|
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION...
There are a number of manufacturers building Lotus Seven clones, even including Caterham, who bought the rights from Lotus. After some discussion at Superformance, it turned out they were interested. But they didn t want to build just another Seven clone, they wanted to improve on the Seven s that were available from other manufacturers. In order to accomplish their goal, Superformance purchased Seven models from a number of manufacturers and proceeded to study and dissect them before going to work to build a better Seven. A drive in the S1 clearly demonstrates that Superformance succeeded in their objective to build a better Seven.
So why is the S1 a better Seven? Let's start with the tube frame which is made of square tubes and is very rigid. Superformance wanted to make a light car (less than 1400 lbs with the engine and transmission), but they also wanted it to be strong, and so they put in a few more square tubes to make that a reality. The body work is very high quality fiberglass and aluminum with very tight seams, better than one sees on many production cars! The suspension is very well engineered with more ways to adjust the front end then anything short of a Formula One race car. The rear suspension is by a solid rear axle that is located by a sophisticated Mumford link system that keeps the weight very low in the car. Further, Superformance sweated the details: the sump is protected by a Kevlar sump cover and the entire under tray of the car is clad in aluminum with a fiberglass rear diffuser that integrates beautifully into the rear body work. The car also has a good sized trunk (5 cubic feet which is bigger than a Miata) that has a solid cover that locks! There is a lockable glove box, fresh air ventilation with two speed fan assist, heat, and a windshield with electronic defroster. On top of all this the car has doors with windows that slide up and down (and act as wind blockers) as well as a top that is well engineered such that it can be used as a t-top if one wants or stored in a bag in the trunk. The doors can also be removed for that motorcycle feeling (they also fit in the trunk). The interior has a carbon fiber dash with (from left to right) oil pressure, tach, oil temp, water temp, speedo, and clock. The steering wheel is 10 inches in diameter and is removable and locks into place. The seats are great fitting with 4 point Willians harnesses plus the whole interior is well finished and padded. The seats do not move in the S1, rather the pedals are on a carriage and they move with the turn of a large aluminum knob under the dash. Finally, the car just looks great, with very chrome headlights and side exhaust. I have replaced the original exhaust with a custom one that is lighter and sounds better. I still have the original and it will be included with the car. The S1 will come with the full build manual as well as a two custom car covers (one is new).
SPECS : DIMENSIONS:
Weights less than 1400 lbs with engine and transmission
128 inches long
68.5 inches wide
40.6 inches tall
Gas tank has a 10.5 gallon capacity
BODY: Hand-crafted in aluminum alloy with glass/carbon/Kevlar reinforced panels.
AERODYNAMICS: Aerodynamic features include a raked and curved front windshield and a closed under tray incorporating a Kevlar sump guard with down force generating hot air extraction and rear diffuser.
WEATHER PROTECTION: The removable side screen doors minimize wind buffeting and downward opening windows control air flow into the cockpit when the soft top is up. The soft top is completely weather proof and when not in use, can be stowed in the lockable trunk.
THE COCKPIT: The large pedal box with its well-spaced pedals and the molded, contoured and padded seats offer comfortable accommodation for two adults (a 250 lbs man has driven my car). The small (10 inch) three-spoke leather padded steering wheel is adjustable. As befits a sports roadster with a classic heritage, the carbon fiber dashboard features full instrumentation - an oil pressure gauge and tachometer in front of the driver, with center dash mounted white-on-black speedometer and smaller gauges indicating oil and coolant temperature, a fuel gauge and an analog clock. Yellow and red warning lights indicating low oil pressure and ignition status, as well as toggle switches for the headlights and a rear fog light, are mounted behind the steering wheel. A neat, lockable glove box completes the dash layout. The headlight dimmer switch, horn, and turn indicator switch are dash-mounted and a small center console houses a variety of toggle switches to operate the windshield wiper and washer, hazard lights, air blower fan, and windshield demister. Provision for a radio is located above the row of toggle switches.
GO!: Ford Z-tech 2 liter 16 valve duel overhead cam engine (manufacturer est. 0-60 in less than 5 seconds!) Superformance header (no cat or other controls) Weber Webcon Alpha Gold Fuel Injection system (looks like Webber carbs runs like a modern car should) 175 engine HP 5 speed very smooth and fast shifting short throw transmission Clutch has an aluminum flywheel for quick spin-up
STOP: 4 piston Wilwood Calipers (painted black with white Wilwood engraved lettering) on all 4 wheels as well as a Wilwood e-brake.
Dual master cylinders with brake bias adjustment
SUSPENSION: Front: The double front suspension geometry is optimized for camber, castor and roll-center height control. As the S1 is intended for road and competition use, the innovative design allows for independent camber, castor and king-pin angle adjustment similar to modern Formula One cars, using a unique two-part billet machined aluminum upright. Front-to-rear roll center height and spring/damper rates are designed to give weight transfer to the rear during cornering. This eliminates the need for anti-roll bars and a limited slip differential, even in 220 hp turbo-charged form for the raceway.
Rear: A Mumford link is used to get the best handling and ride characteristics with the live rear axle. This link controls the lateral movement of the axle and has the distinct advantage of offering the best available roll center height control, keeping the roll center at optimal height, irrespective of the rear axle load. A four link system controls longitudinal movement and is designed to give optimum anti-dive, anti-squat and roll-steer control. To minimize the negative effect of high unsprung weight associated with live rear axles, a rising rate bell-crank system is used to actuate the coil-over dampers, which effectively increases the suspension stiffness as the rear axle load increases.
STEERING: The S1's steering geometry is designed to minimize bump-steer while giving sufficient Ackermann angle compensation in tight turns. A non-assisted steering rack with three turns lock to lock gives the S1 a twenty-seven ft. turning radius with very little effort - ideal for city traffic, auto cross, and the raceway.
Tires are new (less than 1000 miles) Avon DOT racing 205/50/15
|
|
