What car - goes like a scalded cat? (That's you've been in)
Discussion
In 1987 when I was 17 one of the Young Farmers has a fiat strada abarth. It went like feck.
Possibly slow by todays standards but on the shore road from Kirkcolm to Stranraer he would absolutely fly.
Fast forward ten years, I was invited to a Prodrive/Subaru event at Millbrook. On the alpine circuit and the bowl I was encouraged to max out an Impreza. this was me, the country boy more used to driving a Rover 420? diesel. I was doing 125 (thought that quick enough) but the instructor was still pushing me to try harder.
Did also get a passenger ride with Alan Dickson through Ae forest rally stage in his Impreza. That was fun too.
Possibly slow by todays standards but on the shore road from Kirkcolm to Stranraer he would absolutely fly.
Fast forward ten years, I was invited to a Prodrive/Subaru event at Millbrook. On the alpine circuit and the bowl I was encouraged to max out an Impreza. this was me, the country boy more used to driving a Rover 420? diesel. I was doing 125 (thought that quick enough) but the instructor was still pushing me to try harder.
Did also get a passenger ride with Alan Dickson through Ae forest rally stage in his Impreza. That was fun too.
That I've been in? Ultima GTR, or McLaren SLR MSO Edition. Both were biblically fast.
That I've driven hard? Westfield XTR (was about 450kgs with a tuned 'Busa engine, and the guy I was test driving it for insisted I floored it repeatedly as it occasionally cut out at WOT), TVR Tuscan, TVR Cerbera 4.5, loads of Sevens with 150bhp +.
Special mention goes to the Saxo VTS. Keeps up with things it really shouldn't be able to keep up with!
That I've driven hard? Westfield XTR (was about 450kgs with a tuned 'Busa engine, and the guy I was test driving it for insisted I floored it repeatedly as it occasionally cut out at WOT), TVR Tuscan, TVR Cerbera 4.5, loads of Sevens with 150bhp +.
Special mention goes to the Saxo VTS. Keeps up with things it really shouldn't be able to keep up with!
The only two cars I've driven that I thought didn't need any more power have been the McLaren 650S and Corvette Z06 (C7). 650hp and rear-wheel drive was plenty!
BMW's i8 gets an honorable mention for feeling like it weighs 200kg less and 200hp more than it actually does. Tesla's P90D Models S and X are both also stupidly quick from a standstill.
From the passenger seat, I'll add Johnny Smith's Flux Capacitor, which even in derated to a road setting felt at least as quick as the 650S, and a Dodge Viper (with DSC Sport's damper control) at a recent test day.
BMW's i8 gets an honorable mention for feeling like it weighs 200kg less and 200hp more than it actually does. Tesla's P90D Models S and X are both also stupidly quick from a standstill.
From the passenger seat, I'll add Johnny Smith's Flux Capacitor, which even in derated to a road setting felt at least as quick as the 650S, and a Dodge Viper (with DSC Sport's damper control) at a recent test day.
My old supercharged Ultima GTR (630hp).
That said, you didn't really get the sensation of speed inside as it was just a linear push towards the horizon. The gauges were the only clue as to how many leptons you were doing - well, that and the feeling like every other car had just stalled around you
That said, you didn't really get the sensation of speed inside as it was just a linear push towards the horizon. The gauges were the only clue as to how many leptons you were doing - well, that and the feeling like every other car had just stalled around you
Plenty of decent cars alreasy mentioned. The phrase to me seems most apt for motorbikes. My 955cc triple engined Daytona feels pretty quick at all throttle positions in all gears, but then you get to 5000rpm and it uncorks a shot of power as it really comes on cam. Past 8000rpm in second and third still feels wild.
Then someone comes past on a K1300S or a GSXR 1000 making 180bhp and makes my old girl look slow!
Then someone comes past on a K1300S or a GSXR 1000 making 180bhp and makes my old girl look slow!
Bentley Continental Speed, from a standstill was mightily impressive.
250 bhp Seven thing, rapid butfelt like I had gone ten rounds when I got out, drivers car those, not one for passengers, not for more than a few minutes, especially when track biased, no suspension, super loud pipes, think a more relaxed seven is the way to go, still fast but not painful, padded seats and stuff, not he mobile masochism of a track car.
991 Turbo S is the fastest thing I have been in, seemed quicker than the 997 and a lot quicker than a 996 which were both pretty bloody rapid.
Bikes, obviously, but there is too much terror involved to enjoy it as a pillion.
250 bhp Seven thing, rapid butfelt like I had gone ten rounds when I got out, drivers car those, not one for passengers, not for more than a few minutes, especially when track biased, no suspension, super loud pipes, think a more relaxed seven is the way to go, still fast but not painful, padded seats and stuff, not he mobile masochism of a track car.
991 Turbo S is the fastest thing I have been in, seemed quicker than the 997 and a lot quicker than a 996 which were both pretty bloody rapid.
Bikes, obviously, but there is too much terror involved to enjoy it as a pillion.
My Westfield terrifies me. Never been in anything that comes close. I've been on a few things (bikes) that match that insane hit of acceleration but certainly no car. 500odd bhp and 630kgs will do that though.
Would love a drive out with something seriously quick on 4 wheels just for s
ts and giggles
Would love a drive out with something seriously quick on 4 wheels just for s
ts and giggles 
The GT-R was brutal, but I felt a bit removed from it. Foot flat to the floor in third and I honestly didnt know what speed I'd gone up to, I just knew it was quick, it happened quite suddenly and I needed another gear fairly sharply
The X Bow is similar, surprising how quickly it picks up and just goes, then keeps going through the gears
I'm generally not that interested in out and out top speed, more interested in acceleration and both of those left me with a 'how'd that happen' look on my face, bit like a dog being shown a card trick
The X Bow is similar, surprising how quickly it picks up and just goes, then keeps going through the gears
I'm generally not that interested in out and out top speed, more interested in acceleration and both of those left me with a 'how'd that happen' look on my face, bit like a dog being shown a card trick
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