carguy123 wrote:
I apologize in advance, but every time I see this build title it registers as LARD O in my brain.
the following is answer in general to this 'larger' enquiry, not your post specifically.
Because you may only be viewing from a singular context, that being a comparison to a book Locost or Lotus 7. It was always intended to be larger, and it's certainly not aimed at, nor ever was aimed at the pure ethos of the Lotus 7, i.e. ridiculously small and as light as possible. By the way, have you ever seen a 442 parked next to a Lotus 7? Ever stood at a car show with *Caterham/Locost/etc* and watched large men take one look, shake their heads and walk away?
It was always intended to be more of a larger Sports Tourer, able to hold 2 people, including larger people, in comfort within the confines of the frame's perimeter without needing to be best friends with your pax, and shoulders/arms hanging out the sides. My Mate has a Fraser 7 (New Zealand), is 7ft tall and no one but a small child can ride with him. 2 of him can fit in mine with ease.
Further, the frame is intended for, and is torsionally fit for V6 and V8 accomodation. Another Mate waiting for his Largo, has already obtained a GM 3.6 V6 with (shock horror) an auto. As will mine likely be a GM 3.6 and auto (dirt cheap and thousands in Australia).
Yes, it will be heavier than a typical Locost at around 700kgs/1550lbs, so what, it will also be fantastically lighter than a, for example, 1,700kgs/3,750lbs Chev Camaro/Holden Commodore that you might lift the 3.6 V6 or 6.2 V8 out of, and of course that's the comparison that's relevant, not a comparison to a book Locost.
So, in the case of GM power units, 250hp V6 or 420hp V8 pushing 1500 to 1600lbs that betters power to weight ratios of Ferrari's and Lamborghini's, and that in no way can be claimed as "Lard O".
A closer comparison, and Sports Touring ethos, is to that of a Morgan Plus 8, at 850kgs/1900lbs, would you consider the Morgan to be obese? Testers actually rave about it's power to weight. Incidentally, virtually every Morgan ever sold in the USA was a V8, indicating the market preference for "Lard O" there. The Largo is a bit smaller all round than the Morgan.
With the properly located rear axle, larger brakes and increased tire patch, I am quite confident in it's ability to match a typical Locost at a track day too, not the intention though, I simply feel there's a hole in the market for a larger, touring 7 that has more road presence.
And far more important above any other reasoning, it's the car that I want. Hope that helps.