RE: Caterham gets Suzuki power
Discussion
kingb said:
I really dont understand who would buy it for that money. There are so many kit versions of the 7 about that would be far less money with far more power.
The big ones are lovely and I can understand why they get bought but this? Also if they wanted a small engine from suzuki why not one of the bike engines which make over 100bhp out of the crate!
Reliability and driveability.The big ones are lovely and I can understand why they get bought but this? Also if they wanted a small engine from suzuki why not one of the bike engines which make over 100bhp out of the crate!
A bike engine is great for a track toy, but is very very loud on the road. Drive a Seven and you'll find they're loud enough anyway without running at 9,000rpm at a cruise!
They tend to go "pop" a bit more often too. I'm not saying they're unreliable, but they need more maintenance than a similarly powered car engine.
framerateuk said:
kingb said:
I really dont understand who would buy it for that money. There are so many kit versions of the 7 about that would be far less money with far more power.
The big ones are lovely and I can understand why they get bought but this? Also if they wanted a small engine from suzuki why not one of the bike engines which make over 100bhp out of the crate!
Reliability and driveability.The big ones are lovely and I can understand why they get bought but this? Also if they wanted a small engine from suzuki why not one of the bike engines which make over 100bhp out of the crate!
A bike engine is great for a track toy, but is very very loud on the road. Drive a Seven and you'll find they're loud enough anyway without running at 9,000rpm at a cruise!
They tend to go "pop" a bit more often too. I'm not saying they're unreliable, but they need more maintenance than a similarly powered car engine.
And backwards is an arse
kambites said:
DonkeyApple said:
kambites said:
Why would they care?
Won't they have to with the new products they are planning?People who don,t get this just have not tried or felt how a light sports goes,these cars does not need masses of power, if you are one of those people go to the trouble of driving one before commenting, the price is amazing for what you are getting remember it includes government taxes! there will be plenty of people buying expensive sports cars using them little and after a year they will have lost more than this car cost, it will hold its value well and will be still worth something for many years well done caterham.
The other makes that are mentioned won't be aiming to pass EU6 and therefore be able to sell all over Europe though. I imagine Caterham were after an engine that will pass EU6 easily, as well as be light etc. If they have used the live axle etc. then that seems a sensible way forward for a low cost car as long as it drives as it should.
Bike engine would not pass EU6 for cars as far as I undestand and the reverser boxes etc. would never be acceptable for the less hardcore customers.
Bike engine would not pass EU6 for cars as far as I undestand and the reverser boxes etc. would never be acceptable for the less hardcore customers.
Edmundo2 said:
I get it but can't see why you wouldn't buy a second hand low miles roadsport etc. More fun + save 4k. Or for that matter a ballistic used superlight. I suppose some people will only buy new.
Presume it's foreign markets that this is aimed at?
Used vs new is always going to be an argument, but if people don't buy new then you won't get used! My used Roadsport 140 cost the same as this and mine was specced up to the rafters (LSD, Superlight suspension, 6 speed - and a lot of other options), but I still think this is a great price for a Seven!Presume it's foreign markets that this is aimed at?
CraigyMc said:
McWigglebum4th said:
And backwards is an arse
In a caterham it'd be mounted sideways, no?Caterham run their engines North-South. Bike Engines are usually transverse.
C
Though as one is essential for IVA now, there are various aftermarket options for the kitcar market.
Does seem an odd pitch at that price point. I can't imagine that many people want a superlight car which is relatively slow, do they? You'd have to value handling above all else to the point of obsession. I'd have thought that most would rather compromise a bit of weight for more power.
Edmundo2 said:
I get it but can't see why you wouldn't buy a second hand low miles roadsport etc. More fun + save 4k. Or for that matter a ballistic used superlight. I suppose some people will only buy new.
Presume it's foreign markets that this is aimed at?
Also you don't get to build the car yourself if you buy 2nd hand which many people greatly enjoyPresume it's foreign markets that this is aimed at?
A grown up lego set
McWigglebum4th said:
aww999 said:
I'm not sure why you would pay £17k and put up with the "no-frills" nature of a 7 in order to access such mundane performance. It seems like a step too far along the "back to basics" route when even a luke warm hatch could go just as quick with a roof and a boot!
The only buyers I can think of are older folk who would potter around in it, in the same way that you'd use a classic car, but would many of them manage to get in and out of it OK?
I take it you haven't driven a 7 thenThe only buyers I can think of are older folk who would potter around in it, in the same way that you'd use a classic car, but would many of them manage to get in and out of it OK?
Mr2Mike said:
TheRoadWarrior said:
12hp from boosting the engine, is it even worth it??
23% more power, 25% more torque. Seems pretty reasonable if you want to retain economy and reliability.I think the main thing they'll be sorting out is emissions and what boost level to run on 95RON.
I can't see this car only having 80bhp.
C
aww999 said:
surely a great chassis needs enough power to challenge it in order to make the whole experience entertaining?
Absolutely not. Just like driving a mini, or a Fiat Panda etc. you can use 100% of the performance on a regular basis without reaching ridiculous speeds or the car threatening to throw you into the nearest hedge.CraigyMc said:
The N1 ECU for the cappuccino brings the power up to about 120bhp. It's made by Suzuki themselves, but for "racing use only" in Japan because of the Kei rules.
I think the main thing they'll be sorting out is emissions and what boost level to run on 95RON.
I can't see this car only having 80bhp.
C
I'm certain it will have a decent level of power I think the main thing they'll be sorting out is emissions and what boost level to run on 95RON.
I can't see this car only having 80bhp.
C
However my comment was in answer to why Suzuki bothered adding a turbo to gain 12bhp, i.e. 12bhp is quite a lot when you are only starting with 52.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff