DavidM

Here's a nice Best Motorring video where they race an S2000 against the new Elise 111R, M3 CSL, RX8 and AMG SL55.

http://www.step-hen.com/rx8/files/RWDbattle.wmv (6.5Mb)

It's not the best frame-rate, and not the best resolution, but still makes for very nice viewing .... the S2000 did pretty well.

cashout

Cool video.
That M3 made the other ones look silly... still the S2000 wasn't too far behind, unlike the SL

DavidM

That M3 made the other ones look silly...

It sure did ... but it does have R-spec tyres, which makes for an unfair compariosion IMHO. Come to think of it, I think that the Elise 111R also has R-spec tyres.

I would have like to see all the cars with R-spec tyres and se ehow that turns out ... not that I'd expect anyone to be any closer to the M3 CSL.

DavidM

I came across another version of this video ... this one is not only much better quality/resolution, but also has a bit of a lead-up. I did not realize but the S2000 in the race is the current model with the bigger wheels and tyres. Also the MX5 is the new MX5 SE (ie. Turbo). That would lead me to believe that the Elise is the new one with the Toyota engine.

It's interesting to see that the speed difference between the S2000, RX8, MX5SE and Elise. The S2000 lookes noticably quicker than the two Mazdas, but I'm surprised to see that the Elise was not quicker ... I would have thought that it would have the S2000's measure in a straight-line drag.

http://www.gofastvideo.com/gallery/getitem...04rwdbattle.mpg (44Mb)

suit36

Me smells a bit of promotion of Japanese wares....

Having just jumped from a standard S2k to the Elise 111r, I can tell you the Elise is significantly quicker in a straight line (at least to normal speeds of up to 120-130km/h or so).

From various reputable motor mags (not just the english ones , the Elise is about 1-1.5 sec quicker than the S2k to 100km/h (my "seat of the pants" testing tends to agree to)

suit36

Not r-spec for standard version. Exige has r-spec I think (and possibly the race pack version of 111r in certain countries)

DavidM

Having just jumped from a standard S2k to the Elise 111r, I can tell you the Elise is significantly quicker in a straight line (at least to normal speeds of up to 120-130km/h or so).

Yep, according to all the articles, there should certainly be a difference in the 1st three gears. Most mags clock the new Elise in low 5s to 100kph ... actually the Motor mag just tested the new Exige (which has the same specs as the Elise) and managed 5.06sec to 100kph with its R-spec tyres. It clocked 165kph in 13.8sec from what I can remember .... that is well above what an S2000 can do even to those speeds.

I wonder if it is the Toyota engined Elise that they have in the video ... will have to watch it again.

Not r-spec for standard version.

What do you mean 'standard' version? I thought the one in the video is 111R ... that is not the 'standard' version, is it? The 111R that was used in BFYB last year was shod with R-spec tyres and so are the ones that I saw at the delers ... though, those were they previous model.

Then you actually have the 111R, so you would know ... are there multiple versions of 111R?

ps. How are you liking it? Shame that you're in Syndey as I'd love to meet up and check it out.

suit36

Essentially three versions of Elise (depending on which part of the world you live in)

1. Standard - basic car
2. Touring pack - leather trim, driving lights, carpet, electric windows, 4 speaker stereo, sound proofed roof
3. Sport - In US at least, you can get sports pack with adjustable suspension, r-rated tyres etc (essentially the Exige without the roof)

Got the touring pack and absolutely love it! Very fast, and more extreme than S2k (handling is incredible with no loose tail even with mid engine set up) but still very comfortable

DavidM

Thanks for that Suit36. I take it that the 3 models are designated Elise, Elise 111S and Elise 111R ... is that correct? The R used to be the 'sporty' one with R-spec tyres ... from what you say, that is no longer the case. I'll see what I can dig up in the mags when I get home.

Got the touring pack and absolutely love it! Very fast, and more extreme than S2k (handling is incredible with no loose tail even with mid engine set up) but still very comfortable.

Elise always handled great .... now it has an engine mo match ;-) Though, I have a friend who managed to put an Elise (the original model) backwards into a guard rail. No big damage, but he lost it around a bend where the back stepped out on him. Not implying that they don't handle well, but that they can be crashed just like anything else.

Are you planning on taking it tothe track ... is it a 'road car only' for you?

suit36

Actually, its all very confusing, nomenclature wise

Elise = standard rover engine (no VVC)
Elise 111s = VVC rover engine with improved suspension
Elise 111r = Toyota engine

And I think for each of the above, you can get the touring pack of the sports pack.

Visual cues so you can tell the difference
Elise = standard 7 spoke rims (quite boring), single channel diffuser at the back
Elise 111s = three channel splitter at the back, 8 spoke rims with black highlights
Elise 111r = three channels splitter but twin pipes in the centre of splitter (as opposed to S2k type set up on previous models)

111r for me is a daily driver. Would love to take it on the track - but unfortunately (or fortunately from a financial perspective), it's actually a company car! That's why it's such a great daily driver - no worries about insurance, vandalism, accidents etc - not my problem. However, track use would be frowned upon!