Test Drive Opel Speedster 2001 - 2005 Convertible
Inflamed in consciousness
This roasted couple of crazy crazy carts are doomed to stormy and prolonged applause anywhere in the world. Their appearance in the public, even one, is equivalent to the appearance of a naked Miss Universe on a dividing new Arbat at an hour of peak so desperately, their appearance deforms the root of the public, causing civil shock, first turns into anyone, and then in food for the greedy acar. Lotus ELISE and Opel Speedster for standards are not calibrated. They are the real unprecedented and the most real, frank exclusive. 
Opel Speedster I Lotus ELISE Who would have thought that homemade, long ago taught Opel is capable of such a bold act! That's how to take and get out of the stream, jump out of the rolled old gauge, to break the image to smithereens, hurry on the full on Nürburgring, show all the middle finger and brazenly go to the point, substituting the oncoming wind a big convex emblem. Definitely, Speedster was originally conceived as a model of ultimatum to all manufacturers. Say, understandable how we can! But on an empty place, with a clean sheet, such things are not done. Therefore, Speedster Model by name independent, but created under the impression. And as the basis, not something, and the lotus of the legendary brand and the time-tested construction. They are doing at one plant in England, and they, of course, relatives. Carbon monocoons, two seats located pretty close to each other, the fifth point of each sitting almost on the ground, behind the seats of the motor in the base, large 17-inch wheels and no ... or almost no, comfortable stuff, hydraulic agents, or convenient electricity. So, at a minimum air conditioning and windows at Lotus, optional magnets, which ... Nowhere, nor in the Red Army, are not needed! What kind of dogs dogs, when after 140 km / h in the lotus, nothing can be heard, except the engine of the engine and the roar of the wind! If there is also some modern clench-clever to this, then for normal fresh consciousness and drummers will need to be seriously fear. But more on that later.
First about appearance, because the appearance is the beginning of the shock. On any parking lot, both individuals are collected around themselves hordes of curious, dripping saliva and pawing paint with greasy noft. Disputes about the origin of this monster are barely moving into the scuffle. On the road, a queue is formed from those who want to drive up closer and consider, despite the road circumstances, speed and thread neighbors. Moreover, when you go slowly, shutting up calmly with your head on the joints and bumps, many overtake and exhibit the thumb up in the window. Say, here is the Tachacan, boys, this is the challenge! They all want such a car! Thank God that you are not with her. But when all this begins to bother, it is worth only to come on a metal pedal and unexpectedly and deftly sneak in two or three passing cracks The benefit of the crazy dynamics allows hot heads, trying not to lag behind, produce in the ranks in parallel traveling real confusion, causing panic fear and indignation from grandparents And especially fearful. Opel Speedster.
The engine gasoline, 4-cylinder, inline, with a turbine, in the database
Working volume 1998 cm3
Compressive degree 8.8.
Max. Power 200 l. with 5500 rpm / min
Max moment 250 nm at 1950 rpm
Fuel consumption (EPA) 8.5 l per 100 km
The volume of the fuel tank is about 40 liters
Rear wheel drive
Front pendant independent lever
Rear independent lever
Transmission Mechan. 5-stupas.
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed, km / h 243
Acceleration up to 100 km / h, from 4.9
Total information
Mass cutting. / Full, kg 930/1150
Number of seats 2.
