s300/s4s the greatest 4 cylinder ever???
Discussion
I would tend to think so for the time.
Even after many years the 89 1/2 and later 4 cyl turbo is still quite fast and quick even by todays standards.
Last few years (more like the last 5 years or so) there have been great advances in engine HP so it is only a matter of time before it is exceeded or may already have.
Calvin
Even after many years the 89 1/2 and later 4 cyl turbo is still quite fast and quick even by todays standards.
Last few years (more like the last 5 years or so) there have been great advances in engine HP so it is only a matter of time before it is exceeded or may already have.
Calvin
Maybe in the US. I can think of a couple cars that are faster in stock form, if my memory is right... Subaru WRX STI and the Evolution VII are a couple. In the US we didn't get these cars though and the Evolution VIII and STI we got this year are still not as fast in stock form as the S4S was, although the Evo VIII does come close. As far as I know, the S4S is the fastest stock 4 banger in the US.
The STi motor is a sweetheart. 2.5l, 300hp. The extra displacement and variable valve timing make it much more tractable than the S4s.
IMHO, the only real disadvantage the Esprit engines have over more modern ones is no variable cam timing. It makes the big numbers but is absolutely dead at the bottom. I suspect (but can't prove) that it weighs quite a bit more too.
IMHO, the only real disadvantage the Esprit engines have over more modern ones is no variable cam timing. It makes the big numbers but is absolutely dead at the bottom. I suspect (but can't prove) that it weighs quite a bit more too.
Whatever.... the Esprit is the sexiest looking car... others may have 300+ bhp but they look like sheds/tin boxes compared to the Lotus. My daily driver is a Volvo 440 and I laugh my a*se off when some beaver in a golf/bmw/subaru/vauxHAUL/etc has to prove testosterone supremecy by acting like an idiot to overtake me...just because. I think "ah...300bhp sh*te box overtakes 400 uk pound shed...roll on the weekend...mmmm who got the best deal here?". Sorry - just ranting...it's not all about BHP. There is more, so much more.
Redhotwheels 88 HC Stevens Turbo thingy
Redhotwheels 88 HC Stevens Turbo thingy
I've gotta go with u on this one, I mean really what are they playing at. My other drive is an mkII Mr2 about to be sold and replaced with Da Dah am 1.1 fiesta, loadsa miles to the gallon and cheap on insurance ( at 21 I cant afford the insurance on the Lotty and the MR2
) Anyway golf drivers are the bane of my life always wanting to take me on in my MR2 cant be arsed to waste petrol on them especially on the Lotty. They just dont understand the care and love and passion that goes into a supercar, they just wanna pull up beside me so I get the hearing pleasure of their Dump valve. Thats the other thing Dump valve Love or Hate? Sorry guys but I'm a hater Alex
STI's and EVO's are everywhere here in Aust.
They are nothing. On the strip, I beat the STI's no problem.
My friend has an S4 and he pumped STI's and EVO's at the strip, and he's rather inexperienced by his own admission (changing gears too quick, etc). Have it all on video.
They might have good figures on paper, but in reality they are pretty crappy.
Oh yeah, and if I am on the freeway in the middle of the night, and one of them wants to race, I let it take off first, just so I can overtake it and leave it for dead
The Caterham JPE and other things like that would be quicker 4 cyl compared to the S4s. On paper it's supposed to do 0-100kph in 3.6sec But I saw that video of Jeremy Clarkson where he puts various cars head to head and the JPE was left for dead. It could only manage to beat the Viper. The Esprit, Porsche GT2, TVR and Aston pumped the JPE.
They are nothing. On the strip, I beat the STI's no problem.
My friend has an S4 and he pumped STI's and EVO's at the strip, and he's rather inexperienced by his own admission (changing gears too quick, etc). Have it all on video.
They might have good figures on paper, but in reality they are pretty crappy.
Oh yeah, and if I am on the freeway in the middle of the night, and one of them wants to race, I let it take off first, just so I can overtake it and leave it for dead
The Caterham JPE and other things like that would be quicker 4 cyl compared to the S4s. On paper it's supposed to do 0-100kph in 3.6sec But I saw that video of Jeremy Clarkson where he puts various cars head to head and the JPE was left for dead. It could only manage to beat the Viper. The Esprit, Porsche GT2, TVR and Aston pumped the JPE.
And then of course there's the handling...slow down for corners much guys? Try and see the look on some drivers faces when the Esprit takes a 90 without any body roll or twitch. Ah! there is so much more than BHP.
Handling - Lotus....seems like the two words are intertwined in some way.
Redhotwheels :-)
Handling - Lotus....seems like the two words are intertwined in some way.
Redhotwheels :-)
Gazboy said:
Worst thread of the year goes to you lot! and we are in the 6th day- jeez, usually the Esprit forum is one of the more respectable forums.
What are the figs for a S4s? bhp,torque,weight,0-60
0-100 quater and top end?
You may laugh at the jap rally boxes, but Evo tested the P1 against allcomers, and was second only to the 550marenello along twisty roads.
ps the Esprit in the clarkson vid was a V8 not a 4-pot, and iirc the caterfield had a 1.8 zetec lump, the faster ones (if I'm correct- which is doubtful) use bike engines. Oh there is a thought, what about the radical SR3? Sorry if I've come across a bit confrontational, but a lame thread guys.
Why is it lame? Do you feel threaten in some way?
I don't care about figures written in the books. These are my official figures, as confirmed by dyno machines, and official drag strips: 330bhp, 0-60mph in 4.2sec. 1/4mile in 12.6 secs. Those are REAL WORLD figures.
On paper, the STI and EVO should give the Esprit a run for it's money. They don't in the real world situations that I have been against them, on the drag strip or on the road.
The Esprit in the Clarkson video is a V8, and in the video they say it does 0-60 in 4.5secs. Well, my S4s did an official 4.2sec, so it's quicker than the V8 in Clarkson's video.
What's lame about all this?
kylie said:
Oh yeah, and if I am on the freeway in the middle of the night, and one of them wants to race, I let it take off first, just so I can overtake it and leave it for dead
Nicethats respect
Thank you
You should see how much fun and how satisfying it is to do that to them 
Gazboy said:
You may laugh at the jap rally boxes, but Evo tested the P1 against allcomers, and was second only to the 550marenello along twisty roads.
I just read your post again. I track my Esprits, both of them, against 550's and they don't stand a chance. The only things that beat me are GT3 Porsche's. I am not match for their damn computers.
Anyway, you made my point. Your jap cars get beaten by 550's. I pump 550's regularly. Actually, 360's are much more of a challenge on the track.
I don't like arguing with people that use as arguments whatever they read, instead real world experiences that they participated in.
I've seen MANY an evo/STi on the strip and stock for stock none of them have a shitshow of keeping up with anything other than a VERY tired Esprit SE / S4S / 300S.... on the track it's even MORE in favour of the Esprit. However, STis/Evos are SO easy to tweak mnore BHP out of, and admittedly a mildly worked one will probably show a clean pair of heels to most standard Esprits (including V8s) on the strip, but putting all of that together on track, my cash would still be behind the Lotus.
andecorp said:
Oh yeah, and if I am on the freeway in the middle of the night, and one of them wants to race, I let it take off first, just so I can overtake it and leave it for dead
I actually like to take off and get way ahead, then light up my brake lights to slow down for them.
I don't really slow down, I just press the brake pedal down just enough to light up the brake lights so it apears like I am braking and as they close the gap pull away again. It's just a fun thing to do.
Calvin
I posted Evo/STI because I thought we were talking stock for stock. If I am not mistaken, the Evo VII ran a 12.8@107 or something similar. The STI from the same year ran a 13.1@105. These are mag numbers so take them with a grain of salt, but what did the S4s/300 run stock?
This years Evo VIII and STI are dogs, stuck in the 13s and slower than they used to be. However, if you think an Esprit is going to run circles around the Evo, you may want to think again. It would be a VERY close race. My brother's Evo handles comparably, if not better, than my S4. then again I have a 10 year old S4 and he has a brand new car, but all things being equal, it's close. On Top Gear only the Zonda and the Konigsegg (maybe one or 2 other cars) made it around the track faster than the Evolution VIII.
Now if you want to talk modified, like someone made sure to point out he had a 4.2 0-60 and 12.6 1/4 mile Esprit, well that's another story. Impressive numbers, yes, but slow if talking modified. The Esprit will lose everytime. Especially if put up against the venerable 4G63 found in the Evolution/DSM, not to mention any other modified 4 banger done right.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Esprit and it is a wonderful car, but like someone else pointed out, this thread is a first for me... to see Esprit owners think their shiite don't stink. For the most part we are all enthusiasts, which is why I love the Esprit boards and lsists. This thread almost leans towards elitists in a few of its posts.
Back on topic, if my numbers are wrong, then I cannot think of another stock production 4 banger faster than the Esprit.
>> Edited by NJGSX96 on Tuesday 6th January 15:07
>> Edited by NJGSX96 on Tuesday 6th January 15:08
This years Evo VIII and STI are dogs, stuck in the 13s and slower than they used to be. However, if you think an Esprit is going to run circles around the Evo, you may want to think again. It would be a VERY close race. My brother's Evo handles comparably, if not better, than my S4. then again I have a 10 year old S4 and he has a brand new car, but all things being equal, it's close. On Top Gear only the Zonda and the Konigsegg (maybe one or 2 other cars) made it around the track faster than the Evolution VIII.
Now if you want to talk modified, like someone made sure to point out he had a 4.2 0-60 and 12.6 1/4 mile Esprit, well that's another story. Impressive numbers, yes, but slow if talking modified. The Esprit will lose everytime. Especially if put up against the venerable 4G63 found in the Evolution/DSM, not to mention any other modified 4 banger done right.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Esprit and it is a wonderful car, but like someone else pointed out, this thread is a first for me... to see Esprit owners think their shiite don't stink. For the most part we are all enthusiasts, which is why I love the Esprit boards and lsists. This thread almost leans towards elitists in a few of its posts.
Back on topic, if my numbers are wrong, then I cannot think of another stock production 4 banger faster than the Esprit.
>> Edited by NJGSX96 on Tuesday 6th January 15:07
>> Edited by NJGSX96 on Tuesday 6th January 15:08
(3.0 turbo straight 4 - only a handful made though)Gassing Station | Esprit | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff