SAAB/Lotus/Sonnet !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[garry]

Ok.... I have calmed down now.

Until half an hour ago I was still shaking a bit after having been taken for a spin in a VX220 Turbo along one of the most notoriously fun stretches of road in the United Kingdom.
0 to 100KPH in 4.7 seconds, thats faster than a CL 65 AMG. its 2.0-liters engine is one third the size and eight cylinders short of Mercedes 6.0-liters beast.
It accelerates from 80 to 120km/h in 6.7 second in fifth gear, and just 5.1 seconds in fourth. and **** me does it go around corners.

It was several hours ago that I started shaking

The last time I felt like this was..

a) on a very small boat
OR
b) just before the car stopped when I jackknifed a trailer
OR
c) after a ride in a 3 liter Capri at the giggly age of 7

It is the new beasty of one of our c900 T16 owners who came to visit me today. Although my modded T16 is quite fast in a straight line (well not too slow by comparison ), this VX220 is quicker and can maintain the thrust around virtually any corner 'without death'.... But then again as its assembled by Lotus utilizing a Lotus platform no wonder as it IS one of THE best handling cars in the world.... Probably one of the top 10.

So.... Am I right in thinking this is the GM platform a possible new SAAB Sonnet will be based ? :P :P :P :P ......BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!! Bit more cabin space, better access...slightly more plush but leave it there!....... The VX220 is a stunning car because it is not bloated with soundproofing etc... its a PROPER sports car in the same way a Sonnet was and could be again..... Pleeeeese SAAB/GM ...... make a new Sonnet based on this platform.

[mattrazzo]

Sorry for my ignorance here, but out of the loop on this. Is this a real car? Limited production? How much? etc, etc...

[bassist5]

It's a real car, I think production is limited. I've always known it as Opel Speedster.. Same thing tho.

[garry]

This is a real car, based on a real Lotus... It is also cheaper AND (arguably) better than the Lotus offering.

The Vauxhall/Opel VX220 ........


Word on the street has it that a new SAAB Sonnet will be based on the same GM platform.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by mattrazzo

Sorry for my ignorance here, but out of the loop on this. Is this a real car? Limited production? How much? etc, etc...

The VX220 is a full production vehicle but it isn't made in vast numbers. It is based on a modified Elise chassis though I think only 110 or so components are common between the two cars.

There are rumours that there may be a Saab based on the Lightning concept that GM have unvieled in the last year or so, but the story does seem to change from month to month.

[Mattlach]

Originally Posted by garry

This is a real car, based on a real Lotus... It is also cheaper AND (arguably) better than the Lotus offering.

The Vauxhall/Opel VX220 ........


Word on the street has it that a new SAAB Sonnet will be based on the same GM platform.

If that happens, that would be the first GM decision I have agreed with since before the 9-2X and 9-7X!

That, I think would be a car that would attain great sales numbers as well as being able to perform in ways a saab should perform (not like a monster solid axle dumbass SUV...)

[garry]

Im not kidding when I say I was shocked and stunned for hours after been driven in this car. At one point (even though Iknew the car was more than capable) I requested that the driver slowed down a bit... The car defy's gravity.

Put it this way... If I had the money tomorow to buy a new car to display and enjoy assuming to myself I had the ultimate driving machine, this would be very close, probably the one I would go for By Bye Lambo.

[CosmicSaab]

Just so everyone knows, the Lotus has nothing to do with GM's new Kappa platform, the one which the possible new Sonnet would be based on. Kappa is all new but similar to the Corvette platform in design. Opel will be getting something new on Kappa that would replace the Lotus sourced version that they currently have.

[20Ted]

Actually...

The VX220 Lightning doesn't meet the new European pedestrian safety laws, so GM (in all their wisdom????) is giving the car to Saturn to sell in North America. The Pontiac Soltice will be given to Opel/Vauxhall to be the new VX.

Originally, the gossip had been that the VX Lightning would be given to Saab to sell, but now that it's going to Saturn, most likely not...

[McG]

I don't think that the VX220 / Elise platform will be coming to North America via GM.

GM has spent mucho resources developing the Kappa platform. By all accounts it's a fantastic platform with excellent dynamics.

It will be the basis for:

Pontiac Solstice (flagship Kappa)
Saturn Curve
VX Lightning
Chevy Nomad (maybe...)

[900t]

You know who makes that 2.0 litre turbo in the VX220t?

Saab!

[sethsev7n]

Originally Posted by 900t

You know who makes that 2.0 litre turbo in the VX220t?

Saab!

wow they actually still make something of their own !?! :P

[garry]

Originally Posted by CosmicSaab

Just so everyone knows, the Lotus has nothing to do with GM's new Kappa platform, the one which the possible new Sonnet would be based on. Kappa is all new but similar to the Corvette platform in design. Opel will be getting something new on Kappa that would replace the Lotus sourced version that they currently have.

Oh... sad news ... It sounds too big to be a true sports car

[CosmicSaab]

Originally Posted by garry

Oh... sad news ... It sounds too big to be a true sports car

The platform concepts I mean are similar to the Corvette. And the Corvette has an exceptional platform. Of course most platforms are capable of shrinking and expanding, Kappa is no different.

[CleveSaab]

HOW MUCH ARE THEY? :-??


(Obviously I can't afford one. If you have to ask how much it is.. LOL )

[CleveSaab]

I just saw this car in magazine. It's in the 9-3 SS convertible range. (Starts @ $40,000)
They are going to move some of these. Ohio just got it's first Lotus dealership!

http://www.lotuscars.com/

[sjhudon]

Originally Posted by CleveSaab

I just saw this car in magazine. It's in the 9-3 SS convertible range. (Starts @ $40,000)
They are going to move some of these. Ohio just got it's first Lotus dealership!

http://www.lotuscars.com/

Yea, those are ok 8)

[heavy_t]

Glad you liked it garry But are you really sure you enjoyed it though, I couldn't quite tell from your appraisal :wink:

I have had a go in one and yes they are really good fun. You can't fit a Big Nev in it though My 99 felt like driving a bus after I had driven a VX

[Hubbard]

So.... Am I right in thinking this is the GM platform a possible new SAAB Sonnet wilaccess...Nope soss,

[Matthew]

Originally Posted by heavy_t

My 99 felt like driving a bus after I had driven a VX

And my 900 felt like a go-kart after driving a 9000 for a day. makes you wonder what it'd feel like driving a VX after, say, a Hummer