Tbox56 Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Here are a couple pictures of a newly finished XS (extra space) Birkin compared to the standard Birkin. The new XS is probably 90% new and re-engineered/ improved parts. Will post driving impressions after I get some miles behind the wheel. We have SX cars in stock and ready to ship. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davemk1 Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Looks good! dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 The silver XS color scheme matches my car so I have to like it! I guess they changed headlights at some point or is the smaller headlight an option during the ordering process? Please post back on the driving experience comparison - I would be very much interested to hear. Cheers mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automoda Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Perfect! I think Birkin did an even better job of hiding the width than the Caterhams. Very impressive. Are the headlights actually larger than the normal cars? If so, thats a very clever trick. Is the radiator wider? Does this allow more variety in engine choice? Like, might one fit a V6 in there or something? Remind us how much it weighs compared to the standard model, and how much more room it has in the interior. Also are the seats bigger and do they have more butt space. I'd love to see more pics. Side views and stuff. How do the AC, stereo, power brakes, power steering, power roof, OnStar, power seats, air bags, and anti-lock brakes compare with previous models??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Looks sleeker than the standard model. Obviously wider, how does the interior length compare to the standard model (more leg room, seat goes back farther, etc?). Why not bring it to NJMP se7ens event in July so we can do a paddock and an on-track comparison:)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdl Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 How much extra weight does the XS Chassis carry? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbox56 Posted May 20, 2015 Author Share Posted May 20, 2015 Thanks for all of the questions and comments. I will post some more pictures soon, here are answers to the questions asked. The red car has a smaller headlight which is an option on both cars. The radiators and fuel tanks are the same on both cars. There will likely be options for larger of both in the future. The overall size of the car is 4" wider and 3" longer. All of this extra space is in the cockpit. The seats and pedal box are wider. The distance from the rear bulkhead to the dash is 4" longer. At 5' 10" I have the seat full forward. The engine options are still the 4 cylinder Ford. I have not yet corner balanced the car but will post the results. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee break Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 How do the AC, stereo, power brakes, power steering, power roof, OnStar, power seats, air bags, and anti-lock brakes compare with previous models??? You forgot to ask about the back-up camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 Love it! If I end up with another Seven, the Birkin XS is at the top of my list. Would you mind posting photos of the engine compartment and interior? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbox56 Posted May 24, 2015 Author Share Posted May 24, 2015 Some more information. I have corner balanced the car and have the following weights. Empty weight 1285 lbs Rear weight empty 49.73% Rear weight w/150 lb driver (my son, boy to be 26 years old again) 53.12% Less of a weight penalty than I expected, and this car has the R180 rear differential verses the R160 about a 10 lb penalty just in the diff. First driving impression, drives much like the older standard body cars with quicker turn in. Steering wheel 1.75 turns lock to lock verses 2.75 lock to lock on the older standard body. This is just a couple of laps around the industrial area where the warehouse is located. I am planning to attend a track day at High Plains in June, will learn more there. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbox56 Posted May 31, 2015 Author Share Posted May 31, 2015 Here are some more pictures from various angles and some details. For those of you in Colorado I have signed up for a track day at High Plains on June 28th. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverbent Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 Just completed mine, most fun ever, I weighed in at 1340# with a 2.3 duratec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 Just completed mine, most fun ever, I weighed in at 1340# with a 2.3 duratec You post this, and no photos . . . . shame on you. :jester: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wemtd Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 Nurse Hilda specially ordered this tease for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 Nurse Hilda specially ordered this tease for you Not Fair! :banghead: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbox56 Posted June 29, 2015 Author Share Posted June 29, 2015 I was at High Plains Raceway (east of Denver) Sunday for the first track day in the new Birkin XS (wide body) model and it performed flawlessly. To date I had only put 400 street miles on the car. I started out somewhat slowly and just kept pushing the car harder and harder. By the end of the day I had beaten my personal best in an IRS standard body car. I was running street tires on the XS and my best time in the standard body car was on slicks! I think John hit a home run with this one. Less than 1 week to NJMP, leaving Wednesday morning. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papak Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 I am about 50% through the build on my XS. Tom has been a pleasure to deal with. Having own/built/restored race cars for 40 years, I have to say that the build quality is very good. Well thought out engineering. I am pushing to get mine on the road this fall. Once done, I should have time to go through all the construction photos and reconstruct the build process. The clutch is due to arrive today and the gearbox in about three weeks. Actually starting to look like a car now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automoda Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 I cant wait to see what the newest Birkin looks like in detail. I have a feeling that very few parts from my 2003 will be interchangeable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 I was at High Plains Raceway (east of Denver) Sunday for the first track day in the new Birkin XS (wide body) model and it performed flawlessly. To date I had only put 400 street miles on the car. I started out somewhat slowly and just kept pushing the car harder and harder. By the end of the day I had beaten my personal best in an IRS standard body car. I was running street tires on the XS and my best time in the standard body car was on slicks! I think John hit a home run with this one. Less than 1 week to NJMP, leaving Wednesday morning. Tom Tom, Sounds like the car is a 'for sure' home run....can hardly wait for the NJMP results. BTW, don't let Croc sucker you into trying to catch him in turn one! :jester: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 It looks so good that I am more concerned that I accidentally confuse this for my Caterham and drive off in it! :jester: Seriously, I for one will be very interested to put this side by side with my Caterham and we do a detailed comparison between the two. I was hugely impressed with the IRS Birkin I once drove and i suspect this new XS (XXL?) will be even better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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