tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78719783896875070582024-03-05T08:40:28.193-08:00Carmotives - Interesting CarsPictures, information and opinion on a host of interesting cars.lawwzatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10281481569027537701noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871978389687507058.post-78005745619370496172013-03-25T14:43:00.001-07:002013-04-20T12:58:53.104-07:00Hot Hatch Power to Weight RatiosI find some of the quoted 0-60 times hard to believe and find power to weight ratio figures more useful when comparing performance cars so here are some figures for a number of hot/warm hatchbacks new and old:<br />
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BHP per tonne (1000kg) <br />
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Abarth 500 - 130<br />
Abarth 500 Essesse - 155<br />
Abarth Punto Evo - 137<br />
Abarth Punto Evo SuperSport - 150<br />
Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf - 125 <br />
Alfa Romeo 147 GTA - 181 <br />
Alfa Romeo Mito Cloverleaf - 146<br />
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Cloverleaf - 175<br />
Audi A1 1.4TFSI Black Edition - 153<br />
Audi S3 Quattro (06-) - 179<br />
Citroen C2 VTS - 115 <br />
Citroen DS3 DSport - 133<br />
Cirtoen Saxo VTS - 128<br />
Daihatsu Sirion Rally II - 126<br />
Daihatsu YRV Turbo - 137 <br />
Ford Fiesta ST (05-08) - 129<br />
Ford Focus ST (06-10) - 159 <br />
Honda Civic Type R (01-05) - 164<br />
Mazda 3 MPS (09-) - 175<br />
MG ZR 160 VVC (04-05) - 144 <br />
Mini Cooper S (08-) - 159<br />
Mini JCW GP (12-13) - 185<br />
Mitsubishi Colt CZT (05-08) - 137 <br />
Nissan Almera GTi - 113<br />
Peugeot 106 GTi - 126 <br />
Peugeot 206 GTi (180hp) - 160 <br />
Peugeot 207 GTi - 130<br />
Peugeot 306 GTi-6 - 137<br />
Peugeot 306 Rallye - 144 <br />
Proton Satria GTi - 118<br />
Renault Clio 182 - 165<br />
Renault Megane Renaultsport 225 (06-09) - 167<br />
Renault Twingo Renaultsport (08-) - 125<br />
Rover BRM LE - 134 <br />
Seat Ibiza Cupra 20VT (06-07) - 150<br />
Seat Ibiza Cupra R (01-02) - 161 <br />
Seat Leon Cupra R (10-12) - 180<br />
Skoda Fabia vRS (10-) - 142 <br />
Smart ForFour Brabus - 160 <br />
Subaru Impreza STi Type UK (08-) - 196<br />
Suzuki Ignis Sport - 113<br />
Suzuki Swift Sport (12-) - 128<br />
Suzuki Swif Sport (06-11) - 111<br />
Toyota Corolla T-Sport Compressor - 158 <br />
Vauxhall Astra VXR (05-10)- 170<br />
Volkswagen Golf GTI (09-12) - 157 <br />
Volkswagen Golf R32 (05-08) - 163<br />
Volvo C30 T5 - 156 lawwzatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10281481569027537701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871978389687507058.post-54938116835058434592012-09-11T13:23:00.002-07:002012-09-12T07:10:20.809-07:00Subaru BRZWhen I first saw the specs for this car I felt a bit underwhelmed by the power figure of 197 bhp. I still think the looks deserve more power it is outpaced by most hot hatches, not what you expect from a Subaru sports car. That said I do get the high revving N/A engine linked with brilliant handling. I recently drove a Smart ForFour Brabus 1.5 turbo followed by a Clio 172 I found the frantic 2.0 litre normally aspirated engine in the Clio much more involving, I wanted to push it and take it to the red line. I felt reluctant to rev the turbo engine hard, it just didn't feel up to it, flimsy in some way. <br />
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So despite the lack of power I'm still intrigued by the BRZ, having now seen one in the flesh I'm beginning to think the power isn't all that important. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoLpdNflSODxfsYV67cjOBFONvsTMO83i7JpSZQqwmFcmCsTob_GYO9fceoSRPgtpPuq21JFEbqRoZwBh_oJN4v3PVVGsiApEhbJy-SzpGVyb0jEVxvjqHQacguH2Jdb8NQ8YGTHV5cKv/s1600/lead6-2013-subaru-brz-fd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoLpdNflSODxfsYV67cjOBFONvsTMO83i7JpSZQqwmFcmCsTob_GYO9fceoSRPgtpPuq21JFEbqRoZwBh_oJN4v3PVVGsiApEhbJy-SzpGVyb0jEVxvjqHQacguH2Jdb8NQ8YGTHV5cKv/s320/lead6-2013-subaru-brz-fd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />lawwzatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10281481569027537701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871978389687507058.post-52784843464619153932012-07-31T13:03:00.001-07:002013-04-13T14:47:59.216-07:0040mpg plus, 0-60 in less than 8 seconds, 2000 pound budget.I posed this question on the Pistonheads gassing station. Here is a summary of the suggestions plus a couple of my own. The criteria is a bit strict and so not all the cars below fit every aspect (in fact few do) but generally I wanted a cheap fun car with a bit of performance that also return good miles per gallon.<br />
