Is the MEV Exocet the modern day Caterham Lotus 7 ?
Discussion
The looks and styling of a kit car are what can make or break a design.
How many kit cars have their bodywork designed by a stylist compared to how many are hand made in a shed by a bloke called dave?
Styling is the main reason that kit cars are seen as a bit of a joke amongst some people.
I was at Stoneleigh last weekend for the National Kit Car Show. Some of the cars were superb with nice lines and beautiful engineering detail, but others were horrific and looked like they'd been designed by a 5 year old in a blue peter competition.
Back on topic, I don't reckon an excocet will be as quick as a Caterham if it has the standard MX5 engine in it. It'll need more power if everything else (weight/tyres) were the same.
How many kit cars have their bodywork designed by a stylist compared to how many are hand made in a shed by a bloke called dave?
Styling is the main reason that kit cars are seen as a bit of a joke amongst some people.
I was at Stoneleigh last weekend for the National Kit Car Show. Some of the cars were superb with nice lines and beautiful engineering detail, but others were horrific and looked like they'd been designed by a 5 year old in a blue peter competition.
Back on topic, I don't reckon an excocet will be as quick as a Caterham if it has the standard MX5 engine in it. It'll need more power if everything else (weight/tyres) were the same.
Life Saab Itch said:
Back on topic, I don't reckon an excocet will be as quick as a Caterham if it has the standard MX5 engine in it. It'll need more power if everything else (weight/tyres) were the same.
Im not to sure with the 1.8 133bhp and roughly 700kg an a mx5 is regarded as one of the best handling cars out there compared to a caterham with say a 1.8 out of the focus with 120bhp but less weight i assume around 600kg? i would say it be close.But compare the price of a standared caterham to a standared exocet with no engine mods then theres a good 10-15k difference in the build cost and if the exocet turns out to be quicker than the caterham then thats one hell of a bargin.
Oh and that mx5 rebody is built by the same company as the exocet.
MG CHRIS said:
Im not to sure with the 1.8 133bhp and roughly 700kg an a mx5 is regarded as one of the best handling cars out there compared to a caterham with say a 1.8 out of the focus with 120bhp but less weight i assume around 600kg? i would say it be close.
But compare the price of a standared caterham to a standared exocet with no engine mods then theres a good 10-15k difference in the build cost and if the exocet turns out to be quicker than the caterham then thats one hell of a bargin.
Oh and that mx5 rebody is built by the same company as the exocet.
Interesting set of comparison figures. Be interesting when an evenly matched pair are out on the track, until then I guess we’ll just have to go with the opinion of those who have driven both.But compare the price of a standared caterham to a standared exocet with no engine mods then theres a good 10-15k difference in the build cost and if the exocet turns out to be quicker than the caterham then thats one hell of a bargin.
Oh and that mx5 rebody is built by the same company as the exocet.
te!MG CHRIS said:
Im not to sure with the 1.8 133bhp and roughly 700kg an a mx5 is regarded as one of the best handling cars out there compared to a caterham with say a 1.8 out of the focus with 120bhp but less weight i assume around 600kg? i would say it be close.
But compare the price of a standared caterham to a standared exocet with no engine mods then theres a good 10-15k difference in the build cost and if the exocet turns out to be quicker than the caterham then thats one hell of a bargin.
Oh and that mx5 rebody is built by the same company as the exocet.
You're over estimating a Caterham's weight there. By quite a lot too...But compare the price of a standared caterham to a standared exocet with no engine mods then theres a good 10-15k difference in the build cost and if the exocet turns out to be quicker than the caterham then thats one hell of a bargin.
Oh and that mx5 rebody is built by the same company as the exocet.
Life Saab Itch said:
MG CHRIS said:
Im not to sure with the 1.8 133bhp and roughly 700kg an a mx5 is regarded as one of the best handling cars out there compared to a Caterham with say a 1.8 out of the focus with 120bhp but less weight i assume around 600kg? i would say it be close.
But compare the price of a standard Caterham to a standard Exocet with no engine mods then there's a good 10-15k difference in the build cost and if the Exocet turns out to be quicker than the Caterham then that's one hell of a bargain.
Oh and that mx5 rebody is built by the same company as the Exocet.
You're over estimating a Caterham's weight there. By quite a lot too...But compare the price of a standard Caterham to a standard Exocet with no engine mods then there's a good 10-15k difference in the build cost and if the Exocet turns out to be quicker than the Caterham then that's one hell of a bargain.
Oh and that mx5 rebody is built by the same company as the Exocet.
Sonic7 said:
Anyone know what is the Caterham's weight then ?
Between 515 and 550kg.Interesting, although I’m not sure that the Caterham’s weight assumes a full roll cage. The Exocet in standard trim is near 600kgs whereas the MX150R has a full cage and larger thicker tubing, I believe.
