the_lhc:
Big Chris:the_lhc:Big Chris:Andrew Everard: That CX-7 mentioned earlier is getting ever more tempting...
Be prepared to like it. I took one out yesterday and was really impressed by it. Only thing I was slightly let down by, was the turbo lag. The pull in 6th at 50/60mph isn't what I was expecting from a car with 260bhp and 280lbft torque.
That's peak torque though, which won't be available at low revs. Most 6-speed cars are only pulling about 1700rpm at 60, at 50 you'll be just about at idle, there aren't many engines that can handle that, and certainly no turbos. A twin-turbo perhaps or one of VWs TSi engines, which are turbo-charged and supercharged for the lower revs maybe, but most turbo-diesels cut the turbo in at about 1750-1800 rpm, petrol turbos slightly higher IME. What engine is it?
2.3 Direct injection petrol 4 banger.
Interesting, I just looked it up on Parkers and their review of the CX-7 even states: "The car has good in-gear pulling power too but there can be a flat-spot in performance if you find yourself in too high a gear".
But it is a petrol so you usually have to stir the stick a bit more than you would with a diesel.
Don't know the actual designation for it. It's the same lump as in the
Mazda 3 & 6 MPS models.
Only thing is I guess I've got used to my Wife's Fiat Stilo 1.9D Mjet
150. That thing has a 6 speed box and definitely pulls from low revs in
top. I guess that's the advantage of a torquey diesel over a
free-revving petrol, plus it probably weighs 3/400 lbs less than the
CX-7.
I think that's the same engine as the GM/Saab/Alfa 1.9Td isn't it? I had that engine in my 57 Astra SRi company car and it absolutely flew. The 9-3's got it as well but it's a lot heavier, still quick though. Incidentally in 6th that's doing 2000 rpm at 70mph, so the turbo's only just started spinning, at 60mph the revs are so low the engine actually shudders from the effort, which the Astra never did, so it's either the weight or possibly the Astra was slightly lower geared than the Saab.
Yeah. It's the same GM lump as the Astra. her little Stilo also takes off like a scalded cat regardless of what gear you're in. Nice little car, and we got it January last year on an '07' plate, with just over 4,000 miles on it (dealer demonstrator) for £10,000. Not bad as list was nudging £15k. If only I could fit my drum-kit in it.................
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