Is the MEV Exocet the modern day Caterham Lotus 7 ?
Discussion
Although not everyone’s cup of the tea, the Lotus 7 is not only an iconic car but too many represents one of the first steps in ‘locost’ motor racing. Weather it is someone first experience of a track day or the beginnings of wheel to wheel racing, launched back in the 60s and updated through the ages, nothing has come close to replacing its dominance in the market, or at least until possibly now. Could the MEV Exocet MX150R a light weight exoskeleton car underpinned by Mazda’s acclaimed MX5 be its replacement?
The 7 purists will no doubt dismiss the MX150R but with more Exocet’s hitting the race tracks this year it will only be a matter of time before the two go head to head.
Constructive views or thoughts welcome.
The Iconic, Caterham Lotus 7
The MEV Exocet MX150R
The 7 purists will no doubt dismiss the MX150R but with more Exocet’s hitting the race tracks this year it will only be a matter of time before the two go head to head.
Constructive views or thoughts welcome.
The Iconic, Caterham Lotus 7
The MEV Exocet MX150R
Sonic7- the MEV isn't the first challenger to Caterham's dominance in this area and it certainly won't be the last. However, Caterham has got where it is by offering a very comprehensively sorted 'package', in terms of both the cars themselves and the superb championships they race in.
I think the Caterham appeals on so many levels that those who can, will. This doesn't detract from the fact that other series can rightfully claim their positions as often cheaper, sometimes faster and probably just as fun.
I think the Caterham appeals on so many levels that those who can, will. This doesn't detract from the fact that other series can rightfully claim their positions as often cheaper, sometimes faster and probably just as fun.
HustleRussell said:
Sonic7- the MEV isn't the first challenger to Caterham's dominance in this area and it certainly won't be the last. However, Caterham has got where it is by offering a very comprehensively sorted 'package', in terms of both the cars themselves and the superb championships they race in.
I think the Caterham appeals on so many levels that those who can, will. This doesn't detract from the fact that other series can rightfully claim their positions as often cheaper, sometimes faster and probably just as fun.
Ma5da have started a race series for the Exocet MX150R this year and I’m lead to believe that some Exocets will also be competeing in the 750mc Kit Car championship. In these times of financial austerity the value for money MEV Exocet dose I feel make a lot of sense. Though granted the package is clearly not as well established as Caterhams for obvious reasons.I think the Caterham appeals on so many levels that those who can, will. This doesn't detract from the fact that other series can rightfully claim their positions as often cheaper, sometimes faster and probably just as fun.
Sonic7 said:
Ma5da have started a race series for the Exocet MX150R this year and I’m lead to believe that some Exocets will also be competeing in the 750mc Kit Car championship. In these times of financial austerity the value for money MEV Exocet dose I feel make a lot of sense. Though granted the package is clearly not as well established as Caterhams for obvious reasons.
Absolutely, as I implied (possibly too subtly), the MEV is a perfectly reasonable budget alternative, not a 'modern day' 'replacement' as you suggested in the original post. In fact I doubt the MEV is any more sophisticated than a modern Caterham. The Caterham has benefitted from 55 years of continuous development, shares no parts which it's predecessor and is fitted with bang up-to-date ford engines.P.S. one of these MEV's pissed all over me during the Holly Birkett at Silverstone in October. They aren't lookers but they aren't slow.
Edited by HustleRussell on Friday 11th May 22:32
The Sonic Seven is an outstanding performance car at a remarkable price with outstanding ability.
The Caterham is a long established car in its own right and a very capable performer with huge pedigree and a significant support group.
To my mind on a cost basis the Exocet is clearly a very much more affordable and buildable car. As to which car is the better vehicle, I really would not want to judge. But the Exocet is certainly the more modern design.
Up to the individual builder to decide what they want specifically from the car. But on a cost basis the Exocet is clearly the winner.
On a resale basis the Caterham undoubtedly has an outstanding resale value. Probably greater than any other such similar car. But the Caterham costs a multiple of an Exocet to build.
Entirely up to the buyer!
The Caterham is a long established car in its own right and a very capable performer with huge pedigree and a significant support group.
To my mind on a cost basis the Exocet is clearly a very much more affordable and buildable car. As to which car is the better vehicle, I really would not want to judge. But the Exocet is certainly the more modern design.
Up to the individual builder to decide what they want specifically from the car. But on a cost basis the Exocet is clearly the winner.
On a resale basis the Caterham undoubtedly has an outstanding resale value. Probably greater than any other such similar car. But the Caterham costs a multiple of an Exocet to build.
Entirely up to the buyer!
