GilesGuthrie
Staff Emeritus
- 11,038
- Edinburgh, UK
- CMDRTheDarkLord
OK, TOTALLY ripping off UK car mag Car, let's come up with teams of cars, in the World Cup stylee. The rules are thus:
You can come up with either of two teams: one for a single World Cup-entered nation, or one made up of cars from any of the World Cup nations. You must name 11 cars, and their positions in the team, so try to be appropriate with your choices for the different positions.
Remember, it only needs to last 90 minutes, so reliability's not really an issue. But it needs to be a production car. And to give it a bit of longevity, you can choose from any of the 32 nations that made it to the 2002 finals, even if they've been knocked out.
Goal: Volvo S60 T5 (Sweden) - Volvo's manufacturing priorities deliver a rapid, safe pair of hands, required to guard the netting.
Left Back: BMW X5 (Germany) - Power and poise, something that can shove a little bit, required for the defensive line.
Centre Back: Land Rover Defender V8 (England): Probably as much for the name as anything else! However, long-term dependability a positive asset in this central defensive role.
Right Back: Range Rover Vogue (England/Germany): Again, lots of size and a reasonably sprightly mover, this bulky car good for defending.
Sweeper (Floating Back): Subaru Impreza STi (Japan): Massive speed, grip and handling required for this free-flowing role, ensures that one of the Japanese econobox-rockets fits the role superbly. After about 70 minutes though, the Sube gets a bit knackered, and is replaced by the previously bench-bound Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII (Japan). Those two have been fighting for the place all through the build-up, and have been causing the manager a bit of selection grief.
Left Midfield: BMW M5 (Germany): Midfield requires a car with power poise and brute force - a role for the super-saloon that is BMW's seminal M5, which has size for force, but can nip, tuck and sprint with the best of them. Has the long-range pace for a back-to-forward run.
Centre Midfield: Audi RS6 (Germany): Shows enough healthy rivalry with its German counterparts in the midfield, but also has enough respect and co-club knowledge to partner well. Also has huge power and grip, allowing it to cover more ground than probably needed. Could drop back to the sweeper's role should the STi or Evo VII be shown the red card.
Right Midfield: AMG Mercedes E55 (Germany): Plays well with the others in its line, but there remain doubts over its ultimate pace and manoeverability. Is fighting hard for its place with the English Jaguar XJR and club-mate the German AMG Mercedes SL55, both of which are ready to leap off the bench at a moment's notice.
Left Wing: Ferrari 575M (Italy): Huge pace and grace ideal for long penetrating runs through the opposition's defence.
Centre Forward: Lotus Elise (England): Ducking, diving manoeverability helps the Elise to cover for relative slowness up front. Usually seen running rings round the defence, always ready to shove its head in the way of a looping cross.
Right Wing: Honda NSX Type-R (Japan): The clean player that everyone looks up to, still has some doubts over its sportsmanship, particularly in showing its true hand. Lots of people swear it's more powerful than it claims it is, only the manager knows the true story. Mr Accuracy works great with the Elise in the centre.
Right, that's my multinational team. You guys have a go now! I might come up with one or more single-nation teams soon!
You can come up with either of two teams: one for a single World Cup-entered nation, or one made up of cars from any of the World Cup nations. You must name 11 cars, and their positions in the team, so try to be appropriate with your choices for the different positions.
Remember, it only needs to last 90 minutes, so reliability's not really an issue. But it needs to be a production car. And to give it a bit of longevity, you can choose from any of the 32 nations that made it to the 2002 finals, even if they've been knocked out.
Goal: Volvo S60 T5 (Sweden) - Volvo's manufacturing priorities deliver a rapid, safe pair of hands, required to guard the netting.
Left Back: BMW X5 (Germany) - Power and poise, something that can shove a little bit, required for the defensive line.
Centre Back: Land Rover Defender V8 (England): Probably as much for the name as anything else! However, long-term dependability a positive asset in this central defensive role.
Right Back: Range Rover Vogue (England/Germany): Again, lots of size and a reasonably sprightly mover, this bulky car good for defending.
Sweeper (Floating Back): Subaru Impreza STi (Japan): Massive speed, grip and handling required for this free-flowing role, ensures that one of the Japanese econobox-rockets fits the role superbly. After about 70 minutes though, the Sube gets a bit knackered, and is replaced by the previously bench-bound Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII (Japan). Those two have been fighting for the place all through the build-up, and have been causing the manager a bit of selection grief.
Left Midfield: BMW M5 (Germany): Midfield requires a car with power poise and brute force - a role for the super-saloon that is BMW's seminal M5, which has size for force, but can nip, tuck and sprint with the best of them. Has the long-range pace for a back-to-forward run.
Centre Midfield: Audi RS6 (Germany): Shows enough healthy rivalry with its German counterparts in the midfield, but also has enough respect and co-club knowledge to partner well. Also has huge power and grip, allowing it to cover more ground than probably needed. Could drop back to the sweeper's role should the STi or Evo VII be shown the red card.
Right Midfield: AMG Mercedes E55 (Germany): Plays well with the others in its line, but there remain doubts over its ultimate pace and manoeverability. Is fighting hard for its place with the English Jaguar XJR and club-mate the German AMG Mercedes SL55, both of which are ready to leap off the bench at a moment's notice.
Left Wing: Ferrari 575M (Italy): Huge pace and grace ideal for long penetrating runs through the opposition's defence.
Centre Forward: Lotus Elise (England): Ducking, diving manoeverability helps the Elise to cover for relative slowness up front. Usually seen running rings round the defence, always ready to shove its head in the way of a looping cross.
Right Wing: Honda NSX Type-R (Japan): The clean player that everyone looks up to, still has some doubts over its sportsmanship, particularly in showing its true hand. Lots of people swear it's more powerful than it claims it is, only the manager knows the true story. Mr Accuracy works great with the Elise in the centre.
Right, that's my multinational team. You guys have a go now! I might come up with one or more single-nation teams soon!