Price of a car tested $ 56,000
Now about the dynamics, engines and how there are inside, slightly more specifically. And about each separately. Lotus view of his really causes a sense of reverence. Joke Lee! Live sports legend, a real conservative-English thing, the appearance of which we recently admired either at exhibitions or in pictures. To say that the design is somewhat outdated, the language does not turn this classic. By unacceptable manipulations, we turn the awning and remove the pair of guides get rid of the roof and jump inside. Jump! With a fast riding to squeeze behind the wheel, taking into account the wide threshold of monocokee, complicated. Arrived by a sedator almost on asphalt and tough, covered skin Sports seat persistently clasped the briginal body. Without much difficulty, the belt nailed, stuck him in place, pulled his feet somewhere before the radiator, put his hands on a tiny suede wheel and realized that on this car it was necessary to ride either quickly, or very slowly, as at the entrance to Pete Line. The key to the start! The clutch pedal of a small stroke with a knock was over in the body. The engine is slowly drowned behind his back. Little! First transmission. Metal lever short and, perhaps, too clear. Gas! And the world cracked in half! The first, second, third, click, click, click, Blyams, Blyams, clutch pedal. Overclocking a rapid, bumps brutally shake almost a might-indisient trolley, the wind whistles in the ears, on the speedometer already 150 km / h, and the tachometer arrow ... Neither Figa yourself, the tachometer shooter has not yet reached seven thousand! Aaaaaa!, Shouts from behind the engine. Music speed and motor, which can be more pleasant! 200, 210 ... already becomes just scary and nothing can be heard. But, allow, similar sensations I have already experienced somewhere. For sure! On the American roller coaster and in childhood, when we themselves laid ridiculous wooden carts from the boxes, on which the bearings were put instead of the wheels. To rush on such an asphalt pass between the houses was really scary smooth surface anywhere else, and due to the turn at any time the car may seem. So here is one in one! And what is Opel? Yes, all the same. Only in it, perhaps, slightly domesticated. And most importantly, he has a little longer base, just a few centimeters, but how it felt! And switches there works softer, and pedals. And the engine is almost not audible compared to the lotus. Is that only a turbine. Therefore, in the urban stream on Opel ride more pleasant. Although, the right word, the difference is actually minimal. But to climb inside speedster is even more uncomfortable than in the lotus. The threshold is added to the wide threshold here. ELY-PAL! But ... If you want to be closer to the sport, the firm and nesting the inconveniences. And on a high-speed direct Opel goes somehow a solid lotus, more powerful or something. The feeling is, rather, deceptive, but so, at least it seemed to me. What you can not say about the passage of turns. Here Lotus clearly looks more reliable. However, the people talk about! Both of these cars are included in such turns and at such a speed that did not dream of ordinary autothelegas. Super! Ride on them a little and you understand that they stayed beyond physical permissiveness.
Lotus Elise.
The engine gasoline, 4-cylinder, inline, with a turbine, in the database
Working volume 1796 cm3
Compressive degree 11.5.
Max. Power 192 liters. with. at 7800 rpm / min
Max moment 181 nm at 6800 rpm / min
Fuel consumption (EPA) 712 l per 100 km
Volume of fuel tank 32 l
Rear wheel drive
Front pendant independent lever
Rear independent lever
Transmission Mechan. 6-stupas.
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed, km / h 220
Acceleration up to 100 km / h, from 5
Total information
Mass cutting. / Full, kg 930/1150
Number of seats 2.
Price of a tested car, Euro 62,000
Now a little about the operation and some practical things, if you can talk about some kind of practice in relation to this ... I don't even know how to say ... Sports, here. Practice minimum. But, for example, in order to get to the Lotus radiator, you need to remove the entire front part. That is, just press the button or pull the lever and it will not work out. And on Opel, this case is already thought out. On both cars there are even trunk. They are located under the same lid called the habit of the hood, slightly behind the motor, and you can put in them either one big or a couple of sports bags a little smaller. And another 1.8-liter Lotus engine requires 98th gasoline, which he is at the moments of the active drive, like an elephant, and in Opel you can already pour the 95th, but this 2.0 is perhaps the same as Lotus . Although the paradox if you do not hurry in the overall stream, the electronic scale of the fuel sensor seems to hang on the spot. Here on such monsters we gladly ride. How to position them, in which class it is not clear. Yes, and no need. Although conditionally, they can be attributed to the class of small sports cars, such prepats for 50,000 euros, for self-examination, self-expression and self-affirmation. Before transferring to Lambo or Ferrari. And what? According to behavior, they are very similar, but ... there is already completely different yachting.
How do they look Nikita Rozanov
Lotus Elise.
First display of 1995. New Body Autumn 2000. Lotus design.
Opel Speedster.
First show of 1999 Sales of 2001 Design Martin Smith (Martin Smith).
Outside: How can a little double roadster look like? Only fresh, dynamically and stylish. Casting glasses with a droplet of toy in view. All this for curaza, without which it is not worth going on such cars on the road. Otherwise, it will start annoying an uncomfortable in / out, the unborn body fittings inside and the wind, which in a few minutes will deal with your hairstyle. But if you expect from the trip of the real drive and pleasure from working with tight pedals, a metallic clay lever of a gearbox and a small steering wheel, then this pair simply cannot but fascinate. The date of birth of the design and the general platforms fully defined the appearance of our pair, which vary like the day and night. Lotus Bionic, rounded and its plastic key Ellipse and oval. They draws everything: lighting, air intake holes and even ... line threshold. Opel technocratically straightline and barbed. It seems that it is possible to find the curve in its architecture only in the windshield abis. It is also more recognizable from the face: his well-known emblem is large and holds the composition of the composition. To recognize Lotus's face, you will need membership in the club lovers of English cars, but it can like it immediately. The silhouettes of both roadster canonically close in essence, but differ due to various plastic keys. Behind each car has its own delicious detail: Opel affects the centrally located double-barrel system of the exhaust system, and Lotus shows the remaining distortion of the predatory diffraction gap.
