First Drive

[dbk]

I knew it'd pop up somewhere eventually!

[video=youtube;JLePmmXabG8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLePmmXabG8&feature=youtu.be[/video]

Look how small it looks next to the Fusion a couple lanes over!

 

[NJS]

Drove another 70 miles or so today. Even more impressed by the DCT and the sound. Definitely Race car! This car puts a smile on your face every time you see it, let alone drive it. My main worry driving it, is the number of other drivers with phones/cameras taking pics...

Only down side for me is the seating/steering wheel position for tall drivers -- For me the top of the steering wheel, even in it's highest position, eliminates the top 40% of the display -- hence the turn signal in the video -- I just can't see the flasher warning lights or the top of the tacho and temp gauges.

Also it gets pretty warm in the cabin, even with the AC turned up -- the competition car is going to be toasty....

A picture before today's ride and then from the passenger seat -- rear view mirrors are fantastic!

 

[knightka]

Great stuff. Thank you! NJS - how tall are you? Wondering if I’ll have tall driver problems at 6 feet tall (and more importantly how I’ll fit w a helmet on).


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[roketman]

AWESOME!!!Cant wait to do the same! God only knows when!

 

[fjpikul]

Thanks for posting NS. Did you get the harness attachments? If you could, please show where the belts attach and how. Looking at Sparcos pic, they seem to be standard attachment clips at the ends of the belts. It looks like the waist belt is pull up.

 

[vyprgt2]

Thanks for posting and congrats!


Maybe a few interior photos?

 

[Ed Sims]

Ah, that rear view mirror photo is too cool! Keep on driving NJS!

Ed

 

[nota4re]

Ahhhh, I wondered what the whole flying buttress thing was all about...obviously it helps you see behind you better!

 

[Ed Sims]

I knew it'd pop up somewhere eventually!

Geez, how do you find that stuff?

Ed

 

[BtwoG]

Absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait for the Rally to see more!

 

[NJS]

Great stuff. Thank you! NJS - how tall are you? Wondering if I’ll have tall driver problems at 6 feet tall (and more importantly how I’ll fit w a helmet on).


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You should be fine -- I'm 6' 3" with a relatively long Torso.

 

[NJS]

Thanks for posting NS. Did you get the harness attachments? If you could, please show where the belts attach and how. Looking at Sparcos pic, they seem to be standard attachment clips at the ends of the belts. It looks like the waist belt is pull up.

Yes, The first pic shows the Shoulder Belt attachments (note vertical adjustment):

The second shows the 4 anti-sub belt studs bonded to the tub (I removed the seat cushion to help with headroom). The cushion is slotted to allow the belts to pass thru, but needs to be removed for harness installation. Note also the rhs lap belt attachment, lhs of picture (the 2 studs at the bottom are the forward cushion mounts -- there are 2 more at the rear, not shown):

 

[CJ428]

I,m 6'3 also and I just fit in the car, but with out a gurney bubble not going to be able to wear a helmet. How thick is the seat bottom material NJS.

 

[NJS]

The rear of the cushion is pretty thin -- my guess is 3/4" - 1" when compressed. Headliner removal may get another 1/4"-1/2", but a gurney bubble isn't likely an option with the carbon tub:

 

[maxemus]

NJS,
Being from south Florida I'm particularly interested in the AC issue. How bad is it and do you think perhaps it's something they can improve upon?

 

[soroush]

congrats on the car and thanks for sharing your first impressions. looking forward for more to come...

 

[Ed Sims]

NJS,
Being from south Florida I'm particularly interested in the AC issue. How bad is it and do you think perhaps it's something they can improve upon?

Borrowing Dr Frank's mankini is one way to stay cooler.

Ed

 

[texas mongrel]

I just got to sit in one and try it on for size. I'm 6'-4", 210lbs. Legroom is marginal, but do-able. Headroom about the same as the '06. The problem will be when wearing a helmet; in the '06 I just slide the seat forwards a little and rake the seatback to adopt an Italian driving position and get more headroom. Of course, in the new one you can't do that. Think I'll be tracking mine with the seat cushion removed!

 

[NJS]

NJS,
Being from south Florida I'm particularly interested in the AC issue. How bad is it and do you think perhaps it's something they can improve upon?

There's a fair heat load -- the near horizontal windshield and flat, black IP, and slanted sides of the door windows capture a lot of solar energy on sunny days, plus if your driving towards the sun your arms and legs are in the sun too, and of course you're sitting right in front of the engine :thumbsup

The AC is effective, but I'm finding on sunny days that I need to keep it on minimum (65) most of the time. That said I do like cooler temps when driving -- my other cars are typically set at 68-69 in similar weather.

My comments were mainly focused on how toasty the Competition will be, even in Northern states rather than any dissatisfaction with the AC so far.....

 

[knightka]

You should be fine -- I'm 6' 3" with a relatively long Torso.

Thanks NJS! Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience w the NFGT. Enjoy your beautiful car in good health!