C&D Lightning Lap 4 out

[r0tor]

Just read it yesterday....

My personal surprises are the laptimes set by the ZR1 (just incredible) and also the TT-S (its in the lap times set by cars with literally 2x its power)... in closing, Nissan and NISMO wins the  award of the century

[sportyaccordy]

Yea I got that issue too. ZR1 pwned for sure. I was pretty disappointed in the R8 5.2... w/the much better layout and less weight (I think) it still trailed the GT-R by 4 seconds. Also I was a little disappointed they didn't have the new 911 Turbo there but it may just have been too short notice. Lulz @ the 370Z, ultimate fail.

[MX793]

I'd be curious what a regular 370Z would run.  I have a suspicion that the bulk of the NISMO add-ons do absolutely nothing for performance, in fact they may have actually hindered it.  IIRC, the 350Z they tested a few years ago was within half a second of what the NISMO 370 ran.

[Payman]

I don't subscribe anymore and I can't find it anywhere. Can you post a summary or link? You can spoiler alert too if you think it appropriate. Thanks!

[MX793]

I'd be curious what a regular 370Z would run.  I have a suspicion that the bulk of the NISMO add-ons do absolutely nothing for performance, in fact they may have actually hindered it.  IIRC, the 350Z they tested a few years ago was within half a second of what the NISMO 370 ran.

Well, I did some digging to see if I could turn up some of C&D's commentary on the NISMO Z's performance (since the article isn't on their website yet) and now I find out that the car suffered brake failure and crashed.  Yikes.

[sportyaccordy]

Well, I did some digging to see if I could turn up some of C&D's commentary on the NISMO Z's performance (since the article isn't on their website yet) and now I find out that the car suffered brake failure and crashed.  Yikes.

Yea... they had it fitted with non-racing pads. I bet the pads just burst into flames. They are the same brakes as from the M56 or something.

Why do people dump on the new Z (Z33/Z34)? I mean it's prob no Porsche at the limit, but if it's edgier + faster than the G35 6 spd coupe I drove, I can only imagine it to be totally thrilling. I don't know what car can compare for the price. I just wish it was a little lighter.

[S204STi]

I haven't read much dumping on the Z.  My impression from the first reviews that came out was that it was an improvement upon the 350 in every way.  Personally I love the car.

I went over to the Dark Side and watched some of the videos posted on their website.  The Vette clip was amazing... that thing moves.

[Rich]

It sounds great too


About the Nissan (I visit the 370 forums a lot) - Apparently those brakes aren't an isolated case.  The 350 had a lot of brake dust and owners complained, so they stuck the 370 (NISMO and regular) with pads that burn up (ie. don't lose pad material to shed heat).  Some guys that HPDE their 370 had the same thing happen to them on track.

A lot of guys on the 370 forum were pissed that track pads weren't installed on the car prior to the test (since only an idiot would track their car without track pads), but some couldn't get through their thick heads that all of the other cars went out on stock pads and made their laps too.


I do give the 370 guys a lot of credit though, they are the only model specific forum I visit that has a good understanding of vehicles.  As much as I like Camaros, Mustangs, MINIs, and Solstices, the general forum just doesn't have a clue

[Rich]

Nissan does have it set up to where you can bring your 370 in to the dealer and get more track oriented pads, but still streetable (I think it's for free?) installed

[68_427]

My mom hid my magazines....  damnit.

[the Teuton]

Anyone want to bother to post times?

[MX793]

I just wish it was a little lighter.

It's within 15 lbs of a Corvette (which is a purpose-built chassis, not a multi-purpose like the FM).  How much lighter do you expect it to get?

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Anyone want to bother to post times?

1. ZR1: 2:51.8
2. KTM X-Bow: 2:52.3
3. LP670-4SV: 2:53.9
4. Ariel Atom 3: 2:57.6
5. Corvette GS: 2:58.8
6. R8 5.2 FSI: 2:59.5
7. Exige S 260: 3:05.0
8. M3: 3:05.4
9. Cayman S: 3:05.8
10. 911 Carrera S: 3:05.8
11. Jaguar XKR: 3:06.4
12. GT500: 3:07.4
13. Audi TTS: 3:08.4
14. Camaro SS: 3:09.5
15. Audi S4: 3:10.8
16. NISMO 370Z: 3:12.0
17. Mustang GT TP: 3:13.3
18. Genesis Coupe 3.8: 3:14.8
19. Mazdaspeed 3: 3:16.2
20. Impreza WRX: 3:16.6
21. Mini Cooper JCW: 3:17.1
22. GTI: 3:19.3

[MX793]

I read on another board that the Genesis coupe was an automatic.  Was it even a Track model?

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Yep it was an automatic. And the tranny kept heating up. The safeguards caused the tranny to short shift and it takes a lap to recover. It was a track model tho. They said it's too taut for daily duty but felt rite at home at VIR. They also said a manual might have taken the crown from the LL1 reigning champ! (2006 350Z Track)

[r0tor]

I read on another board that the Genesis coupe was an automatic.  Was it even a Track model?

in the article c&d states hyundai pretty much refused to give them a manual

[MX793]

in the article c&d states hyundai pretty much refused to give them a manual

I wonder if they're having issues with the drivetrain...

That or there were none in the press fleet to be had.

