The drive home from the dealership wasn't all that inspiring (rush hour, dark, cold, 40mph dual carriageway all the way, bleh).
A bit later last night I went out for a quick spin, even though it was close to freezing (took it a bit gingerly, obviously). Just some initial impressions:
- Engine: Much improved. I'm keeping it under 4K for the first 1000 miles, so haven't really stretched it; however with the improved torque on offer, there wasn't really a need to. Car pulls much more strongly than the old one; I noticed coming out of some slow corners where I'd usually be in second gear, that leaving it in third was perfectly doable without bogging down and going nowhere. The engine feels much more flexible - a bit like how it felt when I modified the old one, but more so. I haven't heard the fake engine noise yet, as I think it only kicks in at higher revs, but in general the engine sounded better - smoother, less mechanical. After break in, I'm looking forward to revving it out a bit further.
- Transmission: Very similar to the previous gen, but it felt smoother and more refined. Shifts are precise and notchy, but unlike the previous gen, the second gear is much less obstructive from cold. Not a lot else to say, it feels great. The clutch on the other hand will take some getting used to; it's quite over assisted, and as you release the pedal, it kind of snaps back at you. Had the same issue on the earlier car (although it feels worse in the new one), and it can be solved by swapping the assist spring on the pedal for a weaker one. One little job
- Handling: Again, being close to freezing, there were no heroics, but I could tell from the get go that the car feels more "taut". Guess this is down to those improved rigidity claims. Steering is noticeably better - quicker and, sharper and more precise than the old one. Suspension feels firmer, but the damping is better, didn't feel crashy or jiggly. Very impress. Can't wait to take it for a 'proper' drive.
- Interior/tech/comfort: no problem. Interior feels higher rent than the old one. Nothing that will impress anyone here, but a noticeable improvement over the old model. The infotainment is decent enough - DAB radio, Android Auto, and although it won't be winning any sound quality awards, I'm sure the sound system in general is much better than the old model. Road noise is significant, but as the infotainment is better, kind of cancels it out as a problem. Steering wheel now has controls for the infotainment - is this some sort of future tech? Mind blowing.
- Ergonomics: fantastic, just like the GT86. Same great driving position, everything you need close to hand. I put the seat as low as far back as possible, brought the wheel right out and it's like being back in the old car; felt instantly at home in it. Steering wheel a tad smaller which maybe added to that feeling of precision. Seats are now "ultra suede", and leather only on the bolsters.
- General: overall its a big improvement over the old model, I'd say, but not a revolution, which is fine by me. It feels more grown up - it somehow feels more solid and refined. Looks are subjective, but I think it looks cracking; ducktail spoiler didn't come as standard, but I bought one separately and will add it myself. Wish it didn't have black wheels, but they'll no doubt need a refurb at some point in a few years, so a colour change to something a bit lighter might be on the cards.
Bad points:
- Indicators. They've switched to the BMW style ones, which always return to the centre even when full engaged. Just takes a little getting used to (trying to cancel them without putting them on in the opposite direction) but changing them seems to be an answer to a problem that didn't exist.
- Clutch. As mentioned, too much assistance on the clutch pedal spring gives a very binary feeling. Relatively easy to fix, but a little annoying that they didn't put the thought into the clutch pedal that they obviously did with the transmission improvements.
- Accelerator pedal mapping. Feels like it might have been mapped a little too aggressively. Feels a bit hyperactive sometimes, probably a trick to make the car "feel" quicker than it is. Not a big one, but makes it a little tricky to drive slowly. That said, just making the clutch a bit more progressive might help.
Overall, very happy so far. It's a shame I only took delivery now, just as the cold weather hits, as there's not going to be much opportunity to get out for a decent drive for a while. Can't wait to stretch it's legs properly though
A bit later last night I went out for a quick spin, even though it was close to freezing (took it a bit gingerly, obviously). Just some initial impressions:
- Engine: Much improved. I'm keeping it under 4K for the first 1000 miles, so haven't really stretched it; however with the improved torque on offer, there wasn't really a need to. Car pulls much more strongly than the old one; I noticed coming out of some slow corners where I'd usually be in second gear, that leaving it in third was perfectly doable without bogging down and going nowhere. The engine feels much more flexible - a bit like how it felt when I modified the old one, but more so. I haven't heard the fake engine noise yet, as I think it only kicks in at higher revs, but in general the engine sounded better - smoother, less mechanical. After break in, I'm looking forward to revving it out a bit further.
- Transmission: Very similar to the previous gen, but it felt smoother and more refined. Shifts are precise and notchy, but unlike the previous gen, the second gear is much less obstructive from cold. Not a lot else to say, it feels great. The clutch on the other hand will take some getting used to; it's quite over assisted, and as you release the pedal, it kind of snaps back at you. Had the same issue on the earlier car (although it feels worse in the new one), and it can be solved by swapping the assist spring on the pedal for a weaker one. One little job
- Handling: Again, being close to freezing, there were no heroics, but I could tell from the get go that the car feels more "taut". Guess this is down to those improved rigidity claims. Steering is noticeably better - quicker and, sharper and more precise than the old one. Suspension feels firmer, but the damping is better, didn't feel crashy or jiggly. Very impress. Can't wait to take it for a 'proper' drive.
- Interior/tech/comfort: no problem. Interior feels higher rent than the old one. Nothing that will impress anyone here, but a noticeable improvement over the old model. The infotainment is decent enough - DAB radio, Android Auto, and although it won't be winning any sound quality awards, I'm sure the sound system in general is much better than the old model. Road noise is significant, but as the infotainment is better, kind of cancels it out as a problem. Steering wheel now has controls for the infotainment - is this some sort of future tech? Mind blowing.
- Ergonomics: fantastic, just like the GT86. Same great driving position, everything you need close to hand. I put the seat as low as far back as possible, brought the wheel right out and it's like being back in the old car; felt instantly at home in it. Steering wheel a tad smaller which maybe added to that feeling of precision. Seats are now "ultra suede", and leather only on the bolsters.
- General: overall its a big improvement over the old model, I'd say, but not a revolution, which is fine by me. It feels more grown up - it somehow feels more solid and refined. Looks are subjective, but I think it looks cracking; ducktail spoiler didn't come as standard, but I bought one separately and will add it myself. Wish it didn't have black wheels, but they'll no doubt need a refurb at some point in a few years, so a colour change to something a bit lighter might be on the cards.
Bad points:
- Indicators. They've switched to the BMW style ones, which always return to the centre even when full engaged. Just takes a little getting used to (trying to cancel them without putting them on in the opposite direction) but changing them seems to be an answer to a problem that didn't exist.
- Clutch. As mentioned, too much assistance on the clutch pedal spring gives a very binary feeling. Relatively easy to fix, but a little annoying that they didn't put the thought into the clutch pedal that they obviously did with the transmission improvements.
- Accelerator pedal mapping. Feels like it might have been mapped a little too aggressively. Feels a bit hyperactive sometimes, probably a trick to make the car "feel" quicker than it is. Not a big one, but makes it a little tricky to drive slowly. That said, just making the clutch a bit more progressive might help.
Overall, very happy so far. It's a shame I only took delivery now, just as the cold weather hits, as there's not going to be much opportunity to get out for a decent drive for a while. Can't wait to stretch it's legs properly though
which will fix some of the driveability foibles and gives some noticeable even with no parts fitted
