Editorgary@aol.com wrote:
>
>> Picked up a new rumor from across the pond -- or at least a new echo of an
>> old rumor -- that BMW is soon going to be announcing a new small roadster...
>[that] will be badged as a Triumph.
Michael Porter replied:
>Ah, well, with apologies to Gertrude Stein: A BMW is a BMW is a BMW.
=======
Yeah, but what did SHE drive? :-)
I'm not optimistic, and I'm also not a bit BMW fan. But I suppose it could be
worse; after all, Michelotti did do a fair bit of styling work for BMW in the
early 1960s, just as he did for Triumph.
And I guess I can't get too upset about slapping the Triumph name on a product
that shares nothing with the past. Look at almost anything "Triumph" after
1945; they're all pretty much Standard-based mechanically until you get to the
Stag and the TR7. Of course, those two actually have probably a fair bit of
Leyland influence or, later on, BLMC or JRT or ??? influence. :-)
I just hope they don't go too "upmarket" with such a car if such a car is
produced. Heck, I'm still disappointed that a more basic "New Mini" isn't
available in the US; I'd be happy to be proclaimed a "poser" driving a less
powerful Mini that could still feel good and pull down high MPGs! That's the
sort of BMW influence/philosophy that I fear might hurt a new Triumph. But then
it's not 1960 any more, especially in the automotive market. ;-)
--Andy Mace
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