was:I guess Now: New 'Roc

[roccit_53 at scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca (C Boyko)]

On 10:18 am 08/25/06 Armand Engelbrecht <macboy@sgi.net> wrote:
> Cathy,
> You make some very valid points, but I would have to disagree with
> you on the point of the 70's designs being gone. 


Well, I think that if you stood Joe Q Public in front of a fastback Mustang
or a '57 TBird and asked them if it was an attractive car, they'd
unanimously say yes (and bid millions of bucks at inflated TV auctions for
one....). So to revisit those designs with concessions to modern safety
standards should result in a car with a good chance of selling well. Not so
with ours I fear, I know I'd get way more longing looks driving an old
Mustang or TBird than I do in either of my Sciroccos, with the exception of
those who are "already in the club". I agree that many revisits to older
designs have been well done, at least cosmetically. As for the feel? Nah,
they'll never feel like the originals, not to mention the maintenence
concerns. And that this IROC bears no similarity to our cars in looks.

As for the Bug? Well, I own one, and it's like I own the black sheep in the
VW family, mention Beetle ownership in VW circles and you get mixed
reactions _at best_. The hardcore aircooler people think it's an
abomnation, and the watercooled crowd would rather be seen in ANYTHING
else. The initial enthusiasm is long gone. (I still really enjoy mine, BTW)
It could be VW wants to be sure they appeal to a wider market than the few
who have sentimental feelings for the original cars (and in the case of the
Beetle, this would be a HUGE group anyway, they made SO many of them, and
people kept them alive so easily for so long, every kid knew Herbie and had
toy bugs, etc.) Hell, even at Waterfest, the Sciroccos got stuck out behind
the dumpsters. Why? Cause Joe Consumer likes to look at the A3/A4 stuff
better <shiver>. (Obviously I spent my time out behind the dumpsters :))

I'll wait to see if they got the important things right, how does the thing
go around the twisties, and did they finally find some suppliers for
electricals that are semi reliable? And will they ditch that interior? But
it doesn't look like our cars, I think we were all hoping for something
more like that Corradoesque red concept picture that's been circulating.
Meh, doesn't matter what we think anyway, VW has their own plans. Maybe I
need to start speaking Japanese for the next car eh?
Cathy 


The designers at
> both chrysler and ford have don't (I think anyway) a wonderful job
> with cars such as the challenger concept, the new mustang, and even
> the thunderbird. Companies such as GM are on par with vw by putting
> out garbage such as the camaro. There are people out there who can
> update the the earlier cars. I think VW did a nice job with the
> beetle.
>
> On 8/25/06 7:39 AM, "C Boyko" <roccit_53@scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca>
> wrote:
>
> >  I'm commenting before I read the list's opinions.
> >  First- What did you expect? It isn't the 70's baby, and the days
> >  of simple beauty are long gone. Other than the handful of us here
> >  who own and love the originals, how big IS the market for what the
> >  general public perceives as a German Chevette? Sorry to be so
> >  blunt, but not everyone loves the angularity and pared down good
> >  looks of our cars. So to expect the new one to resemble the old is
> >  just not gonna happen. VW's on a curve-fest, smooth and rounded
> >  lines (and a big ugly mouth) are the identifiers of this
> >  generation, why should the Scirocco be different? Second- IROC???
> >  WTF, and why is Chevy sleeping on this? Certainly they have some
> >  legal right to the name, I just see Camaro. So I guess it's full
> circle for me anyway, maybe it'll take the Firebird's place in the
> >  garage. Next the Rabbit will have a Trams Am version with a flying
> >  Rabbit on the hood.
> >  Third- What of the weight??? Suspension? Throw me a bone here...I
> >  know it's a concept, but if it pays any shred of homage to the
> >  Scirocco, that means agility.
> >  Fourth- I see some bright work and I want it painted black. Yep, a
> >  judicious application of black or anthracite paint on that gaudy
> >  metal work would go a long way towards putting this car in my
> >  driveway. If this were an RX8 we'd think nothing of it, but this
> >  is a German car dammit. Or is it Portugese? :)
> >  Fifth- I'm gonna need a car, my "new car" is seven now. The new
> >  GTI doesn't initially appeal to me either, but I've been told by
> >  every one who's been near one that I need to try one and then cast
> >  an opinion. That in fact they're really nice. So this one may be
> >  too. I await the opinion of a fellow 16V owner who is there for
> >  the "Great Unveiling" (lucky bitch), and a chance to see/drive
> >  one. I mean, what am I gonna buy, the Newer New Beetle? If it has
> >  a happy engine and the handling to support it, that's what counts.
> >  (and the price tag, of course) I'll want to see one in the flesh.
> >  In a different colour....hopefully they'll tone it down some.
> >  Cathy