May 30, 2006

[Redwood]

-Porsche 911 GT3 RS makes first U.S. appearance later this year
-Top Gear compares the BMW Z4 M Roadster and the Boxster S (Video)
-VW recalls 362,000 cars, GM recalls some Corvettes
-Top Gear reviews the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (Video)
-Latest Fifth Gear Episode with a Z06 test
-Jeremy Clarkson drives the BMW Z4 M Roadster
-First Drive: 2007 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited and spec.B
-Novitec Rosso's twin-supercharger Ferrari F430
-Can GMC get some respect? (thanks Cody)
-BMW says high-performance arm won't be stretched to all models
-Indy 500 Results
-2006 Lotus Exige - Exigingly Good On Track: But less so as a daily driver
-Small Dodge Caliber Hits Target
-The Fast & The Furious:Tokyo Drift to feature a Nissan-powered '67 Mustang
-Racing News and Notes, May 29
-Racing Results: May 26-29, 2006
-Top Gear episode 8x04 now downloadable
-Mechanic’s Tale: Junkyard Dogs
-Why Do Domestic Trucks Rule?
-Pontiac Going Rear-Drive?
-Digital Audio for Cars: A Guide to What's New
-As gas prices rise, so do tempers at the pump
-SPY PHOTO: Is this the next Honda Accord?
-CARS - John Lasseter and a team of Pixar pros create an animated automotive movie that should live forever
-2007 Toyota Corolla
-The next Toyota Crown - Bangle shows his influence on yet another car...
-Where GM stock stops, nobody knows
-GM names Clarke division president
-2008 Chrysler Pacifica

[Redwood]

Re: May 30, 2006

I'm bummed they didn't include the Stig results in that Z4 M video. I'm downloading the full episode right now and will post the results after I watch it. I watched the first 3 Top Gear episodes this weekend as well as the latest Fifth Gear with the Z06. Top Gear is soooo good. I wish they were airing it here again instead of the reported development of a U.S. version (hello, the people are part of the reason it's so good). Not only do they need more Top Gear on TV here, but episodes aired within the last year. I hate that the Fifth Gear episodes on Speed are 2 or 3 years old.

[clifton23]

Re: May 30, 2006

Yeh, what the hell no RESULTS?!?! I was bummed too! Let me know what it turned, I will be at work for along time today

[clifton23]

Re: May 30, 2006

-Novitec Rosso's twin-supercharger Ferrari F430

Wow... that is simply beautiful!!!

[Redwood]

Re: May 30, 2006

1:26.0 for the Z4 M Roadster. Nice!

For comparison:

http://www.topgear.com/content/tgonb...times/thestig/

Remember the Koneigsegg CCX that crashed a couple of episodes back due to low downforce in the rear? They tested one with a wing put on the back and Stig beat all cars with 1:17.6

[Redwood]

Re: May 30, 2006

Ouch, the new Car & Driver issue has a comparison test between the Corvette Z51 and new Shelby GT500 Mustang. Things did not go so well for the 500hp/480lb-ft Mustang. This should give you a clue to the outcome: C6 - 3280lbs, GT500 - 3896lbs.


Car: C6 GT500
0-60: 4.3 4.5
0-100: 9.9 10.3
0-150: 26.8 30.3
1/4mi: 12.8@113 12.9@112
5-60: 5.0 5.2
50-70 top gear: 9.1 8.8
EPA City: 18 est. 15
EPA Hwy: 28 est. 22
(I've heard it's 13/20 for the GT500, but that wasn't in this article)
120-0: 462 485
70-0: 161 172
2mi track: 1:30.4 1:33.3
Skidpad: 0.95g 0.90g
Lane change: 65.6mph 66.8mph

The Vette is on F1 Supercar EMT (runflats) and the GT500 on F1 Supercars. The Vette got 1st place. "Porky" and "nose-heavy" were descriptions of the Mustang as the supercharger, bigger engine, etc. changed the front/rear weight distribution from 52.5/47.5 in the GT to 57.7/42.3 in the GT500. They did like the fade-free brakes and shifter (better than the C6's). They said the GT500 has a launch control system that makes drag start launches cake for anybody (3200rpm and dump the clutch, floor it). They said they were able to get it to 60 .1 seconds faster without that, though. They also noted that the last Mustang Cobra they tested had the same quarter mile and speed. Ford claims they get .1 or .2 second quicker times in the quarter mile with 115mph speeds.

[Redwood]

Re: May 30, 2006

Interesting comparo in the same issue:

1968 Corvette vs. 1968 Shelby GT500KR

Car: Vette GT500KR
Weight: 3271 3530
0-60: 5.3 5.4
0-100: 12.9 13.4
1/4mi: 13.8@105 13.9@103
5-60: 6.7 5.7
70-0: 255 283 (ouch, old brakes sucked)
Skidpad: .65g .68g

[Redwood]

Re: May 30, 2006

Road & Track came in the mail today, too. They tested the Shelby GT500. Their results:

0-60: 4.7
1/4mi: 13.1@112.2mph
60-0 braking: 122ft
80-0 braking: 216ft
200ft skidpad: 0.87g
Slalom speed: 65.3mph
EPA est: 13 city/20hwy
Cruise range: 210mi
Curb Weight: 3950lbs
Test Weight: 4130lbs
Corner weights (with driver): RF 1120lb, LF1200lb, RR 910lb, LR 900lb. 56% F/44% rear distribution.

18x9 wheels all around, but 255/45-18 front and 285/40-18 rear tires.


On a luxury cruiser note, they compared the BMW 550i to the Lexus GS450h hybrid. 0-60 in 5.0 for the BMW and 5.3 for the Lexus. 1/4 mile in 13.5@105.0 and 13.8@105.4. Interesting note is the BMW stopped better than the Shelby GT500 and the Lexus was only a few feet longer in braking distances. The BMW had an identical slalom speed to the GT500 and pulled 0.92g on the skidpad. The Lexus was down 5mph in the slalom (ouch). Observed fuel economy was 15.7 for the BMW and 18.7 for the Lexus hybrid.