[Payman]

1. ZR1: 2:51.8
2. KTM X-Bow: 2:52.3
3. LP670-4SV: 2:53.9
4. Ariel Atom 3: 2:57.6
5. Corvette GS: 2:58.8
6. R8 5.2 FSI: 2:59.5
7. Exige S 260: 3:05.0
8. M3: 3:05.4
9. Cayman S: 3:05.8
10. 911 Carrera S: 3:05.8
11. Jaguar XKR: 3:06.4
12. GT500: 3:07.4
13. Audi TTS: 3:08.4
14. Camaro SS: 3:09.5
15. Audi S4: 3:10.8
16. NISMO 370Z: 3:12.0
17. Mustang GT TP: 3:13.3
18. Genesis Coupe 3.8: 3:14.8
19. Mazdaspeed 3: 3:16.2
20. Impreza WRX: 3:16.6
21. Mini Cooper JCW: 3:17.1
22. GTI: 3:19.3

Thanks, Z28. ZOMFG on the ZR1. Interesting that Cayman S and Carrera S had identical times. Too bad they didn't have a GT-R, CTS-V, Viper ACR, and Ferrari Italia there also.

[Rich]

They tested those in earlier years (except the Italia)

[Payman]

They tested those in earlier years (except the Italia)

As well as many of the cars in this test. I'm just curious how, for example, the ZR1 does against the Viper ACR, and the CTS-V against the M3.

[MX793]

As well as many of the cars in this test. I'm just curious how, for example, the ZR1 does against the Viper ACR, and the CTS-V against the M3.

This Cobalt fan forum has a list of all Lightning lap times to date so you can compare the latest batch with the previous times recorded.  The most recent runs are in bold.

http://www.yourcobalt.com/forums/chevy-cobalt-owners-lounge/15815-2009-car-driver-lightning-lap-results.html

[SVT666]

Viper ACR totally owned the ZR1.

[SVT666]

Of interest to me:

The new GT500 was 2 seconds slower then the old GT500.

The Mustang GT was almost a full seconds faster then the Lexus IS-F.

The Cobalt SS Turbo is still faster around the VIR then the Mustang GT...though barely.

The Challenger SRT-8 is damn slow around a race track.

The Camaro SS was only 1 second behind the GT500.


I'm thinking that if all these cars were tested on the same day, or even the same weekend, these results would be different.  The new GT500 is vastly superior to the old one and yet it was two seconds slower.

[MX793]

Of interest to me:

The new GT500 was 2 seconds slower then the old GT500.

The Mustang GT was almost a full seconds faster then the Lexus IS-F.

The Cobalt SS Turbo is still faster around the VIR then the Mustang GT...though barely.

The Challenger SRT-8 is damn slow around a race track.

The Camaro SS was only 1 second behind the GT500.


I'm thinking that if all these cars were tested on the same day, or even the same weekend, these results would be different.  The new GT500 is vastly superior to the old one and yet it was two seconds slower.

Huh?  According to the results posted on the Cobalt forum, the new GT500 (mistakenly labeled a 2009) is 3.5 seconds faster than the old one and the Camaro is 2 seconds slower than the latest GT500.

EDIT:  Just pulled the actual article from C&D.  Looks like the guys on the Cobalt forum have some incorrect numbers.

Second EDIT:  The '07 GT500 shows up twice on the list.  This just jogged my memory that their first test car had issues and didn't run as fast as it should have, so they got a second car that put in the 3:05 lap time.

[Raza]

Yea... they had it fitted with non-racing pads. I bet the pads just burst into flames. They are the same brakes as from the M56 or something.

Why do people dump on the new Z (Z33/Z34)? I mean it's prob no Porsche at the limit, but if it's edgier + faster than the G35 6 spd coupe I drove, I can only imagine it to be totally thrilling. I don't know what car can compare for the price. I just wish it was a little lighter.

In coupe form, it's rather boring unless driving at the limit, but it's technically a very good car.

[Raza]

1. ZR1: 2:51.8
2. KTM X-Bow: 2:52.3
3. LP670-4SV: 2:53.9
4. Ariel Atom 3: 2:57.6
5. Corvette GS: 2:58.8
6. R8 5.2 FSI: 2:59.5
7. Exige S 260: 3:05.0
8. M3: 3:05.4
9. Cayman S: 3:05.8
10. 911 Carrera S: 3:05.8
11. Jaguar XKR: 3:06.4
12. GT500: 3:07.4
13. Audi TTS: 3:08.4
14. Camaro SS: 3:09.5
15. Audi S4: 3:10.8
16. NISMO 370Z: 3:12.0
17. Mustang GT TP: 3:13.3
18. Genesis Coupe 3.8: 3:14.8
19. Mazdaspeed 3: 3:16.2
20. Impreza WRX: 3:16.6
21. Mini Cooper JCW: 3:17.1
22. GTI: 3:19.3

Holy shit...the ZR1 was faster than the X-Bow?

And the TT-S is one second off the GT500?  That's fucking impressive.  It's also faster than the S4 and Camaro SS!?

[r0tor]

And the TT-S is one second off the GT500?  That's fucking impressive.  It's also faster than the S4 and Camaro SS!?

Yes, I also believe the TT-S time is hella impressive.  The drivers said it was also the easiest car to drive at the limit and one of the few that made them better drivers.  Imagine what times the TT-RS will do...

[Raza]

Yes, I also believe the TT-S time is hella impressive.  The drivers said it was also the easiest car to drive at the limit and one of the few that made them better drivers.  Imagine what times the TT-RS will do...

Seriously.  It looks like I have a new contender for Jetta replacement!

[sportyaccordy]

TT-RS is gonna be a problem.

[Tave]

Yes, I also believe the TT-S time is hella impressive.  The drivers said it was also the easiest car to drive at the limit and one of the few that made them better drivers. 

Sounds like a total Playstation controller.