Superleggera is the name of the process Touring in Milano used to make the alumnium bodied cars. I don't think they used the aluminium to make the cars any lighter but because it is easier to bend. The tooling costs less. To give the body the required strength, the aluminium was much thicker than steel sheet, which cancelled almost all if not simply all of the reduction in weight.
Why not use the name HF again for the totally stripped version with plexi windows and all that? Everybody will go crazy over that.
The new Fulvietta, what does it add to the world?
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ALAN COOPER
Re: The new Fulvietta, what does it add to the world?
if we were to be really daring why not simply replicate the basic engineering design of the fulvia but using modern super rigid and light materials? the unsprung weight of the beam axle could be greatly reduced, and highly efficient lightweight leaf springs could be designed. Brakes could be enhanced to modern standards and the engine could benefit from modern engine management all fitted to a thoroughly modern body design of elegant simplicity (and not a fulvia copy)
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Huib Geurink
Re: The new Fulvietta, what does it add to the world?
Interesting idea, Alan.
I have been thinking about the leaf springs. I like them although they are bit heavy. They have the advantage that it is easy to give them any desired chracteristic, progressive or otherwise. I don't know the reason why everybody went to coil springs. Probably because they are cheaper, lighter and take less space, virtually no space if put around the shockabsorber. The wrong reasons thus.
The transverse leaf spring at the front with the double wishbones is quite nice. The heavy part is attached to the sprung weight. The light tips count as unsprung weight.
Might indeed be possible today to make the leaf springs from very light weight plastics.
I have been thinking about the leaf springs. I like them although they are bit heavy. They have the advantage that it is easy to give them any desired chracteristic, progressive or otherwise. I don't know the reason why everybody went to coil springs. Probably because they are cheaper, lighter and take less space, virtually no space if put around the shockabsorber. The wrong reasons thus.
The transverse leaf spring at the front with the double wishbones is quite nice. The heavy part is attached to the sprung weight. The light tips count as unsprung weight.
Might indeed be possible today to make the leaf springs from very light weight plastics.
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Randy Adams
Re: The new Fulvietta, what does it add to the world?
Huib:
Don't completely knock the platform concept. That's what gave us the Flaminia PF coupe and Zagato and Touring models. Ditto the Flavia PF coupe and Vignale and Zagato models. Ditto the Fulvia coupe and Zagato model. Ok, ok, I'm made my point.
What is needed is a true LANCIA platform. That's NOT a Fiat platform. Something worthy of the company who essentially invented chassis engineering.
Don't completely knock the platform concept. That's what gave us the Flaminia PF coupe and Zagato and Touring models. Ditto the Flavia PF coupe and Vignale and Zagato models. Ditto the Fulvia coupe and Zagato model. Ok, ok, I'm made my point.
What is needed is a true LANCIA platform. That's NOT a Fiat platform. Something worthy of the company who essentially invented chassis engineering.
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Huib Geurink
Re: The new Fulvietta, what does it add to the world?
Randy
Good point and a much better definition of what we really want.
Huib
Good point and a much better definition of what we really want.
Huib
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Jean de Barsy
Re: Superleggera
Yes, would be great.... but in reality... That's the initial plan, but after Mr.Safety came along, the plexi was abandonned (too dangerous), the nice dashboard redesigned (now it's safe but ugly), the nice body form was slightly modified (otherwise it was too expensive to build) and so on, and so on. And in the end it's a common car rolling out of the factory.
I think the main problem is a new car must appeal to a very large number of people. This involves a normal acceptable design and surely not something special or the price will be excessive.That's how it is nowadays. And let's be honest, if the Fulvietta is produced, I'm sure they'll once again loose money on this project and FIAT would better start to rearrange a decent dealer network with a clear and strong image. Now it changes every year, many FIAT salespoints are dustbins and no one really cares about it. How can it be that AUDI who was nowhere in the late 60's became what it is today? Fiat (the group) went the other way... isn't it this what must be done first before getting lost in another project? I think the Thesis looks great, but not one sales point is up to its image and besides the Thesis stands a FIAT DUCATO transporter.... (and you get a Cinquecento for free when you buy one!) How on earth do you want to sell something, how good it may be, in these conditions?
I think the main problem is a new car must appeal to a very large number of people. This involves a normal acceptable design and surely not something special or the price will be excessive.That's how it is nowadays. And let's be honest, if the Fulvietta is produced, I'm sure they'll once again loose money on this project and FIAT would better start to rearrange a decent dealer network with a clear and strong image. Now it changes every year, many FIAT salespoints are dustbins and no one really cares about it. How can it be that AUDI who was nowhere in the late 60's became what it is today? Fiat (the group) went the other way... isn't it this what must be done first before getting lost in another project? I think the Thesis looks great, but not one sales point is up to its image and besides the Thesis stands a FIAT DUCATO transporter.... (and you get a Cinquecento for free when you buy one!) How on earth do you want to sell something, how good it may be, in these conditions?
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Jean de Barsy
Re: The new Fulvietta, what does it add to the world?
"Making money can never be a core business. It is the natural result of being good at one's core business."
That's it! The truth in a simple phrase. But we are not the onces who need to be convinced about that. Wish these words were present on every raptorlike marketing manager's office in large letters.
That's it! The truth in a simple phrase. But we are not the onces who need to be convinced about that. Wish these words were present on every raptorlike marketing manager's office in large letters.
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Jean de Barsy
Re: And in addition
Yes right, but that's a true "driver's" point of view. On modern cars the bonnet has to be invisible, or the majority of people will have the impression of a huge car which is impossible to park. So, "NO VISIBLE ANCHORS" End of line!