"We've left it virtually unchanged"

[pjbw]

I have just received a flyer through the post titled 'We've done something radical with the design of the latest Citroen Berlingo Multispace' .
When I opened it and read "We've left it virtually unchanged" my heart leapt.
Is it going to have a smooth free-revving diesel engine, smooth nylon-bushed suspension, neutral steer, still be trouble-free after 8 years and 130,000 miles. Probably not (but I am sure that it will be less slow!).

[corkgsxr]

I'd say virtually unchanged means we think we done such a good job we didn't bother changing anything worth talking about

[evdama]

Isnt that how the British motor industry went down the pan

[Opensauce]

Its based on a van so no point in changing it really. Its a car to do a job, not to look flash. Development goes on all the time though, modifications you don't see are done to cars all the time. The new version has led running lights which I think is law now on new cars.

[pjbw]

My take on 'development' dates way back from my experience as a fleet manager in the 60s,
I managed about 40 reps cars. The retail reps had Ford Anglias which gave exemplary service until production was moved from Dagenham to Liverpool. Ford took the opportunity to 'develop' the model. One 'improvement' was to remove the ability to top up the front suspension struts. The new struts needed endless replacement. I needed to do an in-house modification to the steering on every Liverpool car to prevent serious wheel shake. I was in the process of replacing the Anglias with Escorts. Luckily I fouind out quickly that the Escorts rusted like fun. All the Fords were eventually replaced by Hillman Avengers.
My wife has had two Motability Fords now and they are adequate, though I hate the erratic throttle response of their turbocharged direct injection diesel engines and the jiggly rubber bushed suspension which exacerbates a neck injury from a motor racing accident.
I have no doubt that the Berlingo 3? has a lot of improvements over my Berlingo 2. I briefly thought of replacing my 2 with one but it is too big and the Nemo is too small. Looks like a Renault Kangoo next time...

[taxi]

(19-05-2012 11:02 PM)evdama Wrote:  Isnt that how the British motor industry went down the pan

Good point, and on a lighter note- the british toilet paper industry didnt change much and that went down the pan.

[Ol'Jeffers]

(20-05-2012 09:52 AM)pjbw Wrote:  Looks like a Renault Kangoo next time...

Only if you go to France to buy one as, from what I've read, Renault are discontinuing the Kangoo in the UK. There's always the Doblo
though! I also think that the Nemo is too small.

[Opensauce]

Its interesting how the UK market in 'kombi' type cars, ie cars made from vans is now only really supplied by Citroen/Peugeot & Fiat. The Kangoo car is no longer sold here & only the lwb versions of Caddy & Ford Connect are offered which are not really the choice of private motorists & expensive. The new Vauxhall version of the Diablo is only in van version for UK market despite a nice looking Opel car version offered on the continent.

[evdama]

(20-05-2012 05:46 PM)Opensauce Wrote:  Its interesting how the UK market in 'kombi' type cars, ie cars made from vans is now only really supplied by Citroen/Peugeot & Fiat. The Kangoo car is no longer sold here & only the lwb versions of Caddy & Ford Connect are offered which are not really the choice of private motorists & expensive. The new Vauxhall version of the Diablo is only in van version for UK market despite a nice looking Opel car version offered on the continent.

If we all drove on the right hand side we would have the same choice of cars as johnny foreigner does.
If enough of us start doing that (safety in numbers ) it might convince them we are prepared to change....