Cars you didn't know existed until very recently.

[Richard]

There was a thread a few years ago about the most badge-engineered cars and I've a feeling the Mk2 Astra was declared the winner, or at least a close second to the Fiat 124.

[STUNO]

 

Blink and you'd miss it.  Had no idea the Astra and Belmont were sold across the pond as Pontiacs. I still hate them! lol

We got those in RHD flavour.

[J-Rod]

There was a thread a few years ago about the most badge-engineered cars and I've a feeling the Mk2 Astra was declared the winner, or at least a close second to the Fiat 124.

I'd go with the GM offering, as it's probably the most badge-engineered car produced by the same company. 

[quicksilver]

Here's one I didn't know existed even though I had seen it I failed to spot its unusual features and only realised when its owner pointed them out. Behold the diesel automatic Montego - is there a more grim sounding combination of words?

 

1991 Rover Montego 2.0D SLX estate by Adam Floyd, on Flickr

[SOUL]

 

The Yugo grew up!

[AlabamaShrimp]

Can remember what thread it was mentioned in but the Sierra Van from Ireland. This is the only pic I could find

 

 

I know about the BX but what other stuff like this is there like this and are the all mega rare?

[Matt]

Okay this is a modern but I saw one of these out the corner of my eye as a passed a junction and had no idea what model it was. 

 

 

Apparently it's a new Citroen C1. It didn't look too bad when I zipped passed but now I've seen proper photos of it I've changed my mind. It's bloody horrendous. It looks like it had a botched face transplant where the surgeon didn't get rid of all of the old face.

[Lacquer Peel]

Here's one I didn't know existed even though I had seen it I failed to spot its unusual features and only realised when its owner pointed them out. Behold the diesel automatic Montego - is there a more grim sounding combination of words?

 

1991 Rover Montego 2.0D SLX estate by Adam Floyd, on Flickr

 

That's really interesting.

I think it'd be alright if the auto box was geared for the turbo diesel engine. It would have competed well with the BX n/a diesel automatic.

 

I always wondered why Rover didn't couple the L-series with an automatic gearbox, the opportunity was there and it would have been a strong seller I reckon.

[sheffcortinacentre]

similar van versions of cars were offered in northern Europe for tax purposes inc mk4/5 taunus, minor traveller & others

[robinmasters]

Fiat Sedici, which is apparently a mini-SUV. Customer at work has one; I suspect he's a shiter, someone condescending told me he also had a Citroen XM 'which he hopes will one day become a classic'.

 

[Mr_Bo11ox]

^^^^ did they sell those here? Same car as a Suzuki SX4

 

[Jon]

Yeah, they were sold in the UK but in small numbers, I guess. I met the owner of one when it was very new (2007 IIRC) who was very enthusiastic about it and said he'd just waved at another driver of one going the other way. I reckon he'd have snubbed an SX4 driver though, as I got the impression that it was the badge which attracted him. Weird,eh?

[Bear]

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotchkiss_Grégoire#/media/File:Hotchkiss-Grégoire_JAG_(1953)_pic1.JPG

 

So, wondering what other than Jowett had a FWD flat-four... this is rather lovely.

[2MB]

Fiat Sedici, which is apparently a mini-SUV. Customer at work has one; I suspect he's a shiter, someone condescending told me he also had a Citroen XM 'which he hopes will one day become a classic'.

 

My dad had one of the earlier sedicis as a hire car for work. The clutch pedal had a damper on its return spring which made it pull away sedately even when dumping the clutch, which my teenage self found rather annoying

[SOUL]

 

Didn't know DFSK had started importing a 4 wheel drive truckette. Nor, that their to do with Donfeng the bunch knocking out the Chinese PSA stuff which maybe why the BMW rip off nose has been substituted for influences by the old Peugeot Boxer or is it more Fiat Punto 4x4?

[Timewaster]

My dad had one of the earlier sedicis as a hire car for work. The clutch pedal had a damper on its return spring which made it pull away sedately even when dumping the clutch, which my teenage self found rather annoying

Pointless fact: Sedici means 16 so named because 4 X 4 = 16

[flat4alfa]

Megane Van

 

Or should it be Megane Fourgonnette

 

Either way, new on me

 

[SOUL]

Not come across 'Nasr' until tonight, a former Egypt concern knocking out you guessed it old Fiat shite, even as far as it being FSO too.

 

http://www.italiaspeed.com/2009/cars/industry/05/nasr_egypt/2105.html

 

[Alan_Green]

Mazda Suitcase:

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Saw this last week in France , can't wait to see what the fromage worriers call their version of the Patrol.

