So how quick is the 4.0?
Discussion
Assuming the 4L is healthy (not saying modified, just healthy), it shouldn't be much of a contest.
The advertised 0-60 times for the Chimaera were not far off the mark IMO.
Even in her very tired state my 500 has still never been beaten in the 200 yard dash.
Of course, a lot of winning the short sprint is about just how hard you are willing to hammer your car to win. It's not just about how quickly it *could* go, but how quickly you are willing to *make* it go.
Probably the real point is more about "will it feel and be much quicker?", and to that Bassfiend0hp has already given the succinct answer.
The advertised 0-60 times for the Chimaera were not far off the mark IMO.
Even in her very tired state my 500 has still never been beaten in the 200 yard dash.
Of course, a lot of winning the short sprint is about just how hard you are willing to hammer your car to win. It's not just about how quickly it *could* go, but how quickly you are willing to *make* it go.
Probably the real point is more about "will it feel and be much quicker?", and to that Bassfiend0hp has already given the succinct answer.
It will be quicker but don't expect a similar BMW to disappear like a spec in your rear view mirror.
The Chim 400 is not a slow car by any means but a lot of todays modern hot hatches and saloons can be just as fast, as already stated the Chim gives theatre and show on top of the speed which more than makes up for it!
The Chim 400 is not a slow car by any means but a lot of todays modern hot hatches and saloons can be just as fast, as already stated the Chim gives theatre and show on top of the speed which more than makes up for it!
Before I had my chimaeras I was driving a Nissan 370z, before that an S2000. I test drove lots of 4.0's, bought a 450 and now have a 500 so feel qualified to answer.
In short even the 400 will feel fast compared to what you are used to - it felt in the same ball park as my 370z (i.e low 5's 0-60) although of course was a totally different experience and the noise always does make things seem more dramatic (370z was deadly dull in this respect).
Test drove a 450 and it did feel substantially stronger. It was a good car so settled on that. Didn't have many straight shooting matches but came up against a new M3 and later an older EVO (?VIII). Easily a match for both. With the BMW I was slowly gaining on him between 60 and 100 mph (on our track day of course).
The 500 is a different beast altogether - this is the first car that has actually terrified me. The first time I really booted it from a standstill I felt my organs had been re-arranged - wheel spin in 1st, 2nd and some scrabbling in 3rd I swear. The low down torque is brutal - I really think the factory quoted figures of near 4 seconds are reasonable.
You will find it hard to get as much power for your buck as a TVR. I started looking at them on a whim and can't see anything coming close now.
In short even the 400 will feel fast compared to what you are used to - it felt in the same ball park as my 370z (i.e low 5's 0-60) although of course was a totally different experience and the noise always does make things seem more dramatic (370z was deadly dull in this respect).
Test drove a 450 and it did feel substantially stronger. It was a good car so settled on that. Didn't have many straight shooting matches but came up against a new M3 and later an older EVO (?VIII). Easily a match for both. With the BMW I was slowly gaining on him between 60 and 100 mph (on our track day of course).
The 500 is a different beast altogether - this is the first car that has actually terrified me. The first time I really booted it from a standstill I felt my organs had been re-arranged - wheel spin in 1st, 2nd and some scrabbling in 3rd I swear. The low down torque is brutal - I really think the factory quoted figures of near 4 seconds are reasonable.
You will find it hard to get as much power for your buck as a TVR. I started looking at them on a whim and can't see anything coming close now.
How quick is a 400?, The answer is quick enough. Granted the 450 and 500 are quicker but a healthy 400 will not embarrass you, and you will turn heads aswell.
The 400's are more common and cheaper though. If you are after the fastest then the 400 is not for you.
If you want something that will turn heads and hold its own within reason then you will not regret a 400, and then there are all the mods, which will help.
But it doesn't matter what one you have, the smile is the same size.
The 400's are more common and cheaper though. If you are after the fastest then the 400 is not for you.
If you want something that will turn heads and hold its own within reason then you will not regret a 400, and then there are all the mods, which will help.
But it doesn't matter what one you have, the smile is the same size.
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