Game -What if you were in charge

Rules are simple.

You pick one car company, and you list what you would change assuming you had carte blanche authority.

I'll start:

Ford US.

*Drop Edge

*Drop Focus/Fiesta Sedans, replace with 3 door versions

*Add V6 diesel option to F150

*Add Wagon to Fusion Lineup

*Add manual option for V6 and AWD fusions

*Drop all Shelby ties (inc. GT500)

*Use GT500 drivetrain to create Boss 429 as top-dog Mustang

*Produce the C-Max (whatever the Focus-based Minivan is that's basically a Mazda5 with different engines)

*Add Bronco based on F150 chassis using the quad-cab setup with the small suicide doors behind the main doors. 4x4 only. Same engine choices as F150.

--Lincoln

Kill entire lineup

*Create Mark IX based on Shelby GR-1 Concept

*Create Continental as fresh sheet uber-luxe sedan on par with BMW 760

*Create Zephyr as entry-level Lincoln. ~CTS-V competitor; Fusion chassis with 4.0 version of SHO motor, DSG and 6-speed options, AWD standard.

--Mercury

Bring it back; offer dealership contracts to anyone that had one before. Recreate brand with performance image. Basically what Pontiac should've been. Use it as a playground for making oddball stuff without affecting core-brand image.

*Maruader 4-door based on Falcon XR8

*Capri as new lightweight RWD 2+2 using modified 2.3T from Mazdaspeed3 and fresh-sheet chassis emphasizing light-weight.

*Cougar as 2-door based on Falcon XR6

*Lynx as Fiesta with a manually-controllable version of the DSG currently used as the Fiesta's autobox and AWD.

GM: Go back in time, let the company go under.

Mitsubishi:

Offer the Lancer Ralliart with a real manual trans to compete with the WRX.

Stuff an Evo drivetrain in the Outlander Sport.

Toyota: Kill it with fire.

Toyota: Throw EVERY model they make away. Start fresh. Bring back the cool cars.

GRM: delete this thread.

HIYOOOO!

Toyota:

Kill the entire SUV lineup.

Create new 4-Runner based on Tacoma.

Make Camry XRS. Push it hard in NASCAR states. Emphasize hp/tq and 0-60 times.

Create a diesel version of Prius; offer it with a manual transmission.

Create 2-door convertible Prius. Push it hard as a competitor to the Wrangler in places where people don't know what 4wd is (e.g. SoCal).

Sell FT-86. Price it at $20k.

Put Camry motor in modified FT-86 chassis, sell as Celica.

Put xUZ-GE in modified FT-86 chassis, sell it as Supra.

Make eco-freak friendly MR2. Rework Prius hybrid drive for performance over economy (instant torque off line). Pair it with 2ZZ-GE and 6-speed gear box.

Mazda:

Put the SKY engines everything NOW, including Diesel options.

Mazda2: Release 3-door hatch and Mazdaspeed2 (1.4L Turbo SKY-G) versions, offer rally-ready (less rollcage) MS2 3-door w/DSG direct through Mazdaspeed.

Mazda3: Tone down the design just a little bit, give MS3 a Revo-Knuckle style suspension, and release an MS3 bare-bones through Mazdaspeed for Touring Car racing.

Mazda5: Immediately re-do the new styling, release a Mazdaspeed5, and allow the 6-speed manual in all trims.

Mazda6: Re-fresh the styling, bring back the wagon, and bring back AWD but as a stand-alone option. Release a Mazdaspeed6 with the MS3 motor, 6-speed manual, and AWD. Make MS6 wagon.

Miata: Bring out the ND right away @2200Lbs. Have a normal softtop, PRHT, and a Coupe as models. Engines will be 1.6 SKY ($15K), 2.0 SKY, or MS3 motor, with 5 or 6 speeds available on all. Release multiple factory racer versions through Mazdaspeed. Make a Roadster (no top, double-hump trunk ala Boxster Spyder) as well.

RX-8: Put the 16X in it and restyle it. Release a Mazdaspeed version with a turbo/DI/16X.

RX-7: Shortened RX-8 with FD RX-7 styling and N/A 16X rotary. Make a "top dog" Mazdaspeed Turbo 16X version. Should offer 911 performance at 1/2 price.

RX-5: Take a Miata, style it as a Hatch a'la SA RX-7 with 2+2 seating, pop in the 16X, sell for $19K.

Tribute: Dead

B-Series: Dead

CX-7: Restyle, new motors, make manuals available.

CX-9: See CX-7.

CX-5: Smaller CX-7, like 1.6/2.0 SKY only.

Make 787B tour the country with other Mazda racers, create 797 with 4-rotor 16X turbo running on ethanol (so it's green!) and try and win LeMans again.

ReverendDexter wrote: Make eco-freak friendly MR2. Rework Prius hybrid drive for performance over economy (instant torque off line). Pair it with 2ZZ-GE and 6-speed gear box.

I can get behind this ONLY if there's also a supercharged performance variant with no electronics BS on it.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Toyota: Throw EVERY model they make away. Start fresh. Bring back the cool cars.

Ha! We agreed again! What Toyota's would you bring back?

Me:

Celica: As a small, RWD coupe/hatch. Style like FT86 but only 3/4 the size, with N/A 4-cyl. Target ~2400Lbs and 160HP, sell for $19K. Make a Turbo version for more $$$.

Supra: Bigger RWD coupe/hatch with N/A V6. Make a Turbo version for more $$$.

2000GT: Take LFA, restyle to be gorgeous like the 2000GT, release as halo model. 4000GT?

Oh yeah, and kill Scion.

