Electric Cars

This comprehensive comparison from October 1999 delves into the performance and driving dynamics of four distinct roadsters: the Honda S2000, BMW M Roadster, Mercedes-Benz SLK, and Porsche Boxster. Conducted across a challenging race circuit and diverse public roads, the evaluation emphasizes each vehicle's unique characteristics, revealing strengths and weaknesses in handling, acceleration, and overall driving experience. Despite a notable disparity in pricing among the contenders, the assessment prioritizes raw performance over luxurious amenities, culminating in a clear winner.

The evaluation showcases how these roadsters stack up in a rigorous setting, with the Honda S2000 ultimately claiming the top spot. The analysis highlights key aspects such as engine responsiveness, chassis integrity, and braking capabilities, underscoring the importance of a finely tuned performance machine. While some vehicles excelled in comfort and features, the ultimate verdict favored pure driving exhilaration and track prowess, suggesting that enthusiasts often prioritize dynamic performance above all else.

The Honda S2000: A Purebred Performance Machine

The Honda S2000, despite being the most budget-friendly option among the tested roadsters, delivered an outstanding performance that positioned it at the forefront of the competition. Its engineering focused intensely on core sports car attributes, boasting a high-revving engine and an exceptionally rigid chassis. This design philosophy translated directly into superior lap times and unparalleled agility on the Grattan Raceway Park, outperforming its more expensive European rivals. The S2000's direct and precise handling characteristics, coupled with its powerful braking system, allowed drivers to push its limits with confidence, making it a true enthusiast's choice. While some minor interior design choices were noted, they did not detract from its primary mission: delivering an exhilarating and uncompromised driving experience.

The S2000's 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve VTEC engine is a marvel of natural aspiration, achieving peak torque at 7500 rpm and peak horsepower at 8300 rpm, with a redline of 8900 rpm. This engine's exceptional power-per-liter output, higher than any other naturally aspirated production engine of its time, demands a driving style that keeps the engine in its optimal high-revving range to unleash its full potential. The car's incredibly stiff chassis, a benchmark for roofless vehicles, combined with a meticulously tuned control-arm suspension, provided superb roll stiffness and predictable handling. The electric-power rack-and-pinion steering system further enhanced its responsiveness, offering quick and accurate turn-in. Complementing its dynamic capabilities were powerful disc brakes with standard ABS, arranged perfectly for performance driving techniques. Although the S2000 featured a plastic rear window for weight savings and some less convenient interior storage solutions, these practical trade-offs were overshadowed by its aggressive performance and strong value proposition.

German Roadsters: A Mix of Comfort, Power, and Precision

The German contenders—the Mercedes-Benz SLK, Porsche Boxster, and BMW M Roadster—each offered a distinct blend of luxury, power, and driving dynamics, though none matched the Honda S2000's raw track performance. The Mercedes SLK, while comfortable and stylish with its innovative retractable hardtop, lagged in dynamic responsiveness, feeling less like a dedicated sports car during aggressive driving. The Porsche Boxster impressed with its balanced chassis and excellent steering, though its current iteration was perceived as underpowered, a factor Porsche aimed to address in subsequent models. The BMW M Roadster, with its robust engine and engaging retro styling, provided a thrilling driving experience despite a chassis that showed its age, offering a compelling mix of acceleration and driver involvement.

The Mercedes-Benz SLK, known for its mechanical marvel of a retractable hardtop and quiet interior, proved to be more of a stylish cruiser than a track weapon. Its performance on the circuit was hindered by slow responses, less-than-supportive seats, and a manual shifter that felt cumbersome. The non-linear steering and suspension bottoming out further underscored its comfort-oriented design. In contrast, the Porsche Boxster, despite being less powerful in its tested configuration, was lauded for its exceptional steering, braking, and overall composure on public roads. Its moderate understeer provided predictable handling, and the impending engine upgrades promised to elevate its performance. The BMW M Roadster, distinguished by its powerful 3.2-liter straight-six engine, delivered impressive acceleration, rocketing from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. While its chassis and suspension design were older, the engine's broad power band compensated, making it highly enjoyable for spirited driving without constant gear changes. The M Roadster's aggressive aesthetic, enhanced by wide fender flares, appealed to those who valued both power and classic roadster styling, offering a strong performance-to-price ratio within its segment.

Bentley is actively exploring the burgeoning off-road vehicle market, as evidenced by its latest unveiling: the 'X concept.' This concept, derived from the high-performance Bentayga Speed, represents a significant deviation from the brand's traditional luxury image, indicating a strategic move to cater to the growing demand for rugged, high-end adventurers. The vehicle's design and engineering modifications suggest a serious intent to compete with established off-road brands, while retaining Bentley's hallmark of luxury and performance.

The X concept boasts several key enhancements tailored for challenging terrains. Its track width has been substantially expanded, and the ride height significantly elevated, providing over a foot of ground clearance. Despite these robust modifications, the vehicle ingeniously retains the sophisticated air suspension and anti-roll bars found in the standard Bentayga, ensuring a blend of off-road capability and on-road comfort. Equipped with specially forged 22-inch wheels from Brixton and aggressive all-terrain tires, the X concept is prepared for arduous conditions. While its wading depth has improved, it still trails behind some dedicated off-road rivals like the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G550, highlighting a potential area for further development.

Beyond its mechanical fortitude, the X concept also features distinctive aesthetic alterations. Adorned with various partnership decals for the FAT Ice Race, the vehicle’s exterior communicates its adventurous spirit. A notable addition is the roof-mounted cargo system, which includes extra storage solutions, powerful spotlights, and even an electric go-kart, underscoring the concept’s emphasis on outdoor recreation and utility. This comprehensive package positions the X concept not just as an engineering marvel, but as a lifestyle statement for the affluent adventurer.

The introduction of the Bentley X concept is a testament to innovation and adaptability within the automotive industry. It showcases how even the most luxurious brands are willing to evolve, exploring new segments and pushing design boundaries to meet changing consumer desires. This venture into off-roading demonstrates a forward-thinking approach, promising an exciting future where opulence and rugged capability can coexist, encouraging continuous advancement and a willingness to embrace new challenges.