The European Auto Culture

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JohnBM01
Lady McLaren, weren't you the one saying that you went to Paris (my favorite European city), and seen "McCutey" there? I would imagine that as much as you'd be lucky to see a Dodge Viper in America, you'd have to be luckier to see some Euro supercars on the road.

Of course here in the States, I seen a Saleen S7 up close, but haven't seen one on the road in person. That S7 is my favorite Saleen. Love to see these bad boys go racing and challenge Corvette (if Dodge doesn't go back into sportscar racing, that is). Tell me more about the Euro automotive culture, GTPlanet.
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Hiya! :D :O :lol: Meow! (='.'=)

Srry Johnny, I am the wrong person you must be referring to that went to Paris to see the McLaren F1 in that building. (There is a building that displays McLaren's OWN McLAren F1 in there, I think its the 001!
And about those "seeing" the Euro supa cars...I have seen many of them but not THAT many!!! :O:O I'll list wut I have seen:

Ferrari Enzo (ONE TIME SAW ONLY AT NEWPORT BEACH)
Ferrari Modena 360 (seen about 20 now) ALSO AT THE BEACH!
Ferrari F50
a Ferrari I think its called F150? :odd:
Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 and VT
Lamborghini Mercialago
Lamborghini Gallardo
Porsche 911s old and new.
Porsche Carrera
Then there are other older Ferraris I am not familiar with at all
Funny thing is that ALL of the Ferraris and Lambos were only spotted by me at Newport Beach and it happen to be only on special holidays!!! :O:O But I do see some RARELY in city area. :O:O

aww too bad I never get to see a Saleen S7 :( The only thing I see that is RARE to me is the Ferrari Enzo. It was a spectacular site at the beach when it was driven around the parking lot where many stores and people are heading toward the short distance pier and ocean front. EVERYONE WAS JUST LOOKING AT IT!!!:O:O It is sooo unique and STUCK OUT like as if a celebrity just happened to be spotted in the crowd. Many people were taking the car's picture, ESPECIALLY me with no camera!!!! :( :O:O:O ooOOoo why cant my McCutey just show up in my face!!! :O Good thing I have a Special Edition 1993 McLaren F1 1:18 Diecast from Miasto to keep my mind calm! :O:O
 
So what the hell does that have to do with European Auto Culture? Oh wait...a whole lot of nothing. You go look at your diecasts now honey.
 
I'm sure she's enjoying them since getting the diecast cars.

Well, I don't really know. That's why I want to talk with you all about it. I know some streets in Europe are like that picture earlier on this page (post #23 from Daan). I'm surely know that London's streets aren't narrow. I've never traveled anywhere outside of Texas. So I'm only learning. By the way, I'm from Southeast Houston, so I don't really see a lot of fancy cars around my way. When going up to the Houston Galleria area, for example (southwest Houston), you begin to see more fancy and exotic cars. Same goes for the River Oaks area and maybe even Montrose Blvd, which looks more like Los Angeles with palm trees and high buildings.

So just because I say I don't see any around my way doesn't exactly mean that none exist in Houston, or for that matter, anywhere. To me, some cars are rare around my way, and even on the Gulf Freeway. For example, a MKIV Supra is rare, as is an RX7, Dodge Viper, and that sort of thing. So as I said, I created this out of curiousity. And uh, yeah. My views expressed. Carry on, please.
 
Actually, there is a good chance of seeing exotics, maybe even a McLaren, down in, of all places, Neuport Beach (or somewhere nearby)! There is a regular exotic meet there, I've seen pics of it. They had several Enzos at once! And, yes, McLarens have been known to appear on occasion. I'd really like to go there sometime, but I've just not had the chance.
 
Famine
Misconception. It's a "Gentleman's Agreement", with no basis in law. It's also just paper figures - the real figures are much, much higher. The Evo VIII leaves the factory with over 300hp. The Impreza Spec-C has 320hp. The R34 Skyline GT-Rs have 330hp.
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Yeah, I think the highest output will have to go to the Subaru Impreza STi 22B. It punch out 350hp and 301 ft lb of torque. Even though it is rated at 276hp (280ps).

Its either the Subaru Impreza STi 22B or the Toyota Century that have the highest out put of power. The Toyota Century have a V12 under the hood and people say it only makes 276hp (280ps) but for some reason I don't believe it.
 
The 22B isn't that powerful - 300hp was the unofficial official figure for the Type UK car.

The WR1 (320hp), Type 25 ("330"hp) and Spec C (320hp) are the most powerful production Imprezas - and the Type 25 isn't actually a production car. It's a 2.5 litre Impreza modified by Lichfield Imports, then SVAed.
 
Are you sure? I have seen dyno sheets that said it dynoed 350hp and 301 ft lb of torque. And also one of those US magazine got a hand on a Japanese 22B and said it has 350hp and 301 ft lb of torque. I just assume it has that much because two source said so. Im not at all sure.

The reason why I think 22B is that powerful is because its special. Unlike other Impreza, it has a 5 close speed transmission and it was built to celebrate some rally acheviement or the rally driver.

Whatever the case is, I think the Subaru Impreza WRX STi 22B is the best Impreza so far. Ill take it over the 2004 STi.

Is there a difference between the JDM 22B and the Euro 22B? Of course the United State didn't get it. :(
 
Officially, the RB5 was a better, although slower, driver's car. My brother sold his RB5 for a WR1, and says that the WR1 is better - and of course it's also quicker than the 22B... :D
 
How much quicker? ;) Not much I bet.

The 22B have done 12.8 in the 1/4. :) I have it on video, but I just formatted my PC so. :(
 
No idea on the 1/4 mile time. We tend not to be overly bothered about that in the UK, because there's few pieces of road straight enough. And, legally, speed cameras must be sited on a 440 yard piece of straight road, so all the ones we have are covered in cameras.

The WR1 is listed as 0-62mph in 4.2s, 0-100mph in 10.67s.
 
We have 0-100Mph-0 tests every now and then, autocar do a large test anually but we never test a cars 1/4 mile time, we don't really care when the cars get track tested anyway. A car can be quicker on a 1/4 mile strip but slower round silverstone, at the end of the day I'd want the car thats faster round silverstone.
 
live4speed
We have 0-100Mph-0 tests every now and then, autocar do a large test anually but we never test a cars 1/4 mile time, we don't really care when the cars get track tested anyway. A car can be quicker on a 1/4 mile strip but slower round silverstone, at the end of the day I'd want the car thats faster round silverstone.
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Agreed. IMO, Americans seem to be too concerned about straight line speed, and don't care too much about cornering. I'm not saying the US can't build good handling sports cars (they do that very well), but I'm talking about the automotive enthusiasts in the US.
 
Ev0
Agreed. IMO, Americans seem to be too concerned about straight line speed, and don't care too much about cornering. I'm not saying the US can't build good handling sports cars (they do that very well), but I'm talking about the automotive enthusiasts in the US.
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When I read this, I was thinking, "boy, another European who has no idea what he's talking about making absurd overgeneralizations." Then I looked at your location - you live in Toronto. Not only are you about twelve miles from the US, but Canadians are no different in their automotive tastes and if anything, they prefer less power, speed, cornering ability, etc. What a freaking poser. Toronto!
 
Famine
No idea on the 1/4 mile time. We tend not to be overly bothered about that in the UK, because there's few pieces of road straight enough. And, legally, speed cameras must be sited on a 440 yard piece of straight road, so all the ones we have are covered in cameras.

The WR1 is listed as 0-62mph in 4.2s, 0-100mph in 10.67s.
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The 0-62mph seem a little too low, but I guess its possible. The JDM STi Spec C run around 4.3 in the 0-60 so I guess thats about the same.

0-100mph in 10.67 seem way too fast? Are you sure about that one?
 
M5Power
When I read this, I was thinking, "boy, another European who has no idea what he's talking about making absurd overgeneralizations." Then I looked at your location - you live in Toronto. Not only are you about twelve miles from the US, but Canadians are no different in their automotive tastes and if anything, they prefer less power, speed, cornering ability, etc. What a freaking poser. Toronto!
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Relative to European cars he is qutie correct. I think it has to do with the cheap fuel and many wide and straight roads. Much like the B-roads in the UK are an influence of the fantastic light sports cars made there, Caterhams, Elises etc.
 
Well, I see it only run 12.8s even with 0-100 in 10.67s. The current Spec C in Japan can do that. So I guess the performance of the WR1 and the Spec C are really close. Is there a WR1 in Japan?

The Spec C should be a tad faster. Since its lighter and has the same amount of power and torque.

I think the fastest STi so far is either the Subaru WRX STi Spec C or Subaru Impreza WRX WR1 .
 
live4speed
We have 0-100Mph-0 tests every now and then, autocar do a large test anually but we never test a cars 1/4 mile time, we don't really care when the cars get track tested anyway. A car can be quicker on a 1/4 mile strip but slower round silverstone, at the end of the day I'd want the car thats faster round silverstone.
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All Autocar full roadtests have a figure for the 1/4 mile, its in with the in-gear times.
 
Really, I've never noticed them. Shows how much I care.
 
In the UK a big factor is the company car taxation and how much the robbing gits in Westminster want to charge us. As its all down to CO2 emissions then diesel is king particularly those complying with the Euro 4 particulates standards. Another big consideration is the price of fuel I currently pay 85.9 pence for a litre of petrol and as I commute 80 miles each way to work then fuel economy coupled with low emmissions is how I choose my company motor.

