GT maybe?

Magical Trevor · 22 Jul 2003, 18:19 (Ref:668620)

Look what I found today: VW Phaeton
At first glance I said "GT." But, this brings up the heated "Do four doors make it a touring car, or does 600 hp make it a GT?" debate. The front looks GT, but profile says otherwise. I wouldn't mind seeing it with the Porsches (or BMWs

). What do you think?

**Adam43** · 22 Jul 2003, 18:24 (Ref:668623)

TC IMHO.

fabvt · 22 Jul 2003, 18:24 (Ref:668626)

4 doors definitely makes it a Touring car...
Anyway, the car is awfull... Is it a first april joke ??

**Aysedasi** · 22 Jul 2003, 19:38 (Ref:668676)

Touring car.

No doubt at all.

It can stay with the BMW's by all means.....

..... in Touring Cars.

rdjones · 22 Jul 2003, 20:09 (Ref:668739)

Sorry it's a touring car

SL · 22 Jul 2003, 21:57 (Ref:668837)

Fine, it's a tourer. But if it can keep up and comply with the reg's it is fine with me.

It gets a new manufactor into racing who knows where it might go. Sports cars need other cars to beat, ie if VW beat Ferrari/Porsche every outing, then the traditionial makers might spend a bit more to protect their reputation.

I would hate to see the headlines VW/Seat/Renault/Vauxhaul et al win Le Mans with a 4 door Tourer, probably Ferrari/Porsche/Aston/Jag etc would also hate it to. See my logic ?

Simon

weeks · 22 Jul 2003, 23:19 (Ref:668888)

Its definately a touring car but its way to big to be a race car. VW would be better off if they built thier W12 concept car and raced that instead.

fabvt · 23 Jul 2003, 03:47 (Ref:669004)

If VW really wanted to, they could effectively use the W12 concept to come to LE MANS. They just need to build a few of these to comply with the rule and it's all ok...
I never understood why they never did after they used the car on the Nardo Race Track to break some old-fashioned speed records.

http://www.vwvortex.com/news/10_01/10_25/index.shtml

Chevyguy · 23 Jul 2003, 08:01 (Ref:669107)

That was the 24 hour average speed record, and I think it's great they contested it. You could probably point to the former record holders, BMW, as cross town rivals they could smack down again. That Bimmer was also a one off type supercar.

VW is way too busy dominating the overall podium at Le Mans to mess around with GT car, heh.

Extra little fact, who did BMW and their supercar beat to get the record? I'll be damned if it wasn't a little ol' Vette. Maybe not so little.

BSchneiderFan · 23 Jul 2003, 10:02 (Ref:669198)

Any chance that BMW might race the new 6-series coupe, d' you think?

**Aysedasi** · 23 Jul 2003, 12:28 (Ref:669349)

Quote:

Originally posted by SL
Fine, it's a tourer. But if it can keep up and comply with the reg's it is fine with me.

It gets a new manufactor into racing who knows where it might go. Sports cars need other cars to beat, ie if VW beat Ferrari/Porsche every outing, then the traditionial makers might spend a bit more to protect their reputation.

I certainly agree with the sentiment, Simon, but not with the route. If they want to compete in sportscars they should build a sportscar. If the regs allow such cars to compete as sportscars, then they clearly need to be changed.

Nordic · 23 Jul 2003, 13:00 (Ref:669376)

I don't think having 600bhp makes it a sports car, If the only critria was a large BHP then the new VW Toerag SUV could be lining up next year!
An elise is a sports car but has under 200 bhp.

A sports car should be inpractical to anyone needing 4 seats,to carry golf clubs or fit child seats.
looking at the phaeton I think you could do all three and still have enough room for Granny.

Cynic · 23 Jul 2003, 15:19 (Ref:669479)

Definitely a tourer IMO, just a very powerful one. My first thought on seeing the pic was actually "Aussie Tourer". There is nothing about the car that remotely suggest it belongs in the GT ranks. In any case, there's nothing new about obscenely powerful 4-door cars. Anyone remember the Vauxhall Carlton Thunder Saloon?

**Aysedasi** · 23 Jul 2003, 15:30 (Ref:669490)

I certainly do.

Jack Man · 23 Jul 2003, 15:42 (Ref:669507)

Weld up the rear doors put a wing on the back and let the kids street race it. LOL

weeks · 23 Jul 2003, 16:50 (Ref:669587)

Quote:

Any chance that BMW might race the new 6-series coupe, d' you think?

Not sure, but it would be great. I read that an M6 version is due in 2005 with a 500-550hp V10!! Now THATS a GT.

fabvt · 23 Jul 2003, 18:46 (Ref:669673)

Quote:

In any case, there's nothing new about obscenely powerful 4-door cars

Opel/Vauxhall Omega Lotus --> a great car too, but certainly no GT...