Steffan- the problem there is that your comparing a new Caterham to a new Exorcet, when there is no such thing. The MEV is a kit car in the traditional sense using used or refurbished parts where Caterham have largely moved away from this practice. Of course the used car is going to be cheaper!
Lordbenny said:
Ha ha, you gotta be joking right! That thing is hideous 
You've got to do a LOT better than that to knock Caterham off the top spot....and I'm a Westfield owner!
Looks are very much a personal taste, hideous is a little strong I think, but everyone’s allowed an opinion.You've got to do a LOT better than that to knock Caterham off the top spot....and I'm a Westfield owner!
As HustleRussell posted earlier “P.S. one of these MEV's pissed all over me during the Holly Birkett at Silverstone in October. They aren't lookers but they aren't slow.”
The MEV Exocet was only truly launched last year so allowing time for owners to get them built and tested, this represents there first year of true competition. It should be very interesting to see how the cars compete not only against the classic Caterham but also the various 7 clones such as the Westfields, MK’s and alike.
Me I have always loved the Caterham and although never owned one, have owned and driven various 7 clones over the years. However now in my middle years, even if I owned a Caterham I doubt I’d be able to fit in it whereas the Exocet will cater for my middle age spread easily.
I'm not sure I'd directly compare the Exocet to the C7.
In many ways, it is like the Dutton Phaeton was in the 80s, as it is an affordable, easy to build, fun car. That said, it is clearly more capable than the aforementioned.
As for personal taste, I would agree too. That said, I offer you this...
(Picture borrowed from another forum).
In many ways, it is like the Dutton Phaeton was in the 80s, as it is an affordable, easy to build, fun car. That said, it is clearly more capable than the aforementioned.
As for personal taste, I would agree too. That said, I offer you this...
(Picture borrowed from another forum).
Iwantoneofthose said:
I'm not sure I'd directly compare the Exocet to the C7.
In many ways, it is like the Dutton Phaeton was in the 80s, as it is an affordable, easy to build, fun car. That said, it is clearly more capable than the aforementioned.
As for personal taste, I would agree too. That said, I offer you this...
(Picture borrowed from another forum).
You could be correct; it is in many ways like a Dutton in that it is accordable, fun and easy to build. Although a little tongue and cheek, the recent demonstration at the Stoneleigh Kit Car show of building a MEV Exocet in under 4 min’s !!!! ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcbXnnwOj3E ) it dose clearly show the simplicity of the build, a must for the young PlayStation generation of today. In many ways, it is like the Dutton Phaeton was in the 80s, as it is an affordable, easy to build, fun car. That said, it is clearly more capable than the aforementioned.
As for personal taste, I would agree too. That said, I offer you this...
(Picture borrowed from another forum).
I'm glad you stated that the Exocet is clearly more capable than a Dutton, as having owned 2 and driven an Exocet I can assure you there is just no comparison as far as performance.
Edited by Sonic7 on Saturday 12th May 11:04
I entirely agree that the Exocet is undoubtedly the easiest kit car to construct on sale in the UK today. No one else is really competing at this level, the build demonstration and simple logic was so good in the display at Stoneleigh I had to watch two!
As a veteran owner and builder of a number of Duttons I would agree that there is a common theme running through, offering outstanding value and great simplicity of construction, There the similarity does end.
The Exocet is a typical Stuart Mills design being a comprehensive and well researched, design and a strong agile buildable car. There is a real strength in these cars and this is very noticeable on the track and in high speed slides. It is a safe, solid and very drivable vehicle which offers excellent crash protection from its carefully stressed chassis, whist still being an exceptionally light build and therefore an ideal performance base.
The Dutton, of which I still own two, a V8 engined version and am early 1.3 crossflow Phaeton, was never the car the Exocet is.
My V8 is off the road because it is unsafe at any speed, the chassis twists seriously with every gear change, and power on or off in a corner could be your last act all too easily. Major chassis strengthening is awaited this autumn.
The Phaeton is drivable but with an escort rear end is just too tail happy to be fun and requires a compete rebuild at the rear, to give fully independent rear suspension and hopefully a modicum of grip. Next year job.
I think the MEV Exocet will become a real classic Kit Car in the future and has huge potential for tuning and successful competition. I think it is an outstanding design, well thought out and very practical indeed. A bloody good effort, Mr Mills!
As a veteran owner and builder of a number of Duttons I would agree that there is a common theme running through, offering outstanding value and great simplicity of construction, There the similarity does end.
