The first BTCC 2009 thread!- VXR in 09

[andy_b]

OK, more of a light hearted pie-in-the-sky thread (and I beat Alfa Fan to a 2009 thread )

So, as you may have read, Vauxhall Opel have announced the Insignia will replace the Vectra. This creates a dilema for 888 and Vauxhall. What to do for 2009

i)They could continue to run with the current Vectra, but thats not good for marketing and at the end of the day, thats what pays the bills (hence SEAT having to field a van, sorry the Leon)

ii)They could go with another Astra variant, but thats due for replacment soon and again would be a bit off from a PR point of view, going back to a car, that wasnt that good originally.

iii)Or, they could run an Insignia. Now, to my eye, it does look massive, but the current Vectra isn't exactly small either. There are rumours that a Coupe may appear, but that wouldnt fit under BTCC rules, unless its a) a 4 door coupe or b) it gets national homologation.

So, with all that in mind, I thought I would try and improve my digital skills and have a play with an Insignia BTCC car. Its done in Vexel style (flat colours etc) so its quick to create.

I also thought it would be cool to try out an Opel version for the WTCC and an alternative livery as the current one is a little plain. I have a Saturn version on the go too



bigger version available here

Some shots of the road going Insignia - here

[andy_b]

slightly related to this thread from last year http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...ight=opel+wtcc

To be honest, I doubt Opel would ever be seen in WTCC due to a class with Chevrolet (and the OPC house colours are the same, but hey its good pratice!)

[the sniper]

I have read about the car on the Vauxhall website, I'm affraid that we won't see the Insignia in the WTCC or BTCC because it is "all-wheel-drive"

Nice mock-ups though

[andy_b]

its not all wheel drive (there might be a model which is)

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by andy_b

iii)Or, they could run an Insignia. Now, to my eye, it does look massive, but the current Vectra isn't exactly small either.

From the website - 'The old V-bar has been nixed in favor of a wider grille... The Insignia is 21 cm longer and five cm wider than the Vectra it replaces... the Insignia gets an additional 35 mm tacked onto its wheelbase. Three models will be available, including the standard saloon... Power is channeled to either the front or all four wheels... A VXR model is likely to be revealed sometime next year.'

All this would seem to suggest that Vauxhall would look to run the Insignia in 2009. Top job on the graphics, although I think the OPC design is closest to how the grille would be tackled.

[redshoes]

Second version with the white stripes running from the headlights is very BMW-esque

[Bramzel]

Sweetass designs Andy, great job. I love them, though they'll be big for sure!

[Speed-King]

Great job. If that blue one showed up in WTCC, I might even become an Opel fan once again....

[FIRE]

The Insignia is a very nice looking car.

But will it get a 2L petrol engine? According a car website it will get probably a 2L turbo engine. And is this big car suited for S2000?

I prefer the 2nd and 3rd livery. Nice work Andy.

[Bramzel]

I think under S2000 rules you can put any engine in your car that is from another car in your company? They could just use the engine again they're running at the moment.

[JorritVD]

Originally Posted by FIRE

And is this big car suited for S2000?

indeed, just like the Alfa 159.

[duke_toaster]

Probably too big, I can see an Astra based car being used and the Vectras sold off.

[Bramzel]

The dilemma Andy is posting is interesting though. The Insigina will probably be too heavy, but the new Astra probably won't come untill 2010. Could they pull off a Kristofferson perhaps? Do one year without factory support? What else are their options?

[andy_b]

thing is, I cant see them using an Astra if it gets replaced in 09 or 10 for just one series (its not like SEAT and BMW where multiple chassis are built and sold across EU). Thats just throwing money away...

[mattt]

i reckon they'll still use the vectra next year even if it isn't the best thing marketing wise

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Stunning artwork.

[crmalcolm]

If marketing is a major concern, and the Insignia is too big, would they consider running the Corsa?

[nickyf1]

The Corsa is waaaaay too small, It would be like running a Clio Cup car. Nice work Andy, Like the second one very much.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by nickyf1

The Corsa is waaaaay too small, It would be like running a Clio Cup car. Nice work Andy, Like the second one very much.

Just out of curiosity, why would the Corsa be too small? It's dimensions are closer to the Civics and Leons than the current Vectra is.

[werner]

It must have a minimum lenght of 4,20m, and 5 doors. The Corsa only measures 3,99m. And the fastest engine is a 1.6l turbohcharged one, not a 2.0l NA engine.

[awrb]

for S2000 do you have to have a 2.0l version of the car you want ot enter, or can you just put a 2.0l engine in it?

And I really can't see Vauxhall doing to Triple Eight what Audi did to Kristofferson. Vauxhall have really backed 888 with big money and resources. They paid for them to build two prototypes before the Astra SH came out (fat lot of good that did) and spent loads on billboard posters boasting their sucess.

If they continue with the vectra for a year when the cars discontinued it won't be a big deal, as it'll still create brand awareness, though not product awareness.

Love the artwork andy btw. I think you've shown VXR what their livery should have been.

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by awrb

for S2000 do you have to have a 2.0l version of the car you want ot enter, or can you just put a 2.0l engine in it?

As far as I know you can slot in any 2.0l engine you have within your company. That is how Chevrolet can run that Opel engine, same to Lada (being owned by GM). It would be possible for example to buy a Leon engine from Seat and put it in a VW Golf and get it homologated. Again, this is as far as I know, this is what I've heard. Don't pin me down on it

[Martin Haven]

a) you don't seem to have completed the Holden version yet... surely it'll take a nice snorty V8

b) where's my WTCC guide, you slacker? Get your nose back to the grindstone - those Ladas won't draw themselves, you know...

[banger_racer]

They will use the vectra next year and i'd imagine with full factory backing the vectra my offically be discontinued. but they aint going to sell all the stored brand new vectras before next season starts so it aint going to hurt there marketing. coz they have to find some mugs to sell them to.

[Martin Haven]

Originally Posted by banger_racer

They will use the vectra next year and i'd imagine with full factory backing the vectra my offically be discontinued. but they aint going to sell all the stored brand new vectras before next season starts so it aint going to hurt there marketing. coz they have to find some mugs to sell them to.

plus - in truth - like all manufacturers, Vauxhall go racing to make the brand look young, sexy and vital, by association - not to shift one particular model...

racing a long-defunct model just looks cheap, but if the Vectra is replaced mid-season, how much different will the new car REALLY look on the road - if people even notice the change at all...

it's not as if the BTCC cars really look all that much like the road cars anyway, with the liveries, arches, slammed suspensions etc

mind you... slammed suspension, dodgy body-kits, wierd paint... maybe the Corsa is more on the money, as most of the ones I see these days actually look like that...!!