Autocar review

[wasp]

The autocar test says the car is 316 bhp. And their power curves shown in the test bear that out

It is the yellow car, so perhaps Ariel put it back to original spec ?

That is a bit odd. I had a passenger ride in that car on the Saturday before Tom delivered it to Autocar on Monday morning. They cleaned it and then put it on the transporter. I am pretty sure that I was told that it was running the 350 map, so I wonder if it's possible that Autocar used an Ariel supplied power graph?

The car on the Ohlins was absolutely sensational.

Cheers,
Stu

[GraemeW]

Possibly they did use an Ariel supplied graph, but I wouldn’t have thought so? If it is the 350 car then they should not be reviewing it as a 316 car?

[GraemeW]

...or maybe they simply dialled back variable boost to 316 so it matches the standard car

[GraemeW]

I wasn’t so keen on the 4 when I first saw it, but now I’ve seen a few more in the flesh, been driven in it and reading these reviews, I crave one now. Not in 3 years, now! The looks have grown on me also that now think it’s a better looking car than my 3.5. Still love my 3.5 though

[Peter255]

It's not a small job to swap between 320 and 350. Its not just a remap. You need to remove the fuel tank to swap the downpipe and decat pipe in or out. The maps need the correct back pressure from the exhaust. You can't just swap the maps. I doubt they do that to their only 350 demo, when they have other 320 demo cars. Why not just use another car?

That car was definitely 350 throughout.

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[GraemeW]

Peter I was thinking of the variable turbo boost controller which was on the test car. Assume that applies to a 350 car as well, just the tiers are different ?


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[Peter255]

Yeah, but that's just a dial on the dash, and was discussed in the other reviews.

They would have to say to the journo leave it on level 2 or something for 320.

Why wouldn't they report on that?

Any why bother when we know they have other 320 demos?

[robfitz]

Bought Autocar this evening, it is the yellow car and they are listing it at 320bhp. They rather like it though.

[HenryJS]

Just quickly...

Its the 350bhp car, TG had the 350bhp car too. seems they are referring to the 320 car alot - dont ask me why.

[mention]simonrhart[/mention] yes youll need to buy the magazine!

[Peter255]

Thanks for confirming our suspicions Henry.

Autocar and TG didn't read the brief! Lazy journalism....

[GraemeW]

The Autocar power curve graph shows 320 so it must have been boost dialled down from 350. As that’s a different car otherwise. I would give them the benefit of the doubt, and think Autocar have integrity in these things. I would question my subscription if I thought otherwise.

[Peter255]

[mention]HenryJS[/mention]

On the 350 cars what power levels are available via the variable boost settings?

TG stated "220bhp, 290bhp and 320bhp." on the 320 cars. What is applicable to the 350 cars?

Logic would suggest 250, 320, and 350 but it depends on the software. Or do you get 4 levels?

Can you confirm?

Cheers

[Peter255]

The Autocar power curve graph shows 320 so it must have been boost dialled down from 350. As that’s a different car otherwise. I would give them the benefit of the doubt, and think Autocar have integrity in these things. I would question my subscription if I thought otherwise.

Henry has confirmed they got a 350 car, so why did they test it at 320 and publish a 320 graph? Makes no sense. Ariel have provided the latest and greatest upgraded 350 car, but the magazine choose to turn the boost down for a test. Thats illogical.

Would a car magazine get any sports car and test it in lower power economy mode? Its obviously an error on their part. TG did the same. They didn't read the brief from Ariel, or Ariel didn't make it clear / made a typo.

I am sure Ariel would be VERY annoyed if TG or Autocar decided to turn the boost down and review their new car at a low boost setting. Who would want that?

[ooinaru]

UK motoring magazines would not do that, especially to a UK car maker. My bet is it is an error in communication / Find And Replace gone wrong by the editor.

[John Scherrer]

Nah, they just drove it and nicked the graphs from somewhere else ..
I can't see them putting it on a dyno, nor being allowed to ..

I'm guessing it's 220bhp, 290bhp and ~350bhp