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1. Suzuki Ignis sport<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5T2yaZ3N4jF_yCwAyKqVFSL-nZzxq49lMOxxL2vaFwmhEKvLCuuH6EMZzFC1DL_3ZjoCwjTPtnVRZynDUk5h66GcPgMMf43ndIIDDzbRKptBFa8mFWXA9AplbvJERmWQOriiCTKQxYcjP/s1600/IgnisSport-792927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5T2yaZ3N4jF_yCwAyKqVFSL-nZzxq49lMOxxL2vaFwmhEKvLCuuH6EMZzFC1DL_3ZjoCwjTPtnVRZynDUk5h66GcPgMMf43ndIIDDzbRKptBFa8mFWXA9AplbvJERmWQOriiCTKQxYcjP/s320/IgnisSport-792927.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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40 mpg and 0-60 8.9s these can easily be found for less than 2K and having tried one out I think the 0-60 is a bit conservative. Very hard ride but I found it very enjoyable to chuck round the corners. The 1.5 vvt engine is very responsive and encourages you to rev it hard.<br />
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2. Renault Clio Renaultsport 172<br />
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The 182 is probably just out of budget but from the short drive I had in one of these the 172 offers more than enough power. I don't think there is another hot hatch available below 4k nevermind 2k that can get near it for straight line speed. 35mpg, 0-60 7.2s (felt faster to me) so it doesn't quite meet the mpg requirements but definitely worth a look.<br />
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3. Toyota MR2 MK3<br />
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0-60 7.9 and 38 mpg, convertible, rear wheel drive and lightweight, I have never driven one but sounds like fun to me if you can deal with being branded a hairdresser.<br />
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4. Daihatsu Sirion Rally II<br />
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This is what I eventually went for and had in mind before I posted the question. I didn't think I would be able to find one and hoped something more common could meet my requirements. It turned out there were many cars I hadn't considered but in the end none were available so cheap with reasonable miles, and for me the fact its a pretty rare car played a big part. See post below for more details.<br />
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to be continued...lawwzatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10281481569027537701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871978389687507058.post-58374273930250640482012-07-22T13:51:00.000-07:002012-07-22T13:52:49.047-07:00Daihatsu Sirion Rally II and IVWhat else can give 0-60 in 8-9 seconds, 45mpg and cost less than 2k? I can't think of much, even recent warm hatches such as the Swift Sport and Twingo 133 Renaultsport struggle to match the pace and mpg. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePvE5rz0drsQDN6PvfI22OZB4U9y_wq4u4WMe45Z60KCTwt0v9Dkdz7AEPCCCEdtNguHQhukyR5SRU2SyEEeYfEvAhExiFwdv-BCoFdGwx1P3TDkvevh_Owx2lqQSyV_OcYOOPVayXVQg/s1600/rally2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePvE5rz0drsQDN6PvfI22OZB4U9y_wq4u4WMe45Z60KCTwt0v9Dkdz7AEPCCCEdtNguHQhukyR5SRU2SyEEeYfEvAhExiFwdv-BCoFdGwx1P3TDkvevh_Owx2lqQSyV_OcYOOPVayXVQg/s320/rally2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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OK the looks aren’t to everyone’s taste but the alloys and chrome effect trim help it stand out from the standard model. And the performance from a normally aspirated 1.3 is quite astonishing.lawwzatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10281481569027537701noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871978389687507058.post-86516613365376180182012-07-08T07:06:00.001-07:002012-07-08T07:36:04.175-07:00Daihatsu Cuore Avanzato TR-XX R4The Avanzato offers a driving experience like no other car I have driven, I still rue the day I sold mine, here is some specs:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKt-PVu85vTeUP4-kSqhVIKbge4Mx44MpyiVWV7_2wklY1VbjGgnab4jTQHfx5cu3YDX2zO1H8j2AmPtxmRYmwIoO_ieLAADiO1VnHzUHGS-HaDBlbgRxpFs_MdFLYFntC8663eC-2v_V/s1600/Japfest+-+Daihatsu+Mra+Avanzato.preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKt-PVu85vTeUP4-kSqhVIKbge4Mx44MpyiVWV7_2wklY1VbjGgnab4jTQHfx5cu3YDX2zO1H8j2AmPtxmRYmwIoO_ieLAADiO1VnHzUHGS-HaDBlbgRxpFs_MdFLYFntC8663eC-2v_V/s320/Japfest+-+Daihatsu+Mra+Avanzato.preview.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Spec<br />
