Elise Tops Class In Car and Driver Track Test

[Icedog_16]

Hopefully not a repost. The Elise came in tops in the $30-$60K class in the C/D test at VIR, beat the Z06 and Ford GT in certain sections, and actually bested the BMW M6 overall. My favorite quote: "The Lotus was the Ginsu of the tes, methodically knifing through the corners and transitions, offering telepathic steering and fantastic brake reel. We could hang it right up to the edge with ease." Supposedly, they have videos and such posted on their site, but I couldn't find it. I'd scan it, but I don't have a color flatbed scanner.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Icedog_16

Hopefully not a repost. The Elise came in tops in the $30-$60K class in the C/D test at VIR, beat the Z06 and Ford GT in certain sections, and actually bested the BMW M6 overall. My favorite quote: "The Lotus was the Ginsu of the tes, methodically knifing through the corners and transitions, offering telepathic steering and fantastic brake reel. We could hang it right up to the edge with ease." Supposedly, they have videos and such posted on their site, but I couldn't find it. I'd scan it, but I don't have a color flatbed scanner.

Yeah, I just read that article. The only thing holding back the Elise is the straight aways. Put a FF 275 or 340 kit on it to level the "power" playing field and I'm sure the Elise would dominate no problem. They did mention the Elise had a big advantage with the A048's, but since they are an option it was allowed. If you wanted to be totally fair, you would have the same tire or comparable tires on all of the cars.

I have to say, the Z06 is pretty darn impressive for the money; but I still prefer my Elise.

[evomind]

i just bought a used c6zo6.
i know there is a lot of hype over this car and when i drove it i was expecting to be let down just a little.
i couldnt believe it could live up to its hype, but im a believer. the car is awesome.

[mattwhite]

Originally Posted by 05EliseNM

They did mention the Elise had a big advantage with the A048's, but since they are an option it was allowed. If you wanted to be totally fair, you would have the same tire or comparable tires on all of the cars.

I think C&D was a little inaccurate regarding the longevity of the A048s. I don't have the article in front of me but didn't they say they would only be good for about 2,000 street miles? My first set lasted much longer than that - about 4,000 miles, with roughly 1,200 of those on the track.

[cpforyou]

If they only had the other Yokos in LLS sizes.

[LARRY]

That's great!

[jlee]

Originally Posted by evomind

i just bought a used c6zo6.
i know there is a lot of hype over this car and when i drove it i was expecting to be let down just a little.
i couldnt believe it could live up to its hype, but im a believer. the car is awesome.

After seeing the a new Z06 on the track...and watching it go through the twisties was impressive. The owner said the only mods was an aftermarket brake kit.

I'm dying to drive one and see whats its like.

I never pictured myself as a Vette owner but this Z06 is the only thing i'm thinking about. For the money..what a car...

jeff

[wrh3]

I just read this article, very impressive.......I see a FF 275 in my future though for the straights

[Eye Candy]

Not to hijack, but has anyone put NOS in the Elise/Exige for that purpose (boost on the straights?)
I would be happy with just a nice 75 shot at the beginning of the straights.
Cheapest way to get more power on other engines.
I know it's kind of ricey, but I'm not so anxious to spend $11k more for turbo power that may or may not blow up my engine.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by mattwhite

I think C&D was a little inaccurate regarding the longevity of the A048s. I don't have the article in front of me but didn't they say they would only be good for about 2,000 street miles? My first set lasted much longer than that - about 4,000 miles, with roughly 1,200 of those on the track.

Yup, that's what they said. I agree, that is a bit on the low side. Maybe 2K will all track use, but for street I think 6K is more accurate; but then again it all depends on the driver. If you drove the car like a granny all the time, I bet you could get 12K out of the A048's; but that kind of driving kind of defeats the purpose of the car.

[Irishfan04]

Originally Posted by evomind

i just bought a used c6zo6.
i know there is a lot of hype over this car and when i drove it i was expecting to be let down just a little.
i couldnt believe it could live up to its hype, but im a believer. the car is awesome.

Mike - seriously?! Can I come over????

[CHRISN]

Originally Posted by Eye Candy

Not to hijack, but has anyone put NOS in the Elise/Exige for that purpose (boost on the straights?)
I would be happy with just a nice 75 shot at the beginning of the straights.
Cheapest way to get more power on other engines.
I know it's kind of ricey, but I'm not so anxious to spend $11k more for turbo power that may or may not blow up my engine.

