TV & Movie Car Challenge Round 11 (TMCC11): For the Spirited Driver in All of Us [Finished]

66mazda · 30 January 2021 05:53

6 drafts later…

TMCC11 Part 4

Tier 1 bins

velocitytitle

Radio special edition

V1 Vincent: Well hello there, and welcome to Velocity, it’s great to have you back!

V2 Vince: A few episodes ago, we sent out a public request to find a car currently sold in the American market that could at least match the performance of the BMW M5, with a third of the cost. Thanks to readers like you, we have quite the selection of good cars from all over the world to choose from.

First up, nominated by Peter from Albuquerque, New Mexico, the:

@Petakabras Cabrera Boreas COPA (Tier 1, 1)

V2: This is quite the interesting choice, being a bit pricey for what it is, a smaller car that straddles the sport compact tuning culture and the prestigious super sedan class dominated by the M5. It looks the part, having a subtly muscular look, something that we think will age well. That front reminds me heavily of the bulldog my neighbors had when I grew up, it seemed unusually friendly at first glance, but you just had the feeling that it was hiding something sinister.

V1: The 254 hp turbocharged 2.5L inline 4 is a reasonably gutsy but rough unit, with a moderate amount of lag. It managed to push the lightweight liftback to 62 in 6.3 seconds, which is just as quick as the US spec M5 we tested earlier this year, and it did very well in our passing test. The engine pulled strongly all the way to redline, and the transmission was satisfying too.

V2: This lightness means that isn’t just some one-trick bull too, as it genuinely is one of the most fun-to-drive cars we’ve tested this year. , The car feels like a glove, and instinctively rotates around you; maybe being RWD helps. The steering was a real hoot, providing plenty of feedback, and the suspension is very well-tuned, endowing the COPA with handling that rivals top tier sports cars, while allowing a good level of playfulness. On the road, it proves to be very compliant, and its stableness gives the driver plenty of confidence outside the track. It all feels so right.

V1: And that interior, it’s well-appointed and features excellent build quality! The Spanish really know how to put some flair in otherwise boring cars, while maintaining a reasonable level of comfort. It definitely reminds me of some of the Alfa Romeos we’ve driven.

V2: But I feel like while it has all those strong points, I don’t think it’s quite the complete package. That interior is a mess. Who the hell puts most of the controls on an overhead console, it’s impossible to use without taking your eyes off the road for several seconds! Radio and climate controls are mounted way too low, and the horseshoe parking brake is atrocious. A driver’s interior this isn’t In addition, while braking performance was solid, we felt a few fades during our tests. Finally, the most glaring issue would be the fact that they are notorious for intense rusting.

V1: I have to admit when we checked the underbody, there was no sign of rustproofing. Plus, remember when you brought in a reader’s COPA from upstate New York, and the rocker panels were literally eaten from the inside out. It was not a pretty sight.

V2: Cabrera has really been on a trim level spree since the humble and unremarkable Boreas first appeared in 1985, and we have to applaud the COPA for proving that the Spanish have what it takes to compete with the world’s finest sports and super sedans. However, when you are competing against the best of the world, there cannot be any compromises, and we think this is where the COPA falls short.

V1: Unrelated note, have you heard that Cabrera is going to release yet another trim called the biturbo, rumored to feature a twin-turbocharged V6?

V2: Wait what?

Personal notes

This bin was particularly hard to make, but we do have standards. As one of the lightest and smallest vehicles in the whole competition, this stylish liftback has the second highest sportiness rating of the competition and had some of the best handling to boot. Unfortunately, it was also one of the slowest here, and there definitely were some corners cut.

Schedule

oof…
I was supposed to finish this over Christmas break, however, my computer sprung up a fan issue in the start of December, and I had to send it back to the manufacturer for repair, and it only got back the day before I started school. I was not able to continue on it during the downtime, because the files that I needed to take the photos were on that computer. Fortunately, they didn’t touch the SSD.
Anyways, I’m back in college and facing an exponentially increasing amount of work (engineering). While I will work on it incrementally when time allows, I am not confident enough to say that I can get this done any time soon, despite having the engineering reviews basically finished. This is because it is my duty to you to provide an engaging and immersive write up that is as holistic and realistic as possible that does Motorweek proud. I think the wait time is worth it, hopefully, you guys will agree. Plus images take quite a bit too.
My goal? To get this done in May, and earlier if possible. Right after my first year of college ends.

