The Kamal 4x4 - Godsend or White Elephant?

A car that's been long in the development and due for release in 2010. Given the current taxation climate do you think the Kamal should be ditched and the money & time spent on other, more worthy, AR projects?

Voted no not cos Alfa have missed the boat but because a 4wd Mostrosity like that should have no place in the Alfa Line up

Its a turkey waiting for Christmas

Missed the boat on this segment - that they were never in in the fist place.

In the next few years I should imagine that the 4x4 class will suddenly die as the rally rep class did around the cossie time. This time of massive taxes and fuel prices, not an insurance premium.

Do what they are now doing and have always been good at - small , efficient, high power engines and cars. For god's sake get rid of the weight on them!

The time of overweight cars is over - as that is what causes high co2, along with engine size/inefficiency.

Mind you - take catalyst's off - turn the co2 to plain old carbon monoxide!!!! that'll drop the tax score!

I,m the only one so far to vote MAYBE.I agree 1) They've missed the boat.
2)No place in Alfa line-up
3)4X4 segment will die out
4)I HATE 4X4s
However,I think Alfa could make a killing with a smaller;sports orientated faux 4X4,in the Nissan Quashqui (?) mould.It is currently selling like hot cakes,and if Alfa were quick enough they could reap the rewards

Too late, unless they pull a rabbit out of a hat and make it hybrid/whathaveyou.

Here in OZ, 'car' sales are down, FWD's are up.....even with rising petrol prices. I suspect an Alfa 4x4 will be 'lapped up' by the 'punters'.....unfortunately

And what about the US market......

Interesting points Stori, but Europe remains Alfa's core market - maybe the Kamal should be a model built out of mainland Europe for mainly non-Euro markets?

Yes, SUV are big sellers in SA and if they are going to hit the US they will need something like this

Not sure - it all depends if there's an Alistair Darling in the Governments of other countries

Need a large 4x4 to tow my caravan !!

It would be some time waiting before I could afford one though.

Originally Posted by Kevin Slegg

Not sure - it all depends if there's an Alistair Darling in the Governments of other countries

No Kevin - most people have the guts to bring about justice to the likes of Mr Darling and his predecesors....

Could you honestly see the French putting up with the way we are fleeced without a fight....

This govement does it because they can....

Getting back to the topic - I think the market in europe is not the intended targe for 4 x 4's but more for US and Asia...


Chris

Always be a market for 4x4's

Farmers, Builders, Contractors, etc. 20 years ago you only bought a 4x4 if you had a farm !!

Originally Posted by Fraser

Interesting points Stori, but Europe remains Alfa's core market - maybe the Kamal should be a model built out of mainland Europe for mainly non-Euro markets?

That's because they make 'toy' cars....

Originally Posted by Stori

That's because they make 'toy' cars....

Hey, it's you lot and the Yanks that make the Tonka's

@Howell - I can't see a farmer or any other "essential" user buying a sports 4x4 like the Kamal.

Originally Posted by Fraser

@Howell - I can't see a farmer or any other "essential" user buying a sports 4x4 like the Kamal.

Haven't seen the plans myself. I'm only interested if it tows 2.8ton.