New Sunbeam Torino triple thermoblock

[magnafunk]

It looks very cool and just like a E61.

Maybe so, but you wouldn't pay $10,000 for a fake rolex.

I feel I could easily burn myself just by touching the machine.

That's one design "feature" of the E61 they have nailed, my partner is forever burning herself on our BFC!

[Coffeeismylifeblood]

When I was in a HN store I had a sales person show me how to use it. It looks very cool and just like a E61. I was however not that impressed and the coffee looked pretty ordinary whilst pouring and tasted the same. They assured me that the coffee was fresh as it was just bought in by a rep from another coffee company. It had a roast on date of 2weeks ago.
the thing that struck me most was, how HOT the machine was to touch. I feel I could easily burn myself just by touching the machine. Is this normal or was this a fault?? Seemed pretty dangerous but I am not that familiar with these kinds of machines. Has anyone else noticed this?

[habahabanero]

This is just plain fraud! I think Sunbeam have been nudging the line for a while with their "Cafe Series" (and terrible after-sales service), but this is just beyond the pale. Taking $2200 off some puffed-up idiot with money to burn is one thing, but some of the hopeful buyers will have saved their hard-earned cash for a long time to afford anything in this price class and then get this pile of cr@p. Society should be better at protecting the gullible.

[Gavisconi007]

I saw one in HN yesterday while looking for a blender
What, they sell E61s now??? What the heck is a Torino (looks closer) oh....it's a Sunbeam.

If you ask anyone in HN to show you an E61 they disappear out the back to dig out their UBD!!!

[prloring]

I saw one in HN yesterday while looking for a blender, took me by surprise. The conversation (with myself) went like this....
What, they sell E61s now??? What the heck is a Torino (looks closer) oh....it's a Sunbeam.
I then pulled out the pf to look at the group/shower screen and realised they've just taken their already flimsy group and put a shiny chrome cover over it. It's not even one piece, if memory serves me correctly the lower part of the group head that engage with the tabs of your of basket is just screwed on. You've probably already guessed but it's not a commercial 58mm pf either.
I guess they're targeting it at people who see real E61 machines and think this is the same thing, I just hope they realise they can buy the real thing for similar money.

[soviet]

The shot on the video was what I would see from a Nespresso though I am sure you could get a better shot if you try. Testing in a store is very hit and miss if the coffee is poop.
Keeping it short :-)
As an espresso drinker, I would save the money and get a Nuova Simonelli. It's whats in the cup that matters.

[Magic_Matt]

They had an EM6910/EM0450 package next to it, 'on sale' for $799. The EM7000 on the same shelf was 'on sale' for $999 I think.

I'd guess at least part of the intention is to drive sales of the cheaper machines - bit like the $400 bottle of wine on the restaurant wine list... suddenly $100 doesn't seem so much

[LeroyC]

The thing for me that stands out is the insane price. If they had just brought it to market as a $799 rrp appliance alternative to a prosumer machine, then I would probably be recommending it to friends looking for a new machine at that price point instead of poking fun at it.

They had an EM6910/EM0450 package next to it, 'on sale' for $799. The EM7000 on the same shelf was 'on sale' for $999 I think.

[Melbroaster]

The thing for me that stands out is the insane price. If they had just brought it to market as a $799 rrp appliance alternative to a prosumer machine, then I would probably be recommending it to friends looking for a new machine at that price point instead of poking fun at it.

[LeroyC]

New Sunbeam Torino triple thermoblock

I was just in Harvey Norman here in NZ and was spotted the Torino. I haven't seen any press about it over here so was a bit surprised to see it. No doubt there's been some magazine ads or something.
I agree that it's a fairly nice looking machine, it was actually better in the flesh than I expected. To the uninitiated it would definitely have some wow factor. But even with my limited experience I could see past this facade and I can't see that it would be substantially better than the EM7000. There are a few nice touches like the rubber foot on the bottom of the portafilter to sit on the edge of a bench for tamping. The drip tray is a decent size as is the cup warmer.
Obvious negatives were that the hot water arm is sort of in the way of the manual extraction lever unless you move it right out to the side. Also it comes with DUAL WALL filter baskets!! AAAND a crema enhancer!!!! WTF?!! Thankfully these can be swapped out, but still....? And as you'll see, normal retail here is $2500, but it's currently 'on sale' for $2200!!
Anyway, here's a real life photo-

[TC]

I'm sure they're capitalising on Christmas. New product, no significant reviews other than paid opinion pieces, sell it at a premium, let HN and other places push it hard, then drop the price into 2016.

Yes- My guesstimate of landed price was significantly more than a story I heard once about the landed price of the BDB.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm predicting that we'll see substantial discounts on these in due course.

I'm yet to see thermoblock steam that wasn't a compromise. In theory, they could be able to get espresso close to ok, but who knows?

Nevertheless, once this stuff ends up at the tip, many make tracks to humble establishments like ours and purchase something which will last. I'm thankful for that.

[Gavisconi007]

I'm really not sure you could compare this to an ECM...

Unless you wanted to make "Part 2" of the Comedy....,

[WantRancilio10]

Fair enough. Sometimes I forget how easily some people are willing to drop $1.5k+. Still I reckon most of those buyers will be more attracted by fully-auto rubbish. This 'pretty' Sunbeam is overpriced as it stands but, if the 6910/7000 is anything to go by, should still be quite capable of half-decent.

[readeral]

I'm sure they're capitalising on Christmas. New product, no significant reviews other than paid opinion pieces, sell it at a premium, let HN and other places push it hard, then drop the price into 2016.

[WantRancilio10]

.... and cynical cash grab.

I'm not so sure... I just don't see how Sunbeam could expect them to sell... unless via non-standard sales eg via credit card points to the uneducated or as 'a bonus' from the retailer for a customer buying a premium fridge, oven, toaster...

I can't see how any plastic appliance which will ultimately end up at the tip is worth much more than $1k.

If they do 'sell' $1k might be the actual price (+ $grinder)