FINALISTS

@mart1n2005
@vero94773
@donutsnail
@george_m997
@ProfessorP3PP3R
@S_U_C_C_U_L_E_N_T
@Tzuyu_main
@S31

Thanks to @Executive for the cones

this is not a csr

66mazda · 20 March 2021 15:32

After hearing recent news regarding the update, I will stay on stable as long as possible. First part should be out during the second two day “break”

66mazda · 5 May 2021 03:26

TMCC11 Part 4

Final Group Review Introductions

velocitytitle

'88 Sports Sedans Comparo

The sports sedan has long been an enigma of the automotive industry, combining the near incompatible standards of comfort, practicality, and performance. Thus, the people who are willing to spend on such cars may be some of the most demanding consumers around. We recently decided to bring together 7 of the top sports sedans that are attainable for most new car buyers.

While the early generations of sports sedans were almost exclusively European, their modern counterparts hail from all around the world, with two representing domestic brands. All of them are less than $20,500, which we believe allows for a reasonable blend of affordability and all-around performance.

Almost half our group are built in France, including the $16,690 Courageux 100 CSR-Lynx, the $15,925 Axion Sirene XS, and the $17,510 MAHG Upsilon 25 Turbo 88, which are all new for this year.

From Japan comes the just released Seikatsu Prince 3 0GT Turbo-F, with a $16,895 base price, along with the $17,200 Hinode Tempest GT.

And finally, representing the domestics, are the long serving $17,355 Turbol Centurion 4 0 ZR and our price leader, the $14,955 Silver-York Concorde-Z.

We will ignore pricing, at least for now, and focus on what matters most in this segment: outright performance, driver involvement, daily practicality, comfortable motoring, and quality engineering

Personal notes

~~Everyone’s getting their own separate post, I do not recommend commenting until all 7 finalists are posted. Hopefully two posts per week~~

You might be wondering why one car is missing…

Final bin

@george_m997 (TIE Tier 2, 1)

Yeah, this one somehow escaped my Tier 2 bins…

The front balances muscular sportiness with tidy Japanese/Indonesian practicality, giving a sense of restrained aggressiveness. It features good proportions, and is very period correct. I especially like the headlights, well done grills and lower vents. The hood scoop is also one of the better ones here, it blends in well while giving an air of usability.

Unfortunately, it falls apart on the sides and rear. Let’s focus first on the barren rear. The rear lights do not have proper wraparound (there is nothing wrong with the layout though), and I think a darker lens would have worked better, plus it would be better differentiated with thicker borders. Plus, to fit the sport theme, I think the middle bar should be blacked out, which includes the license plate indent. The exhaust hole is poorly made and the borders clip with the actual exhaust, ruining an otherwise good layout. There is nothing done on the rear bumper otherwise.

The nonexistent styling on the side does nothing to match the front and rear, which are already quite mismatched together. Overall, it looks like two cars got cut and shut together.

While it was indeed one of the quickest here, with a good amount of power and overall forgivable driving manners, it would have fallen to more uncompromising entries, thanks to its poorly optimized engine, terrible brakes, and nervous rear suspension.

Also, I realized that I rebuilt the rear lights incorrectly, so here’s an original picture from the creator. My points still apply though regardless.

this is not a csr

ProfessorP3PP3R · 5 May 2021 09:12

Praise be, its a miracle!

66mazda · 11 May 2021 20:43

TMCC11 Part 4

'88 Sports Sedans Comparo

Axion Sirene XS

@vero94773

In alphabetical order, we start with the Axion Sirene XS, the French automaker’s first foray into the performance sedan market.

Its stark design hasn’t been as well-received as its engine, a dual overhead cam 3.5L 24 valve flat-6 presenting 301 horsepower in a sports car-like manner.

