Car and Driver "08 Lightning Lap" test results just released ...

Shift518 Automotive
1

Test consists of one lap around Virginia International Raceway (4.2miles).

For a complete overview, I’ve combined all three years of their LL test (06-08).

2:45.9 - 2008 Mosler MT900S
2:48.6 - 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR
2:54.6 - 2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia
2:55.6 - 2008 Nissan GT-R
2:58.2 - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
3:00.7 - 2005 Ford GT
3:01.1 - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
3:01.2 - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z51
3:01.6 - 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe
3:01.8 - 2007 Porsche 911 GT3
3:03.6 - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette C6
3:04.0 - 2008 Cadillac CTS-V
3:04.5 - 2007 Lotus Exige S
3:04.6 - 2007 Audi R8
3:05.6 - 2008 BMW M3
3:05.8 - 2007 Porsche 997 Turbo
3:05.9 - 2007 Ford Shelby GT500
3:06.5 - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
3:09.2 - 2006 Lotus Elise
3:09.3 - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
3:09.5 - 2006 Porsche Cayman S
3:10.0 - 2006 BMW M6
3:10.5 - 2007 BMW 335i Coupe
3:11.0 - 2007 Ford Shelby GT500
3:11.2 - 2007 Audi RS4
3:11.7 - 2007 BMW Z4 M
3:12.5 - 2006 Nissan 350Z Track
[color=red]3:13.0 - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbocharged
3:13.3 - 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR
3:13.5 - 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR
3:13.7 - 2008 BMW 135i
3:14.0 - 2008 Lexus IS F
3:14.6 - 2008 Audi S5
3:15.0 - 2008 Honda S2000 CR
3:15.7 - 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP
3:16.0 - 2007 Mazda Speed 3
3:16.3 - 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8
3:16.6 - 2008 Lotus Elise SC
3:17.5 - 2008 Infiniti G37 Sport
3:18.2 - 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8
3:19.0 - 2006 Mazda RX-8
3:19.0 - 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
3:20.6 - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged
3:20.8 - 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4
3:20.9 - 2006 Ford Mustang GT
3:21.8 - 2008 Volkswagen R32
3:22.9 - 2007 Mini Cooper S
3:24.8 - 2008 Honda Civic Mugen Si
3:25.1 - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
3:26.5 - 2006 Honda Civic Si
3:26.6 - 2008 Volvo C30 T5 Version 2.0
3:29.3 - 2006 Mazda MX-5[/color]

The new $23,000 08 Cobalt SS Turbo beat every single car in it’s class, along with some cars that were in the higher classes (including the “Rally” inspired Evo and Sti).

Even the stock 205hp 06 Supercharged Balt SS beat the Caliber SRT-4, Ford Mustang GT, Volkswagen R32, Mini Cooper S, Civic Mugen Si, Volkswagen GTI, Honda Civic Si, Volvo C30 T5, and Mazda MX-5.

;D

2

:ohnoes

3

something is seriously wrong with some things on that list. I wonder what track configuration they used.

4

:lks

5

this right here bothers the shit out of me:

3:18.2 - 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8
3:19.0 - 2006 Mazda RX-8
3:19.0 - 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

top gear should go on a fact finding mission.

why the hell is the 2008 STI the only one on that list? The last two weren’t good enough to be tested?

6

3:10.5 - 2007 BMW 335i Coupe
3:11.7 - 2007 BMW Z4 M

My buddy tried to call out C&D on this one, too, but got no response from them. So he pointed out the irregularities about it in his column.

http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/bimmer/Bimmers/2007_12.pdf (pgs. 8 & 9)

7

cobalt beat the audi S5? stop it.

8

:ponder

9

not to mention the 135i and the IS-F

someone needs to take the pro driver out of the cobalt, and the old ladys out of the sports cars.

10

haha i know right lol

11

the zr1 should be somewhere close to the top!

12

all cobalts are gay this thread sucks :bore :stfu

13

BS or not, it still couldn’t reel in the Z ;D :lol

14

I’d be willing to bet that they used a mix of 10-15 drivers whose driving skills ranged very differently. A Viper SRT-10 beats the GT-R??? Vipers drive like a bag of shit, they can barely do a good job going fast in a straight line, let slone going around a track. A CTS-V does better times than a 997 Turbo? Come on… This list is a fucking joke!

15

Well look at the GT500, one driver posted a 3:05, and another 3:11…so there are obviously differences other than just the car.

16

Anyone going by C&D track times should be shot. They’ve been inconsistent for years now because they’re always changing the drivers. That’s like getting several tunes and jumping from one dyno to the next.

17

:lol :+1

18

these cars are gay and this thread is the same… lets move on now

19

A new ACR Viper is one of the fastest production cars around a track in the world…in capeable hands a GTR is no match.

20

i must agree only based on the GTR driver i met, who said it was the easiest car to drive that he has owned. It does alot of the work for you, so GTR’s are probably very consistant. Where as the ACR may take a little more finess, but with some seat time i can see this happening