ van would be, plus the clubman is a car and the van is a van, which means car road tax versus commercial vehicle road tax, and you could claim the 15% VAT back with the van too. Plus, MINI are pretty mean with standard equipment, in the UK at least.

All true, but if there was a market for a clubman van surely MINI would have launched one? Yes it's expensive, but you just said yourself that people will pay for image, and the MINI has one of the best at the moment.

 

[homeforsummer]

Estate agents buy Mini's for the same reason they wear suits, to give them that ego boost, to make them look the top salesman. Frankly, I've never heard of anyone, nor think anyone, is going to buy a house just because the estate agent turns up in a nice car.

But they're less likely to buy a house if the estate agent turns up in a complete POS. The MINIs are the company cars, from the estate agents I've met most have had much nicer personal cars than MINIs. The MINI is used to make the company look good, and to draw attention to the company name signwritten on the side. MINIs still don't blend into the background just yet. This makes them ideal.

There's a company in Cardiff that delivers "supplies" to parties that also uses one. It doesn't look quirky, it looks tacky.

Matter of personal opinion. The coffee one I posted a picture of looks immaculate in person, as does the chrome coffee machine that's stashed in the back. And it certainly draws attention at the Sunday market it's always at, parked amongst the crummy stalls and Transit vans.

Really? I mean Smoothies might win out if you combine "healthy" food with a "green" car but again, I don't think anyone is walking past teh competition to get to them just because they have an electric car.

No, it draws attention because it looks like this:

...not specifically because it's electric. And I'd argue that the vehicle above stands out much better than a Yaris or a generic small van would. And this is the arguement I'm trying to use to reinforce my point, that a small, characterful, useful van would have a market. Many much less practical vehicles, some of which I've mentioned, already sell well and things like the Ape or that electric van aren't exactly cheap for what they are. Thus I see no reason why a hypothetical iQ van wouldn't have a market.

All true, but if there was a market for a clubman van surely MINI would have launched one? Yes it's expensive, but you just said yourself that people will pay for image, and the MINI has one of the best at the moment.

I'd expect that BMW and MINI aren't keen to associate their image with commercial vehicles. The company doesn't even have an MPV, let alone a van.

People will pay for image, but nor are people stupid enough to pay over the odds for it. MINI would probably charge over the odds. No doubt, if they could sell a Clubman based van for around £11-12k, they probably would. As it is, they'd probably try and charge £14k.

 

[neanderthal]

people do pay for image

or the illusion of success/ hipness/ coolness/ chic/ whatever you call it. even a tire shop doesnt pimp out a camry to showcase their rims and tires; its usually some hot rod or classic, or sports car.

 

[EA11R]

Please view everything I type through Mini-tinted glasses. There's some subtext!

You just compared having a van/truck chassis variant to having a convertible/sport variant?

Hell yes. If both could happen based upon the same chassis, what does that say about the chassis? Sounds like an ideal to me! Either way, what would make a good sports car and a good van seem to be in common regardless: rigidity, lightness, efficiency with space (though that's more vannish, anything can still benefit from it).

You do realise just about every mid-size car in the UK has a sport (3 door), family (5 door), estate and convertible variant of them. Most even have an option to turn the 3 door into a 'van'. Examples being the Focus, Astra and Megane. And trust me, while generally very good cars, they're not what the world needs, IMO.

(A) Those are too big, and (B) No; I try to know about good cars being sold abroad, but it's a losing battle. (C) I wasn't thinking it's a new idea, merely that it's a good thing - and pretty crucial since the base car is a bit specialized, eh?

As of late, I've become a bit obsessed with the classic Mini, read enough articles to be longer than the car itself (), and I can't help but see in the iQ a Mini that's been compromised just enough for the modern age. The see-through seating diagram shows just how space-efficient it is, but it apparently still passes modern safety standards. The top-shelf 100-or-so diesel engine is about as slow as you can go without anyone complaining, so I can dig that. The style is simultaneously generic in detail and unique in silhouette (pretty, too). It uses the "can't break an atom" approach to safety, meaning at least that there's a unique collision event (Mini=deathtrap, 84% injured). There are smaller, rubbish German tinycars out there, as with old Mini, and now they seem stupid. And, now there's even talk about making different versions!

I can picture the lineup now, the iQ 3.5-Seater, iQ 5.5-Seater, the iQ Roadster, the iQ RC, the iQ Van, the iQ Truck, and once I've had my way, the iQ FastCargo. Of course, the glissando to top it all off would certainly be the TRD iQ!

Damnit, that sounds so cool! Now I need to buy (A) an iQ, and (B) a TRD badge. Oh god, I've just considered a TRD Sienna. Forget it, let's TRD EVERYTHING!

 

[C-ZETA]

What we need is a sports convertible...made by Suzuki.

I was thinking they could start with the Cappuccino body, then size it up a LOT, give it an engine cover, fit a nice 3.5 V6, and of course REMOVE ANY FORM OF LIMITERS ON IT!!!