Despite all this power, wheelspin is unthinkable, as power is delivered through all 4 wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox, helping it lunge to 62 mph in 5.8 seconds towards a quarter-mile time of 14.23 seconds. The engine has very linear delivery, pulling strong to the redline. We felt that the gearbox has frustratingly long gear ratios, with a heavy clutch and a bulky, stiff action. This severely hampered its potential performance as the engine’s peakiness requires it to be revved hard to make the most of its power, necessitating constant shifting.

The all-wheel drive system along with stiffer sports suspension and anti-roll bar compared to other Sirenes, gives it secure handling in normal driving conditions, but the harshest ride of the group. This, combined with Z-rated performance tires and an aero kit, endows the Sirene XS with flat high speed cornering. However, we found an annoying tendency for the rear to skip around and become unstable mid-corner, and the vague power steering made it difficult to gauge the limits of its handling.

The all-disc anti-lock brakes gave it a short stopping distance of 114 feet from 62 mph, only behind the Turbol. We found a tendency for the rear to lock up slightly before the ABS kicked in, but stops were straight, and fade was never an issue.

One of the first things you notice on the interior is a faux wood accent on the dash, which livens up the plush-looking interior greatly. We wish the fit and finish were as good as the materials and design. A driver’s airbag is standard, along with seat-belt tensioners. We enjoyed the large, simple, and easy to read gauges that provided all the driving information we needed. The light control and the trip computer are located on the control pod to the left of the driver; both are easy to see and use, as are the controls for the automatic climate control that are mounted high on the dash. Lower down, the radio controls are well marked and easy to reach. The very firm seats give plenty of support and have a good bit of padding. We appreciated the standard power adjustments with seat position memory and heated seats, along with the steering that adjusts for tilt, and the split folding design of the rear seats. The spacious trunk holds 22.6 cubic feet of cargo and the cabin is the largest of the group.

66mazda · 19 May 2021 05:14

TMCC11 Part 4

'88 Sports Sedans Comparo

Courageux 100 CSR-Lynx

@mart1n2005

Next up is the Courageux 100 CSR-Lynx. When the 100 was first introduced 3 years ago, it would pioneer a distinctly European, yet modern and smooth styling that would propagate across the Courageux lineup.

For 1988, Courageux’s venerable single overhead cam 12 valve inline-6 receives a turbocharger, individual throttle bodies, and forged internals for performance duty, pushing out 276 hp to the rear wheels.

With a strong launch, it gets to 0-62 mph in 5.8 seconds and down the quarter-mile in 14.1 seconds. Power delivery is strong and smooth, but only after the turbochargers wake up at 3000 RPM. Its general acceleration was also hindered by a 5-speed manual transmission with gear ratios that were too short to take advantage of its power, made worse by a bulky and stuff action that made it hard to use, and a very heavy clutch.

The Courageux has a clear preference for comfortable cruising than being hustled in the corners. At the high-speed corners of Roebling Road, it exhibited very sloppy behavior, not surprising knowing that it was the second heaviest car in our group. While it makes the best out of its standard road tires, it feels very loose when pushed to the limits, and the rear wheels were a challenge to keep in line. However, for some people, these trade-offs are acceptable for a highway ride that won’t jolt them around.

We were not impressed with the brake performance. Their stopping distance of 128 feet from 62mph, while the longest in the group, was acceptable, but they suffered from severe brake fade, especially on the track, despite using a disc setup on all 4 wheels. However, while we felt a bit of instability in the rear under hard braking, all stops were straight. Like all the cars in our group, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes are standard.

Inside, the Courageux evokes a most serious and traditional attitude, with the only brightwork being the wood paneling on the center console, and excellent fit and finish. A driver’s airbag and seat-belt tensioners are standard. Functionality takes priority over design, with the large rocker switches for most controls easy to see and use, along with the radio. The rotary and slide controls for the climate control are simple to use, but their vertical orientation was somewhat unfamiliar. Gauges are large and well-marked, but we wish they included both an oil pressure gauge and a voltmeter. The heated front seats have very thick padding and are very comfortable, with excellent support and easy to use manual adjustments, including a telescopic pump for seat height and a rotary dial for the backrest. Combined with a tilting steering wheel, it wasn’t hard to find a good position. While cabin space is average, the trunk is the largest here, at 24.2 cubic feet.

