Spitfire Vs. Lotus Exiege

[Neubob]

I remember when he test-drove the Countach. Never heard a grown man complain so much in my life... Let alone while driving something that was part of every red-blooded boy's dreams.

Makes me think that maybe he should test-drive this:

[Viking]

The Saleen is a good looking car and promises a lot in performance, but is it a production car or a custom? Does it pass European safety requirements? I've never heard of one being driven in Europe so ...

As for the fastest production car in the world I bet its the Bugatti Veyron.

[Neubob]

Originally posted by Viking
The Saleen is a good looking car and promises a lot in performance, but is it a production car or a custom? Does it pass European safety requirements? I've never heard of a being driven in Europe so ...

As for the fastest production car in the world I bet its the Bugatti Veyron.

The Veyron is, and according to the stats its top speed is 5 mph better than the Saleen's. The Saleen is about 1200 lbs lighter though, and even with 250 HP less, has a better power to weight ratio. As for custom or production, it is very limited, but it is on an assembly line. Have no idea about European requirements.

[Viking]

1200 lbs lighter than the Veyron? Must be all track performance and no creature comforts then. Clarkson would hate it!  He drove the Veyron from Italy to London through Switzerland and loved it.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4997267460336395782&q=Veyron

[john9001]

ford GT

[Neubob]

Originally posted by Viking
1200 lbs lighter than the Veyron? Must be all track performance and no creature comforts then. Clarkson would hate it!  He drove the Veyron from Italy to London through Switzerland and loved it.

It's in the neighborhood of 2900 lbs, where the Veyron is around 4100-4200. As for creature comfort, I have no idea. Photos of the interior don't say a whole lot, but it seems reasonably automated and civilized. As for Clarkson, I'm pretty sure he'd find something wrong with most anything American, so that's of little issue.

The interior:

[Viking]

It looks ok I guess, but like you say photos don't tell much. Road noise, vibrations, road tracking etc.

In Clarkson's defence I must point out that he did like the '05 Corvette (but not the '06), the new Viper, the Rouch Mustang, the old '68 Mustang 390 something, the GT40 and the new 700 hp GT40 (which he owns). In all fairness the last two are mostly Euro parts, but they got American engines.

Btw. the Veyron is electronically limited to 252 mph for safety reasons.

[Masherbrum]

Originally posted by Viking
It looks ok I guess, but like you say photos don't tell much. Road noise, vibrations, road tracking etc.

In Clarkson's defence I must point out that he did like the '05 Corvette (but not the '06), the new Viper, the Rouch Mustang, the old '68 Mustang 390 something, the GT40 and the new 700 hp GT40 (which he owns). In all fairness the last two are mostly Euro parts, but they got American engines.

Btw. the Veyron is electronically limited to 252 mph for safety reasons.

Actually, the Ford GT is American.   The prototypes were built by Roush.   I had a buddy that built the chassis and engine.   Shelby also had ALOT of input on it.    A shame Ford gave up on Cosworth though.  

Bugatti Info on Top Speed - The driver must, using the key, toggle the lock to the left of his seat in order to use the maximum speed of 253.2 miles per hour (407.5 km/h). Theoretically it can go faster but it is electronically limited to 253.2 miles per hour (407.5 km/h) to prevent tire damage. The key functions only when the vehicle is at a stop when a checklist then establishes whether the car—and its driver—are ready to enable 'top speed' mode. If all systems are go, the rear spoiler retracts, the front air diffusers close and the ground clearance, normally 4.9 inches (12.4 cm), drops to 2.6 inches (6.6 cm).

I also want to say that I recall Clarkson saying something to the effect of:  "If the Veyron were to race the McLaren F1.   The Veyron could STILL BEAT the F1 to 200, EVEN IF the Veyron could not MOVE until the F1 hit 120mph!!!!!

Saleen's have always been short on the "performance for price paid", that goes for the entire product line.  That S7 seems like it isnt that comfy.  Corvettes are NOT comfortable either.  

I'll always have a soft spot for the Lotus Esprit.  I've always wanted one.

[Viking]

Yes the Veyron is insane, but a great exercise in technology (more like masturbation). It is however just a VW show-off car that they sell with an enormous loss. You can buy one for 800,000 pounds (I think Clarkson said), but it costs VW five million to make one.

According to Clarkson the Ford GT has German wheels, Italian breaks, British gearbox, British steering box (from an Austin Martin Vanquish), British body (prolly designed by Jaguar which Ford owns), and the chassis was set up by Lotus.

He could be full of BS of course, I don't know.

[Masherbrum]

Originally posted by Viking
Yes the Veyron is insane, but a great exercise in technology (more like masturbation). It is however just a VW show-off car that they sell with an enormous loss. You can buy one for 800,000 pounds (I think Clarkson said), but it costs VW five million to make one.

According to Clarkson the Ford GT has German wheels, Italian breaks, British gearbox, British steering box (from an Austin Martin Vanquish), British body (prolly designed by Jaguar which Ford owns), and the chassis was set up by Lotus.

He could be full of BS of course, I don't know.

Lotus tuned the suspension for a Ford?   I did sort of forget about Ford's "Premier Auto Group".    Brakes are prolly Brembo, those are pretty much standard nowadays.    Cool, learn something new every day.   Thanks, Viking!:)

[Viking]

Thank you