Nigel
08-22-2010, 04:57 AM
I'm currently considering building an MEV Exocet (MX5 Based exo car), supposed to be the cheapest and easiest kit car to build in the world, but well see, and I thought I'd see what reaction it receives on here.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/NigelP21/MEV%20Exocet/New1Exocet.jpg
I got the opertunity to test drive MEV's demonstrator at the Curborough Circuit on the 1st AMM and although I've posted my experiances on other forums I thought it might be of interest to some of you on here.
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So what’s the new MEV Exocet like to drive ?
First of all I’ll say that although I might think I’m a driving god when the red mist falls, in truth I’m no expert. My experience is also limited to only a few short laps around Curborough circuit having just got out of my mid engine MEV Sonic7, it also being some time since I last drove an MX5.
First of all I was amazed by the amount of space the driver is afforded, I’m not small at 6ft 2” and about 110kgs, add to that, that a person with size 13+ feet would feel at home with the massive amount of room in the foot well, and the car ticks the first box for me. Overall the cabin while sparse - typical exoskeleton, is a vast improvement in terms of space from either the standard MX5 of which I struggle to fit in comfortably or any typical 7 derivative kit car. I was advised that apart from retaining the general driving position from the MX5 MEV by moving the fuel tank slightly further aft have made allowance for a much taller longer legged driver to fit.
All that aside and having adjusted myself psychologically to peering down the long bonnet of a front engined car I was finally ready for the off. My first thought was of how sprightly and responsive the car felt both under acceleration and on turn in to the corners, the demonstrator was fitted with a completely standard 1.8ltr engine in every way and seemed almost to quiet and refined a package for a car of this exo styling. It was quite obvious that the weight loss, of over 300kgs form the standard MX5, had breathed a new sense of urgency and responsiveness in to the car. Not only had this weight loss improved the cars acceleration but by retaining the standard MX5 brake package including the use of the peddle assembly and brake servo, meant that, even with the old donors standard worn pads and discs, it allowed the for much latter braking into the corners with confidence. Although I found the back end light, I had to keep reminding myself that I’d just got out of a Sonic7, it amazed me at just how much grip there was and the amount of effort it took on the corners to get the back end out, and also just how controllable and easily manageable the backend was to keep in check by playing with the throttle and steering, it was quite simply a joy and could easily make the average driver, with a little practice, look like a drift king.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/NigelP21/MEV%20Exocet/exocet13.jpg
On closer inspection and examination of the car its clear to see that what MEV have done, by utilising both the MX5’s front and rear sub frames / suspension units including shocks, springs, anti role bars, brakes etc, is to retain the bases of the MX5’s fantastic handling quality’s, and by introducing a very stiff lightweight chassis between the front and rear, lighting the overall vehicle to such an extent as to bring it alive. I also had to keep reminding myself that the car was standard in everyway and not be distracted with thoughts of what could be done, I mean there’s an awful lot of after market tune up goodies out there for the MX5 that will fit the Exocet !
My only reservation would be that I didn’t have enough track time to fully exploit and enjoy the car and that I’m left in a quandary as to weather or not to sell my Sonic7 and embark on a new project over the winter.
nigel :thumb2:
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/NigelP21/MEV%20Exocet/New1Exocet.jpg
I got the opertunity to test drive MEV's demonstrator at the Curborough Circuit on the 1st AMM and although I've posted my experiances on other forums I thought it might be of interest to some of you on here.
----------------------------------------------
So what’s the new MEV Exocet like to drive ?
First of all I’ll say that although I might think I’m a driving god when the red mist falls, in truth I’m no expert. My experience is also limited to only a few short laps around Curborough circuit having just got out of my mid engine MEV Sonic7, it also being some time since I last drove an MX5.
First of all I was amazed by the amount of space the driver is afforded, I’m not small at 6ft 2” and about 110kgs, add to that, that a person with size 13+ feet would feel at home with the massive amount of room in the foot well, and the car ticks the first box for me. Overall the cabin while sparse - typical exoskeleton, is a vast improvement in terms of space from either the standard MX5 of which I struggle to fit in comfortably or any typical 7 derivative kit car. I was advised that apart from retaining the general driving position from the MX5 MEV by moving the fuel tank slightly further aft have made allowance for a much taller longer legged driver to fit.
All that aside and having adjusted myself psychologically to peering down the long bonnet of a front engined car I was finally ready for the off. My first thought was of how sprightly and responsive the car felt both under acceleration and on turn in to the corners, the demonstrator was fitted with a completely standard 1.8ltr engine in every way and seemed almost to quiet and refined a package for a car of this exo styling. It was quite obvious that the weight loss, of over 300kgs form the standard MX5, had breathed a new sense of urgency and responsiveness in to the car. Not only had this weight loss improved the cars acceleration but by retaining the standard MX5 brake package including the use of the peddle assembly and brake servo, meant that, even with the old donors standard worn pads and discs, it allowed the for much latter braking into the corners with confidence. Although I found the back end light, I had to keep reminding myself that I’d just got out of a Sonic7, it amazed me at just how much grip there was and the amount of effort it took on the corners to get the back end out, and also just how controllable and easily manageable the backend was to keep in check by playing with the throttle and steering, it was quite simply a joy and could easily make the average driver, with a little practice, look like a drift king.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/NigelP21/MEV%20Exocet/exocet13.jpg
On closer inspection and examination of the car its clear to see that what MEV have done, by utilising both the MX5’s front and rear sub frames / suspension units including shocks, springs, anti role bars, brakes etc, is to retain the bases of the MX5’s fantastic handling quality’s, and by introducing a very stiff lightweight chassis between the front and rear, lighting the overall vehicle to such an extent as to bring it alive. I also had to keep reminding myself that the car was standard in everyway and not be distracted with thoughts of what could be done, I mean there’s an awful lot of after market tune up goodies out there for the MX5 that will fit the Exocet !
My only reservation would be that I didn’t have enough track time to fully exploit and enjoy the car and that I’m left in a quandary as to weather or not to sell my Sonic7 and embark on a new project over the winter.
nigel :thumb2: