Topic: Q Car

[Mitlov]

Can it actually turn?  The last Brabus car tested on Top Gear (an SL) simply couldn't handle the power...  I'm no fan of AMG (they strike me as a muscle car group - drop big power in and leave it at that), but AMG at least recognizes the limits of a vehicle's ability to put down power.  Brabus can make the power, but they seem to have trouble making use of it...

Of course it can't turn.  It's nose-heavy as all hell and it's got enough power to set the rear tires on fire if you exhale wrong.  But wondering about the Black Arrow's handling is as misdirected as wondering about the Ariel Atom's quarter-mile time and trap speed.  That's just not what this vehicle is about. 

Besides, there's a long and distinguished history of doing this to Benzes.  And now that AMG has decided that it's actually going to make cars that can handle, someone's got to take over the legacy of what AMG used to be all about.

[ilovecables]

AMG cars that can handle = the new C63 

[Mitlov]

AMG cars that can handle = the new C63 

And even more so, the CLK63 AMG Black Series.  Those two cars show AMG's new direction, I think.

[Triple Bob]

But wondering about the Black Arrow's handling is as misdirected as wondering about the Ariel Atom's quarter-mile time and trap speed.

I wonder what it is, can't be bad? Found this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVwQGln97-0

Don't have a clue if this is fast or not..? But as you say, not really what it's designed for.

[Mitlov]

But wondering about the Black Arrow's handling is as misdirected as wondering about the Ariel Atom's quarter-mile time and trap speed.

I wonder what it is, can't be bad? Found this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVwQGln97-0

Don't have a clue if this is fast or not..? But as you say, not really what it's designed for.

I looked it up, and Motor Trend timed the Atom at 12.3 sec @ 106.2 mph.  That's actually Nissan GT-R times, better than I thought.

[johngenx]

12.3 at 106 mph?  That is one hulluva low ET for the trap speed.  I'd expect the trap to be over 110 for sure.  The Atom must be running out of steam over 100mph.  Low top speed I imagine.

[Triple Bob]

Depends on the atom tested, the clip I linked is the 300bhp one, might as well use the top of the range model...

The video was 11.5 @ 115mph.  The top speed will always be crap but it will make up for it in acceleration, and after my passenger experience I can confirm that the wind noise/buffeting really is that brutal!

[The Mighty Duck]

Of course it can't turn.  It's nose-heavy as all hell and it's got enough power to set the rear tires on fire if you exhale wrong.  But wondering about the Black Arrow's handling is as misdirected as wondering about the Ariel Atom's quarter-mile time and trap speed.  That's just not what this vehicle is about. 

Different strokes, I guess.  I find a car that can't make use of its insane horsepower about as useful as a broken watch: it might be right twice a day, but that doesn't really help me.  If the Brabus cars could actually put down their power, that would be one thing.  But building a car that develops huge power but can't do a thing with it strikes me an exercise in futility. 

They do look brilliant, though. 

[Cord]

Of course it can't turn.  It's nose-heavy as all hell and it's got enough power to set the rear tires on fire if you exhale wrong.  But wondering about the Black Arrow's handling is as misdirected as wondering about the Ariel Atom's quarter-mile time and trap speed.  That's just not what this vehicle is about. 

Different strokes, I guess.  I find a car that can't make use of its insane horsepower about as useful as a broken watch: it might be right twice a day, but that doesn't really help me.  If the Brabus cars could actually put down their power, that would be one thing.  But building a car that develops huge power but can't do a thing with it strikes me an exercise in futility. 

They do look brilliant, though. 

Can't do a thing with its power? I think we're talking about degrees of a very high level  of performance, no? Or will the average Civic put it in the weeds?

[Mitlov]

Different strokes, I guess.  I find a car that can't make use of its insane horsepower about as useful as a broken watch: it might be right twice a day, but that doesn't really help me.  If the Brabus cars could actually put down their power, that would be one thing.  But building a car that develops huge power but can't do a thing with it strikes me an exercise in futility. 

They do look brilliant, though. 

It CAN make use of its horsepower, just not from a stop.  Like I said, 50-70 roll-on times should be insanely low.  Just because a vehicle can't make use of its full horsepower from a dead stop doesn't mean the vehicle can't make use of its full horsepower.  That's true of everything from the Mazdaspeed3 to this.

[initial_D]

Don't know how to use its full? Better learn how to drive. 

[The Mighty Duck]

Or will the average Civic put it in the weeds?

Only if they go around a slight bend.   

[Scaerio]

Skoda 110R with a Porsche flat 6 and suitable suspension upgrades, or a Lotus tuned Lada Signet (Riva).

[johngenx]

An S2000 or modded Civic might do in the Brabus on an autocross in a parking lot, but on some real road, forget it.  It can handle enough and once rolling, all that power comes in pretty handy for a 200km/h "ahh, see yaaaa."  If you like crashing through 300km/h, the Brabus is one of the few that can do that, too.

The original "AMG" car (though not modifed by AMG, but by the engineers that would leave MB to form AMG) was the 300SEL 6.3.  Same story.  Stuff an engine from a big car into a smaller chassis and make it go REALLY fast.  In it's day, that car was insanely fast.  Heck, even today, it's a little shocking.  Years ago I was out on an MBCA road run and I was passing a line of cars with the speedo reading 190.  In my mirrors came a guy in his 6.3, reeling me (and everyone else) in.  Not sure how fast he was going, but at 190 I felt like I was standing still.  From a 70's vintage sedan?  Yow!

[rrocket]

An S2000 or modded Civic might do in the Brabus on an autocross in a parking lot, but on some real road, forget it.  It can handle enough and once rolling, all that power comes in pretty handy for a 200km/h "ahh, see yaaaa."  If you like crashing through 300km/h, the Brabus is one of the few that can do that, too.

Which is why I'd take a 2JZ powered S2000.  Would walk away from the Brabus like a bad habit....

[Mitlov]

Mid-engined turbocharged 1.8L making 200 hp at 6700 rpm, and 177 ft-lbs at 3400 rpm (through the rear wheels).  0-60 in 5.75 seconds.

http://www.netcarshow.com/toyota/2008-aygo_crazy_concept/

...I like it.

[johngenx]

That is ANYTHING but a Q-ship type of car, though.

[Mitlov]

That is ANYTHING but a Q-ship type of car, though.

Take off the wing and paint it grey, and it'd easily be mistaken for a normal Aygo, even though it shares more in common with a turbocharged MR2 than an Aygo.

[Bubba]

This is my kind of Q car.