Not to be provocative but I found this Quote information from the Manufacture 'MEV' which is quite challenging to say the least!!!!!
The Exocet has a 50-50 weight distribution with an average weight driver.
The Exocet corner exit speeds exceed all 7's running the same tyres/set up.
The Exocet is capable of braking later than 7's running the same tyres.
The Exocet chassis has been tested and proven to be 3 times stiffer than 7esq's.
The Exocet will be slightly heavier than 7's due to the chassis being stronger.
The Exocet chassis has been proven to deform away from occupants in an impact.
The Exocet is by far the cheapest and easiest kit car to build in the world.
Not to be provocative but I found this Quote information from the Manufacture 'MEV' which is quite challenging to say the least!!!!!
The Exocet has a 50-50 weight distribution with an average weight driver.
The Exocet corner exit speeds exceed all 7's running the same tyres/set up.
The Exocet is capable of braking later than 7's running the same tyres.
The Exocet chassis has been tested and proven to be 3 times stiffer than 7esq's.
The Exocet will be slightly heavier than 7's due to the chassis being stronger.
The Exocet chassis has been proven to deform away from occupants in an impact.
The Exocet is by far the cheapest and easiest kit car to build in the world.
Sonic7 said:
Interesting, although I’m not sure that the Caterham’s weight assumes a full roll cage. The Exocet in standard trim is near 600kgs whereas the MX150R has a full cage and larger thicker tubing, I believe.
Not to be provocative but I found this Quote information from the Manufacture 'MEV' which is quite challenging to say the least!!!!!
The Exocet has a 50-50 weight distribution with an average weight driver.
The Exocet corner exit speeds exceed all 7's running the same tyres/set up.
The Exocet is capable of braking later than 7's running the same tyres.
The Exocet chassis has been tested and proven to be 3 times stiffer than 7esq's.
The Exocet will be slightly heavier than 7's due to the chassis being stronger.
The Exocet chassis has been proven to deform away from occupants in an impact.
The Exocet is by far the cheapest and easiest kit car to build in the world.
I'd still put my money on a Caterham being quicker.Not to be provocative but I found this Quote information from the Manufacture 'MEV' which is quite challenging to say the least!!!!!
The Exocet has a 50-50 weight distribution with an average weight driver.
The Exocet corner exit speeds exceed all 7's running the same tyres/set up.
The Exocet is capable of braking later than 7's running the same tyres.
The Exocet chassis has been tested and proven to be 3 times stiffer than 7esq's.
The Exocet will be slightly heavier than 7's due to the chassis being stronger.
The Exocet chassis has been proven to deform away from occupants in an impact.
The Exocet is by far the cheapest and easiest kit car to build in the world.
Was your figure 133hp for the 1.8 Mazda engine?
Cock Womble's Caterham is 139hp from a 1.8 K series.
His car will be at the upper end of the weights for. Caterham as it has Minilites on and the full wings, not the cycle wing which are lighter, not to mention a lower frontal area.
My money's on the Caterham.
It would be incredible if it was faster than even the slowest current Caterham, given the price difference. The fact that the matter is even up for debate strikes me as being a major victory for MEV.
It does look decidedly ugly to my eye, but then so do most kit cars. At that price I could easily see myself buying one for something to do for a few weeks.
It does look decidedly ugly to my eye, but then so do most kit cars. At that price I could easily see myself buying one for something to do for a few weeks.
I fall into the 'nice idea but don't like the looks' camp.
Westfield do an mx5 based kit so that's probably the way i'd go. but then again westfield do an s2000 kit so, and i always think this, if you're going to go to the effort of doing this why not spend a couple of grand more and build something properly nuts.
one of the first posters mentioned the GKD. they're much more of a classic caterham/lotus copy in terms of looks and the quality looks good. but they're expensive.
i didn't see the 150rs race at silverstone as i went on the sunday but i'd have liked to.
Westfield do an mx5 based kit so that's probably the way i'd go. but then again westfield do an s2000 kit so, and i always think this, if you're going to go to the effort of doing this why not spend a couple of grand more and build something properly nuts.
one of the first posters mentioned the GKD. they're much more of a classic caterham/lotus copy in terms of looks and the quality looks good. but they're expensive.
i didn't see the 150rs race at silverstone as i went on the sunday but i'd have liked to.
As others have said, it's not fair to compare the cost of a Caterham built using entirely new parts including the engine and gearbox to the Exocet which borrows running gear, suspension and chassis bits from a potentially tired 15 year old car. A new Caterham gearbox costs twice as much as a donor MX5 will! However, the Caterham will last longer without big repairs and take being thrashed better.