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Make: Daihatsu<br />
Model: Cuore/Mira Avanzato TRxx R4<br />
Displacement: 659cc Turbo + Intercooler<br />
Chassis type: L512s<br />
No. of Doors: 3<br />
Fuel Type: Petrol<br />
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual<br />
Drive System: Interchangeable 2/4WD<b><span class="bbc_u"></span></b><br />
Stock Power: 64BHP<br />
Stock Torque: 100Nm<br />
0-60 MPH: 8.5 Seconds<br />
Top Speed: 101 MPH<br />
Kerb Weight: 768KG<br />
Fuel Tank Capacity: 30 litres<br />
Average MPG: 50MPG Combined<br />
Wheel size: 5j x 110PCD<br />
Standard Tyre Size: 155/65R 13 <br />
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</tbody></table>lawwzatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10281481569027537701noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871978389687507058.post-44910243440379777412011-10-09T13:15:00.000-07:002012-07-08T07:24:45.911-07:00Top 10 Fun Cars For Under 1KI saw an article on the parkers website listing 10 hidden gems for under 1k and thought I could come up with some better suggestions (especially better than the vauxhall omega!) so here it is in no particular order:<br />
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10. Honda Prelude vti<br />
9. Honda CRX vti<br />
8. Rover 200 BRM<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGshDoGsdhnhAYUCgUTNG7VBVFF8QRMlf6jri9BgMB7iilXMs6MUVDYa2ZQ4tzKemvcfsUCIvcWpAIT_SRJ09IK7jerVSztGXUqfmpiSteymZpYS1rLCsdN1d2sAqTUn8lyEuedIzXtP4/s1600/brm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGshDoGsdhnhAYUCgUTNG7VBVFF8QRMlf6jri9BgMB7iilXMs6MUVDYa2ZQ4tzKemvcfsUCIvcWpAIT_SRJ09IK7jerVSztGXUqfmpiSteymZpYS1rLCsdN1d2sAqTUn8lyEuedIzXtP4/s320/brm.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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7. Citroen Saxo VTS / Peugeot 106 GTi<br />
6. Proton Persona Coupe<br />
5. Proton Satria GTi<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOo2spMQePJuGrqWAWhdoClhaOH8wYYFMzwq87Iq41RJOXAYy9DvD9fB9sZw27WcGbK8H8CNl5mr4XVz_0z1loxoMiKTkVmjyq4OjlXvgRRJ75zUolt9UWg_OBgWqz0ZNaOaoTbrwd2L3/s1600/proton+gti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOo2spMQePJuGrqWAWhdoClhaOH8wYYFMzwq87Iq41RJOXAYy9DvD9fB9sZw27WcGbK8H8CNl5mr4XVz_0z1loxoMiKTkVmjyq4OjlXvgRRJ75zUolt9UWg_OBgWqz0ZNaOaoTbrwd2L3/s320/proton+gti.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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4. Ford Probe 24v<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2XNgtI_jTz4P1bkCup6GBQrLMQd5nJs3Alrrgw49ucXQSVCaWRyEq7u1RkXwBCIQzFbuC542DOrP3pPEd7nukLmjl_rY8SclFi3PAV62RLAZMFUh169lh7rCOl0mXRN43fJEGW5uIHIi/s1600/2926830461_96845033c8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2XNgtI_jTz4P1bkCup6GBQrLMQd5nJs3Alrrgw49ucXQSVCaWRyEq7u1RkXwBCIQzFbuC542DOrP3pPEd7nukLmjl_rY8SclFi3PAV62RLAZMFUh169lh7rCOl0mXRN43fJEGW5uIHIi/s320/2926830461_96845033c8_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. Toyota MR2 Mk1<br />
2. Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4yOSF61PaWJmcegmNQFYWxzIPBnuL5ZqF08bVFmnOBhgGPfo953v15p8DU3oZsnZBZ97QBvjDhtX_wIQsWANNIXkdXIQ1_IeOglD3vZQCM3VyuSBkth0eyhjp04mruCU-t5u4o70vqT6/s1600/Fiat-coupe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4yOSF61PaWJmcegmNQFYWxzIPBnuL5ZqF08bVFmnOBhgGPfo953v15p8DU3oZsnZBZ97QBvjDhtX_wIQsWANNIXkdXIQ1_IeOglD3vZQCM3VyuSBkth0eyhjp04mruCU-t5u4o70vqT6/s320/Fiat-coupe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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1. Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaflawwzatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10281481569027537701noreply@blogger.com0