[4380r]

Sorry if a repost, but you know how the search function does not function here...

The new Road and Track has a comparo between a Lotus Elise SC, Alfa 4C, and Porsche Cayman. They acknowledge that one cannot get a new Elise in the U.S., but they say if you want the pure driving experience, find a lightly used Elise.

Bottom line:

The new Alfa: 3rd place. It was faster than the other two and pulled more g's on the skidpad, but overall was lacking.
Lotus Elise: 2nd place. They still love the driving experience, but as an overall sports/road car, it's too extreme.
Porsche: 1st place. Best all around performance/sports car and also one that you can live with day to day.

Nice to see the Elise is still recognized for what it was designed for.

 

[RENDERMAN]

I don't believe anything those one time driver idiots have to say, they ride around a track a couple of times and claim to be experts on a given car, long live Arashi!!

 

[gray]

they ride around a track a couple of times and claim to be experts on a given car

Don't underestimate the number of people on the internet who haven't been within 30 miles of the car and claim to be experts.

 

[XHILR8N!]

We all want to try that new Alfa. I'm sure some proper perspectives on it will be coming up here.

 

[shay2nak]

the Elise's times were slow, I thought.

 

[David Craig]

I just read the R & T article. It was fun to read. They did praise the Elise.

 

[me73]

the Elise's times were slow, I thought.

Agreed, especially considering it's an SC.

It was a good read, but clearly the 4C isn't the Elises replacement in the market.

 

[LionZoo]

Scans please?

 

[BRGreen]

the Elise's times were slow, I thought.

2014 Elise S Club Racer
217 HP
184 torks

0-60: 4-8
1/4 mile: 13.6

They must be making them slower these days.

 

[toojerry]

2014 Elise S Club Racer

217 HP

184 torks



0-60: 4-8

1/4 mile: 13.6



They must be making them slower these days.

Going to the bookstore to pick up the issue now (and stopping by Popeyes for some chik'n!). Did the mag really test a 2014 Elise S? How did they get their hands on one in the first place?

If it really was a '14, that has the Euro5 Toyota 1.8 4 cylinder that replaced the 2ZZ in "our" Elise SCs. Lots more torque, but very under-
square cylinders with only a 7k redline. That could account for the slower 0-100mph time.


-Jerry




Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[Bluefang08]

So keep the Elise. Got it.

 

[komiko]

yup - glad they told me or i never would have known.

 

[glb]

I just read the article.

The Alfa did not do well, in my perception.

The Cayman S is faster than I'd thought.

This is not the 1st time the Alfa steering has been somewhat panned. Geez, it made the writer hold the Cayman steering in higher esteem.

I do test cars I'm considering on bumpy turns; the Alfa would not have done well.

I have no dog in the hunt, because I don't want a 2 seater with fixed roof.

BTW, the Cayman has (according to Riley & Scott Racing) near optimum weight distribution; neither 4C or Elise do. R&S wants 56% on rear wheels. (As in my Elan, but not my Elise.)

 

[me73]

Going to the bookstore to pick up the issue now (and stopping by Popeyes for some chik'n!). Did the mag really test a 2014 Elise S? How did they get their hands on one in the first place?

If it really was a '14, that has the Euro5 Toyota 1.8 4 cylinder that replaced the 2ZZ in "our" Elise SCs. Lots more torque, but very under-
square cylinders with only a 7k redline. That could account for the slower 0-100mph time.


-Jerry




Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

Redline was 6800 according to the magazine. I think I like the 2zz better.

 

[Shawn C]

8:04 LAP TIME AT NURBURGRING for the Alpha, thats impressive. 35 seconds quicker than the Exige S

 

[Copple]

I'm still excited about seeing the Alfa in the US. Regardless of whether or not I actually pick one up, honestly not something I'll be in the position to do for a few years, I'm glad there are some car manufactures willing to produce fun cars.

 

[Westrock]

Going to the bookstore to pick up the issue now (and stopping by Popeyes for some chik'n!). Did the mag really test a 2014 Elise S? How did they get their hands on one in the first place?

All the cars in the article had Euro plates. My conclusion when reading it was that it was done in Europe.

Chris Harris gave a much more open minded review of the Alfa 4C

Might look good with body matched headlight housings.

 

[Allan Gibbs]

I think the 4G is aimed to the more mainstream market than the Elise was back in 2004. Do you think the market may have an issue with the non - power steering? I thought it would have power steering.

 

[me73]

Scans please?

Alfa Romeo 4C vs. Porsche Cayman and Lotus Elise - Features - Road & Track

 

[Swic]

Alfa Romeo 4C vs. Porsche Cayman and Lotus Elise - Features - Road & Track

Look at the spec sheet at the bottom. 6,800 rpm redline? .93 g roadholding? Clearly they missed out on all the fun of 2nd cam and had crappy tires. What's the deal?