Dave,

Not having driven a 'performance car' before this one I'm unsure as to whether this is normal or not - so I'll ask here... especially knowing that you used to drive one.

I notice that in 2nd gear at low revs (2k ish) i get a momentary 'lag' in acceleration before the beast takes off - i asked the dealer to give an opinion and they gave it a thorough test drive after fixing a dodgy engine mounting - they said It drove beautifully...

Opinions welcome!

Im not sure where the red line is on the ZS180 but im guessing that the fun is at the top end of the rev range and at around 2k it can be sluggish

I found found this the case with the 1.4 k series 16v where below 3.5k there doesnt seeem to be much go, but after 3.5k it pulls all the way to the red line more and more... doesnt tail off like many engines seem to do

i also have driven a 1.4 8v which seems to be the opposite.. lots of torque low down and not alot to write home about further up the rev range..

the ZS engine 2.5 litre 24v i would expect to drive like a 16v (4vavles per head) and hence suffer from a little low end grunt.. however so long as your run in period has expired try waiting till it redlines in 1st before changing to second, and then again to 3rd

im sure you wont be dissapointed... make sure its a nice straight empty road though.. just incase you get caught out..

Carl - you're spot-on m8

The 16V engines crave on revs, they want to rev and rev
The 8V engines are 'plodders' and have better low-down torque but run out of breath at high revs :)

I don't want to offend anyone here by my use of the term 'Plodders' mind :D :D

I don't think there is a "lag" as such, just that the car takes off at over 3K, this is in a way is useful, because it could make driving around town difficult otherwise! There is a stretch of road on my way to work that opens into a short dual carridgeway, I tend to balance the revs at about 3K in third and then take off as soon as the second lane starts, which adds fun to my day, plus the fact that in my old car I'd need the whole section to pass anyone. Now dispatching cars takes a whole heck of a lot less distance.

It's actually quite a wide power band, for me the main fun can be found between 3 and 6K, and it's not that difficult to keep it in that rev range on a good stretch of road.

RichardPhillips wrote:
I don't think there is a "lag" as such, just that the car takes off at over 3K, this is in a way is useful, because it could make driving around town difficult otherwise! There is a stretch of road on my way to work that opens into a short dual carridgeway, I tend to balance the revs at about 3K in third and then take off as soon as the second lane starts, which adds fun to my day, plus the fact that in my old car I'd need the whole section to pass anyone. Now dispatching cars takes a whole heck of a lot less distance.

It's actually quite a wide power band, for me the main fun can be found between 3 and 6K, and it's not that difficult to keep it in that rev range on a good stretch of road.

I have also noticed this lag or slight hesitation in the 180,s acceleration. Is there anything that can improve this. ANYONE?

Nope, annoying as it is (I can live with it no problem) you aren't going to be able to do anything about it :)