TopGear Video: Lotus Exige S vs. 2005 Mustang GT (or Sushi vs. Hamburger)

[MasterAndCommander]

My comments before I put the link:

Of course the Supercharged Exige S won:
- It weighs over 1,500 lbs less
- Has better brakes
- Better power-to-weight ratio
- Independent rear suspension

It was comparing apples to oranges, but nevertheless, it was still intersting to watch, and the Exige S is definitely an impressive go-kart of a car.

Even though my beloved pony lost, it put up a good fight with it's regular street tires and live-rear axle....and I got to see the Stig drive it :thumbsup:

Clarkson - you're such a smug, pompous ass crowing about your triumph of British engineering, but what's under the hood - a Toyota engine and transmission.


Enough of my crowing...now for the video:

http://media.putfile.com/Top-Gear-Lotus-Exige-S-vs-05-Mustang-GT

 

[OREOSpeedwagon]

After watching last week's top gear episode I want an Exige

 

[CarpeDeo]

I don't get why this is "sushi v hamburger" considering the exige is a British car. Shouldn't it be like "fish & chips v hamburger" or something like that?

 

[iversonyin]

Originally posted by: CarpeDeo
I don't get why this is "sushi v hamburger" considering the exige is a British car. Shouldn't it be like "fish & chips v hamburger" or something like that?

Toyota engine....

 

[b0mbrman]

I recall an article written by Clarkson where he did some laps in the new Mustang around Laguna Seca, and he said he thought it could be beaten by a GTI.

There's a race I'd like to see... Clarkson doesn't seem to have the RWD hard-on that internet car guys can't seem to shake. It would be interesting to see if he's right in this case.

Originally posted by: iversonyin

Originally posted by: CarpeDeo
I don't get why this is "sushi v hamburger" considering the exige is a British car. Shouldn't it be like "fish & chips v hamburger" or something like that?

Toyota engine....

I think it's more about refined tuning vs raw power

 

[Cristatus]

Originally posted by: OREOSpeedwagon
After watching last week's top gear episode I want an Exige

I had the same thoughts. But then I thought: a lightweight cheap car, or a nice car that has a nice (V8?) rumble to it's engine.

I know the exahust can easily be modified, but, I really want the sound of a V8 under my hood. And unfortunately, I don't think you can put a V8 under the hood of an Exige S, can you?

 

[phreaqe]

i guess i was kinda impressed with the mustang keeping up that much considereing waht it was going up agianst. overall i thought it was a stupid test because thoise are not 2 cars i would generally say are meant to go up head to head agianst each other, but it was still cool to watch.

 

[James3shin]

the Exige S is a trackstar, that is all. Oh and I'm really digging the black rims.

 

[Trikat]

I dunno if it is me, but it seems like the Mustang just isn't a track car at all. It "looks" to be only good for crosscountry runs, daily driving, and straightline racing. :/
Wasn't surprised the Exige won by a big margin.
The analogy also wasn't too bad.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

now you see i think the idea behind that piece was basically

english sports car >>> american sports car


yes it was apples to steak pies, but i think it was just a freindly jab at the US when it comes to sports cars. the stang is a nice american sports car, the lotus exige is a rather extreme english sports car, but the normal elise wouldnt of had the grunt to match the might of the 4.6litre V8 in the stang.

but yeah, a useless piece, just to make sure you guys know we rock at small sports cars


if you guys watch 5th gear, you'll be happy to note that Tiff ****** loved the the Z06..... and he pulled some of the best side ways driving ive ever seen lol, the z06 is just an amazing car on the track by the looks of it. tiff was creaming himself.

 

[iversonyin]

Originally posted by: logic1485

Originally posted by: OREOSpeedwagon
After watching last week's top gear episode I want an Exige

I had the same thoughts. But then I thought: a lightweight cheap car, or a nice car that has a nice (V8?) rumble to it's engine.

I know the exahust can easily be modified, but, I really want the sound of a V8 under my hood. And unfortunately, I don't think you can put a V8 under the hood of an Exige S, can you?

Sure you can.Ask ze Germans to dooooo ittttt. (that would be overkilled for a car thats already going 0-60 in 4)

Exige is a overpriced trackcar. If I want to go track, I just get a used S2000 and mod that up. If I want speed on the road EVO or STi would do.

What so appealing about the Exige is the mini-lambo type exterior design, which make it extremely sexy....but it still wouldn't justified that $60k. (not for a supercharged I4 Celica engine!). I would so get a M3 over this.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander
My comments before I put the link:

Of course the Supercharged Exige S won:
- It weighs over 1,500 lbs less
- Has better brakes
- Better power-to-weight ratio
- Independent rear suspension

It was comparing apples to oranges, but nevertheless, it was still intersting to watch, and the Exige S is definitely an impressive go-kart of a car.

Even though my beloved pony lost, it put up a good fight with it's regular street tires and live-rear axle....and I got to see the Stig drive it :thumbsup:

Clarkson - you're such a smug, pompous ass crowing about your triumph of British engineering, but what's under the hood - a Toyota engine and transmission.


Enough of my crowing...now for the video:

http://media.putfile.com/Top-Gear-Lotus-Exige-S-vs-05-Mustang-GT

that toyota engine is nothing without the suspension set up.

ive driven an exige round a track....and while its amazingly good round corners etc...the ride is bone ****** solid! even on a track! id hate to find out what its like on normal roads

 

[Cristatus]

Originally posted by: iversonyin

Originally posted by: logic1485

Originally posted by: OREOSpeedwagon
After watching last week's top gear episode I want an Exige

I had the same thoughts. But then I thought: a lightweight cheap car, or a nice car that has a nice (V8?) rumble to it's engine.

