Hi Les
The S1 has a Mondeo derived V6 - 223bhp/200lb ft of torque, with a Getrag 221 gearbox with direct drive in 5th, and a 3.08:1 rear axle ratio. The dashboard is shallow, allowing more upward movement of the steering column. The instruments are cream. The speedo & tacho are ahead of the driver with four supplementaries along the dash centre.These cars had devol bushes in the kingpins and steering damper blades.
The S2 & S3 have the Ford MT-75 gearbox with direct drive in 4th, an overdrive 5th and a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio. This makes the S2 very slightly higher geared overall. These models use the Ford Escape V6.
The S2 ran from approx 2007-2010 with 201bhp/194lbft.From 2010 the engine was reworked into 240bhp/223lbft of torque. The Roadster Sport came along in 2010, and the front frame was widened on all S3 Roadsters, making the front track wider.
Instruments were black. Rev counter ahead of the driver, speedo & tri gauge in the centre. A deeper dashboard means less upward adjustment of the steering column. Removal of wooden seat spacers means a lower seat position. S2 & 3 have MMC steering bearings, replacing damper blades.
The 3.7 uses the Ford V6 Cyclone engine with 280bhp280lbft, and a Ford/Getrag MT-82 six speed gearbox.
I had my S1 Roadster before I got my GDi. The Roadster is streets ahead of the standard GDi, but a GDi with the Aero Racing upgrades is much closer, but nowhere near as relaxing to drive. They are very different cars.
Some of the early Roadsters benefit from a much cheaper rate of road tax. Insurance is hardly any different, if at all. MPG from my S1 is around 30, and maybe up to 32, but it does encourage you to make it growl. My GDi is not much different on MPG.
