Quote:
Originally posted by CRH911S
I believe, however, Lotus has started a trend - lightweight, high-reving cars.
I disagree that they are the originators of the trend referenced to in the above. Between 2000 and 2003 Honda produced the F20C with the 9k redline. This power plant is 50lbs lighter and generates nearly 50 more horsepower than the unit used in the Miata.
In 2004, Honda increased the displacement of this powerplant for increased torque. I felt this was certainly the wrong way to go. They should have decreased the weight of the S2000 (2860lbs) but this wasn't the demand of the American market which complains for larger wheels, wider seats, colder air conditioning, and better radio quality.
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Hmmm...I've never heard of the F20C. I'll have to "Google" it and see what it is. Of course, there's no accounting for what is produced ROW, especially in Japan where it seems they have the knowledge to build a lightweight high-RPM automobile. The Miata is a good example, as Mazda has produced quite a few "skunkwork" cars that have three times the performance of a standard Miata. Personally, I always wondered why Mazda never stuck the 1.3 Wankel in the Miata...
...Renault also produced a little car - smaller than a Le Car, with a 100 hp 8,000 RPM lump. Said to be very fun for a common hatchback.
But from the streets of L.A., there's nothing like the Elise, at least not now, and L.A. lifestyles represent many, many varying types of vehicles. From kit cars to F40 Ferraris to Unimogs, they've been on these streets. And there are a nice handful of Elises out here
before they were federalized, even as there was a company in Redondo Beach (I believe) importing them with VTEC Honda motors. But aside from that, and judging from what I see here in town, there's nothing like the Elise offered by a car manufacturer. From this I base the word "trend."
You mention the S2000, which is definitely on my short list of great cars as is the RX8. The S2000 weighs 2800-2900#s and revs to - what - 8,000 RPM? The RX8 at 3,000#s revs to 9,000 RPM? If I were Honda or Mazda, I would be hard at work duplicating an Elise-like car around one of these high-reving engines.