The Auris thread set me thinking - with the 2.2 D4D Auris and the Golf TDI 170 are we at last near to a successor to the late, much-lamented Triumph Vitesse? (The Mark 2, in particular, which had rather less wayward handling than the Mark 1)
I think this is subtly different from the petrol GTI / Civic type R / Focus ST etc. I'm thinking of -
- a smallish, easy to manoeuvre 4-seater
- a big lazy engine, docile enough to be relaxing when you don't need to hurry, but with a good big wallop of acceleration when you do.
Have I missed anything in the last 35 years or has there been a Vitesse-sized gap in the market? I suppose the BMW 3-series qualifies - at a price.
Ideas anyone?
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I had a Vitesse Mark II. Don't recall the handling being any good. Eventually the stub axle went as I rounded a corner along with my confidence in the car!
Dolomite Sprint would qualify as a successor but hardly recent. Early versions of the Impreza or the Seat Leon perhaps?
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Old sized bag of cement in boot used to assist Vitesse handling!
MD
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I have a mark 1 convertible vitesse now. I'd vouch for the interesting handling.... A citroen plurial with a decent sized engine would probably be the nearest. The saab cabrios of the 80s might also qualifiy (if they had 4 seats, can't remember), ditto the golfs. I don't think vw put the v6 into the golf cabrio did they? The 80s alfa spider is also very similar. If you mean the saloon version then the alfa gtv is probably the closest or maybe even the alfa 75 3.0 v6. Rwd, lazy but went like stink and sideways :-)
teabelly
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New Clio Dynamique S 2.0 138bhp with six speed gearbox. A mile munching smallish car with good power when you need it. Fantastically smooth new Nissan/Renault designed engine with twin balancer shafts.
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My first thought was the early 80's Audi Coupe 2.2 GT, about the size of an old shape VW Jetta, but with a torquey 5-cyl 2.2 10-valve engine. (Would not be considered a small car in its day, but was a whopping 400kg lighter than this new Auris T180!).
Would pootle everywhere in 4th and 5th gear, and would accelerate up hills from 25mph in 4th. Would also go rather quickly if you wanted it to; but a very different character to the turbo'd ur-Quattro, with 60 bhp power defecit but no turbo lag.
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My first boss had a Mk2 Vitesse so unfortunately it has forever been associated for me with prematurely balding, early middle-aged men looking for a little but not too much excitement in their motoring lives. A Dolly Sprint would have been too much for him but I think any of the smaller but bloated Volvos, Audis and Saabs with just a bit of bling and go-faster exhaust would do, but not enough to frighten granny so no GTI badges.
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It has just hit me (and so might some Backroomers); it is the Honda Prelude I was struggling to identify for this Vitesse category.
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totally agree Harmattan! as long as you meant the mk2 shark-nosed model, with 2.2vti lump.
billy
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In a similar vein, the Smart Roadster is the perfect spiritual successor to an MG Midget/Triumph Spitfire, even down to the leaking roof.
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That's the one -- the first two generations of Prelude were a bit too restrained in their design. Over 2 litres would have to be a must too for any miniature Grand Tourer.
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2.2 D4D Auris and the Golf TDI 170 at last near to a successor to the late, much-lamented Triumph Vitesse?
Sorry to be so basic about it, but I am struggling with this one. In my mind it has to be the most disconected piece of thinking I have seen!
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Me too, TVM.
And I'm not even going near the Vitesse/Prelude thing. Do me a favour.
I am balding though...
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It must be 25 years since I had my Vitesse and I still have a fullish head of hair ................Mind you, if I'd kept the car I might have pulled much of it out!
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I can't see what is so disconnected about this - shall we go back to the interesting debate that some of us were having?
The 'connection' is in this para -
I'm thinking of -
- a smallish, easy to manoeuvre 4-seater
- a big lazy engine, docile enough to be relaxing when you don't need to hurry, but with a good big wallop of acceleration when you do.
Sorry that has less than pleasant memories for you, Harmattan! But it's the sort of car that quite a lot of middle-aged empty-nesters might be looking for. Personally I still need something eith a bit more room. but in a few years' time I could be inteersted, albeit i hope not bald....
The Volvo C30 D5 might be one to add to the list.
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>> I'm thinking of - - a smallish, easy to manoeuvre 4-seater - a big lazy engine, docile enough to be relaxing when you don't need to hurry, but with a good big wallop of acceleration when you do.
The 325i Compact or 130i springs to mind, RWD as well.
Though the Vitesse was never Vitesse, oder schnell, rather it's 100 hp 6cyl engine sounded great though was heavy where as the rear was light meaning wheelspin and oversteer were easy to induce. An RS2000 with similar power was much better balanced and a Dolomite Sprint or TR6 were much quicker.
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Following up Avant's point, the Vitesse acceleration when flicking out of overdrive in 3rd or 4th gear was something pretty special. Fooled a lot of people who thought they were racing a Herald!
Re Cheddar's RS2000 and TR6 suggestions, the thing is that the Vitesse was totally understated in looks, other than the frowning headlamps, the rostyle wheels and the metallic bumper.
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">Spiritual successor to the Triumph Vitesse<"
I don't think there is one. I can recall trying to make good progress past what I thought was a Herald many years ago. That was a surprise.
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