[billy.batson]

A while ago CAR Magazine ran a story about a possible new Triumph sports car to be built by BMW. It is known that BMW have speculated about a two-seater sports car to be built with the MINI platform. Since such a car would be far removed from the MINI image which BMW are determined to retain and nurture, and since BMW own the Triumph marque, it seems likely that such a car would be badged Triumph not MINI.

But like the MINI, international sales success for a reborn Triumph would depend very largely on it's British heritage and British build. Could this happen and will it be built at Oxford? Capacity there is at full stretch, which is presumably why the new MINI 4x4 will be built in Austria, but there have been reports in the local Oxford press about BMW's plans to expand Plant Oxford on a site they already own.

Also BMW have been very aggressive in protecting the Triumph name recently, threatening action to violators of the brand name (as they see it). Is this just copyright protection or part of a wider agenda: nothing less than the rebirth of Triumph?

It will be very interesting to see if these proposals come to fruition. The biggest market for a new Triumph (Spitfire?) would be the USA and UK, both countries now have nationwide MINI dealer networks with easily the capacity to handle a further British brand.

[dalboyne]

Sounds good to me! I always wanted a Spitfire, my first-ever car was a Triumph 1300 (real wood on the door trims!), so count me in!

As for the 4x4 - somehow I thought the reason it's being built in Austria is because it will share the platform with the BMW X1 (or have I completely lost the plot?)

Ian

[dlpruk]

Cowley is already bursting at the seams to the extent that they've had to get the Crossman, or whatever the SUV variant of the Clubman (NOT an X1 AFAIK) will be named, built in Austria so the only way I could see Triumphs coming off that line would be for them to just stick Spitfire badges on a variation of the MINI Convertible.

[billy.batson]

Here it is:

[dlpruk]

Quote: Originally Posted by billy.batson (original)

Here it is:

No it isn't. That's a Photoshop used to illustrate some journo's speculation.

But if it were close to what may or may not ever happen, I still don't think there's space to build it at Cowley so Spartanburg would be more likely as it would presumably be aimed at the US market.

[JAMIE1131]

Quote: Originally Posted by billy.batson (original)

Here it is:

That logo is the registered trademark of Triumph Motorcycles, nothing to do with Triumph cars.

[Goonery]

http://www.cartype.com/images/thumbs...eath_logo1.jpg 1970's
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...cle-decals.jpg bikes
http://www.tr-register.co.uk/acatalog/108medw.jpg Early 40's to 60's

spot the difference

[river27]

Interesting if BMW are thinking of resurrecting the Triumph brand. The motorcycles came back successfully, so why not the sports cars?

Instead of making a new Spitfire, maybe they are thinking of continuing the TR line.

A new TR9 anyone? Could be interesting...

Just my thoughts

[JAMIE1131]

Quote: Originally Posted by river27 (original)

Interesting if BMW are thinking of resurrecting the Triumph brand. The motorcycles came back successfully, so why not the sports cars?

Instead of making a new Spitfire, maybe they are thinking of continuing the TR line.

A new TR9 anyone? Could be interesting...

Just my thoughts

The motorcycles never went away!

[Harpo]

The Triumph name also belongs to a leading brand of laydeez underwear here.

Test drive anybody?

[NeuroBeaker]

Quote: Originally Posted by Harpo (original)

The Triumph name also belongs to a leading brand of laydeez underwear here.

Test drive anybody?

I might be interested in it for the girlfriend, but only if it's quick from a standing start.

[Step_7]

Quote: Originally Posted by river27 (original)

Instead of making a new Spitfire, maybe they are thinking of continuing the TR line.

Can't see a German company making anything called a "Spitfire"

[river27]

Quote: Originally Posted by Step_7 (original)

Can't see a German company making anything called a "Spitfire"

How about calling it a TR109?

[Step_7]

Quote: Originally Posted by river27 (original)

How about calling it a TR109?

Took me a minute - how sad is it that I thought of this:



Not a WW2 plane....

[Gristy]

Quote: Originally Posted by JAMIE1131 (original)

That logo is the registered trademark of Triumph Motorcycles, nothing to do with Triumph cars.

Was thinking that

[Hugo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Step_7 (original)

Can't see a German company making anything called a "Spitfire"

Well spotted. PMSL


Good to see keeping the Marque

[Gristy]

Quote: Originally Posted by JAMIE1131 (original)

The motorcycles never went away!

There is some spare land next to the Hinckley plant to make them there.....

We used to have a Triumph TV when i was young - anyone want to make those??

A new Triumph Spitfire would be pretty cool though

[faster,Tobias!]

When I first heard the rumour of a Triumph rebirth last year, I must admit I thought it the best news I had heard in ages. If BMW do the same stellar job with a new Triumph as they did with the MINI it should be a fantastic product. But I feel strongly that it needs to be built in Britain if it is going to gain acceptance as a legitimate heir to the Triumph name.

[river27]

Nice one Step_7, I like the way you're thinking!

Seriously though, I do think a Triumph roadster for the 21st century could be a winner.
It has to be the right price though, to compete with the ubermeister MX-5. I've owned two MX-5s and would have another in a heartbeat, as I know how good they are. But would prefer a "British" alternative...

BMW obviously think this has legs, else they wouldn't have held onto the name.

[mab01uk]

Quote: Originally Posted by faster,Tobias! (original)

If BMW do the same stellar job with a new Triumph as they did with the MINI it should be a fantastic product. But I feel strongly that it needs to be built in Britain if it is going to gain acceptance as a legitimate heir to the Triumph name.

Does the country of manufacture matter to buyers anymore?...................the new Fiat 500 is built in Poland but it hasn't harmed sales or acceptance, even in Italy.