Has anyone made this move? The characteristics of the 1.5 engine and the ability to enjoy it at the top end of the rev range in 4th was one of the main choice factors for me. How is the new 2.0 engine to drive enthusiastically, is it too much for real road use?
Ian you are a naughty boy!!! In 4th 5k rpm is 79mph, 6k is 95 and 7k (top end of the rev range) is 110. OK I see now you meant ‘on track’.
Perhaps better phrased as the flexibility in 4th on twisty roads to have instant response with the engine on song…
You could always wait for the revised 1.5L
“In the shorter term, there is good news for those looking for improvements to the iconic drop-top.
“The 1.5-litre is the little brother hiding behind the back of the 2.0-litre but that’s not to say development isn’t being done. It is and the combustion of the 1.5-litre is also being developed and improved,” he smiles.
That’s great news. The improvements to the 2.0-litre last year transformed that engine for the better and making the 1.5 breathe better and rev more sweetly can’t happen quickly enough.”
That is also an option, knowing when that will make it to the production line would be useful though I haven’t seen it mentioned anywhere so far.
My guess is that the improvements are being driven by the Japanese market where the new 2.0L is not a big thing (only sold in the RF) so they really haven’t had a ‘new’ ST engine since launch…
…so hopefully soon but it’s a waiting game.
Hi Ian, I’ve only just spotted your thread or I’d have responded earlier - I have.
I initially made the move from 1.5 to 2.0 Z-Sport a year ago but this used the ‘old’ 2.0 litre engine and it was a mistake, I really missed the high-revving eagerness of the little engine. So I splashed out on a ‘new’ 2.0 GT Sport-Nav+ back at the start of March and all the eagerness is back and this engine’s very happy to be revved. As far as I can tell the gear ratios are identical so it maxes out at about 60 in 2nd and 90 in 3rd so up in the hills and on twisty roads mine tends to stay in those two gears when I’m having fun. It’s biggest advantage over the 1.5, in practical terms, is that it has way more torque which means that you don’t have to change down to accelerate at a reasonable rate whereas, with the smaller engine, I found it quite possible, if I was just trundling along with other traffic, to find myself woefully short of grunt and at least 2-3 gears too high at times.
It’s like a 1.5 with a lot more grunt, it’s just as much fun and, thus far, after 1250 miles, it’s extraordinarily economical, no more than about 2-3 mpg less than the 1.5. Get one, I’m sure you won’t regret it.
HTH
Thanks Paul, once this current round of travelling calms down I’m going to organise myself a ‘proper’ test drive and do the route back to back with my current 1.5.
I switched from the old 2.0L to the new, and a test drive was all that was needed to convince me. The new engine is soo happy to rev…
I had a couple of drives in a 1.5 last year but it’s hard to compare because my memory isn’t fresh. It was lovely to rev too but I wanted a bit more punch.
If you do manage to arrange a proper test drive - and not a short trip around the houses - I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. It’s just like the 1.5 - only quicker!
Damn you lot Had my heart set on a Recaro edition 2.0 about a couple of years old if i can bear to part with my 2007 Zsport but is the new 2.0 really that much better than the “old” one ? Can’t justify new as only a second fun car. Maybe wait a year or two, but then probably a newer better engine will be out and prob an NE. Decisions
yes, the engine is - if you like to rev it. It doesn’t pull much stronger, it just carries on for longer and sounds nicer.
As you know, the rest of the car is largely the same.
If you are only interested in the look of the car, and the Recaro edition does look good, then it will suit you fine. But, if you want to drive a car with an engine that calls out to be driven with gusto - when circumstances permit - and if you like the way that the 1.5 litre version drives i.e. revs to the 7,500 rpm red line with panache and ease, as opposed to being dragged kicking and screaming up to 6,000, then you will find the ‘old’ version will bore you to tears. Before I changed I felt I was driving a a sheep in wolf’s clothing.
HTH
I’m picking up a new Sport Nav+ 2 litre next week, fresh off the boat. Some good deals out there. I love revs so I’m really looking forward to it.
I’m picking up a new GT Sport Nav+ 2 litre next week, fresh off the boat. Some good deals out there. I love revs so I’m really looking forward to it.
I think I’ll have the best of both worlds. I’ve got a 30AE on order
and I’ve decided to keep my early (Aug 2015) 1.5l SE-L Nav too!
Currently clearing out my 2 car garage which has room for only 1 car and loads of “just in case” stuff!
I got to test drive the new 2.0l 184 engine today in the newer Soul Crystal Red colour (hood rubbing on hoops problem apparent still in a brand new car! ).
It was worth taking a day insurance policy for £15 to have the car for as long as I wanted without a sales person in the passenger seat.
I drove a specific route in the 1.5 before taking the 2.0 out and doing it again. The 1.5 is no slouch, this 2.0l could be described as properly quick… the engine is strong, not quite the same rev happiness as the 1.5, not far off, excellent though.
Handling fresh out of the box on this 2.0 Sport Nav+ (with bilsteins) is excellent compared to the roll that was present on the 1,5 (with standard shocks) before lowering.
After getting back in the 1.5 it felt more agile, lighter steering, probably the fact that is lowered and aligned and with softer rubber than standard.
Anyone want to buy my 1.5?
Hi Ian. Glad you enjoyed your “test” drive. In your opinion would the car benefit from having the suspension lowered or not?
Roger,
Interesting question and I think I’d need to live with one for a while before coming to a definitive conclusion.
Fast A road dual carriageway, downhill sweeping left into uphill sweeping right with relatively (for the road type) sharp left (Muchalls bends if anyone knows them) at the top and the car is totally planted with no need to slow down felt through them.
B road with some great bends (Slug road if anyone knows it…) and again in the tight corners the car went exactly where I wanted it to without suggesting loss of traction or negative understeer characteristics.
Steering well weighted and not jittery at all, no suggestion of tramlining on 400 mile old tyres.
The 1.5 does feel lighter and more agile which I’d put down to lowering, alignment, smaller wheels and new Kumho Ecsta tyres. Whether that‘s better than the 2.0 or just different I‘m not sure and as I say would need to live with the 2.0 for a while.
I was describing the experience to my wife and likened driving the 2.0 at 6/10ths and the 1.5 at 8/10ths in terms of commitment
Ian