66mazda · 27 May 2021 04:56

TMCC11 Part 4

'88 Sports Sedans Comparo

Hinode Tempest GT

@S_U_C_C_U_L_E_N_T

The first Japanese entry we will review is the Hinode Tempest GT. Its thoroughly modern design is very handsome, but quite derivative. The GT trim shows it’s nicely subdued aggression with revised bumpers, grill, front lip, and rear lip wing.

Power comes from the smallest engine in our group, a silky smooth 2.0L turbocharged inline 6, with dual overhead cams and 24 valves. It produces 216 horsepower.

At just over 2500 pounds, the Tempest GT is the lightest car here, and it shows by matching the Courageux on the drag strip, with a 0-62 time of 5.8 seconds and a quarter mile time of 14.1 seconds. It’s launches and pulls strongly, even if the turbocharger needs 3300 RPM to start delivering its maximum power. While the gearing was a bit long for our tastes, the transmission was enjoyable to use.

It’s low weight also endow it with a good balance of sport and comfort. It is taut and compliant at low speeds, and along with the performance tires and aero kit provided impressive grip at high speeds. However, it’s composure is greatly reduced when pushed to its limits, especially for the rear axle.

As expected, 4-wheel discs with ABS are standard. Stops from 62-0 mph took 114 feet with no drama, and we only sensed a slight hint of fade after repeated abuse on the track.

Despite the lack of wood trim, the Tempest GT’s well built interior gives off a modern, luxurious, and classy feel. However, while seat-belt tensioners are standard, no airbag is available. The digital dash is sharp and relatively easy to read, but it lacks oil pressure and voltmeter readouts. We prefer a complete set of analog gauges, which would be more user friendly. Its sweeping dash looks like it was lifted straight from a sports car, with most controls and gauges angled towards the driver. Most of the the controls, including ones for the climate control and radio, are large, well marked, and easy to use. One interesting feature was the high-mounted control panel that houses the most commonly used radio control, it helps keep the driver’s eyes on the road, but some of us saw it as redundant. We did not like the slideout panel for that houses the switches for fan speed and vent settings, but appreciated the cupholders that could stow away in the below the radio. The seats are well padded and supportive, and with the 7-way power adjustments and tilt and telescoping steering wheel, can accommodate almost anybody. Both cabin space and the 16.3 cubic feet of trunk space are typical for its class.

abg7 · 16 July 2021 00:55

These first three reviews for the finalists are not only honest, but also highly informative - and I expect these to be true for the other four. Speaking of which, now that you have completed hosting duties for CSR 138, when will the remaining reviews and final results be released? After all, it’s been more than two months since you have confirmed the lineup of finalists for TMCC 11.

66mazda · 18 July 2021 06:13

TMCC11 Part 4

'88 Sports Sedans Comparo

MAHG Upsilon 25 Turbo 88

@S31

From its chiseled front end and aggressive front spoiler to its rounded-off liftback shape, the MAHG Upsilon 25 Turbo 88 is a powerful show of French flair, even if it’s a bit dated.

Under the hood is a new turbocharged 2.5L single-overhead cam 16-valve inline 4, sending 254 raucous horsepower to the front wheels.

With a limited-slip differential, the MAHG scrabbled to 62 mph in 5.6 seconds and blasted through the quarter-mile in 13.86 seconds, the group’s fastest. As expected, there was from front-drive torque steer. The engine comes to life early in its rev range, maintaining consistent power to the redline. A notchy short-ratio 5-speed manual transmission and its progressive clutch allowed us to take repeated advantage of its overwhelming mid-range punch. Top speed is an eye-watering 173 mph, far surpassing its competition.

With the standard Y-rated Michelin TRX tires, aero refinements, and a sports-tuned variant of MAHG’s iconic hydropneumatic suspension, the Upsilon 25 Turbo 88 delivers an otherworldly combination of handling and comfort at all speeds. Behavior is highly predictable, with mild plow, good agility, and a high level of cornering grip, but it felt somewhat sluggish and nose-heavy. At high speeds, it was easy to correct any errors due to the responsive steering, ensuring driver confidence. However, the highway ride was compliant and smooth, absorbing rough surfaces with ease.

