PORSCHE 911 – LOTUS 7 REPLICA?
When I left New Zealand in September I was absolutely bubbling with stories of the completed project and eager to get back into my Porsche to compare the two cars. I am not sure if one can compare these two remarkable cars but being lucky to own both I was quick to begin a little side by side comparison.
They are both difficult to get into, the MACH SR7 you step up and over then slide into the cockpit. The Porsche is more of a bending and tuck to settle into the drivers seat. I am sure that being 179cm and 70kg is almost the ideal size for both cars, my taller and wider friends struggle with both.
You cannot compare the vision, as the MACH SR7 is completely open and almost an effortless 360 degree of vision; however being easily seen by others is not that assuring only inches off the ground while peering at truck hubcaps. The Porsche is a real cockpit, you are in a small cocoon with front vision being adequate but rear is certainly obscured.
Both cars have a unique engine sound, equally ready to rev but at idle disguising the power. The heavy clutch and transmission of the Porsche is entirely different from the smooth snappy gearbox of the MACH SR7, the Porsche is less forgiving requiring timing and concentration to remain smooth. Both cars have a heavy feel in the steering at low speeds, obviously the MACH SR7 being so light gives a much more detailed road feel, the Porsche seems to sit frog-like in a perched position ready to pounce. Power response is different as the Porsche snarls while the MACH SR7 snaps and how they respond to a heavy right foot is equally remarkable in both cars. The open car feeling and low ride of the MACH SR7 automatically gives a sensation of speed, the Porsche can be very deceptive and a glance at the speedometer may well show you are doing 150km.
So which car wins – dead heat!