RE: New Westfield AeroSport
Thursday 24th May 2007
The new Westfield AeroSportThis is Westfield’s latest creation – the AeroSport.
New Westfield AeroSport
Westfield launch new 'lightweight'
The new Westfield AeroSport
The AeroSport is a lightweight car aimed at track use - but still useable on the public road - and is available as a factory built car or as a complete/modular kit.
AeroSport’s specification includes a 5 speed gearbox, 195/50/15 wheels and tyres, detachable rear arches, an aeroscreen, lightweight race seats and a four point harness.
Engine options include the new 1.6 Ford Sigma engine producing either 135bhp or 155bhp and the 2.0 Ford Duratec engine producing up to 200bhp.
Optional equipment allows enthusiasts to upgrade to a RAC roll bar or FIA cage for racing, plus a screen, carpet and weather gear for comfort if the car is going to spend most of its time on the road.
Commenting on the launch of its latest range, Julian Turner, Westfield’s Managing Director, said “this exciting new range has been produced in response to numerous requests for a lightweight race car that is interchangeable with parts for more comfortable drives on the road.”
Prices range from £14,495 for a complete kit to £16,295 for factory built for a factory built example.
Discussion
Mag1calTrev0r said:
It seems a little expensive seeing as a full Megablade kit is £8995 + engine, wheels and tyres.
Surely the 1.6 Sigma Engine & Wheels doesn't cost £6000?
I wonder if you can buy the complete kit minus the engine and source this second hand?
Really? Is that using a second-hand engine? I can't find prices for Westfield, what's your source.Surely the 1.6 Sigma Engine & Wheels doesn't cost £6000?
I wonder if you can buy the complete kit minus the engine and source this second hand?
A new Sigma short engine from Ford is in the region of £1500 IIRC (Block, head, sump no ancilliaries).
Shawspeed's 150bhp kit is about £2300 (quad Jenveys+OMEX)
So that's £3800, and you'd still need an exhaust manifold and system. Again going by Shawspeed prices (assuming they're representative), that's at least another £500.
Adding clutch, alternator etc to this, you're easily up to £4500 for the engine. You could buy a 2nd hand engine from a Focus/Fiesta/etc for maybe 300 quid, depending on mileage. After my experiences with my Focus, I'd be inclined to suggest that a high-mileage Sigma is something that should be avoided if possible.
twcullen said:
It's called "lightweight" just how light is it? Bit concerned
about Westfield after reading Evo Mag this month, they thought the MX5 based car was a bit rubbish!?
Yes, I trust EVO's reviews, and after reading their verdict it has somewhat put me off getting a Westfield as well.about Westfield after reading Evo Mag this month, they thought the MX5 based car was a bit rubbish!?
NiallOswald said:
Really? Is that using a second-hand engine? I can't find prices for Westfield, what's your source.
If you go to http://www.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/contact.php and then click to download the brochure you can download the prices. Yes the engine would be second hand Fireblade engine is around £1000-£1500 inc gearbox. So you could in theory get a car on the road for £11000. I had contacted Westfield a little while ago and was advised that this was coming out, I was hoping that the prices would be similar to the MegaBlade prices with a little extra because of the Engine. I'm personally disappointed in the prices here, does anybody feel that Westfield prices are heading towards Caterham prices?
Scottie - NW said:
twcullen said:
It's called "lightweight" just how light is it? Bit concerned
about Westfield after reading Evo Mag this month, they thought the MX5 based car was a bit rubbish!?
Yes, I trust EVO's reviews, and after reading their verdict it has somewhat put me off getting a Westfield as well.about Westfield after reading Evo Mag this month, they thought the MX5 based car was a bit rubbish!?
Take it in context though, Ive not read the article but from what I understand the base model MX5 based Westie with boggo suspension etc was up against 200+bhp Atoms and Caterhams that were much more track biased, so hardly a fair comparison!
[/quote]
They mainly reviewed the Westie against a 125bhp Caterham Roadsport, still a lot more money than the Westie but a similar weight and power but in a completely different legue in terms of perforamce by all accounts!!
Mag1calTrev0r said:
It seems a little expensive seeing as a full Megablade kit is £8995 + engine, wheels and tyres.
