Formula 1 features the greatest drivers in the world competing with the most advanced race cars in the world on some of the most difficult circuits in the world. If you want to get in on the Formula racing lifestyle but don’t have millions of dollars and the driving skill to back it up, Formula 4 may be for you. This particular vehicle only has a 185-horsepower 2.0L Ford four-cylinder, but it only weighs 1,135 pounds without driver. That will take you from naught to 62 MPH in a hair under three seconds and will cost you about $77,000.
A Formula 4 car can only seat one. You can’t bring anyone or anything along with you, so what if you want a car that’s quick around the track and quick to get your kids to school? Steve Sutcliffe of Autocar UK pinned the Porsche 911 Turbo S against the aforementioned Formula 4 car in a race to see if practicality can hang with a dedicated racer. The Porsche has 552 horsepower, but weighs approximately 3,538 pounds. It goes 0-62 MPH in 3.1 seconds, which is close to Formula 4 racer. It will cost you almost $170,000 more, though—at least in the UK. However, for your money, you get a roof, extra seats, AWD, and some spooling turbos.
The result? Based on this Autocar UK video, the Formula 4 car finishes 6 seconds quicker than the Porsche. The reason is that, while the Porsche is quicker in the straights with more power, the Formula 4 car has no weight to carry through the turns and can maintain almost all of its speed through the bends. When speeds need to be lowered, racing brakes allow the driver to brake as late as possible. In sum, the Formula 4 car manages to put all its humble 185 horsepower down all of the time.
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