New Siphon Mag: Yaris vs. xA vs. Versa vs. Fit @ Streets of Willow

[Ran Kizama]

Different tuners with different cars attack the Streets of Willow in an attempt to dethrone the Spoon Fit from it's podium in the microcompact world. The Spoon Fit was not present to attend, so result were based on the last test the Spoon Fit underwent by SCC. A change in one corner had been made to the track since then so times are not entirely comparable. It's interesting to see the results.

The Competitors

3rd Place
Tuner: S.E.R.T. (Scion Evolution)
Car: Scion xA
Lap Time: 1.36.71
The S.E.R.T. xA is essentially a rally car so the setup isn't exactly ideal for track racing. Actually, it's the first xA rally car ever. The car has a complete Sparco interior, functional roof scoop, OZ Rally wheels, AEM intake, OBX header, OBX exhaust, JBT six-piston calipers, steel-braided lines, and a Progress Technology suspension. Siphon reflects that a stiffer spring would have greatly helped the car around the track, but by doing so, wouldn't make it a very good rally car.

2nd Place
Tuner: turn3
Car: Nissan Versa
Lap Time: 1.36.49
The turn3 Versa is essentially the first USDM Versa to be designated for track duty. The interior was pretty much left alone aside from Spaco seats, steering wheel, shiftknob, a custom rollcage, and removed carpeting. Tein Super Street dampeers with custom springs helped the Versa sit well. Aluminum crossmember mounts raised pick up points, and gave the car some negative camber. Siphon expressed that the car felt very out of whack and that perhaps it was out of adjustment. Not much was expressed about power adders, but they stated that bolts-ons were minimal. The only thing I could see in the article was an AEM intake.

1st Place
Tuner: Tein
Car: Toyota Yaris 3-Door Liftback
Lap Time: 1.32.83
The Tein Yaris decimated the competition by 4 seconds and Siphon stated it as the best machine they felt all day. The interior included a MOMO steering wheel, Razo Shiftknob, Bride Exas III seats, DEFI gauges, Takata harnesses, and a Tein EDFC. A Burnout front bumper and side skirts from KS-Auto as well as the Premium Wing and rear lip from Pond made the car look mean over 17" Enkei RP03 wheels. The engine bay and drivetrain were also well adorned with a Koyo Radiator, Setrab oil cooler, Kaaz LSD and ACT clutch kit. Continue to a Power Enterprise Camcon II unit for controlling valve timing on a K&N intake, DC Sports header, and Vibrant Performance exhaust makes for a mean machine. The car was originally designed to run a supercharger, but it was removed for this test. The suspension consisted of a custom set of their Super Street coilovers and almost 4 degrees of negative camber. Wilwood brakes provided prompt stopping power which they say was hardly used. The car took a while to get up to speed but, once it was there, it stayed there.

Non-Contestant / Previous Podium Holder
Tuner: Spoon
Car: Honda Fit
Lap Time: 1.34.03
The Spoon Fit wasn't contending on this same day, but had run it's time on a previous test conducted by Sport Compact Car. Not many specifics were given about the Spoon Fit aside from it's baffled oil pan and blueprinted & balanced L15A engine. Spoon traditionally uses stock parts and relies primarily on tuning. No turbo, no ITB's, and no high-compression pistons. Suspension parts were also unmentionaed but Siphon stated that the greatest part about the Fit was it's fast cornering speeds.

Final Standings (Collectively)
4th - S.E.R.T. Scion xA - 1.36.71
3rd - turn3 Nissan Versa - 1.36.49
2nd - Spoon Honda Fit - 1.34.03
1st - Tein Toyota Yaris - 1.32.83

Go buy the mag for the real article!!