Surely the 1.6 Sigma Engine & Wheels doesn't cost £6000?
I wonder if you can buy the complete kit minus the engine and source this second hand?
I saw an article when their Sigma car was first announced that gave the complete engine/gearbox module price as £3500 IIRC. Will check it out tonight as link is not working.Surely the 1.6 Sigma Engine & Wheels doesn't cost £6000?
I wonder if you can buy the complete kit minus the engine and source this second hand?
JonRB said:
Looks not dissimilar to the old Westfield FW400
Funny you should say that, Westfield have recently (well last 6 months) brought out the FW nose and bonnet for the 'normal' westies. It's a one piece, rather than nose + bonnet, with the air intake holes on the top. Looks great! They've also got a new back end that matches the FW as well. A good options to set the new cars apart from the old ones IMO.twcullen said:
LocoBlade said:
Take it in context though, Ive not read the article but from what I understand the base model MX5 based Westie with boggo suspension etc was up against 200+bhp Atoms and Caterhams that were much more track biased, so hardly a fair comparison!
They mainly reviewed the Westie against a 125bhp Caterham Roadsport, still a lot more money than the Westie but a similar weight and power but in a completely different legue in terms of perforamce by all accounts!! For a fairer comparison, try spending the £8k difference on the Westfield and then see the outcome...
The link in the article is wrong.
Should be http://www.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/
(not http://www.westfield-sportcars.co.uk/)
Should be http://www.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/
(not http://www.westfield-sportcars.co.uk/)
dino ferrana said:
What like when circuit driver put the 200 bhp Duratec Westfield up against the 160 bhp R300 and the Westfield was substantially slower than the Caterham?
"Substantially slower" is rather vague Dino, what were the actual figures?Westfields are poorly set up from the factory though which is a shame and something they need to work on. As alluded to above though, if you spent even half the difference in price on decent setup and upgrades you could make the Westie significantly quicker than the Caterham, so pays your money and makes your choice.
As a case in point, a Westfield with ~220bhp is currently top of the PH Driving Challenge round the Top Gear test track with a lap of ~1:22, so considering that was driven by an amateur its pretty impressive considering the R400 in the Stig's hand could only manage 1:24 (from a quick google), and the quickest anything has gone around there is only ~1:18
Edited by LocoBlade on Friday 25th May 13:40
Can't remember off the top of my head I will try and dig the issue out of the loft. I think the significant thing is it was slower with more power, which says a lot.
As mentioned earlier in the thread, the difference between Westfield and Caterham prices is not that big anymore. Caterhams are good straight out of the box, but you could improve it if you get higher quality dampers and set the car up further.
What I think is also significant is that the car handles well from the factory. That means when you sell it on you have a known quantity, there are so many cars out there that have been "improved" by their owners. I actually seem to remember that in the CD article there was one car that was an owners car. He had fitted uprated springs and dampers but had put RIDICULOUSLY hard springs on and the car just didn't handle.
As mentioned earlier in the thread, the difference between Westfield and Caterham prices is not that big anymore. Caterhams are good straight out of the box, but you could improve it if you get higher quality dampers and set the car up further.
What I think is also significant is that the car handles well from the factory. That means when you sell it on you have a known quantity, there are so many cars out there that have been "improved" by their owners. I actually seem to remember that in the CD article there was one car that was an owners car. He had fitted uprated springs and dampers but had put RIDICULOUSLY hard springs on and the car just didn't handle.
Certainly impressive, but then it does have 20 bhp extra and there are some fair old straights on the circuit! Was that without windscreen for that time?
I imagine most people have seen the video produced by Dunlop which shows the CSR going round the Top Gear track quicker than the Koenigsegg?
I imagine most people have seen the video produced by Dunlop which shows the CSR going round the Top Gear track quicker than the Koenigsegg?
The EVO Magazine section every month which shows the relative times/positions for various cars driven around Croft? is interesting. I know they did a direct comparison in a recent issue , but why isnt a Westfield featured in the monthly comparison? the monthly article shows where all the other tested (fast) cars have reached, when the Caterham crosses the finish line. Some (fast) cars are a surprisingly long way back down the track.
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