Top speed? can someone explain this........

[mgt]

How come the V8 esprits with around a 100bhp more than the 2.0/2.2 esprits can only do about [according to road tests in various uk mags] 5-10mph more than the non-V8 esprits? If lotus can make 2.0/2.2 esprits do 165mph you'd expect them to make the V8 esprits (with much more bhp) do nearer to 200mph. Is it due to the 5 speed gear box? And another thing, if the offical top speed of the V8 is 175 then how did some american car mag made it do 179.4mph?

cheers,
mgt

[ErnestM]

Official numbers are always estimates. You are correct, the lack of a sixth gear inhibits higher top speed.

Check out the Motor Trend videos on the Esprit Fact file:
www.espritfactfile.com

They state that if the '98 Esprit V8 (azure) had a sixth gear, it would be a serious contender for top speed...

ErnestM

[madmike]

With this, and all the recent inquiries about the aftermarket Quaife box (and lack of a linkage for it) I'm suprised Johan hasn't built a custom tranny for the V-8s. It's about the only thing he hasn't had built for it yet.

[mgt]

ErnestM - cheers mate, i'll check out that link.

[cnh1990]

It appears that Johan maybe selling his car.

It is being returned to somwhat a more manageable street car and is for sale. The nitrous, intercoolers, and other pieces are being removed.

The price for an 97 is on the higher side but it is a widebody with nice wheels and tires. It is unclear if he will move on to another Marque for his next project.
Calvin

[MikeyRide]

THe stock V8 has an extra 50hp compared to an S4s. Back to my old Car&Driver archives, they reached 165 in the S4s, 175 in the V8 IIRC. That seems about right.

You need a LOT of power to get to 200mph in anything not designed expressly for top speed.

[kmaier]

In short, the V8 will rev up to engine cutout is all 5 gears. It's not about lack of power... it's lack of gearing. Change the gearing and you could get a higher top speed, but realistically... where would you use it?

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[karlfranz]

First: as Mikey stated, the V8 has only 50 more HP than the Esprit (S4s); not 100HP. The S4s is quite a bit lighter and nimbler though.

Second: the only reason the top speed of the V8 is higher than the S4s is that it has a different (taller) fifth gear (the other gears remain the same). You can change the 5th gear in the S4s gearbox to the newer gear ratio from the V8 box and it too will do the same top speed. I was given that option but decided it would have been a waste of $$.

Third: it is claimed that the reason the Esprit can't go much faster is due to aerodymanic drag. As cool as the "wedge" aero shape of the Esprit is, a Lexus has less drag these days. Remember, although it has been refined throughout the years, it is still essentially a 27+ year old design.

Fourth: The Esprit's direct competitors (i.e. 360 Modena, 911, NSX, etc) have relatively similar top speeds +/-10mph.

Finally: who cares (other than for bragging rights) if the car can *only* go to 175mph? Realistically, I doubt many people drive their Esprits (or *any* other car) at sustained speeds over 140mph on a regular basis anywhere on the planet. Most people don't know much about the Esprit anyway. If anyone asks you can just point to the speedo and say "it" tops out at 220mph but that you never would go that fast. They would never know the difference.

Cheers,

KFM :-)
www.espritfactfile.com

[kylie]

KFM....Unless you live in Germany , last time I was there I was speed heaven. Doing 180km in a tidy rental and a 911 zooms by, would have been better if it was an esprit. Autoban here we come!!!

[joust]

Also - remember that top speed is a square law when it comes to power, and drag (the car's cd) is very very relavant.

See www.pumaracing.co.uk/topspeed.htm for the maths..

J