RE: Zenos Project E10 - exclusive
Discussion
Craikeybaby said:
Which MR2 are you talking about? I find the. MR2 Roadster roof a big step backwards from my mk3.5 MX-5.
Strange. My roadsters roof was perfect. Easy to operate, could raise or lower from the drivers seat in about 10s. Never leaked, did not lift inside at speed, glass rear heated screen, sat neatly when down, tight around the frame when up. No rattles or squeaks. The mx5 roof must be amazing The MR2 roof is all of those things, but I have been spoilt coming from the latest MX-5. In addition to the traits you mention the MX-5 only has one centre catch, so no leaning across the passenger to get to the other catch. The roof also worked with the sun visors folded away, which saves a bit of time too (I may yet ditch the sun visors on my MR2). The MX-5 has a mohair roof which I find nicer aesthetically.
Sometimes small details like that make a big difference day to day - if Zenos want my opinion on this sort of thing I'm more than happy to drive over to Norfolk to have a look at their cockpit etc (I'm used to NDAs/prototypes etc from my day job).
Sometimes small details like that make a big difference day to day - if Zenos want my opinion on this sort of thing I'm more than happy to drive over to Norfolk to have a look at their cockpit etc (I'm used to NDAs/prototypes etc from my day job).
I would call myself a Lotus/Caterham enthusiast, plus casual trackdays.
Being a Norfolk boy I was lucky enough to be at Zenos cars this morning, I think the two most salient points I took away from my visit were the enthusiasm of the staff, they are just like every other car fan, they like the cars we imagine they would like, we talked about everything from S1 sevens to E-Types, as well as of course the Atom, X-bow, 2-11, 7 etc
I think the vision for the first car is exactly what any light weight British sports car fan would find appealing, although they are very aware that they need to turn this vision into a reality. Whilst the released pictures do not show the final look of the car, I was given a brief peek at what I believe were the signed off renders and have to say it doesn't disappoint on looks. Think Elise meets Mono.
I was told that I need to wait until Autosport for the full reveal and pricing.
I wish them the best, their hearts are in the right place and they seemed very focused on trying to deliver the right car at the right budget, as of course their success will be measured by this.
Might it tempt me from my R500? I certainly hope so...
Being a Norfolk boy I was lucky enough to be at Zenos cars this morning, I think the two most salient points I took away from my visit were the enthusiasm of the staff, they are just like every other car fan, they like the cars we imagine they would like, we talked about everything from S1 sevens to E-Types, as well as of course the Atom, X-bow, 2-11, 7 etc
I think the vision for the first car is exactly what any light weight British sports car fan would find appealing, although they are very aware that they need to turn this vision into a reality. Whilst the released pictures do not show the final look of the car, I was given a brief peek at what I believe were the signed off renders and have to say it doesn't disappoint on looks. Think Elise meets Mono.
I was told that I need to wait until Autosport for the full reveal and pricing.
I wish them the best, their hearts are in the right place and they seemed very focused on trying to deliver the right car at the right budget, as of course their success will be measured by this.
Might it tempt me from my R500? I certainly hope so...
Have driven all of the direct competition in the US = the Ariel Atom (US built), the Caterham 7, Westfield, Radical and Elise.
I think the Zenos E10 has a good chance in the US market for the following reasons:
1. The Elise is gone, and Lotus is not likely to come back with anything close to that price or size/weight.
2. The Atom is the most structurally rigid car i have ever driven, but the Zenos is better looking and has a more practical power train - can be repaired in any US town or city.
3. The Caterham is overpriced in the US, and until very recently (when they made a deal with Superformance) had sketchy distribution. Plus it looks are an acquired taste.
4. Westfield (Hayabusa engine) too difficult to launch.
5. Radical in theory road legal, but way too cramped for me, so track only, and way pricey.
So not clear UK, but in the US, I say that Zenos has the right price, power train and looks to be the best of the bunch. It really is the car that Caterham or Lotus should have built. And I hope its sales prove me right.
A note on this niche - someone said that driving a slow car fast is more fun than driving a fast car slow
The corollary to that is that driving a small car fast is most fun of all. That what was the Elan (and Elise) was all about.
They're simply more fun to drive than the Mercedes Benzes, Porsches, Jaguars, or Corvettes on most US roads under most conditions and speed limits. Not much point in owning a sports car if not for driving fun.
I think the Zenos E10 has a good chance in the US market for the following reasons:
1. The Elise is gone, and Lotus is not likely to come back with anything close to that price or size/weight.
2. The Atom is the most structurally rigid car i have ever driven, but the Zenos is better looking and has a more practical power train - can be repaired in any US town or city.
3. The Caterham is overpriced in the US, and until very recently (when they made a deal with Superformance) had sketchy distribution. Plus it looks are an acquired taste.
4. Westfield (Hayabusa engine) too difficult to launch.
5. Radical in theory road legal, but way too cramped for me, so track only, and way pricey.
So not clear UK, but in the US, I say that Zenos has the right price, power train and looks to be the best of the bunch. It really is the car that Caterham or Lotus should have built. And I hope its sales prove me right.
A note on this niche - someone said that driving a slow car fast is more fun than driving a fast car slow
The corollary to that is that driving a small car fast is most fun of all. That what was the Elan (and Elise) was all about.
They're simply more fun to drive than the Mercedes Benzes, Porsches, Jaguars, or Corvettes on most US roads under most conditions and speed limits. Not much point in owning a sports car if not for driving fun.
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