Wolf in Sheep's Clothing 04 (WISC04) [Final Results]

[Kreator]

Ping Jumpscare Time!

Thanks everyone for your files! After sorting through the cars, I have created the DQ list.

DQs

Vita Gara (@NathBit)

Violation: Multiple.

This car boasts some incredible performance for its small size. I was impressed by the engineering that went into this pocket rocket.

Unfortunately, with at least three rule violations (Billet steel block, tire size not ending in 5, ~20k overbudget), this car doesn’t make the cut.

Testar Meerkat GTSR (@sutarttt)

Violation: Rear tire size does not end in 5.

One of the first cars I received and one of the more humble looking unfortunately had a rear tire size not ending in 5, so it doesn’t make the cut.

Sayoko Hoor 1.5 Rallysport (@Hilbert)

Violation: Multiple.

This one seems to have taken visual inspiration from the Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart (which I definitely remembered when creating this challenge). However, with no windshield wipers and failing to meet safety standards (Safety < 50), this one doesn’t make the cut.

Armor Kestrel SC4 (@GassTiresandOil)

Violation: Exceeds maximum tech pool cost.

This bold looking wagon sadly exceeds the tech pool cost by $0.3M, so it doesn’t make the cut.

Oni Nodachi Type 8 AWD (@Riley)

Violation: Does not have 5 seats.

This sport sedan certainly looked the part and put up some great numbers, but it only has 4 seats, 1 seat short of the minimum for the body style, so it doesn’t make the cut.

If your car wasn’t in the DQs, you’ve made it into the challenge! The official list of entrants is below:

Passing Entries

@xsneakyxsimx - Ascot Runner ASP 15th Anniversary Edition (Truck)
@abg7 AMS Argonite 2.0 GT (Sedan)
@moroza - DCMW Faras Standard Six M (Wagon)
@nightwave - Airman Liberator A51 (Sedan)
@AKA_NOBUDDY - CBC Quest SX (Sedan)
@Ultimate_Billy - Bovos Proton (SUV)
@the-chowi - MD Aeleutian S270 (Wagon)
@Isabella - Hexe Jocelyn ST (Hatchback)
@Koviico & @nvisionluminous - Arima Sentenir LC (Sedan)
@nicholasrams774 - Mutsuraboshi Revolution R (Wagon)
@DuceTheTruth100 - Allure Q5-s (SUV)
@ReunionRacer25 - TVC Sabre (Sedan)
@lotto77 - Planar MH59 Owlsa FEX-S 3.8 (Sedan)
@VladTheImpala - Entschieden T1500 S66 (Truck)
@AndiD - Mara Kavaler U 4.6 AMM (Wagon)
@supersaturn77 - Ventus Journeyman 3.2GS AWD (Sedan)

Lots of different bodystyles. Love it.

The cars are being scored and the first round of reviews are being worked on!

[Hilbert]

@Kreator

However, with no windshield wipers

Nu uh. They’re just hidden!

[xsneakyxsimx]

@VladTheImpala May the best truck win.

[Kreator]

Round 1 Reviews!

All the cars have been scored and the testers have sent in their comments! Fortunately, all of them were faster than the benchmarked V6 Mustang. Let’s see how they stack up.

Organizer's Error

When writing the reviews, I noticed that @ReunionRacer25’s entry had three aero fixtures instead of two, making it ineligible to compete. Unfortunately, it will have to sit out.

15th

15th - Entschieden T1500 S66 (@VladTheImpala)
Score: 5.5/19.5

One of two pickups, the Entschieden was advertised as the “working man’s” sleeper with a focus on utility. It’s large and imposing with its beefy 6.6L V8 and nice flat powerband, and its payload and towing capacity is standard fare for a truck of its class, but it’s behind the pack in most of its key performance stats. Its design is decent, but very basic and lacking the details of the higher scorers. When driven by the testers, it felt slow and didn’t have the sports car feel they were looking for. While it makes up in some areas with above average comfort and very low service costs, this vehicle doesn’t have the raw performance numbers of its far cheaper rivals to advance higher.

