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2009 Lightning Lap results out

Old Jan 8, 2010 | 03:31 PM
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2009 Lightning Lap results out

Kinda a misleading title since they're testing 2010 model years... but such is the car industry.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...p_2009-feature

It's like the Top Gear power board but a bit more honest because they run all of the cars on the same day.
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Old Jan 8, 2010 | 03:36 PM
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Little surprised how well the Genesis Coupe did... I test drove one (2.0T) and it felt like such a pig (compared to the RX)
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Old Jan 8, 2010 | 04:43 PM
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yeah, but just because a car is pita to drive doesnt mean it isnt fast.

the rx8 is a lot of fun to drive, but its definitely not the fastest out there.

ms3 beats the rx8 by 4 seconds. 1 second for each 10 hp. heh.
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Old Jan 8, 2010 | 05:07 PM
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VIR isn't the fairest test bed of them all as it's pretty power friendly, so take comparisons between cars with large HP differences with a grain of salt. Also, they crashed the 370z Nismo
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Old Jan 8, 2010 | 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Anijo
VIR isn't the fairest test bed of them all as it's pretty power friendly, so take comparisons between cars with large HP differences with a grain of salt. Also, they crashed the 370z Nismo


for all to see :D

*EDIT* isn't this what EVERYBODY was saying was bad about the 370z, and people essentially backed it up by saying it was because they didn't have the track version..?

Last edited by CyberPitz; Jan 8, 2010 at 05:36 PM.
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Old Jan 8, 2010 | 05:36 PM
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So the standard 370Z has better brake pads than the Nismo???

I've always thought strong and fade free were words auto publications used when describing the standard 370Z's brakes.
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Old Jan 8, 2010 | 06:00 PM
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I like autoexpress performance car of the year. Here are the results for 2008 and 2009. Click on each car to get the details. RX8 (2008) and Miata (2009) did very very well. I like how they rate track, street, and desirability

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carrevi...ance_car_2008/

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carrevi...ance_car_2009/
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Old Jan 8, 2010 | 06:05 PM
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Am I reading correctly? The Wrx did better than the sti?
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Old Jan 8, 2010 | 08:06 PM
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It seems a crime that the braking performance of many cars is getting worse as technology improves. As cars get heavier, it seems that the brakes haven't kept up. I think pretty much all the new Hondas have been bashed for weak brakes. Certain Nissans have weak binders and the new Ford Taurus SHO seems to have kid brakes on a fast super heavy car. I'm sure there are others out there.

Brakes are part of the entire safety package - it is too bad they seem to be compromised on many vehicles nowadays.

That Nissan 370Z Nismo is a prime example.
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Old Jan 8, 2010 | 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by 8 Maniac
Am I reading correctly? The Wrx did better than the sti?
Subaru improved the engine and suspension of the WRX after the first year the current generation came out due to it being anemic and flaccid. The upgrade was a big improvement in get up and go.

If the Mustang keeps the good handling with the new 5.0, it should be a truly great car and a great price. The new Mustang has gathered kudos for being a fun to drive car. The Camaro on the other hand seems to get the job done but inelegantly and without grace due to its large mass.

Last edited by CarAndDriver; Jan 8, 2010 at 08:15 PM.
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Old Jan 8, 2010 | 10:01 PM
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VIR is quite a bit of fun. but i can easily see how high horsepower cars have an advantage. it has 2 long straights and you can really power through the snake and up the climbing esses.
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