Gordon Murray states the obvious to the press

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7387432.stm

WAKE UP AUTOMAKERS! KNOCK KNOCK

When ever some one says

"a radical design that he claims will shake up the entire industry."

I tend to fog over and roll my eyes.

But I do hope he does something.

BBsGarage wrote: When ever some one says "a radical design that he claims will shake up the entire industry." I tend to fog over and roll my eyes. But I do hope he does something.

I think a late 80s/early 90s car with a fresh coat of paint presented at a conference with a lot of fanfare would be a radical design that would shake up the entire industry.

"Are these metal sheets supposed to have sharp angles in them? This does not compute."

"It has how many airbags and speakers!?"

"It weighs WHAT!? Where are the helium bags!?"

BBsGarage wrote: When ever some one says "a radical design that he claims will shake up the entire industry." I tend to fog over and roll my eyes. But I do hope he does something.

Except that, this is a guy who has successfully produced radical designs that functioned. McLaren F1 anybody?

Plus, he's saying: "The answer is to make a lighter stiffer car that uses all the energy of it's fuel. And it will be more engaging to drive than the land yachts currently being produced."

Now Testify!

"We're starting with a clean sheet of paper and re-thinking the car as we know it," he says. "And that doesn't just mean the basic architecture and concept of the car. It means every single detail."

When this man talks, auto engineers listen. Bean counters run screaming.

I will watch this with much enthusiasm!

Salanis wrote: Plus, he's: "The answer is to make a lighter stiffer car that uses all the energy of it's fuel. And it will be more engaging to drive than the land yachts currently being produced." Now Testify!

Amen! Hallelujah! Preach it!

I do not care for Murray, although I do like his cars.

He's a bit of elitist, in that he believes that everyone of the cars he builds or designs is the best, and worth every penny. Reading his critisms of the Bugatti Veyron, for example, were humerous. He tore it apart saying it was too heavy, too mechanized, too much techno wizardry, but avoided that fact that it had 1001 BHP and moved at 250mph.

He neglects to give credit where credit is due. So I don't give him much credit either.

The McClaren F1 was a great car that cost a million bucks. So it had 3 seats? woop dee doo.

Murray builds dream cars like the F1 and Caparo T1 or whatever, but VW has built an icon, the Beetle.

Personally, I think its much harder to build a super cheap, awesome performing car, than it is build a super expensive ultra exotic. The econo-racer requires the work of entire corporation to make happen, and rarely do we see iconic econo-racers. The Miata might be the most recent.

PHeller wrote: I do not care for Murray, although I do like his cars. He's a bit of elitist, in that he believes that everyone of the cars he builds or designs is the best, and worth every penny. Reading his critisms of the Bugatti Veyron, for example, were humerous. He tore it apart saying it was too heavy, too mechanized, too much techno wizardry, but avoided that fact that it had 1001 BHP and moved at 250mph. He neglects to give credit where credit is due. So I don't give him much credit either.

Maybe so, but the F1 does come very close to Veyron performance. 240mph with about half the hp and weight. Plus it has a proper gearbox.

Luke wrote: Maybe so, but the F1 does come very close to Veyron performance. 240mph with about half the hp and weight. Plus it has a proper gearbox.

I know which of the two I'd pick for a track day.

Salanis wrote:

Luke wrote: Maybe so, but the F1 does come very close to Veyron performance. 240mph with about half the hp and weight. Plus it has a proper gearbox.

I know which of the two I'd pick for a track day.

The one you didn't have to pay for?

Nashco wrote:

Salanis wrote:

Luke wrote: Maybe so, but the F1 does come very close to Veyron performance. 240mph with about half the hp and weight. Plus it has a proper gearbox.

I know which of the two I'd pick for a track day.

The one you didn't have to pay for?

LOL!