Will Honda keep up in 2002 and beyond (kinda long)?
10-25-2001, 09:06 PM
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Will Honda keep up in 2002 and beyond (kinda long)?
So I'm reading through some news on new models of various cars, and it looks like a 240 HP/2800lb car is just not going to be that fast for much longer.
Nissan especially is really coming to the plate with it's new 3.5L engines. The new Maxima and Altima come to bat with 12.6 and 13.2 lbs/HP, and the new 350Z (next summer) is going to reportedly have 280HP at under 3000lbs, for just 10.7 lbs/HP
Compared to the S2000's 11.7 those number look pretty good, especially considering 2 of them are sedans. Hell, you can even get a 6-speed maxima now!
The WRX at 13.6 lbs/HP is easily modified, but even in stock form is just about all the S2000 can handle at speeds under about 70mph.
Porsche is going to up the HP on both the 911 and Boxster, and we all know easy the current Boxster S is to keep up with
Even Volkswagen is going to outfit the Passat with a W8 engine reportedly producing 275HP, for a specific power of under 12 lbs/HP.
And what if Toyota puts the 180HP Celica engine in the Spyder? That would be just 12.2 lbs/HP.
Now don't get me wrong. None of the above cars would possibly be as fun to drive as the S2000, with the exception of the Boxster (too expensive) and the MR2, but I don't want any kid in a damn Altima with some cheapo exhaust mods to roll up and beat me on the street!
(and Yes, I do own a WRX, and I love it, but 240HP just isn't going to be what it used to be).
Don't bother with the "get them on the track and..." arguments, as I know they are true. But what I'm saying here is that Honda needs to continue to progress the S2000 as long as these other car companies are doing the same. We need that S2000 Type-S!
sorry... having to work late and nothing much else to do
Nissan especially is really coming to the plate with it's new 3.5L engines. The new Maxima and Altima come to bat with 12.6 and 13.2 lbs/HP, and the new 350Z (next summer) is going to reportedly have 280HP at under 3000lbs, for just 10.7 lbs/HP
Compared to the S2000's 11.7 those number look pretty good, especially considering 2 of them are sedans. Hell, you can even get a 6-speed maxima now!
The WRX at 13.6 lbs/HP is easily modified, but even in stock form is just about all the S2000 can handle at speeds under about 70mph.
Porsche is going to up the HP on both the 911 and Boxster, and we all know easy the current Boxster S is to keep up with
Even Volkswagen is going to outfit the Passat with a W8 engine reportedly producing 275HP, for a specific power of under 12 lbs/HP.
And what if Toyota puts the 180HP Celica engine in the Spyder? That would be just 12.2 lbs/HP.
Now don't get me wrong. None of the above cars would possibly be as fun to drive as the S2000, with the exception of the Boxster (too expensive) and the MR2, but I don't want any kid in a damn Altima with some cheapo exhaust mods to roll up and beat me on the street!
(and Yes, I do own a WRX, and I love it, but 240HP just isn't going to be what it used to be).
Don't bother with the "get them on the track and..." arguments, as I know they are true. But what I'm saying here is that Honda needs to continue to progress the S2000 as long as these other car companies are doing the same. We need that S2000 Type-S!
sorry... having to work late and nothing much else to do
10-26-2001, 09:18 AM
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Hmm. Am I the only one who is perfectly happy being faster than about 95 out of every 100 cars I encounter at a stoplight? I could care less if a few more cars are added to the list of ones that could smoke me.
10-26-2001, 09:21 AM
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350Z will probably weigh around 3100lb. Nissan is on a serious campaign to make the most powerful cars in their classes. There will be a 350Z Turbo coming out as well. Their new GT-R will probably have about 400hp.
Power to weight isn't everything. A nimble, light car can keep up with a much more powerful monster on a good canyon road. I'm more interested in lightweight and handling than outright hp.
That said, a GTR would be sweet to park beside my upcoming S2000.
That, or a turbo RX8 (under development).
Power to weight isn't everything. A nimble, light car can keep up with a much more powerful monster on a good canyon road. I'm more interested in lightweight and handling than outright hp.
That said, a GTR would be sweet to park beside my upcoming S2000.
That, or a turbo RX8 (under development).
10-26-2001, 10:40 AM
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Nissan says the 350Z will weigh about 3200lbs which is pretty heavy for such a small car IMO. C5 Corvettes weight that much. Despite the weight, that torquey V6 will have no trouble flinging that thing around.
10-26-2001, 11:42 AM
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Posted by S2kRob
Ding, ding, ding - You win!
That is so true! How else can you explain a '90 CRX-Si with a few tweaks beating up on an M3 at the racetrack!
The S2000 will be ahead of the others technology for many, many years to come!
And as a proud owner of a Nissan Truck, I have to admit, I think Nissan produces some of the ugliest products out there.
Power to weight isn't everything. A nimble, light car can keep up with a much more powerful monster on a good canyon road. I'm more interested in lightweight and handling than outright hp.
That is so true! How else can you explain a '90 CRX-Si with a few tweaks beating up on an M3 at the racetrack!
The S2000 will be ahead of the others technology for many, many years to come!
And as a proud owner of a Nissan Truck, I have to admit, I think Nissan produces some of the ugliest products out there.
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10-26-2001, 12:32 PM
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The question also assumes some intrinsic "I am the best" character of the S2000 now. Who told you the S2000 was the "top" car when it was released?
What I mean is, how many years has the Lotus (Caterham) Super 7 been produced? Tell me about the performance measure that the S2000 beats a typical Super 7. On a pure performance level the S2000 only leads the pack in NA engine HP/liter. Now I also believe the S2000 blends a very high performance level with relative comfort and superior reliability. It is a special car to you, me, and most of us on this board.
But am I concerned about what new cars are released in the next decade? Heck no. They may beat me from light-to-light or even up the mountain but they will never dethrone the overall positive sentiment I have for my S2K. Now tell me Honda is releasing an 2003 S2000 Type R and I'll probably get in line to buy one and dump 2001 like a hot rock.
What I mean is, how many years has the Lotus (Caterham) Super 7 been produced? Tell me about the performance measure that the S2000 beats a typical Super 7. On a pure performance level the S2000 only leads the pack in NA engine HP/liter. Now I also believe the S2000 blends a very high performance level with relative comfort and superior reliability. It is a special car to you, me, and most of us on this board.
But am I concerned about what new cars are released in the next decade? Heck no. They may beat me from light-to-light or even up the mountain but they will never dethrone the overall positive sentiment I have for my S2K. Now tell me Honda is releasing an 2003 S2000 Type R and I'll probably get in line to buy one and dump 2001 like a hot rock.
10-26-2001, 12:44 PM
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On a pure performance level the S2000 only leads the pack in NA engine HP/liter.
Let's see there is that little thing about making the car out of aluminum and less than $33,000. There is that thing about 50/50 weight distribution. There is that thing about the suspension pushed so far to the outside of the car it is actually inside the wheel cavity. There is that thing about phenomenal structural rigidity for an open top car. There is that thing about extraordinary braking performance. There is that thing about...
Whoa, stop me, I'm on a roll. Seems like all those and more, have nothing to do with bhp/ltr, and believe me performance is not just about running straight down a quarter mile of pavement.
