Why don't we have compact and affordable 2 seater cars?

petroguzzler · 29th July 2010, 15:53

Think about this: How would a 2 seater NANO be?

Why can't manufacturers provide cheap 2 seater versions of their popular cars. As many cars rarely travel with more than 2 on board. I drive to work single everyday. Wouldn't this make sense?

johnjacob · 29th July 2010, 16:55

Ahem, we do. They are called bikes.

Generally in most parts of the world, the only two seater cars are extremely expensive sports cars. Totally impractical, but great for enthusiasts.

What would be the advantage of such a cheap two seater? It would take up nearly as much road space as a four seater, and cost nearly as much as a four seater. Most people who want such a car would go for a bike instead.

kaushikr · 29th July 2010, 17:20

Cost effective two seater cars will probably only be considered by a folks buying a second car.
As with any cost effective models, manufacturers should be able to sell in large number to justify its introduction.Will they be able to achieve that with a cost effective two seater?

Also

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnjacob

What would be the advantage of such a cheap two seater?

vasoo · 29th July 2010, 17:24

Bikes are considered as the standard "two seater" vehicle in India. Here most people buy cars when they get married and/or when they have kids. And yes, you can have a look at Reva, if that's what you need.

arunkk · 29th July 2010, 17:27

Reva is a very small car though it still has 4 seats !
But I feel instead of having a 2 seater car, we should have covered bikes for commuting in bad weather conditions.

McLaren Rulez · 29th July 2010, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by arunkk

Reva is a very small car though it still has 4 seats

The only way to sit in those rear seats is to chop your legs off though

Arkin evoisrevo · 29th July 2010, 17:44

I would like to point out that though 2 wheelers are the standard 2 seaters, they lack the stability, convenience and charm of a car. During a riot, you can be pulled off your bike and roughed up. In heave traffic, 'sitting' on a bike can be real tiring, and sweaty. During and accident, you are thrown off the bike on impact which can have serious implications. A covered bike can be claustrophobic. Hence, bikes don't make sense for quite a few people.

avishar · 29th July 2010, 17:50

I guess what he meant as 2 seater not a cabriolet but a 2 seater enclosed car with tandem seats sort of like a fighter jet cockpit.These type of vehicles have complex suspensions which allow the vehicle to be driven like a bike leaning into the corners.But the are expensive.

petroguzzler · 29th July 2010, 22:00

I didn't mean expensive 2 seater cars. What i meant was ordinary hatchbacks with a considerably shortened length and wheelbase and a true 2 seater. No stupid unusable rear seat like the Reva. It would make sense since it is going to be lighter and smaller, offering easy parking and greater fuel efficiency. And it should be cheaper!

Nitin · 29th July 2010, 22:10

Like the Smart car, more vehicles ought to be developed for countries such as India.Compact, safe and definitely fuel efficient.
Having said that, I so wish even the San Storm was tweaked to perform better, and then be re-introduced in the Indian market.Definitely had a lot of potential when it was offered the first time.

rajushank84 · 30th July 2010, 00:20

I would love a compact 2-seater car too. In other words, bike with a roof and AC.

sachinayak · 30th July 2010, 06:57

What we basically need is a 3-4 seater with low footprint and a full body that would provide safety and comforts. Would be an ideal city commute for many (as their second drive).

The closest I could find was the Piaggio HYmotion3 Concept. Links below

Peugeot HYmotion3: Mix of BMW C1 and Piaggio MP3? - ADVrider

Faster and Faster: Peugeot HYmotion3 Compressor concept unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show

diwakarmuthu · 30th July 2010, 07:59

Globally they are referred to as the sports utility variety, powered with really big and super charged powertrains. I think the Nano fits the budget within the 1.5 lakh budget considering a few bikes today cost that much.

//M · 30th July 2010, 08:00

The San Storm would have the perfect two-seater budget car in India with that convertible appeal and cute looks, wish it had a more powerful engine. Even Maruti's K-series engine will do wonders on the fantastic chasis of the Storm.

gshanky · 30th July 2010, 08:25

A couple of cars like Toyota Echo and Yaris comes to my mind, but I guess TATA NANO would be best suited for such a thing.