The Exocet is a typical Stuart Mills design being a comprehensive and well researched, design and a strong agile buildable car. There is a real strength in these cars and this is very noticeable on the track and in high speed slides. It is a safe, solid and very drivable vehicle which offers excellent crash protection from its carefully stressed chassis, whist still being an exceptionally light build and therefore an ideal performance base.
The Dutton, of which I still own two, a V8 engined version and am early 1.3 crossflow Phaeton, was never the car the Exocet is.
My V8 is off the road because it is unsafe at any speed, the chassis twists seriously with every gear change, and power on or off in a corner could be your last act all too easily. Major chassis strengthening is awaited this autumn.
The Phaeton is drivable but with an escort rear end is just too tail happy to be fun and requires a compete rebuild at the rear, to give fully independent rear suspension and hopefully a modicum of grip. Next year job.
I think the MEV Exocet will become a real classic Kit Car in the future and has huge potential for tuning and successful competition. I think it is an outstanding design, well thought out and very practical indeed. A bloody good effort, Mr Mills!
I will be building one this year went to stoneleigh to order the kit the race version in my opinion doesn't look that good but it's not intended to be a good looking car it's more about the pace and speed of them and they are quick car and for 4k i believe to build one ready to race that is good value.
On the road version if your cleaver and have a basic spec you could build one for around 2k now that is unbelivable good value for a new built car mine will have some upgrades and will have a bolt in roll bar instead of the hops the standared one will have so i can upgrade to a msa roll bar in future if i want to go racing with is.
All in im looking at around 3.5k when finished still very cheap nothing else come close. Will it become the modern day 7 no can't see other manafactures building replicas of it but of a kit for the modern age it's leading the way of affordable, easy and cost effective kits.
If the kit car industry is to survive then this is the market they need to target. I believe over 100 exocets have been built since it was introduced less than 2 years ago thats good when some kits struggle to sell 100 in the life of the kit and im sure the exocet will be around for the next 5-10 years.
On the road version if your cleaver and have a basic spec you could build one for around 2k now that is unbelivable good value for a new built car mine will have some upgrades and will have a bolt in roll bar instead of the hops the standared one will have so i can upgrade to a msa roll bar in future if i want to go racing with is.
All in im looking at around 3.5k when finished still very cheap nothing else come close. Will it become the modern day 7 no can't see other manafactures building replicas of it but of a kit for the modern age it's leading the way of affordable, easy and cost effective kits.
If the kit car industry is to survive then this is the market they need to target. I believe over 100 exocets have been built since it was introduced less than 2 years ago thats good when some kits struggle to sell 100 in the life of the kit and im sure the exocet will be around for the next 5-10 years.
MG CHRIS said:
I will be building one this year went to stoneleigh to order the kit the race version in my opinion doesn't look that good but it's not intended to be a good looking car it's more about the pace and speed of them and they are quick car and for 4k i believe to build one ready to race that is good value.
On the road version if your cleaver and have a basic spec you could build one for around 2k now that is unbelivable good value for a new built car mine will have some upgrades and will have a bolt in roll bar instead of the hops the standared one will have so i can upgrade to a msa roll bar in future if i want to go racing with is.
All in im looking at around 3.5k when finished still very cheap nothing else come close. Will it become the modern day 7 no can't see other manafactures building replicas of it but of a kit for the modern age it's leading the way of affordable, easy and cost effective kits.
If the kit car industry is to survive then this is the market they need to target. I believe over 100 exocets have been built since it was introduced less than 2 years ago thats good when some kits struggle to sell 100 in the life of the kit and im sure the exocet will be around for the next 5-10 years.
Good luck to you Chris! You should enjoy every moment!On the road version if your cleaver and have a basic spec you could build one for around 2k now that is unbelivable good value for a new built car mine will have some upgrades and will have a bolt in roll bar instead of the hops the standared one will have so i can upgrade to a msa roll bar in future if i want to go racing with is.
All in im looking at around 3.5k when finished still very cheap nothing else come close. Will it become the modern day 7 no can't see other manafactures building replicas of it but of a kit for the modern age it's leading the way of affordable, easy and cost effective kits.
If the kit car industry is to survive then this is the market they need to target. I believe over 100 exocets have been built since it was introduced less than 2 years ago thats good when some kits struggle to sell 100 in the life of the kit and im sure the exocet will be around for the next 5-10 years.
At £4000 I think this is unbeatable value personally. I do not know another car that could be constructed with the ease of build that this vehicle offers, and offer equivalent performance, at anywhere near that price.
My JC locost kit which I am finishing currently has cost well over £4K all up. The performance is nowhere near the Exocet in terms of outright acceleration and handling. I honestly do not know of a kit giving this performance level at that finished price. Damned good choice!
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