There were three of them at the track today, we followed one for a couple laps - did really well through the turns. It's the new Miata
It bugs me that no one is trying to compete with a smaller, more spartan RWD driver's car that significantly undercuts the Toyobaru price. Think something much like the original MX5 in terms of size and weight, but coupe instead of convertible, and with the manufacturing improvements of the past 25 years. No exotic and costly weight reduction, just refraining from putting unnecessary crap in.
Such a car wouldn't even have to be a niche, balls-out sports car to be marketable. It could be a common-sense commuter vehicle for pretty much anyone who likes "driving" more than "sitting in a car", has no children and does need eight cupholders. If they hit 950kg curb weight it'd be 30% lighter than a Prius. With a small modern engine that would mean fantastic fuel economy in city traffic. Careful aero design would contribute simultaneously to performance and highway fuel economy. Not even attempting to stick in rear seats would give the car good trunk space (optionally, hatchback style) while eliminating the associated weight and manufacturing cost.
It bugs me that no one is trying to compete with a smaller, more spartan RWD driver's car that significantly undercuts the Toyobaru price. Think something much like the original MX5 in terms of size and weight, but coupe instead of convertible, and with the manufacturing improvements of the past 25 years. No exotic and costly weight reduction, just refraining from putting unnecessary crap in.
Such a car wouldn't even have to be a niche, balls-out sports car to be marketable. It could be a common-sense commuter vehicle for pretty much anyone who likes "driving" more than "sitting in a car", has no children and does need eight cupholders. If they hit 950kg curb weight it'd be 30% lighter than a Prius. With a small modern engine that would mean fantastic fuel economy in city traffic. Careful aero design would contribute simultaneously to performance and highway fuel economy. Not even attempting to stick in rear seats would give the car good trunk space (optionally, hatchback style) while eliminating the associated weight and manufacturing cost.
Good luck doing all of that with modern emissions, safety equipment, and crash protection requirements.
The NA Miata had a mass of 940kg and was exactly as you described: no expensive weight reduction, just bare-bones (not even power steering and only 2 speakers). It would be impossible to hit 950kg with all of the required air bags; 5mph bumpers; front, rear, and side crumple zones; added emissions controllers; etc, without resorting to higher-cost weight reduction through light-weight materials.
It might bug you, but it is not at all reasonable to make a car as you describe given Federal requirements.
It's happening, but not for two more years.
GM will be in the game
Honda too
But 950kg isn't achievable at 20K.
And it's very hard to build a business case for 10K vehicles a year
You are right, 950kg is unrealistically low for the size class we're talking about. I didn't spend much thought on it except that it gave me a nice round percentage for the Prius comparison, and had a historical precedent in the MX-5.Good luck doing all of that with modern emissions, safety equipment, and crash protection requirements.
The NA Miata had a mass of 940kg and was exactly as you described: no expensive weight reduction, just bare-bones (not even power steering and only 2 speakers). It would be impossible to hit 950kg with all of the required air bags; 5mph bumpers; front, rear, and side crumple zones; added emissions controllers; etc, without resorting to higher-cost weight reduction through light-weight materials.
It might bug you, but it is not at all reasonable to make a car as you describe given Federal requirements.