The 4 wheel antilock rakes did their job well, and stops from 62 mph took 114 feet with only some slight locking from the rear. Minimal fade was observed.

Befitting of a premium French car, the interior offers artistic, enigmatic, and world-class luxury with excellent build quality, featuring nearly every modern power and stereo option. A driver’s airbag and seat belt tensioners are standard. The conventional dials were easy to read thanks to the one spoke steering wheel. However, the interior is an ergonomic nightmare, and is a true example of form over function, with controls seemingly scattered everywhere and a layout that is not to everyone’s taste. For example, the radio was located where the armrests would be, making it very distracting to use. Despite the multitude of buttons, it would have been reasonably easy to use had it been in a more convenient position. Climate controls were tiny and hard to access, there were no stalks (pods mounted to the side of the steering wheels took their place), the turn signals did not self-cancel, and there were storage compartments high up in the dash. We found the seats to be comfortable but wished for more side support. The 21.4 of cargo space is generous.

66mazda · 29 July 2021 05:28

TMCC11 Part 4

'88 Sports Sedans Comparo

Seikatsu Prince 3.0GT Turbo-F

@Tzuyu_main

Newly introduced this year, the Seikatsu Prince 3.0GT Turbo-F seeks to bolster the Japanese manufacturer’s high-performance credentials, with a contemporary, sleek package that sits low to the ground.

Featuring a turbocharged 24 valve dual-overhead cam 3.0L inline 6 that is shared with the larger Regalia luxury sedan and GR sports coupe, all 310 horsepower are delivered in a seamless manner through a 5-speed manual and all-wheel drive.

The well-matched short-ratio gearbox allows the 3523 pound heavyweight to rocket from 0-62 mph in 5.6 seconds, matching the MAHG’s acceleration. The quarter mile took 14.1 seconds. Power is strong from launch to redline, with minimal lag. However, the transmission’s stiff action and heavy clutch, expected for a car of this power, hampered its performance.

Handling is impressive considering its luxury-car philosophy and highest weight in the group, but still falls far short of its more sporting competitors. The rear-bias of the all-wheel drive system helps push the car through tight corners, helping to compensate for its low grip limits and loose handling given the lack of a rear sway bar and high body roll. At higher speeds, the car overly soft suspension proved to be universally disconcerting for all our drivers, and overall behavior could be described as bouncy. The lightly loaded rear end constantly threatened to kick out, but was quelled by the all-wheel drive and very communicative steering. As expected from a luxury car, highway ride comfort was excellent, with a high degree of compliancy.

Taking into account the standard road tires and comfort oriented suspension and brake pads, we couldn’t ask much more in braking performance. While there was some initial front brake lockup, stops were straight with a high level of consistency over several panic stops, with an average stopping distance of 123 feet from 62 mph.

While the interior may lack the panache of some competitors, its cohesive, modern design and excellent build quality are geared towards driver confidence, with a wide variety of power features and a reasonable amount of space. Seat belt tensioners with motorized front belts are standard, but no airbag is available. The wide dash features several vents, with large and legible analog gauges, even if not all the critical information is provided. The well-marked climate controls are easy to read and use, but the buttons for the radio are both somewhat tiny and require a long reach from the driver’s seat. The voice-activated controls proved very finicky to use. With power seat adjustments and a tilt steering wheel, finding a good seating position is a snap, and one situated, we found the seats to be very comfortable, if a bit lacking for hard driving. The 15.3 cubic feet of trunk space is expected for its class.

voiddoesnotknow · 2 August 2021 22:04

are submissions still open or…?

TheYugo45GV · 3 August 2021 00:03

They’ve been closed since September of last year.

66mazda · 7 October 2021 20:19

TMCC11 Part 4

'88 Sports Sedans Comparo

Silver-York Concorde-Z

@ProfessorP3PP3R

With a stately combination of upright grill, sloping hood, raised tail, body colored trim, and curved surfaces, the Silver York Concode-Z wears one of the company’s first truly graceful modern designs, proudly redefining a venerable name in an ever changing era.