Sonic7 said:
Interesting, although I’m not sure that the Caterham’s weight assumes a full roll cage. The Exocet in standard trim is near 600kgs whereas the MX150R has a full cage and larger thicker tubing, I believe.
Not to be provocative but I found this Quote information from the Manufacture 'MEV' which is quite challenging to say the least!!!!!
The Exocet has a 50-50 weight distribution with an average weight driver.
The Exocet corner exit speeds exceed all 7's running the same tyres/set up.
The Exocet is capable of braking later than 7's running the same tyres.
The Exocet chassis has been tested and proven to be 3 times stiffer than 7esq's.
The Exocet will be slightly heavier than 7's due to the chassis being stronger.
The Exocet chassis has been proven to deform away from occupants in an impact.
The Exocet is by far the cheapest and easiest kit car to build in the world.
Unless someone can refute these facts, which I doubt, the point is well made.Not to be provocative but I found this Quote information from the Manufacture 'MEV' which is quite challenging to say the least!!!!!
The Exocet has a 50-50 weight distribution with an average weight driver.
The Exocet corner exit speeds exceed all 7's running the same tyres/set up.
The Exocet is capable of braking later than 7's running the same tyres.
The Exocet chassis has been tested and proven to be 3 times stiffer than 7esq's.
The Exocet will be slightly heavier than 7's due to the chassis being stronger.
The Exocet chassis has been proven to deform away from occupants in an impact.
The Exocet is by far the cheapest and easiest kit car to build in the world.
In terms of outstanding value and excellent safe performance the Exocet is the clear winner. And I make that point as a former owner of three Lotus Super Sevens from the Chapman Era and several Caterham's. Great cars glorious drives all of them.
But in terms of MODERN kit cars the MEV Exocet is head and shoulders above the rest.
Whereas the Caterham may be lighter, Colin Chatman was renowned for designing and building fast but fragile cars, ‘make it light and then make it lighter still’ springs to mind quoted from the documentary ‘The Killing Years’. Not the best of adverts!
I know which I’d prefer to be in, in an accident, plus knowing that you’d be safer in an MEV Exocet provides the driver with so much more confidence. Basic running and repair costs would be cheaper, wings for the Exocet are £30 and nosecones £90 whereas Caterham’s shop quotes £54 and £210 respectively.
Youtube now has a number of interesting clips demonstrating the MX150R abilities ( my favourite is; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arAXjuJYtDY&fea... ) Not to mention that Exocets came 2nd and 3rd at Brands in the Nippon Challenge against the best the Jap car lads had to offer. Exocet’s were overtaking 4x4 Subaru’s on the inside line in heavy rain!
I know which I’d prefer to be in, in an accident, plus knowing that you’d be safer in an MEV Exocet provides the driver with so much more confidence. Basic running and repair costs would be cheaper, wings for the Exocet are £30 and nosecones £90 whereas Caterham’s shop quotes £54 and £210 respectively.
Youtube now has a number of interesting clips demonstrating the MX150R abilities ( my favourite is; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arAXjuJYtDY&fea... ) Not to mention that Exocets came 2nd and 3rd at Brands in the Nippon Challenge against the best the Jap car lads had to offer. Exocet’s were overtaking 4x4 Subaru’s on the inside line in heavy rain!
Sonic7 said:
Youtube now has a number of interesting clips demonstrating the MX150R abilities ( my favourite is; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arAXjuJYtDY&fea... ) Not to mention that Exocets came 2nd and 3rd at Brands in the Nippon Challenge against the best the Jap car lads had to offer. Exocet’s were overtaking 4x4 Subaru’s on the inside line in heavy rain!
A half-decent "bits of sierra" kit car would be faster than those MX5s, and one that was well set-up would be able to compete with Nippon challenge cars too.briSk said:
I fall into the 'nice idea but don't like the looks' camp.
Westfield do an mx5 based kit so that's probably the way i'd go. but then again westfield do an s2000 kit so, and i always think this, if you're going to go to the effort of doing this why not spend a couple of grand more and build something properly nuts.
one of the first posters mentioned the GKD. they're much more of a classic caterham/lotus copy in terms of looks and the quality looks good. but they're expensive.
i didn't see the 150rs race at silverstone as i went on the sunday but i'd have liked to.
That was me mentioning GKD as you say more expensive than the Exocet but as per your Westfield/S2000 example part of me would want to build something properly mental, a straight six in that light a chassis Westfield do an mx5 based kit so that's probably the way i'd go. but then again westfield do an s2000 kit so, and i always think this, if you're going to go to the effort of doing this why not spend a couple of grand more and build something properly nuts.
one of the first posters mentioned the GKD. they're much more of a classic caterham/lotus copy in terms of looks and the quality looks good. but they're expensive.
i didn't see the 150rs race at silverstone as i went on the sunday but i'd have liked to.
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