I know the exahust can easily be modified, but, I really want the sound of a V8 under my hood. And unfortunately, I don't think you can put a V8 under the hood of an Exige S, can you?

Sure you can.Ask ze Germans to dooooo ittttt. (that would be overkilled for a car thats already going 0-60 in 4)

Exige is a overpriced trackcar. If I want to go track, I just get a used S2000 and mod that up. If I want speed on the road EVO or STi would do.

What so appealing about the Exige is the mini-lambo type exterior design, which make it extremely sexy....but it still wouldn't justified that $60k. (not for a supercharged I4 Celica engine!). I would so get a M3 over this.

Which brings me to my next point: is this the only car in the M3's range? Both, in terms of power and price. Maybe I should say "race-ability" instead of power?

 

[datalink7]

So he raced it against a car that costs 1/2 as much and won?

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
that toyota engine is nothing without the suspension set up.

Yawp. Reference: Vauxhall VX220

Originally posted by: logic1485
Which brings me to my next point: is this the only car in the M3's range? Both, in terms of power and price. Maybe I should say "race-ability" instead of power?

Atom and Corvette to name two of the better contenders...not to mention the top-rung editions of the Evo and WRX.

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
now you see i think the idea behind that piece was basically

english sports car >>> american sports car


yes it was apples to steak pies, but i think it was just a freindly jab at the US when it comes to sports cars. the stang is a nice american sports car, the lotus exige is a rather extreme english sports car, but the normal elise wouldnt of had the grunt to match the might of the 4.6litre V8 in the stang.

but yeah, a useless piece, just to make sure you guys know we rock at small sports cars


if you guys watch 5th gear, you'll be happy to note that Tiff ****** loved the the Z06..... and he pulled some of the best side ways driving ive ever seen lol, the z06 is just an amazing car on the track by the looks of it. tiff was creaming himself.

but do you have anything to offer in the price range of the Mustang?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
now you see i think the idea behind that piece was basically

english sports car >>> american sports car


yes it was apples to steak pies, but i think it was just a freindly jab at the US when it comes to sports cars. the stang is a nice american sports car, the lotus exige is a rather extreme english sports car, but the normal elise wouldnt of had the grunt to match the might of the 4.6litre V8 in the stang.

but yeah, a useless piece, just to make sure you guys know we rock at small sports cars


if you guys watch 5th gear, you'll be happy to note that Tiff ****** loved the the Z06..... and he pulled some of the best side ways driving ive ever seen lol, the z06 is just an amazing car on the track by the looks of it. tiff was creaming himself.

but do you have anything to offer in the price range of the Mustang?

I think that a Focus in Britain will top $33,000.

 

[0roo0roo]

lotus isn't really a practical street car. its like a freakin go cart. imagine that on american roads next to monster suvs crunch!

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
now you see i think the idea behind that piece was basically

english sports car >>> american sports car


yes it was apples to steak pies, but i think it was just a freindly jab at the US when it comes to sports cars. the stang is a nice american sports car, the lotus exige is a rather extreme english sports car, but the normal elise wouldnt of had the grunt to match the might of the 4.6litre V8 in the stang.

but yeah, a useless piece, just to make sure you guys know we rock at small sports cars


if you guys watch 5th gear, you'll be happy to note that Tiff ****** loved the the Z06..... and he pulled some of the best side ways driving ive ever seen lol, the z06 is just an amazing car on the track by the looks of it. tiff was creaming himself.

but do you have anything to offer in the price range of the Mustang?

I think that a Focus in Britain will top $33,000.

I was actually gonna say the Ford Focus ST...it's essentially a UK car, right?

Remember that all cars are more expensive in the UK...A $20k Mustang if sold in that market would probably cost damn near £20k.

Compare common cars like the Corolla and you'll see

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
lotus isn't really a practical street car. its like a freakin go cart. imagine that on american roads next to monster suvs crunch!

you don't understand how small that car is until you're wishfully looking at one at an intersection and a boxster pulls up next to it.

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
now you see i think the idea behind that piece was basically

english sports car >>> american sports car


yes it was apples to steak pies, but i think it was just a freindly jab at the US when it comes to sports cars. the stang is a nice american sports car, the lotus exige is a rather extreme english sports car, but the normal elise wouldnt of had the grunt to match the might of the 4.6litre V8 in the stang.

but yeah, a useless piece, just to make sure you guys know we rock at small sports cars


if you guys watch 5th gear, you'll be happy to note that Tiff ****** loved the the Z06..... and he pulled some of the best side ways driving ive ever seen lol, the z06 is just an amazing car on the track by the looks of it. tiff was creaming himself.

but do you have anything to offer in the price range of the Mustang?

I think that a Focus in Britain will top $33,000.

The ST will break $40k :shocked:

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
lotus isn't really a practical street car. its like a freakin go cart. imagine that on american roads next to monster suvs crunch!

you don't understand how small that car is until you're wishfully looking at one at an intersection and a boxster pulls up next to it.

Look at near the end of the video, when Clarkson climbs out of it...granted he's a big guy, but nonetheless I think that car would fit in the bed of some pickup trucks...ok I'm exaggerating.

 

[Tom]

"english sports car >>> american sports car "


wheres the Ford GT comparison test ?

 

[MazerRackham]

Who cares how small that thing is, I want one!! I like that the two amenities are left and right power windows

 

[xSkyDrAx]

That thing is just a little bigger than a go-kart but damn I would still want one.