That's what Suzuki need to do to make any form of sports vehicle. Of course, it won't go offroad. Convertibles don't.

EDIT: Oh yeah, and a Bugatti Veyron style spoiler

 

[YSSMAN]

And small business owners wouldn't buy MINI Clubman's, they are way to expensive and over here you have to wait 14-16 weeks for one.

Don't forget about the Focus-based City Transit that we're getting. I still assume those will sell pretty well, especially if we are getting a hybrid or plug-in version of it in the very near future.

 

[neanderthal]

ford connect transit

if they make that in a hybrid, all the small businesses, including taxis, will own one. the taxi market would be humongous as new york city passed an ordinance that the entire taxi fleet must be hybrid sometime in the future

 

[YSSMAN]

Agreed. Seeing as how they were able to pull 43 MPG (city) out of the new Fusion Hybrid, it gives me great hope to see what they can do with the Transit. Nevertheless, it seemed like Mullaly was talking about doing a PHV version, and I assume it would be more like the Chrysler EV program than that of the Volt-style setups.

 

[Sniffs]

I've seen pics of the focus based transit. I just hope people don't automatically expect it to be an Aerostar that shrank in the wash!

please remember an american's perception of anything smaller than a Buick...DEATHTRAP

 

[Joey D]

please remember an american's perception of anything smaller than a Buick...DEATHTRAP

Where do you get your ideas from? You and I must live in a different version of the USA. A majority of the people around here drive Cobalt's, Caliber's, and Focus's now since they all ditched their SUV's over the summer. Americans think cars like the Smarts, MINI's, Yaris's, etc. are deathtraps but they have no qualms about compact cars.

 

[C-ZETA]

ford connect transit

if they make that in a hybrid, all the small businesses, including taxis, will own one. the taxi market would be humongous as new york city passed an ordinance that the entire taxi fleet must be hybrid sometime in the future

I think a Ford Ka is much more suitable for a hybrid than the Transit Connect. It's smaller, and small cars are easier to make into hybrids.

 

[EA11R]

Where do you get your ideas from? You and I must live in a different version of the USA. A majority of the people around here drive Cobalt's, Caliber's, and Focus's now since they all ditched their SUV's over the summer. Americans think cars like the Smarts, MINI's, Yaris's, etc. are deathtraps but they have no qualms about compact cars.

Are you implying that MINI's, Yarises, and Smarts aren't compact cars? I don't understand...

 

[neanderthal]

I think a Ford Ka is much more suitable for a hybrid than the Transit Connect. It's smaller, and small cars are easier to make into hybrids.

i know that genius, but im not buying anything smaller than my current car (E320 mercedes) and if i want better fuel economy you're saying i'd have to go smaller?

bollocks. if they can hybrid a 6000lb truck they can hybrid anything.


ps. there are UPS trucks and coca cola delivery trucks that are hybrids

 

[ND4SPD]

ps. there are UPS trucks and coca cola delivery trucks that are hybrids

Not to mention electric hybrid city buses.

 

[Sniffs]

Joey D: I'm talking from the "country boy" point of view, where ya gotta duck critters bigger than a damn Fourtwo, drunks coming home from the "club", and ice patches that melted offa guys driveways in a quickie thaw (like the week of christmas, here). I'm also refering to the remains of the grandparents and great-grands of most of the people on the net nowadays.

EA: most of us consider anything smaller than an old civic a "microcar"...the kind of things that truckers like to squish.

do ANY of you guys live where there's more cows than people?!

 

[YSSMAN]

*raises hand

I grew up in the country with my father, and while trucks are a nice thing to have, by no means did that prevent most of us from driving regular sized and slightly smaller cars. Nevertheless, the market that you're suggesting that they think about is actually very small. The overwhelming majority of Americans live in the city or in the suburbs, and as Joey pointed out, a lot of those folks are switching to smaller cars or crossovers in place of their full-size sedans and SUVs.

Nevertheless, there will always be people buying SUVs and pickups, so they won't disappear altogether. I seem to recall that last month, the F-150 (or Silverado?) was still one of the best-selling vehicles in the country.... At least in my opinion, there will never be a replacement for a real truck. And no, the G8 ST does not count.

 

[Sniffs]

untill you run into El camino fans. there's still guys out there that want picoupes (that's utes to the rest of you)

but did you STAY country, Yss...like me? I spent two months in a city...couldn't stand all the concrete. not enough green for my taste (and I'd rather hang around here where there's actually room to breathe). now, if they'd get rid of all those dang COUNTRY MUSIC stations...

 

[Nicksfix]

if they can hybrid a 6000lb truck they can hybrid anything.

Class 6 semi trucks are going hybrid as well : http://www.kenworth.com

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Are you implying that MINI's, Yarises, and Smarts aren't compact cars? I don't understand...

They're subcompacts in today's world.

Compact refers to Foci, Cobalts, Mazda 3s, Calibers, etc...