Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/07/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]You should have driven the Europa Special. Lotus addressed the anemic Renault engine by putting in the Lotus engine used in the Elan. The Europa Special had the "Big Valve" engine rated at 126 HP. In the US, at least, it used the Stromberg carbs that Frank mentioned. The Renault engine was used for some tax or common market reason to allow Lotus to sell a car on the continent at a better price. Dennis Jerry Lehrer wrote: > Dennis und Frank > > The original Europa mit Renault engine was a dog! But the original > Elite, if it had modern brakes would really be > a windy road car. The Elan S2 when de-bugged is a superb handling car. > > Yes, I've used them all > > Jerry Lehrer > > > Dennis wrote: >> Hi Frank, >> >> I wondered your thoughts on Lotus' road cars. I had a Europa Special >> and it is a marvel. Very light, incredible suspension, and so >> responsive. I thought Colin Chapman brilliant and was stunned at his >> premature passing. >> >> I could never afford one of todays 'supercars' but if I could I would >> likely own a Lotus and use some of that "leftover" money for a worthy >> cause. >> >> I agree the Veyron is an ugly piece ;-) >> >> But, Lotus aside, what do you make of the Ariel Atom? >> >> Dennis >> >> >> Frank Dernie wrote: >>> Pagani Zonda. >>> For "frequent" use Ferrari 599. >>> For daily use Porsche 911 turbo. >>> For pure driving Lotus anything. >>> >>> There are lots of cars about which have fancy styling and are "2 >>> seat limos" with loads of kit, weight and electronic driving aids to >>> make them easy to drive for less good drivers. >>> These are great pose-mobiles and practical for a rich person of >>> limited talent to show-off in. >>> >>> I may have left some out, I am neither wealthy enough nor interested >>> enough to study in detail. Weight is the most important chassis >>> parameter for performance. Road cars are to a great extent a fashion >>> item and image statement. Published stuff tends to be acceleration >>> and top speed. It is possible to get impressive figures for these >>> without much chassis sophistication at all. Since weight is >>> currently not something fashionable to minimise "supercars" are now >>> as heavy as trucks, hence no longer supercars IMO. This Bugatti >>> thing weighs the same as 2 Ford GT40s! >>> >>> To put perspective on this, +10kg on a F1 car loses over 0.3 secs >>> per lap. >>> >>> Frank >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >