RE: Blood Brothers: Vauxhall VX220 vs Lotus Europa S
Discussion
I did not realise just how quick the VX220 Turbo was, seems to keep up with a 911 GT RS quite well at the ring.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pu2ctT34jM&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pu2ctT34jM&fea...
Yep......although I'm not sure how hard the .gt3 was being driven plus my vx is "modified" 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvxzvXmKKOU&fe...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvxzvXmKKOU&fe...
Life Saab Itch said:
Can people stop writing articles or even refering to the Europa please?
I don't like these "value boosting" articles...
Yes! agree with this, Keeping an eye on these for a future car. Would like them to disappear under the radar so they drop in value and into my financial clutches.I don't like these "value boosting" articles...
MagicalTrevor said:
Are these two really comparable? Isn't the VX closer to the Elise than the Europa? The VX/Elise is a sports car whereas the Europa is more of a GT
How come the VX is so much quicker? They are similarly powered and weigh the same, yet the VX is way, way quicker to 60.Its the gearing that makes the VXT so much quicker.
Often manufacturers will be keen to exploit an impressive 0-60 (or 0-100k if you're on the continent) and the easiest way to do this is using 2nd gear to take you to 61 (or thereabouts).
The Europa requires 3rd gear to achieve 60mph and that (even with the fastest draw in the west) will still take around half a second extra.
The SE (or 225 S) is supposed to do 0-60 in 4.9 secs - take off 0.5 for the gear change and you're in VXT territory ??
The VXT will go over 60 in 2nd - so one less gear change, the MGTF160 was similar with a taller second gear.
The Europa really has 1 to 5 quite close and a 6th taller cruising gear.
Not sure why TBH, as the torque comes in impressively low anyway, but it does ensure you can find a cog thats good quickly.
I find 3rd to be the utilitarian gear - as the car can go from almost standstill up to a reasonable speed without having to move the stick (like my old Mondeo ST200)
Often manufacturers will be keen to exploit an impressive 0-60 (or 0-100k if you're on the continent) and the easiest way to do this is using 2nd gear to take you to 61 (or thereabouts).
The Europa requires 3rd gear to achieve 60mph and that (even with the fastest draw in the west) will still take around half a second extra.
The SE (or 225 S) is supposed to do 0-60 in 4.9 secs - take off 0.5 for the gear change and you're in VXT territory ??
The VXT will go over 60 in 2nd - so one less gear change, the MGTF160 was similar with a taller second gear.
The Europa really has 1 to 5 quite close and a 6th taller cruising gear.
Not sure why TBH, as the torque comes in impressively low anyway, but it does ensure you can find a cog thats good quickly.
I find 3rd to be the utilitarian gear - as the car can go from almost standstill up to a reasonable speed without having to move the stick (like my old Mondeo ST200)
My Europa is the updated 225 and I have recorded 4.8 0-60 times using a GPS device, so the manufacturers times for the SE and 225 are not exaggerated and are easily repeatable. Not sure why the quoted Europa times here are so slow.
Comparing the cars, the VX Turbo is fantastic value and has huge scope for mods, best bang for your buck and is a genuine, big grin, supercar slaying track car that can be used daily with sensible running costs. The Europa is exactly the same but any prospective buyer has to decide if the badge and exclusivity due to its rarity is worth the extra initial purchase price. I felt it was and bought a Europa, I have not regretted it and have never had a car which draws so much attention. Depending on your budget you takes your choice but both are great cars. I would argue the Lotus will have a better residual so any extra money put in now will be recouped on its sale. The VX would be my choice if I wanted to do car trackdays as it does the same job with less money at risk. Anyone thinking about either should get one bought, did I mention mine was in the classifieds!
Comparing the cars, the VX Turbo is fantastic value and has huge scope for mods, best bang for your buck and is a genuine, big grin, supercar slaying track car that can be used daily with sensible running costs. The Europa is exactly the same but any prospective buyer has to decide if the badge and exclusivity due to its rarity is worth the extra initial purchase price. I felt it was and bought a Europa, I have not regretted it and have never had a car which draws so much attention. Depending on your budget you takes your choice but both are great cars. I would argue the Lotus will have a better residual so any extra money put in now will be recouped on its sale. The VX would be my choice if I wanted to do car trackdays as it does the same job with less money at risk. Anyone thinking about either should get one bought, did I mention mine was in the classifieds!
As always with Lotus; would of, could of, should of...BUT DIDN'T!!
However, the Europa never seemed the right look to me, its funky and off somehow, yet the black one in this article has changed that perception for me. I would take this exact one with no hesitation! Its beautiful and sporty here, love the tan seats with the emblems in the head rests. Much nicer to look at than the Vaux IMHO.
However, the Europa never seemed the right look to me, its funky and off somehow, yet the black one in this article has changed that perception for me. I would take this exact one with no hesitation! Its beautiful and sporty here, love the tan seats with the emblems in the head rests. Much nicer to look at than the Vaux IMHO.
Edited by ESOG on Sunday 1st July 03:48
A good effort but it doesn't appear that you have ever driven these cars.
It is easy to generically compare the VXT to an Elise etc. But unfortunately the VXT was fundamentally flawed. Firstly, the engine was way too heavy and really ruined the balance compared to the non-turbo car, and more importantly the brakes were dangerous when braking hard on an uneven surface going into ice mode when braking over a bump.
And as for saying the VX was what the S2 Elise should have been. I would say that the VX was in between the S1 and the S2.
Put the research car mags down and go and drive them.
It is easy to generically compare the VXT to an Elise etc. But unfortunately the VXT was fundamentally flawed. Firstly, the engine was way too heavy and really ruined the balance compared to the non-turbo car, and more importantly the brakes were dangerous when braking hard on an uneven surface going into ice mode when braking over a bump.
And as for saying the VX was what the S2 Elise should have been. I would say that the VX was in between the S1 and the S2.
Put the research car mags down and go and drive them.
Not just driven them mate - owned them! A VX220, an Elise 111s and a VX220 Turbo. Drove a Europa S for a week too.
The reason for the comparison is because of the common engine, and I don't agree with your comment on the weight of the VX220. My turbo felt at least as well balanced as my NA VX220 - only 60kg difference too which ain't a lot for a big man!
The reason for the comparison is because of the common engine, and I don't agree with your comment on the weight of the VX220. My turbo felt at least as well balanced as my NA VX220 - only 60kg difference too which ain't a lot for a big man!
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