Handling test from Motor Trend - S2000
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Handling test from Motor Trend - S2000
Motor Trend Handling Test
Click link for full test. This is the best and most exhaustive handling testing regime I have seen. Includes qualitative and quantitative data with cool graphs and results. I heart the Cayman S even more now. Below is cut and paste of the cars in the field.
Our lowest-priced entrants are the remarkably agile and neutral Honda Civic Si ($21,885) and the aggressive factory-tuner hot-hatch Mazdaspeed3 GT ($24,550). The bulldog Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works GP ($31,150) and the Mitsubishi Evolution IX MR ($37,424) test cars are both 2006 models because their successors weren't yet available, and we couldn't bear to let either of these two staff favorites sit out the competition. Honda's sleek, sure-footed, and high-strung S2000 served as our entry-level rear-driver at $34,845, followed by the sublimely intuitive new BMW 335i coupe (Sport package, hold the Active Steering, for $42,995). Porsche's polished and impeccably balanced Cayman S and Lotus's uncivilized, supercharged Exige S served as our mid-engine entrants, priced at $63,300 and $65,100, respectively. At the top of the class are Chevy's lightweight fire-breather, the Corvette Z06 ($70K) and Porsche's race car for the street, the purist's naturally aspirated rear-drive 911 GT3 ($115,700). For the record, the almost-affordable Ferrari F430 was eliminated because the GT3 outperforms it in all our standard handling tests-for $60,000 less.
Click link for full test. This is the best and most exhaustive handling testing regime I have seen. Includes qualitative and quantitative data with cool graphs and results. I heart the Cayman S even more now. Below is cut and paste of the cars in the field.
Our lowest-priced entrants are the remarkably agile and neutral Honda Civic Si ($21,885) and the aggressive factory-tuner hot-hatch Mazdaspeed3 GT ($24,550). The bulldog Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works GP ($31,150) and the Mitsubishi Evolution IX MR ($37,424) test cars are both 2006 models because their successors weren't yet available, and we couldn't bear to let either of these two staff favorites sit out the competition. Honda's sleek, sure-footed, and high-strung S2000 served as our entry-level rear-driver at $34,845, followed by the sublimely intuitive new BMW 335i coupe (Sport package, hold the Active Steering, for $42,995). Porsche's polished and impeccably balanced Cayman S and Lotus's uncivilized, supercharged Exige S served as our mid-engine entrants, priced at $63,300 and $65,100, respectively. At the top of the class are Chevy's lightweight fire-breather, the Corvette Z06 ($70K) and Porsche's race car for the street, the purist's naturally aspirated rear-drive 911 GT3 ($115,700). For the record, the almost-affordable Ferrari F430 was eliminated because the GT3 outperforms it in all our standard handling tests-for $60,000 less.
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Interesting read, in the end they list the GT3 as the clear winner with the Evo, Exige and Cayman S mentioned when they discussed (but didn't award) 2nd place.
The S2000 lost points as half the testers were over 6 feet, and didn't rate it highly, while the shorter testers did rate it. I think it was also the oldest design in the group.
The S2000 lost points as half the testers were over 6 feet, and didn't rate it highly, while the shorter testers did rate it. I think it was also the oldest design in the group.
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Yeah that thing accelerates quicker from 80-120kph quicker than an Aston Martin Vantage apparently. Defintely a weapon but the FWD layout and torqure steer make it a frustrating drive from what I've heard.
Note that the mid engined layout of the Cayman S make it nip on the heels of the GT3 in the bends and they speculated that if Porsche put the same engine and fat rubber from the GT3 onto the Cayman it would probably be otherworldly. There's an RUF Cayman putting out 400hp.
Also of interest is that the breakaway characteristics of the Cayman is around 1.4x degrees/sec compared to the S2000 of 1.6x degrees/sec which explains the S2000 being harder to handle when losing traction. This might have a lot to do with the tyres however, as the Cayman uses the Michelen PS2s which come out trumps in most tests for feedback and smooth breakaway but mucho $$$. And note that the GT3 uses semi-slicks.
Note that the mid engined layout of the Cayman S make it nip on the heels of the GT3 in the bends and they speculated that if Porsche put the same engine and fat rubber from the GT3 onto the Cayman it would probably be otherworldly. There's an RUF Cayman putting out 400hp.
Also of interest is that the breakaway characteristics of the Cayman is around 1.4x degrees/sec compared to the S2000 of 1.6x degrees/sec which explains the S2000 being harder to handle when losing traction. This might have a lot to do with the tyres however, as the Cayman uses the Michelen PS2s which come out trumps in most tests for feedback and smooth breakaway but mucho $$$. And note that the GT3 uses semi-slicks.
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Originally Posted by Blackie,Aug 22 2008, 01:05 PM
And note that the GT3 uses semi-slicks.
