Editing Reliant Scimitar (section)

==Scimitar GTE SE5 (1968–1972) and SE5A (1972–1975){{anchor|SE5}}==
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Reliant Scimitar GTE (SE5/SE5A)
| image = Reliant Scimitar GTE SE5A 2994cc 1972.JPG
| production = 1968–1975
| designer = [[Tom Karen]] of [[Ogle Design]]
| body_style = 2-door [[shooting brake]]
| related = 
| engine = 2,994 cc ''[[Ford Essex V6 engine (UK)|Ford Essex]]'' [[V6]]
| transmission = 4-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]<br />3-speed ''[[Borg-Warner 35 transmission|Borg Warner 35]]'' [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]
| length = {{convert|171|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|64.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|52|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|2620|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}
| wheelbase = {{convert|99.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| predecessor = Reliant Scimitar GT (SE4)
| successor = Reliant Scimitar GTE (SE6)
| sp = uk
}}
[[Tom Karen]] of Ogle was asked to submit some body designs based on the ''[[Ogle Design]] GTS'' [[estate car]] experiment for a new four-seater Scimitar, the SE5 Reliant Scimitar. Managing Director Ray Wiggin, Chief Engineer [[John Crosthwaite]] and fibreglass body expert Ken Wood went to Ogle's in Letchworth to view some mock-up body designs for the new SE5. Wiggin told Wood to proceed with a proper master.
[[File:Reliant Scimitar - MTL 821L (8053615081).jpg|left|thumb|Rear]]
The SE5 was conceived and ready for the 1968 Motor Show in less than 12 months. For the SE5 John Crosthwaite and his team designed a completely different longer chassis frame, revised suspension, new and relocated fuel tank, a rollover bar, new cooling system, spare wheel mounted in the nose to give increased rear space and a {{convert|17+1/4|impgal|litre|}} fuel tank.<ref name="mm969">{{cite journal |journal=Motoring Mirror |title=Reliant GTE |pages=44–45 |volume=7 |number=5 |last=Armstrong |first=Douglas |publisher=Motorpress |location=Cape Town, South Africa |date=September 1969}}</ref> When designing the chassis Crosthwaite worked closely with Ogle body stylist Peter Bailey to modify and refine the prototype.

The main change introduced in the SE5 was the sports estate hatchback body shape, although other car manufacturers had also produced hatchback models.

The SE5 came with the same 3.0-litre Ford Essex engine used in the SE4a/b. This gave the SE5 a claimed top speed of over {{convert|120|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}. A [[Borg-Warner 35 transmission|Borg-Warner 35]] [[automatic transmission]] was added as an option in 1970 and by 1971, overdrive on the 4-speed manual was offered. In 1972 several improvements were included in the upgrade to SE5A, including a boost in power. The extra 7&nbsp;hp (5&nbsp;kW) and maximum engine speed raised performance and the GTE was now capable of {{convert|0|–|60|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} in 8.5&nbsp;seconds and top speed was raised to {{convert|121|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}. The SE5's flat [[dashboard]] also gave way to a curved and moulded plastic one.<ref>Motoring News 3 October 1968</ref><ref>Autocar magazine 4 June 1970</ref><ref>Design Journal August 1970</ref><ref>Autocar magazine 17 December 1970</ref><ref>Automotive Design Engineering. July/August 1973</ref><ref>Slice Magazine May 1987 Article by Peter Bailey. Head of the Transport Design Studio at Ogle when the SE5 was being designed</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The Scimitar and its Forebears |first=Don |last=Pither |year=1987 |isbn=0-9512873-0-3}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrocaricons.com//index.php/Scimitar_GTE_148?action=information&subaction=show&informationID=148 |title=Scimitar GTE |website=retrocaricons.com |accessdate=23 April 2012}}</ref> The SE5A can be recognised from a SE5 at the rear by the reverse lamps which are below the bumper on the earlier model and are incorporated into the rear clusters on the later version (these were also carried over onto the SE6 and later). Badging changes included changing the "SCIMITAR" lettering from a narrow type-style to a fatter one.

Directly following the announcement of the car, [[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] magazine tested a 3-litre GTE (with manual transmission) in October 1968.<ref name="Autocar1968" /> They reported a maximum speed of {{convert|117|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} and a {{convert|0|–|60|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}  time of 10.7 seconds.<ref name=Autocar1968>{{cite journal |title=New for '69 Brief Test: Reliant Scimitar GTE |series=129 |journal=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] |volume=(nbr 3790) |pages=5–7 |date=3 October 1968}}</ref> Overall fuel consumption for the test came in at 18.5 mpg.<ref name="Autocar1968" /> The manufacturer's UK market recommended retail price, including sales taxes, was £1,759.<ref name="Autocar196801">{{cite journal |title=Autocar recommended New Car prices and performance of cars tested |series=129 |journal=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] |volume=(nbr 3790) |pages=126–128 |date=3 October 1968}}</ref> The 3-litre [[MG MGC|MG MGC GT]] was retailing at this time for £1,337 while Rover's [[Rover P6#3500|3500]] was offered for £1,791.<ref name="Autocar196801" /> Launch of the more directly comparable [[Volvo 1800ES#1800 ES estate|Volvo 1800ES]] was still four years away.

4,311 SE5s were produced. It was an instant success; GT production was cut down and the proportion of GTEs to GTs being built was four-to-one. Reliant increased its volume by 20% in the first year.<ref name="mm969" /> The 5A model sold more than any other Scimitar, with 5105 manufactured. [[Princess Anne]] was given a manual overdrive SE5 as a joint 20th birthday present and Christmas present in November 1970 by the [[Elizabeth II|Queen]] and the [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Duke of Edinburgh]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2010/10/29/cannock-firm-services-princess-anne-s-car-97319-27563145/ |title=Cannock firm services Princess Anne's car |website=birminghammail.net |date=29 October 2010 |accessdate=2 March 2011}}</ref> It was Air Force blue in colour with a grey leather interior and registered 1420 H in recognition of her position as Colonel-in-Chief of the 14th/20th Hussars. Anne subsequently owned eight other GTEs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sporting-reliants.com/Scimitar%20SE5.htm |title=Reliant Scimitar GTE SE5 |website=sporting-reliants.com |accessdate=27 April 2010}}</ref>
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