The General Car Thread - The Facelift.

[Novus America]

And at least those had style. If you want a boat with style, cool.
But mid 90s cars are so bland and nondescript.

The Town Car and Fleetwood are hardly nondescript.

https://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/linc ... _1_500.jpg

http://www.cadillaccountryclub.com/imag ... od1994.jpg

80s hold over looks that are the exception, not the rule.

[Auzkhia]

The Town Car and Fleetwood are hardly nondescript.

https://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/linc ... _1_500.jpg

http://www.cadillaccountryclub.com/imag ... od1994.jpg

80s hold over looks that are the exception, not the rule.

But improved, both had, especially the Lincoln, conservative looks for luxury sedans in North America. The Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis had more radical aerodynamics starting in 1992.

Though these 3 were also the ultimate luxury sedans in the 90s.
W140
Silver Seraph
E38

[Petrolheadia]

Unrelated, but if any of you are familiar with the game/sim Automation, Petrolheadia is judging a competition to make a 1968 fullsize sedan and encouraged me to enter. This is what I created, given the game's limited capabilities:

(Image)

Standard Features

357 cid 16v OHV V8, 93 AKI
Single 4bbl Beldingford Carbuerator
4.0" bore x 3.55" stroke
250 gross (207 net) hp @ 4300 rpm
375 gross (312 net) ft/lbs torque @ 2200 rpm​
3 speed SlushaMatic automatic transmission
1st: 2.65:1, 2nd: 1.55:1, 3rd: 1:1
2.88 Rear Axle Ratio​
128" wheelbase, 230" length, 78" width, 3930 lbs
Power Recirculating Ball Steering, Power Brakes
Front 12" Disc Brakes, Rear 12" Finned Drum Brakes
P220/80CH15 Bias Ply tires​
22 Gallon Gas Tank​

Optional Equipment

Hulla Blue Premium Metal Flake Paint
Z16 Sport Handling Package
P220/80RH Radial Tires
Four Wheel Disc Brakes
Front Sway Bar
Firmer Rate Springs​
Interior Gauge Package
ComforTronic Automatic Temperature Control
Fingertip Speed Control

https://www.beamng.com/threads/automation-build-challenge-june-july.63232/

So on the topic of this competition, I need some ideas for further editions of the challenge.
They have to be ideas for cars in a certain year, and preferably involve a car segment-based (e.g. midsize luxury sedans) distinction.
Give me as many as you have, we will find own we like the most.

Mine include:
- 1956 European midsize wagons,
- 1967 supercars,
- 1985 convertibles,
- 1989 off-roaders and SUVs
- 1989 premium family cars,
- 2005 MPVs,
- 2018 premium crossovers.

[Cannot think of a name]

I'm sure there are a few people pleased where those numbers land...

[Costa Fierro]

Looks like Mercedes-Benz is planning to ditch the X-Class.

[NeoOasis]

Looks like Mercedes-Benz is planning to ditch the X-Class.

At least Mercedes had the sense to base the X on the new Navarre and not the ancient Frontier. Seriously, no matter how I look at it, the X is nothing but a slightly melted looking Navarre.

[Auzkhia]

Looks like Mercedes-Benz is planning to ditch the X-Class.

Probably would have worked in America maybe, but still, meh, I'd have gotten the Sprinter or V class.

[Cannot think of a name]

Looks like Mercedes-Benz is planning to ditch the X-Class.

Probably would have worked in America maybe, but still, meh, I'd have gotten the Sprinter or V class.

I feel like it almost only would have worked in America.

[Costa Fierro]

Probably would have worked in America maybe, but still, meh, I'd have gotten the Sprinter or V class.

I feel like it almost only would have worked in America.

They specifically ruled out the United States because they said the preference there was for full sized pickups.

[Auzkhia]

I feel like it almost only would have worked in America.

They specifically ruled out the United States because they said the preference there was for full sized pickups.

Midsize trucks are decently popular there, I see plenty of Toyota Tacoma smaller trucks than the Tundra.

[Novus America]

They specifically ruled out the United States because they said the preference there was for full sized pickups.

Midsize trucks are decently popular there, I see plenty of Toyota Tacoma smaller trucks than the Tundra.

But people want them cheaper.
Colorado’s and Rangers start around 20k.

If you have the money, and are looking for luxury you buy a fully fitted out full sized.

Not many people are going to drop 50k on a mid sized truck.

Also truck buyers are pretty loyal to their brands, and Mercedes does not have pick up truck image. It does not have the look and image pickup truck drivers go for.

It is a grossly overpriced and inappropriate product in a already saturated market.

[Cannot think of a name]

New Corvette interior, littered with buttons. 20 buttons. And a drivers isolation pod that also screams 'no fatties.'

[Costa Fierro]

They specifically ruled out the United States because they said the preference there was for full sized pickups.

Midsize trucks are decently popular there, I see plenty of Toyota Tacoma smaller trucks than the Tundra.

This is looking increasingly like Mercedes-Benz has made a massive blunder. In saying that they did make the right choice by putting it in markets where pickup trucks of that size have strong sales, these being South Africa and Australia/New Zealand.

[The Two Jerseys]

It's finally here...