Inside: The design identity of the glued aluminum monocoke profiles is designed by the complete similarity of the architecture of the interiors. Difference only in minor details and the same plastic key. Opel stylish barbed, and Lotus is no less stylish ovalen. Compare the form of space on the site of the passenger's legs at one and other car No Comment ...
SUMMARY: As one poet said: I haven't loved an oval since childhood, I drew an angle since childhood. Choose, this time design or, or rather, style, really, the case of taste ...
A. Vasilyev numerous champion and multifaceted racer after pokatushek at Lotus Elise and Opel Speedster on the Racing Hall of the Mechkovo Airfield.
I generally do not understand why people will ride on these cars on the roads of the general meaning. Although, no, I understand how to grow. However, this is the right of everyone. This is me to the fact that both Lotus, and Opel Cars are sports, and ok, with a feeling, with a sense, with the arrangement, in short, only the sports route allows them to fully fully enjoy them. This is something that is a body-body.
First about the lotus. What engine is there 1.8? Toyotovsky. A cool engine, turns exactly, assertive, elastically. Without a turbine, they are all very pleasant, no failures, no jumps, promotion almost up to nine thousand. Very reliable. But how much do they declare overclocking to hundreds? Five and nine? Lit. Slower everything happens. But not on the result. The honed machine in all directions, on the highway it is, how to blame, catch, and most importantly, to predict and prevent the start of slipping in the turn is very easy and pleasant. Rear-drive classic! Weighing, everything is very clear. Drive on it a circle behind the circle and how would you read it, you understand more. And I also want more, faster and faster. Front obedient under the dump of gas. He is like a time! And enters the turn. And if a little disturbed ... brakes sometimes not enough, the rear discs would be a little more. Here is also a switching lever, I would still be softer. For high-speed, dynamic ride it is suitable, it is only necessary to get used to, but, probably, it is not very convenient on an ordinary road. And someone's clutch pedal move is not very. Not short, not long. But, again, this is a matter of habit. And so everything is reasonable and very nice. Opel. Honestly, such a car from Opel is unexpected. Are they doing at one plant? Similar. But not quite. Opel Outside I like more, it looks much more contemporary, faceted so all, orange. Here, this threshold was incredibly wide made it uncomfortable. And so it is necessary to develop, when you get inside, and this is also the width, extra half car. Doors, by the way, have both still do not creak on the bumps? Creak? It is a clear thing about long, and the suspension is tough, and the loops ... Here on the Opel loop door, it seems hopefully made. So, in Opel, everything is softer, in favor of our time. Pedals are softer, the lever box is not so sharp. But on the engine, there is no such thing as on the lotus, smooth, slightly intense overclocking. Because of the turbine, Opel fits sharply, and the transfers are stretched differently. For how much according to the plant, he picks up hundred? Four and nine?! Also lie. But not a lot. In the lotus you need to work with a pen all the time, that is, it provokes it to it, but here the turbine. But still it is nicely configured. However, at first it seemed to me that on controllability in high-speed turns of Opel thoroughly blurted off the track. Somehow I felt uncomfortable. But then we slightly stuck pressure in the tires and everything went great. Another car. And goes as it should, and turns into turns. With the brakes of the same Bid. But we are talking about the track here. But tires this I would have any things. This bridgestone is not suitable here. On them the same tires cost? There would be something closer to the alone to put, and this is too plastic. To do it, at least heated, at least do not heal all one. Did not think over this moment ... In all the same, it is necessary to scream, and in one and in the other, this is, if driving on the roads. Comfort little. Fifty six thousand? No, compared with large lamps and other this karting. There sat in them and realized that now it would be full hello. Power! Force! Food another. And these for a serious training session, of course, are suitable, and it is possible to break away with the adrenaline and pour into force the originality of the appearance on them.
Text Ivan Fedorov photo Alexander Nozdrin
A source: Cars
