Westfield Megabusa vs Quick Road Car
Westfield Megabusa vs Quick Road Car
Author
Discussion

robert78

Original Poster:

151 posts

210 months

Monday 26th May 2014
quotequote all
Hi,

A bit of a bizarre question i'm afraid, but a Westfield Megabusa vs a quick road car...(say 350bhp +) - on the road > whats quicker..?

On paper I know the Westfield is insanely quick 0-60 and has exceptional handling ability. But how does all this translate to speed on the road, where there is uneven surfaces, different surface types etc etc...where road cars benefit from ESP, "sensible" tyres etc...and of course, a much higher top speed..

How would a Westfield compete? I know on a track it would be a tough contender, but what about real world driving?

I'm not condoning racing on the highway, but the reason I ask is I am having a debate with a friend and neither of us can give an answer!

Cheers
Rob


BritishRacinGrin

26,497 posts

189 months

Monday 26th May 2014
quotequote all
On a track the Westfield would be hard to beat. On the road, the Westfield could more than likely be beaten point to point by a FWD diesel Audi (that is, unless you put somebody behind the wheel who has zero self preservation instinct)

wemorgan

3,583 posts

207 months

Monday 26th May 2014
quotequote all
No clear winner. Driving fast on the road is about confidence and risk. A low/stiff car might not give the driver much confidence as it crashes over the smallest bump, but it's overall performance may compensate. Also its lack of any real body panels leaves the driver quite exposed - any crash is going to hurt. IMHO these cars are best enjoyed on the track.
ps. I think I'd want nearer 500bhp to keep up with the Westfield. A modern sports car is probably x3 heavier than the Westfield.

robert78

Original Poster:

151 posts

210 months

Monday 26th May 2014
quotequote all
Interesting....My main area of thought was also about the lack of protection, and if you crash it will hurt - or not, as you would probably die rather quickly!!

Not sure about an Audi diesel - not being considered a quick car, I suspect it would be a million miles off the Westfield.....

Lowtimer

4,293 posts

197 months

Monday 26th May 2014
quotequote all
It all depends on the road.

On a lot of roads, hedges, walls or other vehicles may limit the speed of a driver with a very low eyeline (as in a Seven-format car) where a more normal point of view enables a driver to see further ahead.

Conversely if a Seven-format car is up against a low but wide car, like a mid-engined Ferrari or the new Jag F-type, there will be roads where the narrowness enables superior lines to be taken through corners.

If the road surface is rough and broken, like a lot of moorland roads, then something like one of the 4wd rally reps with a lot of traction and suspension travel is probably the fastest thing point to point.

On the autobahn, any higher-powered executive saloon will hum along faster than any Seven-type car can be made to go on grounds of drag.

robert78

Original Poster:

151 posts

210 months

Monday 26th May 2014
quotequote all
Lowtimer said:
It all depends on the road.

On a lot of roads, hedges, walls or other vehicles may limit the speed of a driver with a very low eyeline (as in a Seven-format car) where a more normal point of view enables a driver to see further ahead.

Conversely if a Seven-format car is up against a low but wide car, like a mid-engined Ferrari or the new Jag F-type, there will be roads where the narrowness enables superior lines to be taken through corners.

If the road surface is rough and broken, like a lot of moorland roads, then something like one of the 4wd rally reps with a lot of traction and suspension travel is probably the fastest thing point to point.

On the autobahn, any higher-powered executive saloon will hum along faster than any Seven-type car can be made to go on grounds of drag.
thank you - some very valid points.

LooneyTunes

9,375 posts

187 months

Monday 26th May 2014
quotequote all
Lowtimer said:
It all depends on the road.

On a lot of roads, hedges, walls or other vehicles may limit the speed of a driver with a very low eyeline (as in a Seven-format car) where a more normal point of view enables a driver to see further ahead.

Conversely if a Seven-format car is up against a low but wide car, like a mid-engined Ferrari or the new Jag F-type, there will be roads where the narrowness enables superior lines to be taken through corners.

If the road surface is rough and broken, like a lot of moorland roads, then something like one of the 4wd rally reps with a lot of traction and suspension travel is probably the fastest thing point to point.

On the autobahn, any higher-powered executive saloon will hum along faster than any Seven-type car can be made to go on grounds of drag.
Spot on.

The other thing to bear in mind is how quickly a 7-type car can gain and lose speed by virtue of their low weight. As soon as corners are involved, there's not much likely to keep up. However if you've got long straights a Westie will run out of steam faster than a fast saloon etc.

I'd be surprised though if you could find a road (other than a motorway/DC) where a diesel Audi would be quicker than any moderately powered Westie.

BritishRacinGrin

26,497 posts

189 months

Monday 26th May 2014
quotequote all
robert78 said:
Not sure about an Audi diesel - not being considered a quick car, I suspect it would be a million miles off the Westfield.....
If you know the answer... rolleyes

Have you ever tried to drive a fast Super Seven type car down a 'B'-road?

spaximus

4,365 posts

282 months

Monday 26th May 2014
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It all depends on the chosen route and the conditions. A roads with short over take options, Westfield all day long.

Visibility is a consideration but as Westfield driver it is not a big issue.

Where top speed is concerned a "normal road car" will always be able to go faster for longer.

Weather is a big factor, on a dry sunny day Westfield, damp or rain tin top, as putting all the power down in the wet is no fun in a Westfield.

veevee

1,458 posts

180 months

Monday 26th May 2014
quotequote all
BritishRacinGrin said:
On a track the Westfield would be hard to beat. On the road, the Westfield could more than likely be beaten point to point by a FWD diesel Audi (that is, unless you put somebody behind the wheel who has zero self preservation instinct)
So a heavy car with half the power and twice the weight would win?

Can't see it outside of motorway conditions.

POORCARDEALER

8,663 posts

270 months

Monday 26th May 2014
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As said.... My caterham r500 was about 250 bhp and on bendy country lanes nothing would keep up with it, late braking and light weight it would catapult out of corners ....

CO2000

3,177 posts

238 months

Monday 26th May 2014
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7 type not just for smooth roads!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4M-uiQv_Oc

Tickle

6,448 posts

233 months

Monday 26th May 2014
quotequote all
CO2000 said:
7 type not just for smooth roads!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4M-uiQv_Oc
I would like to see the Audi diesel that could keep up with that.
wink

PurpleMeanie

7,117 posts

278 months

Tuesday 27th May 2014
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POORCARDEALER said:
on bendy country lanes nothing would keep up with it, late braking and light weight it would catapult out of corners ....
Yes, with plenty of bends and fairly smooth known surface, the lack of weight means you can go very fast if you want to.

If you don't know the road, or it has a lot of off camber bumps...different matter.



anonymous-user

83 months

Tuesday 27th May 2014
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In reality, which ever driver is driving like the biggest d**k..........


(all modern road cars can go much faster than you really want to on pretty much any road, other than an empty dry straight dual carriageway etc!)

hondansx

4,700 posts

254 months

Tuesday 27th May 2014
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Have a word with yourself if you can't keep up with a diesel Audi in a Megabusa!