Can't understand why a NA engine feels quick!

[Leicesterdave]

...well not compared to what I had last. I had a turbocharged 09 Cooper S which i recently got rid of. Replaced by an ageing Lupo GTI.
The Lupo flies- genuinely- and feels quicker than the MINI- I know it's not but I'm genuinely surprised that it doesn't feel too much of a downgrade.
Great cheap motoring up to now!

[mikearwas]

Turbo cooper s's have quite a linear power delivery for a turbo engine but other than that i dont really know! Perhaphs the raw nature of the Lupo makes it feel faster!

[-Z-]

Weird, because we used to have a 07 Cooper S and a Monaro VXR where sometimes the MINI would feel just as quick as the car with the 6.0 V8!

[Globs]

Clever throttle curves + no turbo lag.

[deveng]

What are the power to weight ratios?

Some cars 'feel' quick without actually being that quick, and others don't feel like their that quick, until you check the speedo....

[HellDiver]

Lupo GTI is probably half the weight of the Mini.

[wackojacko]

Less weight and a rev loving engine.


I'm loving N/A power at the momment

[Leicesterdave]

I think the Lupo weighs around 980 kgs and the mini is just over 1100kgs. There is a difference but then again the MINI had quite a bit more power.

[Smike]

Leicesterdave said:

The Lupo flies- genuinely- and feels quicker than the MINI-

Yep, that's the operative word - nice little cars the Lupo though


Have you got the Xenon lights/6-speeds?

[Leicesterdave]

Smike said:

Yep, that's the operative word - nice little cars the Lupo though


Have you got the Xenon lights/6-speeds?

Yep xenons are standard. 6 speed and aircon. To be fair the Lupo made me realise you need very little else to have great fun.

[adycav]

Has the Lupo had any modifications/performance enhancements?

[Targarama]

Lighter. Less soundproofing/tinnier body. Sporty exhaust note.

[Leicesterdave]

adycav said:

Has the Lupo had any modifications/performance enhancements?

None whatsoever. I bought it totally standard which is exactly what I was after!

[adycav]

Well I hope that you enjoy it.

If I see a contented looking bloke driving a Lupo GTI around the Leics area I'll give him a cheery wave!

[dannytherev]

I always say that about my C2 quite lightweight(for a newish car)and feels faster than it actually is great fun though

[Leicesterdave]

adycav said:

Well I hope that you enjoy it.

If I see a contented looking bloke driving a Lupo GTI around the Leics area I'll give him a cheery wave!

Haha cheers- though I'm based in sunny sheffield!

[Accelebrate]

Sense of speed? The MINI is reasonably refined for a small car.

[Leicesterdave]

Accelebrate said:

Sense of speed? The MINI is reasonably refined for a small car.

I actually did closely monitor the Lupo's speedo. And the needle is quite happy to move up rather swiftly!

[davepoth]

Targarama said:

Lighter. Less soundproofing/tinnier body. Sporty exhaust note.

Torque curve instead of flat-line. In a N/A car, Revs = Power.

[Dimski]

Constant acceleration = constant force...

So a linear power delivery makes a car feel slower than it is. For the opposite reason, i.e. rapidly changing acceleration means rapidly changing force, is why people think diesels are quicker than they are.

My XJR suffers from this. It doesn't feel like its accelerating any quicker than my (220ish bhp) Audi S6, in spite of not far off double the power. The turbo shove (after the lag!) gives a kick which fools me. Whereas the XJR just smoothly 'gains pace'.