14th

14th - Airman Liberator A51 (@nightwave)
Score: 7.2/19.5

A good ol’ full size sedan with a big V8 MOTUR. This car’s stance is menacing, but its proportions on the front and rear look off. The testers were disappointed when the car’s performance didn’t support its appearance, scoring low with its on paper stats and bottom pack on sportiness. They said that this car was unpleasant to drive and chewed through its fuel incredibly fast on the run. If you’re looking for an understated full sized vehicle with a big V8, there are faster, tamer, and far cheaper options available than this $28900 behemoth.

13th

13th - AMS Argonite 2.0 GT (@abg7)
Score: 7.6/19.5

The smallest entry on the list, this one was one of the tamest of the lot, boasted good on-paper performance, and has a nice sporty feeling. However, the testers felt exhaust was too quiet for its performance level, and its small stature meant they felt cramped when they crawled into the back seats. The design leaves much to be desired and the testers scowled at the Argonite name when the vehicle even turned up. Overall, this turbo-4 AWD mite is left in the dust by the others, even by those with the same powertrain.

12th

12th - CBC Quest SX (@AKA_NOBUDDY)
Score: 8/19.5
Superlative(s): Lowest service costs.

The Quest slides in at the smaller end of the midsize sedan range. Thanks to its NA 1.9L B6, it has incredibly low service costs and one of the highest MPGs of the lot. However, its raw stats are bottom of the pack, having the slowest 0-62 MPH and the slowest quarter mile time, and the testers weren’t excited on the sportiness front, either. The design is sleek and subtle and has nice touches over the base model, but the testers felt the rear could use some styling improvement to match the front’s intricacies. While the Quest does beat the V6 Mustang, its poor performance stats are too low to ignore, and it doesn’t compensate enough in other areas for it to place higher.

11th

11th - Mutsuraboshi Revolution R (@nicholasrams774)
Score: 8.1/19.5

The Mitsubishi Evolution Mutsuraboshi Revolution R was the lowest scoring wagon of the lot. The testers said the Revolution felt responsive and sharp when driven and its clever AWD system kept it tame. Its raw stats are slightly better than the previous vehicles, but keep the Revolution behind the higher scoring competitors. The design is clean and nicely proportioned, although the car looks goofy on its tiny little wheels (the testers thought it rolled up on temp spares at first). Safety, reliability, and service costs were better on average when compared to its rivals, but its high price of $28900 and low on-paper performance leaves it low on the list.

The following vehicles/entrants are still in:

Remainders

@xsneakyxsimx - Ascot Runner ASP 15th Anniversary Edition (Truck)
@moroza - DCMW Faras Standard Six M (Wagon)
@Ultimate_Billy - Bovos Proton (SUV)
@the-chowi - MD Aeleutian S270 (Wagon)
@Isabella - Hexe Jocelyn ST (Hatchback)
@Koviico & @nvisionluminous - Arima Sentenir LC (Sedan)
@DuceTheTruth100 - Allure Q5-s (SUV)
@lotto77 - Planar MH59 Owlsa FEX-S 3.8 (Sedan)
@AndiD - Mara Kavaler U 4.6 AMM (Wagon)
@supersaturn77 - Ventus Journeyman 3.2GS AWD (Sedan)

Who will come out on top?

[VladTheImpala]

just glad to make the top 15 XD, ill work on improving my stats in the future.
@xsneakyxsimx good luck, lets hope you’re truck can make top 5

[Kreator]

If it’s any consolation, yours was the better truck of the two.

[AKA_NOBUDDY]

I’m happy with what I got… Thought the performance was more realistic for the time and what was asked for, didn’t think we gon a have sub 5 second minivans and such for 2004… Oh well, guess 295 km/h wasn’t enough to impress either … at least I had the top of the list on something

[Kreator]

The way I calculated the raw performance score was giving points to the cars based on how much they beat the benchmarked V6 Mustang. The Quest’s top speed was top three if I recall (very impressive given the power output), but the 0-62 and quarter mile times were among the bottom of the entrants, which hurt your vehicle’s raw performance score.

[NathBit]

Did a load of car builds without knowing all the screens and how costs are determined (they are not just engine and car combined). Also learned to keep engines separate and not work on two projects at the same time! Need to get on BeamNG and start testing cars too!