Upgraded for 1988 with a freer flowing intake, the twin-turbocharged 3.8L V8 soldiers on with the ubiquitous throttle body fuel injection, a single overhead valvetrain, and 16 valves, churning out 250 strong horsepower to the front wheels through the group’s only automatic, a smooth, responsive, and sophisticated electronically controlled 4-speed unit.

All of this provides effortless, authoritative thrust in our acceleration tests, achieving an impressive 0-62 mph time of 6.3 seconds. The Silver York never broke a sweat, but we felt that it was held back by a peaky engine, premature redline, and long gearing, often leaving it out of its powerband. No significant power is made before 3400 RPM before the turbochargers provide a very muscular mid-range punch. Top speed is electronically limited to 130 mph.

With the performance suspension, the Concorde-Z proved surprisingly capable when hustled, with low body roll and firm and quick steering. However, we felt that the ride was too crashy, with an overly stiff setup causing the rear wheel to hop around on bumpy roads. Like the MAHG, we sensed a feel of sluggishness in its behavior, typical of front-wheel drive setups. Finally, its handling limits were much lower than its competitors, especially considering its high-performance rubber, but the Concorde-Z gave plenty of warning in advance in the form of mild understeer.

The Concorde-Z, like the rest of the group, features 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, but we were not impressed with their performance. A stopping distance of 119 feet from 62 mph was reasonable, if a bit longer than similar competitors. While there was slight front brake lockup, all stops were straight. However brake fade was among the worst here, with the brakes giving up after a few emergency stops.

Taking cues from its larger siblings, the Concorde-Z’s spacious interior has excellent build quality, but a design that feels slightly conflicted between sportiness and luxury. Both a driver’s airbag and seat belt tensioners are standard. What stands out is the LCD dash that mimics analog gauges and gives out clear readouts of all the critical information in the daylight. On the other hand, the canted dash and center console houses a towering array of buttons that cover all controls, including ones for the stereo and climate control systems. We found the layout somewhat complicated to navigate while driving. The flat seats offer no lateral support, but are quite soft and comfortable, offering power adjustments that will allow most drivers to find a good seating position. Trunk space is plenty, at 17.4 cubic feet.

abg7 · 8 October 2021 01:27

When I first saw the Concorde-Z, my initial reaction was “This is what a Buick GNX would look like if it were a FWD 4-door sedan”. Turns out I couldn’t have been more accurate (except for the chromed main grille - the real-life car had a black one).

66mazda · 8 October 2021 01:51

TMCC11 Part 4

'88 Sports Sedans Comparo

Turból Centurion 4.0 ZR Sedan

@donutsnail

Designed specifically as an import fighter, the Turbol Centurion represented a seismic shift in the company’s philosophy in a time of crisis. The new for 1988 4.0 ZR sedan, derived from the legendary 4.0 ZR coupe motorsports homologation special, makes full use of a purposeful and menacing bodystyle that dates back to 1979, and can be now be considered iconic.

Revised in 1985, the all aluminum single overhead cam 24 valve 4.0L V8 is shared with the coupes, and pushes out 248 horsepower to the rear wheels.

With consistent power throughout the rev range, featherweight build, and a progressive clutch, the Centurion effortlessly dispatched the 0-62 mph run in 6.3 seconds, and its passing acceleration was the best of this group. However, we felt that the gear ratios of the somewhat notchy 5 speed manual transmission were too long, hampering both performance and economy.

The Turbol’s flat cornering, uncanny agility, impressive high speed stability, and high cornering limits from its sticky tires encouraged us to drive it at its limits, making it one of the sportiest sedans on the market. Its low weight and communicative steering allow for a nearly telepathic experience with the driver. However, the tradeoff is a very stiff ride, and the lack of compliancy could cause the tires to be skittish on sharp bumps in the road.

The 4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock were well balanced, providing secure, straight stops from 62 mph in an average of 110 ft, the group’s shortest. A concerning amount of fade after a few panic stops was observed.

