New Body and Engine Development

[fritts]

Originally there was talk we would see a coupe as well as different engine packages for the 818. I was wondering is that work on going? If so are there any updates on when we might see a new package?

[Rasmus]

A coupé or coupe (from the French past participle coupé, of the infinitive couper, to cut) is a closed two-door car body style with a permanently attached fixed roof. - Wikipedia

To my knowledge there's been no talk of a permanently installed top version of the 818. But soft top and removable hard top discussions happen in the Body & Interior section all the time. I think there are several going on there right now.

Just roadsters, no coupes.

[fritts]

During the development there was talk about 3 different variants. Haven't heard anything so I was assuming they had been canned.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?2659-818-Project-Updates-From-Dave

See post 3

[flynntuna]

Patience, all things come to those who wait. But seriously, like the saying goes, put your goals in stone and your plans in sand. FFR (Dave) in this case did announce the goal of having a "swatch watch" approach to the 818. He also said it would have thermoformed panels. IMHO I don't think the goals have changed, the plan (time line) had to be modified considering the difficulty ironing out the problems that crept up. The 818 has only been in production for a year, and there are also developments in their other models to take the time of a small staff.

[Oppenheimer]

They already can't keep up with the 818 demand. So it makes sense to put effort into ramping production, not product development, at this time. Once they are able to crank more of these things out, then they will undoubtably look to their goals of multiple thermoformed body options, etc.

Look how they have consistently updated the 65 roadster. Big changes and improvements every couple of years. The 818 has even more sales potential, so I imagine it will get even more development attention.

[Goldwing]

In time, it'll likely come. If they aren't quick enough, I'll figure it out myself, Ohio's weather is limiting to roadsters. A hard top or targa top would extend that season. The diesel build at the Philly school looked to be working on something.