Some really good looking cars here

[Kreator]

Round 2 Reviews!

Onto the midpack! Let’s get started.

10th

10th - Planar MH59 Owlsa FEX-S 3.8 (@lotto77)
Score: 8.3/19.5

This one looks like a street brawler. Its snazzy design has taken some cues off the tuner scene and definitely looks the part of a performance vehicle without straying too far from its humble base model. The testers loved its high safety and fuel efficiency scores while keeping its service costs below average. However, it has one of the lowest top speeds and it didn’t stand out in the other performance areas when compared to its rivals, especially when considering its $29700 price tag. The testers also noted the car was pretty tame, but it didn’t feel too sporty to drive.

9th

9th - Allure Q5-s (@DuceTheTruth100)
Score: 8.5/19.5
Superlative(s): Highest practicality, highest safety, highest comfort, highest prestige, highest price.

This Bentayga-esque machine was the largest vehicle sent to the testers, and it shows with its group-leading practicality and safety ratings. The testers loved its unmatched comfort, scoring way higher than the other competitors. However, they noticed it felt more like a luxury cruiser when driven and not like a sports car. Its raw stats, while faster than a V6 Mustang, are near bottom pack compared to the other competitors. Its fuel efficiency is the lowest of the group and its reliability sub par as well. For its list price of $29900, you do get a lot of car, but it’s a little too refined and quiet for it to be a thrilling sporty experience. This vehicle would likely see more sales and success if it went up market.

8th

8th - Hexe Jocelyn ST (@Isabella)
Score: 10.2/19.5
Superlative(s): Best fuel efficiency.

The testers loved that this innocent looking hatchback hides a true performance beast. It’s design isn’t the best, lacking fine details and looking a little too pedestrian, but its performance speaks for itself. A torquey turbo-4 sends its 240 HP through all 4 wheels, boasting great acceleration, excellent lateral g, and the best fuel efficiency of the lot, hitting a whopping 30.4 MPG. The testers admired the cargo volume, the tameness from its AWD, and its sporty exhaust note. However, the Jocelyn falls behind the pack on its safety, comfort, and reliability, so the testers don’t think it can place any higher.

7th

7th - Mara Kavaler U 4.6 AMM (@AndiD)
Score: 10.4/19.5

A big ol’ wagon with a large NA V8. Unlike the Liberator, this wagon is a sweetheart to drive. While its raw performance stats aren’t the best of the bunch, the testers were intoxicated with its throaty V8 growl and how nice it felt to thrash on the twisty back roads. Its strengths lie with its high reliability, high practicality, and low service costs. Combined with the second highest comfort rating (placing only behind the Q5-s), the testers feel this would be an ideal daily for the discerning enthusiast. Design wise, it’s aggressive yet subtle, but it doesn’t stand out on the detail front. If you’re looking for great speed and a great daily or family car, the Kavaler has you covered, and at a cool price of $25000, it’s a real bargain indeed.

6th

6th - Arima Sentenir LC (@Koviico & @nvisionluminous)
Score: 10.6/19.5
Superlative(s): Best design, loudest.

A masterclass in automotive design. Even though there’s no base model associated with it, you can clearly see how a humble sedan was elevated to sleeper status. There’s just enough flare to show it means business, but not so much that it screams “sports car”. Its visual design is justified with its overall raw performance stats too, scoring the second highest of the lot by a comfortable margin. The testers loved how great it felt to drive and how easy it was to push, especially with its twin turbo I6 singing through the exhaust. Its reliability and fuel efficiency are decent as well, but it’s held back by its outdated safety equipment, harsh ride, and the highest service costs of the lot. Plus, even though it has evolved from its humble sedan origins, the testers still scowled when a Sentenir showed up at their testing facility. A fantastic design with great performance numbers, but there were too many compromises for it to place higher.

The top 5 contestants are (in no particular order):

Drumroll please

@xsneakyxsimx - Ascot Runner ASP 15th Anniversary Edition (Truck)
@moroza - DCMW Faras Standard Six M (Wagon)
@Ultimate_Billy - Bovos Proton (SUV)
@the-chowi - MD Aeleutian S270 (Wagon)
@supersaturn77 - Ventus Journeyman 3.2GS AWD (Sedan)

Who will come out on top?

