Out of curiosity why is the chassis the main problem here, as in what necessitates the move to aluminium?
Or is it the use of ABS and other electronics that is the issue? In which case can these not be fitted to the old chassis?
Nick
I doubt it is the electronics. And it certainly isnt the desire to produce a truly modern car. I would think that the pressure to go to the ally route is a combination of several things:
1/ increasing safety regs both here and in export markets
2/ To produce 700 cars a year in three completely different designs is production engineering madness. No commonality, no production volumes, no economies of scale.
3/ The Trad looks old but only certain parts of it actually are old and the new parts, the engine and gearbox for example, dont prevent traditionalists ordering the trad. So why would getting rid of a beam axle do so?
4/ economies that come from using industry standard components
5/ better ride, better braking, more rigid structure so better road holding