[Elwher]

New Corvette interior, littered with buttons. 20 buttons. And a drivers isolation pod that also screams 'no fatties.'

That is awful. My Midget has two switches, a rocker for the headlights and a rotary for the dash light brightness. I do just fine with them, and do not need a degree in EE to drive it.

[Cannot think of a name]

New Corvette interior, littered with buttons. 20 buttons. And a drivers isolation pod that also screams 'no fatties.'

That is awful. My Midget has two switches, a rocker for the headlights and a rotary for the dash light brightness. I do just fine with them, and do not need a degree in EE to drive it.

The Mach 5 only had eight buttons and one of those shot a robot homing pigeon out.

[Auzkhia]

I'll say it, I don't care if it is a retraction of what I said before.

I quite like the new C8 Corvette, I think it's the logical evolution of the car.

[Elwher]

I'll say it, I don't care if it is a retraction of what I said before.

I quite like the new C8 Corvette, I think it's the logical evolution of the car.

Corvettes were always a beautiful car. Only recently have they performed up to their looks.

[Petrolheadia]

I'll say it, I don't care if it is a retraction of what I said before.

I quite like the new C8 Corvette, I think it's the logical evolution of the car.

Corvettes were always a beautiful car. Only recently have they performed up to their looks.

Sure, you may be older than the rest of us, but 1984 sure can't be "recently". And neither can 1957-1974.

In fact, the only bad Vette years were 1953-1956 and 1975-1982.

[Auzkhia]

Corvettes were always a beautiful car. Only recently have they performed up to their looks.

Sure, you may be older than the rest of us, but 1984 sure can't be "recently". And neither can 1957-1974.

In fact, the only bad Vette years were 1953-1956 and 1975-1982.

GM made a car faster than the C4, it was a Buick Regal TT Grand National.

The GNX was a bit faster and no Corvette was faster until 1989 when Chevy made the ZR1.

[Petrolheadia]

Sure, you may be older than the rest of us, but 1984 sure can't be "recently". And neither can 1957-1974.

In fact, the only bad Vette years were 1953-1956 and 1975-1982.

GM made a car faster than the C4, it was a Buick Regal TT Grand National.

The GNX was a bit faster and no Corvette was faster until 1989 when Chevy made the ZR1.

And so?

The Corvette was still one hell of a budget blaster.

[Elwher]

Corvettes were always a beautiful car. Only recently have they performed up to their looks.

Sure, you may be older than the rest of us, but 1984 sure can't be "recently". And neither can 1957-1974.

In fact, the only bad Vette years were 1953-1956 and 1975-1982.

I am not saying the other years were bad, but they always looked like they could play with the Ferrari crowd, which is a credit to the body shops at GM. Unfortunately, they couldn't do so. What they were was a lower price option for those who wanted a decent performing and great looking vehicle.

Look at the 57 Testa Rosa and the 57 Vette. They both look beautiful, but the Ferrari had a series of Le Mans wins, the Vette did not. Now, the ZR-1 and the like perform as good as they look.

[NeoOasis]

I'm still not sure what to make of the new Corvette, but interior design choices are a bit confusing. What's the purpose of building an actual wall between driver and passenger? Using the cupholders is probably gonna be a bitch and a half.

[Petrolheadia]

The modern Fiat 500 is in Europe what the original Ford Mustang was in the US.

I saw a 500 driving down a street the other day, and I was hit with this idea. I knew there must be some reasons for that, so I started thinking and came to see a few parallels:

- Upmarket version of a practical economy car. Just like the Mustang was a descendant of the Falcon, the 500 took the humble Panda's chassis and sold it under bodywork that did not have such low-end associations.

- High and not necessarily expected popularity - Both of the cars were big sales success in their markets, going high up in the sales charts and having a great positive financial impact on their manufacturers.

- Image of a car for women and young people - Few people remember it, but the Stang was sold as exactly that. While the 500's reputation comes less from ads and more from traditional perceptions of small cars, it is a fact that it is very similar.

- Mediocre performance as stock, but an ability to be much faster - The ordinary 500 and the ordinary Mustang were both non-performers, having engines from garden-variety economy cars. However, the Shelbies and Abarths soon came onto the scene, making the machines much faster and getting quite wild at the top end.

- Creating a new segment - The Mustang gave rise to the pony car, a compact with increased sports and luxury appeal. While the A-premium segment, largely started by the 500, did not get as big, Opel got into it with the Adam, Renault and Smart attempted it with the Twingo and Forfour, and Mini and Citroen were both considering getting into it.

- Spawning higher-end counterparts - Mustang owners with higher aspirations could buy a Mercury Cougar, an upmarket version of the Stang's chassis. Fiat 500 owners have the same opportunity, provided by the 500L and 500X.

- Having a controversial replacement - Both cars get on with the changing times by undergoing radical changes. The Mustang II got a lot smaller and less powerful, while the next Fiat 500 is going to be all-electric.

Do you agree with me on that?

[Dresderstan]

I just realized something is Peugeot owned by Fiat or vice versa? Because I randomly checked online and the Peugeot Bipper and the Fiat Fiorino looks exactly the same.