Hello All,

Here is a link to an article in the "New York Times" regarding recent and future small-car designs. The Fit is mentioned but there's no photo in the attached slide show. I found it interesting (and annoying) that so many good designs get offered in Europe but not in the US.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/au...s/06SMALL.html

 

That's because the typical American a) wants a sedan or coupe over a hatchback and b) because of the weaker dollar and expected higher quality Europeans are willing to pay for, it'd cost manufacturers an arm and a leg to bring over a vehicle that MIGHT sell.

It's amazing the differences between two vehicles with the same name in different parts of the world. Take the Ford Focus and the European Focus ST, for example. Ones absolutely disgustingly ugly, the other's a seriously competitive and well-put together vehicle that's actually ATTRACTIVE from Ford.

 

That VW Minibus thing looks SICK. Please bring that to the US!

 

Yeah, Americans have never really warmed to hatchbacks, and a lot of us still think bigger is better. But Fits, Yarises, Versas, etc., are becoming more and more popular. As gas keeps going up, I believe that many people will move toward smaller, high-quality vehicles. I feel like I'm lucky to be getting into a Fit right now (I have one on order, and it's due to arrive a week from today), particularly with the dollar tanking. I'm getting a gas-frugal car with a ton of safety features, and one that's good-looking and fun to drive, too. I can't wait! The car is a MR Sport with manual transmission.

 

I am all for small cars. My problem is I don't look at fuel efficiency as much as i look for performance, but small and fuel efficient often go hand in hand (even performance models if you treat them right).

Long story short: I like to be able to have a LOT of fun in my vehicles and not have to stop at EVERY gas station on the way to my destination, however, I am willing to sacrifice some fuel economy for added performance. -AND- since this is about "Future Small Cars" I will post an example of what I am excited to see.


(Based on the Solstice/Sky platform.)

2008 Buick GNX Concept - Popular Hot Rodding Magazine

Enjoy the read.

$0.02

 

The good designs are popular in Europe because gasoline costs $6 per US gallon and up;those good designs are small cars that maximixe mpg. And many have diesel engines which thrive as Europe has better diesel fuel than we do, typically 20 ppm S vs 80 ppm S in the USA. Unfortunately thats also a prime reason for diesel costing so much here; getting diesel down to even 80 ppm is a refiner's headache.

 

When I was in the U.K. last November I paid over $6.50 a gallon for gasoline. When gasoline gets over $4 dollars a gallon here in the US we will see more small cars being sold. Also, many of the streets are narrower in Europe than here and there is less available parking spaces.

 

cavie187: You're more of a hotrodder than I am. I agree that the Buick concept car looks really good, but I like the blend of practicality, ingenuity, and style that the Fit exhibits much better.

coupdetat: Yup, the squarish VW is mighty. I could drive one of those. But the Fit is more my style. In the "what car would you drive if cost wasn't an issue" segment of my profile, I listed the Fit as my dream machine. I just love a human-produced device that does exactly what it is supposed to do, and does it efficiently, and whose form follows its function perfectly.

Of all the cars in the NY Times's slide show, the one I liked the most was the Opel Agila. Maybe because it looked the most like a Fit!