Auto Express [AE] is besides itself with excitement at the prospect that BMW's expansion plans will involve the revival of the British Triumph marque. So much so, they're going out on a limb and declaring it a done deal– ish. "Auto Express can exclusively uncover exciting plans by BMW to bring back one of Britain’s best-loved marques – Triumph is on to a winner!" Plans? As Robert Burns pointed out, the best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft a-gley. Meanwhile, Auto Express has got this thing sussed– ish. "The historic British marque, which the maker took over when it bought MG Rover in 1994, would be a clear choice to market a rival for the new, Chinese-owned MG TF roadster." Clued-in in pistonheads will note that BMW lost billions on its English patient (Rover has since expired) and the forthcoming MG TF roadster has precisely no one shaking in their boots. But you gotta give credit to AE for coming-up with an equally credible explanation for why BMW would bother resurrecting Triumph. "As well as using the household name to market a new roadster, BMW would benefit from having Triumph models to test its low-weight materials and new technologies before using them on mainstream cars." Household name? Low-weight materials? To quote one of our native poets, I must not be drinking enough.
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An old Neighbor of mine would be ecstatic if they brought back Triumph. He had an entire yard full of TR-7’s as a parts store for the one he used to use, when he wasn’t fixing it of course.
BMW has done a magnificent job resurrecting the Mini name and concept and has created a modern hit with it. It would be great to see them pull off a similar trick with Triumph. A modern re-incarnation of the TR6 would be a very enticing prospect. Now that the SUV fad has run it’s course we may once again see the fashion minded buyer looking for a two-door coupe. Just as skirt lengths move up and down over the years, so do automotive fashions come, go and then come back.
But can they duplicate the full Triumph experience, including the Lucas Electronics?
Bring back the TR6, complete with the ridiculous amount of negative camber on the rear wheels.
I’m not convinced that BMW needs another boutique/retro brand. On the other hand, if they can build a modern TR6 with the spirit of a Lotus Elise (light weight, stripped down) for the price of a Miata…
That’s a sharp looking car. I would move the fog lamps out to the wheels more but it’s a nice looking roadster. It would be nice to see BMW pull this off and price it up against a Miata with handling to match.
I hope they target the base price at Solstice-country, with options up to Miata-land.
I always thought the first 3-series was a rip-off of the last Triumph Dolomite. Maybe they could make a new Dolomite out of the current 3-series but use a stylist who doesn’t have compound eyes (or fascistic tendencies).
BTW isn’t the Triumph logo with the swirly R-into-H used solely by the motorbike company ? The car company used a laurel wreath, as appropriately seen on the open hoods of many dead TR6/7’s at the side of the road.
I applaud the return of these marques… as long as they give the Miata a run for its money.
Anyone wanna make bets on how quickly GM will give up on the Solstice/Sky?
seems like a stretch but sure, hey, why not. just give us a TR6 and a GT6 with a few technical updates. but is there really enough market in roadsters and 2-door coupes to justify it?
A 1 Series-based Spitfire weighing no more than 2200 lbs., 150-or-so horsepower and a price on the low side of $20k would sell like toothpicks in a termite colony. Make it so, Munich!
…But you still want to drive her.
You must not be drinking enough.
Resurrecting Triumph may be a sound proposition for BMW in Europe, where the increasing ubiquity of the 3-series is undoubtedly starting to damage the brand equity.
Executive parking spaces may still be full of BMWs, but so now are shopping mall parking lots and town centers on a Friday night – groaning with “pimped” E36 clunkers.
If BMW is determined to substantially increase its volume in the sub-$40k market, then it needs to do so in a way that won’t tarnish the blue propeller any further. Triumph would sit comfortably with Mini, and “excuse” them producing more front-drive cars.