VX220 Turbo

[Chris71]

What's the VX220 Turbo like? In particular - and I promise I'm not trying to start a Lotus versus Vauxhall slanging match here - how does it compare to an S1 Elise?

I presume the VXT is the fastest Elise variant in a straight line? Are they any easier (or for that matter any harder) to live with than an S1 Elise? How do servicing costs compare and can you/would you get a VXT serviced at any Vauxhall dealer. Do you think the depreciation will be any worse than the equivalent Elise? Finally, how does the driving experience compare?

Oh, and how does a standard factory built VXT compare to a typical after market Honda or Audi engine transplant in an Elise?

[Plotloss]

Mine was probably the cheapest car I've ever run and one of the very fastest, it was in fact rip your face off quick.

Quicker than an Exige 240R and less than a third of the price and cheaper to maintain with 90% of the handling.

If you like the turbo delivery, like a bit of weight in the back to make the arse a bit more lively and something that just works, they're pretty much an undiscovered gem.

[Arese]

One of my "must try one day" cars.

This looks nice.

[Plotloss]

:sigh:

[rallycross]

They are very good to drive, terrific value v's an elise ie for equivalent money you find yourself in a car that is far quicker, a lot newer and has good potential to make much it much quicker once you get bored of its standard performance.

I've driven a few standard ones and a friends one that has been slowly improved over the years (250 bhp, nitron suspension, semi slicks) which is the quickest thing I've driven on a track, with simply incredible ability on track but still fine for daily use. In the 3 yrs he's had it not suffered with any reliability issues and it gets used every day.

I cant think if many reason's why you'd buy an S1 elise if you could afford one of these instead other than badge snobbery.

[Lefty 200 Drams]

I loved mine, abs was a pain on track though, especially in the wet.

Have driven a 300bhp vxt, probably the fastest car I've ever driven by a fair margin!

[Chris71]

Plotloss said:

If you like the turbo delivery, like a bit of weight in the back to make the arse a bit more lively and something that just works, they're pretty much an undiscovered gem.

Sounds good to me.

Not planning to switch immediately, but considering something slightly more usable to replace my Caterham at some stage and an Elise/VX is an obvious contender. Based on my brief encounter with a standard S1 Elise and some of the hearsay I've picked up (granted that might not all be accurate) I'd be looking for:

• Something a bit more refined that an Elise - quieter on the motorway than a (low ratio) 111S
• Something water tight with decent de-misting
• A bit more luggage space wouldn't go amiss, but it's not critical
• A bit more straightline poke than the standard Elise ideally and specifically something that feels faster
• Something that could be taken to higher power outputs without compromising reliability (I can't say I've had an problems with my 1.6 K-Series, but I have heard people say the VHPD Lotus units in the Exige and modified Elise can be a little tempramental)

Basically it'd have to be easier to live with than the Elise and preferably a bit quicker.

Oh, and another question; what's insurance like compared to an Elise or something else with a 'specialist' badge on the front?

[993Targa]

Had one for nearly 3 years, vastly under-rated and just brilliant ground covering capability cross country.

Has a 911 type feel to it with the rear biased weight and light steering.

Forget all the bad snobbery, I did as I sold a 911 to buy a VXT and enjoyed every mile I drove.

If you are genuinely interested in these types a VXT will not disappoint.

John

[J4CKO]

On my list, for between ten and fisteen grand, on paper they look fantastic.

Have been in a 300 bhp Astra 888 coupe and that was bonkers, cant begin to imagine what that in
a much lighter body would be like, should imagine that it demands a fair degree of respect, light weight, big torque, rear drive, mid engined with no electronics, perhaps why there are a few that end up binned, hoof that up a wet greasy sliproad when tired, in the dark and you may regret it !

[vxsmithers]

Chris71 said:

Plotloss said:

If you like the turbo delivery, like a bit of weight in the back to make the arse a bit more lively and something that just works, they're pretty much an undiscovered gem.

Sounds good to me.

Not planning to switch immediately, but considering something slightly more usable to replace my Caterham at some stage and an Elise/VX is an obvious contender. Based on my brief encounter with a standard S1 Elise and some of the hearsay I've picked up (granted that might not all be accurate) I'd be looking for:

• Something a bit more refined that an Elise - quieter on the motorway than a (low ratio) 111S
• Something water tight with decent de-misting
• A bit more luggage space wouldn't go amiss, but it's not critical
• A bit more straightline poke than the standard Elise ideally and specifically something that feels faster
• Something that could be taken to higher power outputs without compromising reliability (I can't say I've had an problems with my 1.6 K-Series, but I have heard people say the VHPD Lotus units in the Exige and modified Elise can be a little tempramental)

Basically it'd have to be easier to live with than the Elise and preferably a bit quicker.

Oh, and another question; what's insurance like compared to an Elise or something else with a 'specialist' badge on the front?

To answer a few of your questions,

my VX is and always has been water tight, but has piss poor demisting capabilities due to a poor heater setup, but then buy a rag...

in terms of refinement compare it to an S2 elise, as they are effectively the same car underneath

straight line poke is definitely more comparing std to std cars, and relatively cheap to mod - mine has just under 300bhp and 0-100 is sub 10 secs in the right hands, plus top speed of 150 odd is easily (and quickly) achievable - not sure what ratios the elise uses for top speed etc.

nothing engine wise has gone wrong with mine in 10k miles at this stage of tune, so it is like owning a standard car in terms of servicing etc, just don't take it to vauxhall.

insurance is cheaper than an elise too, although does ramp up with mods.

If you think a vx is easier to live with, it isn't, it'll have the edge over an S1, but is exactly the same as an S2 in terms of comfort / road noise etc etc

You could always look at the NA and supercharge as well, becoming a popular option due to power delivery.

The only issue with high tune turbos is partial throttle gets a bit snappy at the back end, but not a big issue.

They're all good cars, just depends if you want the lego styling of a vx, or the girly styling of a lotus

[Ponk]

How hard is to up the power significantly?

I'm just thinking if the Honda/ VAG Elises can make 300-400bhp without huge amounts of work, can the same be done to the stock Turbo engine? I take it the engine has been lifted straight from another car in the Vauxhall range? Ie Astra Gsi?

[CraigyMc]

Ponk said:

How hard is to up the power significantly?

I'm just thinking if the Honda/ VAG Elises can make 300-400bhp without huge amounts of work, can the same be done to the stock Turbo engine? I take it the engine has been lifted straight from another car in the Vauxhall range? Ie Astra Gsi?

Getting over 330bhp (that's the 1.8 5v VAG turbo with an IHI turbo) is not trivial. There are a few people kicking about with significantly more powerful elises though - 500bhp from the same engine for example. It's just not easy!

Having said all that, even 330bhp in a 740Kg car is 445bhp/ton. You're in supercar territory at that point already.

C

[J4CKO]

I think if you have 300 bhp in something like that, its probably enough for most evantualities, I cant imagine it ever feels lacking in straight line performance, I think sometimes we get carried away
and its just numbers but even a standard VX220 turbo is a very quick car.

[TankRizzo]

Ponk said:

How hard is to up the power significantly?

I'm just thinking if the Honda/ VAG Elises can make 300-400bhp without huge amounts of work, can the same be done to the stock Turbo engine? I take it the engine has been lifted straight from another car in the Vauxhall range? Ie Astra Gsi?

Stage 1-2 remap gets you between 210-250bhp easily. I run a stage 1.5 map with 230bhp and realistically the car is as quick as I need it now. Although it uses the same engine as the Astra Gsi, cooling is much more of an issue as airflow isn't too great into the back and the standard intercooler is adequate at best. Anything over stage 2 needs uprated cooling.

Haven't had any interest in mine at the moment, I think I've probably made the advert too wordy.

[Ponk]

CraigyMc said:

Ponk said:

How hard is to up the power significantly?

I'm just thinking if the Honda/ VAG Elises can make 300-400bhp without huge amounts of work, can the same be done to the stock Turbo engine? I take it the engine has been lifted straight from another car in the Vauxhall range? Ie Astra Gsi?

Getting over 330bhp (that's the 1.8 5v VAG turbo with an IHI turbo) is not trivial. There are a few people kicking about with significantly more powerful elises though - 500bhp from the same engine for example. It's just not easy!

Having said all that, even 330bhp in a 740Kg car is 445bhp/ton. You're in supercar territory at that point already.

C

That sounds plenty Are the VXs not heavier though being based on the S2?

I was expecting 800-900kilos, plesantly surprised if not though!

I was just wondering the tuning potential of the VX lump compared to the K20/1.8T lumps.

IMO being able to get big power from the standard engine would make it that little bit more attractive.

Although I guess a S1 Elise + either a charged Honda or 1.8T would probably cost about the same as the VX before you start trying to increase the power if you're doing the work yourself.

[CraigyMc]

rallycross said:

I cant think if many reason's why you'd buy an S1 elise if you could afford one of these instead other than badge snobbery.

Weight, grip and ABS arethings that stopped me buying the VX.
Elise S1: 730Kg, VX 2.2 870kg, VXT 930Kg.

By "Grip" here I'm talking about the fact that the S1 allowed for fairly wide rubber on the front.
The VX (and Elise S2) were far more limited in the same respect. I know they are both fairly good but I prefer the S1 Elise..

By the way, I couldn't give a toss which badge the VX had on it - they were all built on the same lines as the Elise in Hethel by Lotus.

C

[Chris71]

J4CKO said:

Even a standard VX220 turbo is a very quick car.

Quoted at 4.7 seconds to 60mph I believe? That's certainly not slow.

That said the last Elise I drove was an S2 SC that was supposed to be faster still (4.4 seconds IIRC), but it really didn't feel it. That's not to say I doubt it; just that it fizzed along without much drama.

[ThunderSpook]

I didn't think the VX was based on the S2. Thought it was based on it's own chassis which then became the Europa.

[homerjay]

if you bought one then a couple of years later decided on a change, what the fk would you replace it with???

[Herman Toothrot]

CraigyMc said:

rallycross said:

I cant think if many reason's why you'd buy an S1 elise if you could afford one of these instead other than badge snobbery.

Weight, grip and ABS arethings that stopped me buying the VX.
Elise S1: 730Kg, VX 2.2 870kg, VXT 930Kg.

By "Grip" here I'm talking about the fact that the S1 allowed for fairly wide rubber on the front.
The VX (and Elise S2) were far more limited in the same respect. I know they are both fairly good but I prefer the S1 Elise..

By the way, I couldn't give a toss which badge the VX had on it - they were all built on the same lines as the Elise in Hethel by Lotus.

C

fixing the ABS is only an Exige Abs ecu away @ £295

grip much the same a set of new wheels in VXR or Exige sizes and your free to fit any of the many exige spec tyres.