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Why Turbo? because you want to be different... Posted by magalar [Email]  (#1325)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from magalar) on Thu, 28 Jul 2005 09:35:04
In Reply to: For argument sake: Why Turbo?, Nathan  [Profile/Gallery]
, Thu, 28 Jul 2005 04:49:44
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All items mass-produced in general, and cars specifically, need to offer an advantage, or a difference, to distinguish themselves from the mass.
That being said, mass market cars like Toyotas and Fords are aimed at the general public, the one that doesn't care about what is under the hood.
Saab, Citroen, Subaru, 80's Audi (5 cylinder period), all used clever (some will say strange...) engineering to distinguised themselves from the big boys. It was a way of gaining interest among the mechanical freaks, or the non-conventionnal people. I, for one, wouldn't want to be seen in anything less than "unconventionnal", that's why I drive a Quattro and a Saab.
Let's face it, after more than 100 years of developpement, there is many "standard" perfect cars, mechanically speaking :
- 2.0 liter L4 FWD small sedan.
- 3.0 liter V6 FWD medium sedan
- 3.5 liter V6 FWD minivan
- 5.7 liter V8 RWD pickup truck
All the other iterations of the basic transportation vehicles must be considered as "evolutions" needed to gain more market share. You can get this by clever styling, new technologies, or "marketable" drivetrains.
Turbo is the nail that Saab hit since 1977. Not the best, not the worst, but it's the Saab way of doing cars. Just to confirm that theory, look at these manufacturers that are hitting the same nail since Noah:
- Subaru and Audi: AWD
- BMW :fun to drive
- Mercedes : solid and classy
- Porsche : rear (and center) engine
- Jaguar : comfortable English classicism
Not that you can't mix and match, but each of these has a unique selling argument, an argument that even my mother would recognize.
Try to find a clear path among the big boys, and you'll see that they are everywhere, covering all the smaller niches. But when you want to name a benchmark, the enthusiasts (and the newcomers...) will always refer to one of the smaller manufacturer, as in "the best turbo engines are from Saab".
Is this true or not ? Doesn't matter, since the general public will never try these cars, but will often dream of owning one.
Turbos are BEST for Saab, that's the only essential point.
Comments welcome.
magalar
posted by 63.174.2...
, Thu, 28 Jul 2005 04:49:44, Thu, 28 Jul 2005 09:35:04 <-- Viewing This Message, Thu, 28 Jul 2005 12:51:59
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