A welcoming, cozy interior is a standout feature of the Centurion. Traditional touches abound, including a wood rimmed steering wheel with tilting and telescoping adjustment, ample amounts of tasteful wood grain, and liberal use of plush red leather that provides a splash of excitement in the otherwise solemn atmosphere. Build quality is unrivaled in the segment. Seat belt tensioners are standard, but no airbag is offered. A full set of comprehensible analog gauges are included. Their housing is surrounded by two rows of buttons for various controls. With minimal clutter, we found the center console mounted stereo and climate controls to be reasonably easy to use. Seats are very supportive yet comfortable, and it was easy to find a good position. The rear window shades that help shield the interior from the sun are a unique touch. One notable peculiarity is that the rear windows can only roll down halfway due to the location of the rear brake cooling ducts in the rear doors. Both cabin space and the 8.9 cubic inch of cargo space are the smallest of the group

66mazda · 8 October 2021 04:03

TMCC11 Part 4

'88 Sports Sedans Comparo

Verdict

So, here we are. 7 expertly engineered solutions for your affordable sports sedan craving.

While it was surely difficult to determine our top pick, we were admittedly enamored with the Hinode Tempest GT. There is rarely a car that can hit the sweet spot of spirited fun, daily usability, and sporting performance, and all at a reasonable price.

Also winning top honors is the MAHG Upsilon 28 Turbo 88. Utilizing modern technology to the best of its advantage, its objective performance is unmatched, backed up by a strong powertrain, comforting ride, and playful attitude.

Finally, rounding out the podium, is the Turbol Centurion 4.0 ZR Sedan. Its V8 power, motorsports heritage, and spirited handling are an irresistible combination. Already a world-class sports sedan on the road and track, the addition of the ZR package elevates its fight to the world’s best.

Most people believe that you have to shell out obnoxious amounts of money to get performance, comfort, and practicality. But as history has shown us, from muscle cars to hot hatches, the democratization of high performance has consistently proven that instinct wrong. While BMW may have pushed the sports sedan to a new level of performance, it will be these 7 sports sedans that will push their segment to a new level of popularity.

Finalist grades

Spreadsheet

TMCC11 troll - Google Sheets

Knugcab · 8 October 2021 05:48

Congratulations to @S_U_C_C_U_L_E_N_T and kudos for not giving up on finishing this challenge, I understand if it can have been a bit of struggle with it. Still, if I am allowed to have my opinion, I hope for a somewhat shorter time to finish TMCC12.

Also, when looking at the spreadsheet I understand how much better I am at designing and engineering cars now compared to a year ago…

S_U_C_C_U_L_E_N_T · 8 October 2021 06:01

Thank you @66mazda for hosting this round and I will be taking up the opportunity to host TMCC12. The new round should be up a few days after CSR142 begins so as to avoid any possible overlaps with the theme.

S_U_C_C_U_L_E_N_T · 10 October 2021 16:26

TMCC12 is out!

66mazda · 16 November 2021 08:21

TMCC11 Part E1

'88 Sports Sedans Comparo

Some weird hotlaps

Courtesy of @alen.alic1983

Right when I was in the middle of the heat of writing this round, alen graciously offered to do some Beam ng hotlaps around the Automation Test Track. Ultimately, 6 cars were reviewed that way. As this was made right before a major Beam.ng physics update, results may be slightly inaccurate compared to the current version. Regardless, here are the cars and their reviews!

LCE LE5 V8 S

@abg7

“So this was an exciting experience…in a negative way. Beyond the baritone of a V8 engine, there really isn’t much to like here. The straight line performance is solid, but the first gear is a bit long. There is no weight in the back so I had to wrestle the car to stay on course through even the mild corners. There is no ABS and the brakes are not front-biased enough to offer a decent trail-braking effect. Instead, if you try to trail-brake you will spin out even at moderate to low speeds. I had to feather the pedal earlier than usual just to get the car ready for a corner. Once the rear steps out, not many actions can put it back in line. This was a land-barge on steroids experience. Driving the thing is like dancing with the Grimm Reaper after he found out that you were messing around with his sister…”