[Kreator]

The Finals!

On to the final 5 cars! A very strong and diverse set of entries, who will take home the gold?

5th

Ventus Journeyman 3.2GS AWD (@supersaturn77)
Score: 10.9/19.5

Advertised as the “goldilocks” of the Journeyman range, this sedan has no glaring weaknesses. The testers complained about the harsh ride and high sticker price, but the Journeyman boasts excellent stats in all the other areas. Its raw performance stats places it heads and shoulders above most of the competition. Plus, it feels excellent to drive, and its NA 25v I5 keeps its service costs cheaper and reliability higher than most of the competition. Even though it only excels in a few areas, this jack of all trades has earned itself a spot in the top five for its consistent showing across all areas.

4th

Ascot Runner ASP 15th Anniversary Edition (@xsneakyxsimx)
Score: 11/19.5
Superlative(s): Lowest price, longest name.

This pickup ditches some of its truck roots and becomes a full blown street beast. Its simple yet elegant design gives it a menacing stance while still keeping its truck identity alive. It’s raw performance isn’t stellar, but it’s able to run toe to toe with most of the entrants. Its body-on-frame construction enables low service costs and doesn’t harm its sporty feeling much. The 15 year old platform scored low on safety and is near the bottom for fuel efficiency, but it was easy to wrangle according to the testers. The Ascot Runner has a good reputation amongst those in the know and has proven to be solid as a rock on the reliability front. It’s large 5.9L V8 growled as the testers thrashed this tiny truck across the track, even packing one of the best lateral g scores. At a price point of $21900, this pickup truck has the heart of a sports car and the numbers to match, just as long as you don’t mind its age.

3rd

MD Aeleutian S270 (@the-chowi)
Score: 11.1/19.5

The highest a car has gotten without winning a single superlative, the Aeleutian has a commanding yet refined presence. Its 4.6L NA V8 was a little too quiet at times, but the sharp chassis responded to every input and the vehicle was very tame on the open roads, even with its FR layout. Long term tests have reported this car to be incredibly reliable and easy to service, not to mention very handy on the practical front. This car has made a name for itself with its blistering 175 MPH top speed for its $26000 price tag. If you’re looking for a daily wagon with a strong focus on performance, this is the vehicle for you.

2nd

2nd - Bovos Proton (@UltimateBilly)
Score: 11.3/19.5
Superlative(s): Highest Drivability.

When the large Proton lumbered onto the lot, the testers laughed. Who would stick a supercar’s 400 HP V10 in an SUV and call it a sports car? Their jeers were silenced as soon as they put their foot down, and their pants soiled as they clocked the third fastest quarter mile time and fourth fastest 0-62 time. Then their lunch was sloshed around as they exceeded .96 lateral gs on the skidpad, higher than some of the cars they’ve tested. This massive SUV was the tamest vehicle of the lot but also felt like a sports car when pushed to its limits. The testers found out why this SUV was highly revered, matching great performance, high practicality, and excellent comfort, all in a subtle yet aggressive exterior. Just don’t ask them how much fuel it consumed.

1st

1st - DCMW Faras Standard Six M (@moroza)
Score: 13.9/19.5
Superlative(s): Best raw performance stats, Highest sportiness.

This AWD wagon took an unmatched victory on the sports front, scoring the fastest raw stats and sportiness by a country mile. Despite this, the car was one of the tamest according to the testers, handling like a dream thanks to its active suspension. The testers felt the design, while excellent, was a little too close to its “normal” counterpart for its massive performance increase. It’s ride was a bit harsh compared to its competitors, but its 24.4 MPG and large wheelbase makes its a strong choice for long trips, as long as you can get past the sound of its 422 HP I6 bellowing behind you. While its $27200 price tag is higher than most of the entrants, the extra cash is worth it for the fastest vehicle and a strong overall performer.

Moroza will officially win the challenge.

And that’s the challenge! Below is the full result table.

Full Results

If you’re feeling extra kind, please fill out this survey.

[xsneakyxsimx]

Woot, I got a 4th!