Audi - rework each platform so that cars are RWD with an AWD option. Revise suspension settings to tune out the chronic understeer.

Javelin wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Toyota: Throw EVERY model they make away. Start fresh. Bring back the cool cars.

Ha! We agreed again! What Toyota's would you bring back? Me: Celica: As a small, RWD coupe/hatch. Style like FT86 but only 3/4 the size, with N/A 4-cyl. Target ~2400Lbs and 160HP, sell for $19K. Make a Turbo version for more $$$. Supra: Bigger RWD coupe/hatch with N/A V6. Make a Turbo version for more $$$. 2000GT: Take LFA, restyle to be gorgeous like the 2000GT, release as halo model. 4000GT? Oh yeah, and kill Scion.

Celica, MR2, Supra, Corolla, and then for their luxury car, the Crown/Cressida can come back. Everything else can suck it.

No preference on drive wheels of the Celica, as long as there is available AWD/Turbo.

MR2, follow the old recipe of a small engine, light weight, and motor in the back. Price to compete with Miata/MX5.

Supra: No holds barred, FR config, market against GTR, but lighter. Much lighter.

Corolla, entry level F/R, 4-5 seater, small, eco-friendly with a dose of fun.

Cressida/Crown: Go after the value luxury segment. Smooth V8, miles of suede leather, minimal doo-dads. Quality of the gadgets, not quantity.

Killer April fools thread.

or is this just a thread of fools?

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

ReverendDexter wrote: Make eco-freak friendly MR2. Rework Prius hybrid drive for performance over economy (instant torque off line). Pair it with 2ZZ-GE and 6-speed gear box.

I can get behind this ONLY if there's also a supercharged performance variant with no electronics BS on it.

I'm still convinced that a hybrid system can make for a higher-performance car if some car company would just have the balls to say "Berkeley being green, we're gonna make this 100% for SPEED". Like using it in combination with a ported rotary engine.

I wasn't creating that list as some fantasy, I was actually trying to make changes that I think would both make the line-up more interesting to drivers AND still keep sales with normals.

CX-5 to fight the Tiguan and the Nissan Ugly (Juke)

ReverendDexter wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

ReverendDexter wrote: Make eco-freak friendly MR2. Rework Prius hybrid drive for performance over economy (instant torque off line). Pair it with 2ZZ-GE and 6-speed gear box.

I can get behind this ONLY if there's also a supercharged performance variant with no electronics BS on it.

I'm still convinced that a hybrid system can make for a higher-performance car if some car company would just have the balls to say "Berkeley being green, we're gonna make this 100% for SPEED". Like using it in combination with a ported rotary engine. I wasn't creating that list as some fantasy, I was actually trying to make changes that I think would both make the line-up more interesting to drivers AND still keep sales with normals.

I hear you... i just wouldn't buy it.

But i wouldn't expect my wants to influence any company anyways, because they haven't so far.

Porsche: Stop building so many 997s! You have like 20 different versions of the 997!

Porsche: Skip 998 and 999, it's time for the ONE THOUSAND.

I demand a special edition 911 with horspower and torque specs that reflect the model name.

Lamborgini:

Drop silly looking cars, go back to making tractors, and maybe a mid-size sedan since that segment seems fairly open.

Company: Ford What would change: My salary.

Chrysler:

Kill the Caliber, bring back the Neon.

Build the Razor.

Drop all non-trail rated Jeeps. Reinstitute the old Jeep rules (no badge engineering, all must be trail-rated, etc, etc)

Drop the Commander and Liberty; replace with the Cherokee.

De-sissify the Rubicon. Tell people that complain about it's highway manners that they were retarded for buying a factory trail rig, and that they're perfectly welcome to trade it in on a normal Wrangler.

Bring back the Viper.

Use the Viper chassis with some slight bodywork tweaks and the big Hemi (7.whatever); sell it as the Copperhead, laugh at Corvette owners.

Sell the NuKizer.

Stop creating sticker packs every year for the RAM 1500 with the Hemi.

Offer manual transmissions in the Charger, bring back the Magnum.

Toyota: Diesel Tacoma

Ford: Smaller Mustang with good suspension

BMW: Bring all models including diesel ones to the US

Porsche:

Kill Panamera and Cayenne with fire. Abort Cajun and Pajun.

Release entry-level sports car. 356/914 style car. Light, N/A flat-4 in the middle, and make it a Targa/Roadster only. Target wealthy Miata/S2000/MRS people.

Boxter/Cayman: Leave alone!

Carrera: Cut versions by half. Make 991 as a smaller car, not larger, that fits better with original AC911.

928: Take the bones of the Panamera and release a GT FR model. Nose styling can stay, but needs help. Make sure a manual is available. V8, V8T, and Hybrid can all stay. base V6 goes home.

924: Take stillborn Pajun, install a new bent-4, and re-release the 924/944/968. FR 2+2. Make Coupe/Hatch and Convertible versions.

918: Release immediately in Spyder and Coupe versions. Bring 918 to track and show up Audi at LeMans.

Racing: Since papa-VW will be mad at me for winning LeMand one more time in front of brother Audi, leave the LMP's back to Audi and go back to F1, hopefully with McLaren. Stick tounge out at Mercedes and Ferrari.

AMC: ...

Ford: - Grant myself a new GT

Lotus: - Grant myself a 2Eleven and an Exige Cup

Radical: - Grant myself a R-3 and R-8

GM: - Grant myself a brand new 3500HD Duramax

Haulmark: - Grant self a double stacker with onboard lift

I think the pattern continues... but you get the idea.