Ginan Eucla E25

@AMuteCrypt

“Now here is a car that promises nothing based on it’s looks, but delivers a memorable experience. I have to say that a straight-six turbo-muted sound is very appropriate to this cars character. It is one of those solid feeling vehicles that trusts you and follows every input with confidence. However, I can not call this a sport sedan, even though it is not lacking in power. No, this is more of an autobahn bomber, eating up miles without much sweat and worry. However, when you do want to feel excitement, all you need to do is mash the throttle pedal when coming out of a corner. The turbo kicks in and gives out the most satisfying and delightfully controllable power slide. After a few corners of adjusting to the turbo kick, this action becomes a part of your primal instinct. This car rarely leaves you feeling unsafe even when driven on limit.
However, there are three issues that need to be resolved to make this an elite experience…
First gear is way too long, and it really does a number in combination with the turbo lag. Spacing should be increased slightly to get a more intuitive and satisfying feel while progressing down the track. This brings me to the second issue - turbo lag. While it is satisfying when expected, it could cause a shock to the uninitiated. Making it more mid-range friendly would be just what the doctor ordered. Third issue is one that could end up being quite expensive in the long run. The car tends to bottom out at even the slightest hint of uneven pavement when pushed hard.
All in all, a car with a solid feel of an ultimate high speed cruiser and a surprisingly positive experience.”

Munot Helvetia 540S

@Quneitra

“This car is a case of playful drive train meeting safety-first suspension setup. This has an identity crisis and it is hard to dial into it. There is sufficient power to push this thing down the track but, off-throttle it simply wants to under-steer into eternity, while mid corner, when you give it the beans, it simply hunts down a perfect line to guide you through the corner. I found myself pulling on the handbrake too often to give the chassis some rhythm before treating it to some AWD finesse. First gear might be a little short, but shifting through other gears feels positive and progressive. I just wish the back was drunk enough to join the party on it’s own.”

AAI Dragoon

@SuperLemonade

“Another car with split personality shows up to play. The color draws you in, the turbo sound promises rush-filled experience, shifting through gears is satisfying and…then we come to suspension and drive train. This time, the suspension is just loose and playful enough to feel premium and fun but, as soon as you give this AWD the beans, it understeers like crazy. This was almost a perfect recipe. The car can be trail-braked and set into a corner without issues while maintaining a controllable feel at the wheel, but on tight turns, as soon as you want to blast out in a turbo-boost glory, it simply wants to go straight. I wonder how different it would be with a rear-biased AWD setup. Also, I did notice bottoming-out again on certain segments of the track.”

Raider RS

@nialloftara

“After walking away from this vehicle, I realized there was nothing memorable about it. First of all it is a FWD V6 with a lack of poke. The power just isn’t in the same league as many other cars. This isn’t aided at all by the long gearing this car has. But can it redeem itself through driving dynamics? I’m afraid not… It shows understeer off power and slight understeer on power in tight corners while losing any steering feel on full-throttle. Worst of all is the brake situation as they are not well balanced for this cars weight distribution. They are overly rear-biased. The positive is that they are able to stop the car, but dynamically this car is a bit of a catastrophe. I would consider this as a Camry competitor at best. It is a shame though, as this formula can probably be corrected with relatively simple changes.”

MAHG Upsilon 25 Turbo '88

@S31

“Oh no, another FWD wanna-be performance sedan. Really? And those looks… Well, that was me walking towards the Mahg, but after getting out of it…oh Mah Gawd…
How did they do it? Ho did they manage to blow my mind in such manner? This car gave me a buzz the size of a mountain! It was fun, fast, brutal, and so alive! This car is a proof that you can do FWD performance the right way. The gearbox is perfect, engine strong and well boosted, grip on and off throttle just phenomenal. Listen, it is not a perfect car… It is set up to carve the road, so straight line steering feel is a bit twitchy. The engine does not sound inspiring and there is torque-steer when you mash the throttle mid-corner. The car sometimes bottoms out and rides very stiff over high-speed bumps. But even with those drawbacks, this baby has found a special place in my heart as a car enthusiast. Well done! Viva la difference!”

Enjoy!