The latest Evo VIII in the UK is prefixed "FQ" - Fine quality as the Japanese were told ******g Quick as the importer has said to the motoring press.
 
Takumi Fujiwara
Actually, there is a good chance of seeing exotics, maybe even a McLaren, down in, of all places, Neuport Beach (or somewhere nearby)! There is a regular exotic meet there, I've seen pics of it. They had several Enzos at once! And, yes, McLarens have been known to appear on occasion. I'd really like to go there sometime, but I've just not had the chance.
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Hiya! :D :O :lol: Meow! (='.'=)

WHERE IS IT???!! PLZ TELL ME!! :O:O:O Even if the McLaren F1 wouldnt be there at that kind of meet, I would still be very happy to see the other exotics! This also reminds me of the regular saturday-sunday OLD school meet in this parking lot I saw twice and my aunt see every weekend when taking the bus to her friend's house.

And...can you remember where that exotic meet is? Pretty please with strawberry on top of a hot fudge sunday ? :O:O:O
 
I'll see if I can find the info. I'm not sure exactly where it was, only that it was near the beach, somewhere between LA and SD. I'll find better info if I can.
 
Ah, got it. Crystal Cove. Seems to be relatively regular. Here's an example of a turnout that one week had:

Ferrari's:
550 Maranello
550 Barchetta
360 Modena and Modena Spyder
328 GTS
348 TS
355

Lotus:
Esprit
Lotus 7

Muscle Cars:
Chevelle
Camaro
Mustang
Shelby GT350/500 and Cobras (Real and Fake)
Coronet

Hot Rods:
(Too many to list)

Additionally, they have a big yearly event on the 19th. The Coastline Car Classic
Info here- http://www.cdmchamber.com/events/car_show.asp
 
M5Power
When I read this, I was thinking, "boy, another European who has no idea what he's talking about making absurd overgeneralizations." Then I looked at your location - you live in Toronto. Not only are you about twelve miles from the US, but Canadians are no different in their automotive tastes and if anything, they prefer less power, speed, cornering ability, etc. What a freaking poser. Toronto!
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Hmm, I did generalize, should have thought out that post better. Even if a certain group of people makes up the majority, said majority should not represent everyone.

But, many, many Americans are concerned only about straightline speed. Look at American motorsport for instance. Nascar is the most popular form of motorsport in the US, and the cars are complete and utter crap in terms of handling. Put a Nextel cup car up against any similar race car from elsewhere (JGTC, DTM, etc), and it will get slaughtered unless the track has two corners. Other forms of motorsport in the US that involve cars that can actually turn are either trapped in obscurity (ex. ALMS), or are dying off (ex. CART).

And Canadian automotive tastes are virtually the same as the US. Crappy, useless SUVs with unecissarily (sp?) large engines are all over the streets of Toronto.
 
But Ev0, Britain as ASCAR, which is kind of like NASCAR, only international. Of course, when most Americans think of international, the usual means Canada, and the United Kingdom. I think Japan has a stock car series as well, just not as popular (besides, Formula Nippon and the JGTC are much better). Anyhow, is stock car action in ASCAR the same or different from here in the States?
 
JohnBM01
Anyhow, is stock car action in ASCAR the same or different from here in the States?
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its the same (i think they use a similar spec car to the 'Busch Series') only not that popular - we only have one real oval (Rockingham) and a field of probably less than 20 cars. it is gaining popularity in the UK, but it will never get as popular as it is in the US - we like our motorsport to turn right as well as left in Europe :)
 
I think F1 is the most popular motosrsport here by far, then it's probably the WRC and after that I' say Toca then the British GT series.
 
I had a chance to look up the ASCAR series and I noted the same thing. Like... "is that the only oval they run (Rockingham)?" But yes. Hell, I'd watch real stock cars (BTCC) or if I wanted some GT action, either FIA GT or the beasts in British GT. That Mosler MT900R is a sweet American car powered by a Corvette motor. Brands Hatch is a nice course to race on. It's kind of a high-speed track (I'm talking about the "Indy" course). I think Britain does have that Mallory Park, right? That's a high-speed course for damn sure.

This topic is about the European auto culture. Just want to learn. Carry on discussion, of course.
 
JohnBM01
Brands Hatch is a nice course to race on. It's kind of a high-speed track (I'm talking about the "Indy" course). I think Britain does have that Mallory Park, right? That's a high-speed course for damn sure.
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I've driven both Brands and Mallory, they are not as quick as you might think, they have tight hairpins (especially Mallory's) that slow the pace down quite substantially. Paddock Hill (Brands) and Gerrads (Mallory) are, however, two of the most daunting but fun corners on any UK circuit (that i've driven) Snetterton, Donington Park (national circuit) and Thruxton are all really quick tracks. ;)
 
I think Thruxton is the fastest of thoes with that long section with nothing but light corners, then that tight chicane puts an end to it all.
 

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