Since AutoSpeed began we’ve tested nearly 200 new cars. That’s 200
cars we’ve thrown along winding roads, full-bore ABS braked, door slammed and
nitpicked. Hell, we’ve even tested the crashworthiness of one of them...
In this two-part series we’ll look back over these cars and split them into
categories – legends and losers. In the first instalment we look at the legends.
The Legends...
Mazda MX-5 (Miata) 10th Anniversary - 1999
One of the best handling cars from our early archives is the Mazda MX-5
10th Anniversary - see New Car Test - Mazda MX5 10th Anniversary Model.
Until we were handed the keys to the 10th Anniversary edition, we
had MX-5s pigeonholed as a sports car for pretenders - sort of a modern-day
substitute for an MGB. But a week behind the wheel of this machine soon changed
all that...
The 10th Anniversary is simply one of the most balanced,
communicative and enjoyable vehicles to throw down a winding road. As Julian
Edgar stated, "I still don't know about the other MX5s, but I can now say in the
loudest voice possible - the 1999 Anniversary Mazda MX5 is simply the best
handling car I have ever driven."
The MX’s steering is wonderfully direct and telegraphs every change in
chassis attitude. The 10th Anniversary’s Bilstein dampers also
provide an outstanding ride/handling balance – it’s comfortable to drive to work
yet is taut enough to hit the track.
And the rest of the car?
Well, the naturally aspirated 1.8 litre DOHC (which replaces the earlier 1.6)
is relatively low powered and, even with a close-ratio 6 speed gearbox, the MX-5
is hardly exciting on a straight road. One-oh-six kilowatts simply isn’t enough
to complement the chassis.
It’s no surprise many MX-5 owners seek aftermarket engine tuning.
Either that or they trade-in for a second-hand MX5 SP Turbo with a stomping
157kW!
Mitsubishi Magna VR-X - 2000
We can vividly recall our first moments driving the newly released 163kW
Magna VR-X.
We were laughing uncontrollably, repeatedly stabbing the throttle and
launching the 163kW machine at a speed that was seemingly beyond belief.
Back then, the idea of a go-fast Magna was new to us.
We were so impressed by the VR-X we took it to Mitsubishi’s Tailem Bend test
track for some testing – though this was spoilt by rain. We were unable to run
any official times but Mitsubishi provided us with this – a Correvit time slip
stating 7.04 second 0 – 100 km/h and 15.07 second quarter mile performance. And
note that these number are achieved with incredibly sharp throttle response and
tremendous in-gear torque, which cannot be downplayed in normal
driving.
Factor in family car practicality with typical Magna affordability and it’s
no wonder this car set a new benchmark for Aussie performance sedans in 2000.
One of our all-time favourites.
See New Car Test - Mitsubishi Magna VR-X
and, for the later AWD model, New Car Test - Magna Sport AWD
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6 Tommi Makinen - 2001
If you want a balls-out speed machine, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 Tommi
Makinen must be the ultimate weapon. It’s like grabbing a bazooka when everyone
else is playing around with cap guns...
The Evo 6 (built on the previous generation chassis) has the cornering,
braking and accelerative prowess to absolutely smoke anything this side of a
Ferrari.
For a factory effort, the 206kW 2.0 litre turbo four is a firecracker – even
though it mightn’t blow your socks off if you’re used to, say, a tweaked WRX.
But the handling will surely blow your socks off along with your
underwear!
The Lancer Evo 6 uses a sophisticated Active Yaw Control (AYC) rear diff that
apportions torque to the left or right rear wheel to maintain neutral chassis
balance – as its name implies, it actively controls the vehicle’s yaw movement.
So what’s the on-road result? Simple. A car that can be thrown into a corner at
suicidal speed yet always manages to claw its way out of trouble carrying
plenty of speed.
"Sometimes there's a touch of power oversteer, sometimes there's a touch of
power understeer - but usually, there's just nothing but sheer, unadulterated
neutral cornering acceleration," we said in our test.
Stir into the equation razor sharp steering, huge Brembo brakes and a full
body kit and it’s obvious Mum’s shopping trolley really has been
hot-rodded into something special.
Check out the ultimate automotive thrill at New Car Test - Lancer Evolution VI Tommi Makinen.
Ignis Sport - 2004
At the opposite end of the spectrum is this – the massively under-rated
Suzuki Ignis Sport.
The 1.5 litre Suzi mightn’t pack a huge punch (it makes 83kW!) but in terms
of handling balance, controllability and sheer fun its outrageous value for
money.
We’ll let our original test tell the story...
"Turn-in on a trailing throttle, balance the car on the throttle – making
small cornering adjustments with power alone – and the Sport can be fast.
"Like, really fast.
"Its small width, superb feedback and wonderful mid-corner adjustability
conspire to make this car’s point-to-point performance astonishing."
And...
"This is a machine to have you seeking out corners, showing off through
roundabouts, worrying the hell out of vastly more expensive cars that have far
more power – and yet can’t get away."
Throw in some relatively big brakes, white painted 15 inch alloys, Recaros
and a neat body kit and you’ve got a car that gives rewards without needing to
obliterate the speed limit and invest in oil shares.
Not bad for a machine costing under 20 grand!
See Suzuki Ignis Sport Test for our full test.
Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo - 2002
A car that needs no introduction is the Ford Falcon XR6
Turbo.
The Holden VL Turbo of the modern era, the XR6T brings a new level of
sophistication and performance to the Aussie car scene. You want DOHC, 4 valves
per cylinder, variable cam timing, a ballbearing turbo with intercooler,
electronic throttle control and sophisticated engine management? Well, this
sub-$45k sedan has it all!
And in its technical features it isn't left in the wake of the new
generation quad-cam V8s.
With easy 6 second 0 – 100 km/h acceleration and, already, a plethora of
aftermarket tuning parts, this is a highly attractive vehicle for anyone wanting
to drive fast. The kind of 'fast' that would’ve been unthinkable in a streetable
car just a few years ago.
The gearbox and diff of Series 1 model are pretty crude and there are some quality
issues we’d like to see sorted out, but there’s no denying its bang for buck.
Just pull off those TURBO letters on the boot lid and nobody will know what the
hell hit ‘em!
See our test of the Ford XR6T (Series 1) at New Car Test - Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo.
HSV Clubsport R8 - 2002
The HSV Clubsport R8 is a car with similar performance to the Ford XR6T - it
just happens to go about it in a completely different manner...
This baby relies on 5.7 litres of LS1 grunt. There’s not a lot of
under-bonnet technology.
But forget any preconceptions that these big-cube HSVs are crudely muscled-up
Commodores with little finesse. The Clubsport R8 delivers the sort of ride,
handling and stability you’d expect from a big-dollar performance saloon –
something from Germany and very expensive. This refinement also carries
over to the beautiful exhaust note and the R8’s giant anchors which require no
more than average brake pedal force.
Straight line grunt?
Well, it’s decent – but not awesome. The 255kW-spec VXII Clubbie engine
benefits from HSV’s free-flow intake and exhaust as well as a shorter diff ratio
to aid response and flexibility. Unfortunately, there’s 1700kg to lug around - 0
– 100 km/h performance is in the 7s with two people onboard and given a
relatively sane launch.
As we said in our test (New Car Test - HSV Clubsport R8), "best not to get too hung up on the '255' badge, otherwise
you might be a bit disappointed."
But whatever the numbers may indicate, this is an immensely good performance
sedan. One we’d happily drive day-to-day and take to track events.
If only we could hand the fuel bill on to someone else...
So they’re some of the legends we’ve tested. In the final instalment we’ll
look at the losers – uh-oh...
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