Friday 10th January 2003
AS ONE
UK debut for German Road/Track car
Discussion
How come the Strathcarron failed because their motorcycle engine would not meet emissions, when the UK government closed a loophole for bike engined cars, yet all this current crop of bike engined cars are viable? Have the rules changed, or are they using engines that satisy emissions or what?
The problem with making cars is that they are sexy - everyone wants to do it, which is why there is chronic 10% oversupply in the global car industry. I am very interested to see who is able to find remaining niches. FBS have probably failed, Lotus own the light sports car/track car market with the Elise, TVR are secure in their realm, I don't see much room left. That said, Smart pleasantly suprised me with their new Smart coupe and convertible, which do fill a niche (they'll sell a bundle of them, including a coupe to me), so it is possible that someone else can find other remaining pockets in the market.
Good luck to AS One, reading their website it seems a professional approach and a great product. Not sure how really viable the car will be on the road though - surely the Elise has the road/track market sewn up?
The problem with making cars is that they are sexy - everyone wants to do it, which is why there is chronic 10% oversupply in the global car industry. I am very interested to see who is able to find remaining niches. FBS have probably failed, Lotus own the light sports car/track car market with the Elise, TVR are secure in their realm, I don't see much room left. That said, Smart pleasantly suprised me with their new Smart coupe and convertible, which do fill a niche (they'll sell a bundle of them, including a coupe to me), so it is possible that someone else can find other remaining pockets in the market.
Good luck to AS One, reading their website it seems a professional approach and a great product. Not sure how really viable the car will be on the road though - surely the Elise has the road/track market sewn up?
FBS is still in business, still delivering cars to real paying customers and still winning new customers. We are also still winning high praise from the independent automotive media:
"...the Census is just about as right as a man can get. Fast, safe, and an absolute delight to drive, it cannot fail to enthuse anyone with even the remotest aspiration to be considered a decent performance-car driver."
You can read the rest of that review at
www.newcarnet.co.uk/mag_latest_rtest.html?id=337
"...the Census is just about as right as a man can get. Fast, safe, and an absolute delight to drive, it cannot fail to enthuse anyone with even the remotest aspiration to be considered a decent performance-car driver."
You can read the rest of that review at
www.newcarnet.co.uk/mag_latest_rtest.html?id=337
Oh, I forgot, Strathcarron were not, as far as I can see, the victim of a rule change. I have been a powertrain engineer for over 10 years and I cannot see how it was ever going to be legal at the volumes the company claimed to be targetting.
If anyone who was actually on the inside at Strathcarron knows better, I will be happy to be corrected.
If anyone who was actually on the inside at Strathcarron knows better, I will be happy to be corrected.
The Census is a logical choice for track days. Drive in comfort to the south of Spain in comfort to Jerez, Jarama and Guadix. With the reliable Ford V6; there will be no better way to have fun. I asked Joe at the Motor Show what FBS stood for; the answer "Future British Sportscar"!
James
Buy British
James
Buy British
James, that's not what they call it in the FBS website!!
www.fbscars.co.uk/press_autoexpress_9_Oct_2002.htm
www.fbscars.co.uk/press_autoexpress_9_Oct_2002.htm
joe90 said: FBS is still in business, still delivering cars to real paying customers and still winning new customers. We are also still winning high praise from the independent automotive media:
"...the Census is just about as right as a man can get. Fast, safe, and an absolute delight to drive, it cannot fail to enthuse anyone with even the remotest aspiration to be considered a decent performance-car driver."
You can read the rest of that review at
www.newcarnet.co.uk/mag_latest_rtest.html?id=337
I honestly hope you succeed.
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