[Ditchfinder General]

Saw this last week in France , can't wait to see what the fromage worriers call their version of the Patrol.image.jpg

The Kadjar is soon to be available in the UK.

 

Behold;

 

https://www.renault.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/kadjar.html?&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Local-All-GS-UK-P-Defensive-Kadjar-Main_&utm_term=renault%20kadjar&ORIGIN=cpc&CAMPAIGN=google_Local-All-GS-UK-P-Defensive-Kadjar-Main&gclid=CLWxs_you8cCFUFmGwod8Y8NLw

 

With its fluid lines, aggressive radiator grille and pronounced shoulders, the Renault KADJAR evokes audacity. Inspired, solid and sporty, it is by your side every day. Its generously-proportioned and comfortable passenger compartment, bathed in light, will bring you adventure with sense of sophistication.

 

Righto.

[J-Rod]

The Kadjar is soon to be available in the UK.

Behold;https://www.renault.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/kadjar.html?&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Local-All-GS-UK-P-Defensive-Kadjar-Main_&utm_term=renault%20kadjar&ORIGIN=cpc&CAMPAIGN=google_Local-All-GS-UK-P-Defensive-Kadjar-Main&gclid=CLWxs_you8cCFUFmGwod8Y8NLw

With its fluid lines, aggressive radiator grille and pronounced shoulders, the Renault KADJAR evokes audacity. Inspired, solid and sporty, it is by your side every day. Its generously-proportioned and comfortable passenger compartment, bathed in light, will bring you adventure with sense of sophistication.

Righto.

thankfully the people who write this toss think that it's drivel, much like the rest of us.

[r.welfare]

No pictures because I am thick and on a phone but I'm currently in Lanzarote and there are a few Citroen C-Élysées around, which appear to be a Citroenised Pug 208 saloon.

[DVee8]

The Kadjar is soon to be available in the UK.

 

Behold;

 

https://www.renault.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/kadjar.html?&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Local-All-GS-UK-P-Defensive-Kadjar-Main_&utm_term=renault%20kadjar&ORIGIN=cpc&CAMPAIGN=google_Local-All-GS-UK-P-Defensive-Kadjar-Main&gclid=CLWxs_you8cCFUFmGwod8Y8NLw

 

With its fluid lines, aggressive radiator grille and pronounced shoulders, the Renault KADJAR evokes audacity. Inspired, solid and sporty, it is by your side every day. Its generously-proportioned and comfortable passenger compartment, bathed in light, will bring you adventure with sense of sophistication.

 

Righto.

 

 

Saw this last week in France , can't wait to see what the fromage worriers call their version of the Patrol.image.jpg

It is based on the Nissan Qashqai,and built at the Renault plant in Spain.We are supplying lots parts to ship over.

[SOUL]

No pictures because I am thick and on a phone but I'm currently in Lanzarote and there are a few Citroen C-Élysées around, which appear to be a Citroenised Pug 208 saloon.

 

The Peugeot version is the 301.

 

 

and the Citroen arse.....

 

[AnthonyG]

The French thriller on Thurs nights/Channel Four has a copper being driven around in a big Renault saloon I don't recognise, is there a Laguna Mk4 en Francais now?

 

The show's called Witnesses, set in Normandy and is a good shite watch with one cop driving a 1970s Cadillac Seville and the lead character driving a 1972 Opel Rekord in a fetching shade of yellow urine, after her Mk3 Golf gets wrecked by baddies. I'd say that was a step-up.

[Bear]

There's a new Laguna, but also there's the successor to the Safrane which I think is also sold as a Samsung.

[Jim Bergerac]

^The Samsung thing is sold as the Renault Latitude in France:

 

Both the Latitude and Laguna 3 are to be replaced by the Talisman (presumably so named because you need a lucky charm when it suffers electrical death/grenaded engine):

 

 

Neither have/will be offered in the UK market.

[AnthonyG]

That's it! The Latitude, I thought it was just a facelifted Laguna 3.

 

It's standard bland modern, whereas the Talisman thing looks pretty horrid.

[J-Rod]

I'm starting to get the impression that with the same basic model of car being sold all over the world now (probably for financial reasons), individual country particulars are starting to come into it less and less. It's the equivalent of trying to find a comedy act capable of entertaining 12 countries - you end up with Benny Hill chasing maids around with a gorilla in tow.. And that's it. Everything seems to look just like an MG6...