I assume the thread starter meant 2 seater to be more economical than the 4 seater. But if the car is already economical, say like NANO, then no. of seats would not be a problem. Because I don't know how much money could be saved by reducing the wheelbase and taking the seats off. But if this vehicle is designed with 3 wheels then may be the savings could be better. Something for Bajaj and TVS to think about

29th July 2010, 15:53	#1
petroguzzler BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Madras Posts: 461 Thanked: 264 Times	Why don't we have compact and affordable 2 seater cars? Think about this: How would a 2 seater NANO be? Why can't manufacturers provide cheap 2 seater versions of their popular cars. As many cars rarely travel with more than 2 on board. I drive to work single everyday. Wouldn't this make sense?
	() Thanks

29th July 2010, 16:55	#2
johnjacob BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bangalore, INDIA Posts: 344 Thanked: 26 Times	Ahem, we do. They are called bikes. Generally in most parts of the world, the only two seater cars are extremely expensive sports cars. Totally impractical, but great for enthusiasts. What would be the advantage of such a cheap two seater? It would take up nearly as much road space as a four seater, and cost nearly as much as a four seater. Most people who want such a car would go for a bike instead.
	() Thanks

29th July 2010, 17:24	#4
vasoo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 1,039 Thanked: 248 Times View My Garage	Bikes are considered as the standard "two seater" vehicle in India. Here most people buy cars when they get married and/or when they have kids. And yes, you can have a look at Reva, if that's what you need.
	() Thanks

29th July 2010, 17:27	#5
arunkk BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 186 Thanked: 42 Times	Reva is a very small car though it still has 4 seats ! But I feel instead of having a 2 seater car, we should have covered bikes for commuting in bad weather conditions.
	() Thanks

29th July 2010, 17:44	#7
Arkin evoisrevo BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: KA03; AP02 Posts: 679 Thanked: 113 Times View My Garage	I would like to point out that though 2 wheelers are the standard 2 seaters, they lack the stability, convenience and charm of a car. During a riot, you can be pulled off your bike and roughed up. In heave traffic, 'sitting' on a bike can be real tiring, and sweaty. During and accident, you are thrown off the bike on impact which can have serious implications. A covered bike can be claustrophobic. Hence, bikes don't make sense for quite a few people.
	() Thanks

29th July 2010, 17:50	#8
avishar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: kolkata/bangalore,india Posts: 2,907 Thanked: 4,237 Times	I guess what he meant as 2 seater not a cabriolet but a 2 seater enclosed car with tandem seats sort of like a fighter jet cockpit.These type of vehicles have complex suspensions which allow the vehicle to be driven like a bike leaning into the corners.But the are expensive.
	() Thanks

29th July 2010, 22:00	#9
petroguzzler BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Madras Posts: 461 Thanked: 264 Times	I didn't mean expensive 2 seater cars. What i meant was ordinary hatchbacks with a considerably shortened length and wheelbase and a true 2 seater. No stupid unusable rear seat like the Reva. It would make sense since it is going to be lighter and smaller, offering easy parking and greater fuel efficiency. And it should be cheaper!
	(1) Thanks

29th July 2010, 22:10	#10
Nitin Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,294 Thanked: 22 Times View My Garage	Like the Smart car, more vehicles ought to be developed for countries such as India.Compact, safe and definitely fuel efficient. Having said that, I so wish even the San Storm was tweaked to perform better, and then be re-introduced in the Indian market.Definitely had a lot of potential when it was offered the first time.
	() Thanks

30th July 2010, 00:20	#11
rajushank84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,121 Thanked: 1,115 Times View My Garage	I would love a compact 2-seater car too. In other words, bike with a roof and AC.
	() Thanks

30th July 2010, 06:57	#12
sachinayak BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 813 Thanked: 3,465 Times View My Garage	What we basically need is a 3-4 seater with low footprint and a full body that would provide safety and comforts. Would be an ideal city commute for many (as their second drive). The closest I could find was the Piaggio HYmotion3 Concept. Links below Peugeot HYmotion3: Mix of BMW C1 and Piaggio MP3? - ADVrider Faster and Faster: Peugeot HYmotion3 Compressor concept unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show
	() Thanks

30th July 2010, 07:59	#13
diwakarmuthu BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: KA, TN Posts: 449 Thanked: 545 Times	Globally they are referred to as the sports utility variety, powered with really big and super charged powertrains. I think the Nano fits the budget within the 1.5 lakh budget considering a few bikes today cost that much.
	() Thanks

30th July 2010, 08:00	#14
//M Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 6,567 Thanked: 25,178 Times	The San Storm would have the perfect two-seater budget car in India with that convertible appeal and cute looks, wish it had a more powerful engine. Even Maruti's K-series engine will do wonders on the fantastic chasis of the Storm.
	() Thanks

30th July 2010, 08:25	#15
gshanky BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coimbatore / Bangalore / New York Posts: 717 Thanked: 14 Times	A couple of cars like Toyota Echo and Yaris comes to my mind, but I guess TATA NANO would be best suited for such a thing. I assume the thread starter meant 2 seater to be more economical than the 4 seater. But if the car is already economical, say like NANO, then no. of seats would not be a problem. Because I don't know how much money could be saved by reducing the wheelbase and taking the seats off. But if this vehicle is designed with 3 wheels then may be the savings could be better. Something for Bajaj and TVS to think about
	() Thanks