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...&highlight=nos

[LW Elise]

The Lotus Elise DID NOT BEAT THE Z06. C&D classed the cars by retail purchase price. It beat the stock C6 Corvette, and only by 1/10th of a second. They actually liked the stock Corvette better as being a better all around car that was within 1/10th of a second of the Elise.

The Z06, Viper and Ford GT all blew away the rest of the field, beating the VIR track time of 3:09 by 8 seconds at 3:01 (not exact).

The stock Vette is a terrific car and is terribly underrated. It doesn't even say if the supplied Vette had the Z51 suspension which includeds upgraded brakes, suspension and gearing change. If it didn't, then we could expect the Vette to do even better if it got rid of the runcraps and had the Z51.

I love my Elise, but if the Corvette is its match. The Z06 would put the Exige S on the trailer. Don't know how a 340 would do.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by LW Elise

The Lotus Elise DID NOT BEAT THE Z06.

No one said that. The original poster only said "The Elise came in tops in the $30-$60K class in the C/D test at VIR, beat the Z06 and Ford GT in certain sections"

How would the 340 do against the Z06? Well, you already know how well the stock Elise did in the twisties, and the power to weight of a 340 Elise is better than the C6 Z06........sooooooooooooo...................I think the 340 would probably win; just not with me driving it.

[Casey]

Originally Posted by LW Elise

The Lotus Elise DID NOT BEAT THE Z06. C&D classed the cars by retail purchase price. It beat the stock C6 Corvette, and only by 1/10th of a second. They actually liked the stock Corvette better as being a better all around car that was within 1/10th of a second of the Elise.

The Z06, Viper and Ford GT all blew away the rest of the field, beating the VIR track time of 3:09 by 8 seconds at 3:01 (not exact).

The stock Vette is a terrific car and is terribly underrated. It doesn't even say if the supplied Vette had the Z51 suspension which includeds upgraded brakes, suspension and gearing change. If it didn't, then we could expect the Vette to do even better if it got rid of the runcraps and had the Z51.

I love my Elise, but if the Corvette is its match. The Z06 would put the Exige S on the trailer. Don't know how a 340 would do.

I destroyed a c6 z06 on the freeway with our 380R...but then again it's making 390whp and it weighs @1950...

[foosh]

Originally Posted by jlee

After seeing the a new Z06 on the track...and watching it go through the twisties was impressive. The owner said the only mods was an aftermarket brake kit.

I'm dying to drive one and see whats its like.

I never pictured myself as a Vette owner but this Z06 is the only thing i'm thinking about. For the money..what a car...

jeff

I never thought I'd buy a Corvette either, but I did buy a Z06. It is truly a monster, but with gentle manners if you can control your foot. It is deceptively fast, it's so smooth you don't realize how fast you're going and have to remind yourself. It's also easy to lose quickly, and if you're not careful it will teach you a lesson with a baseball bat.

I also own an Elise, and I have to say it is far more fun to drive, and I'm more confident in the Lotus' handling and feedback. It simply communicates what it is doing way better.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Casey@ForcedFed

I destroyed a c6 z06 on the freeway with our 380R...but then again it's making 390whp and it weighs @1950...

So then what is the bhp on your 380; somewhere around 470 maybe???

So the Z06 would need about 750 bhp to compete with your 380 Elise; that is a 50% increase over the stock set up. Not even the Blue Devil could keep up with your 380, WOW!!!

[darkSol]

Originally Posted by 05EliseNM

So then what is the bhp on your 380; somewhere around 470 maybe???

I'm coming up with 440-445 flywheel for 390 whp.

[evomind]

Originally Posted by Eye Candy

Not to hijack, but has anyone put NOS in the Elise/Exige for that purpose (boost on the straights?)
I would be happy with just a nice 75 shot at the beginning of the straights.
Cheapest way to get more power on other engines.
I know it's kind of ricey, but I'm not so anxious to spend $11k more for turbo power that may or may not blow up my engine.

eyecandy,
u dont want to use nitrous to boost out of corners or just for straights on a roadcourse. i wouldnt want to.
can u do it? i suppose.
i would wait till we have some good, reliable tuning tools b4 adding something like nitrous.
once we get affordable tuning tools that actually work, we can do a lot more experimenting with our cars with a lot less risk of blowing them up.
do a search, i seem to recall someone on this board did n2o to his car.

[evomind]

Originally Posted by Irishfan04

Mike - seriously?! Can I come over????

sure.....its been awhile since u tried to run me over anyway.