C7 Z51 vs GT-R Track

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
09/05/2013 at 09:51 • Filed to: c7, gtr

"We expected this one to be close. It wasn't."

"no-qualifier exemplary"

http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/corv…

DISCUSSION (38)

Victorious Secret > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/05/2013 at 09:56

Well, we never pegged the GT-R to be the most exciting car to drive. It is a surgeons scalpel, nothing more or less. It works, it can be fun; but when there is a fire spitting chainsaw on the other side that comes equipped with a slightly smaller scalpel as an attachment, what would you rather chose?

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/05/2013 at 09:56

Favorite quote: "You think the GT-R is a technology powerhouse? Chevy's system is the TI-83 to Nissan's wristwatch calculator. With PTM in Race mode, you can peg the throttle at the apex of any turn and simply mind the steering. PTM applies only enough power to make the 'Vette fast rather than sideways."

Yeeeah WHAT perfected in The University of Cornell bitches! I remember hearing about the magnetic suspension program from professors and students yeeears before it was made public. Now if only their Formula SAE team could stop pulling seniority, only allowing for the oldest, fattest team members amongst them to drive...

CalzoneGolem > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/05/2013 at 10:00

And yet ... Jeremy Clarkson will still say that, if you attempt to go around the corner in it, the Corvette will fall over.

For Sweden > banjo cat ghost of oppo past
09/05/2013 at 10:01

Yes Andy, we've heard of Cornell...

GhostZ > banjo cat ghost of oppo past
09/05/2013 at 10:01

...except that ATTESA does that too, and more, and it was invented in 1989. Maybe it doesn't do it as well , but it's not particularly groundbreaking.

At least, from what I've seen. Is there something new in this one that I'm missing, that other systems haven't done yet?

Tekamul > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/05/2013 at 10:03

It is funny how they say the GT-R has been wrongly accused of being a video game, then nail it the wall for not being exciting enough.

Real question, though, do you think anyone cross shops these two?

dinobot666 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/05/2013 at 10:03

The numbers are actually pretty close in terms of bench racing on the track, and the GT-R has an admittedly better interior, but hey, the Corvette was more fun to drive because of clever software, which also makes the GT-R a robot.

Makes sense to me.

I'd rock either car. :)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Victorious Secret
09/05/2013 at 10:05

If it's a scalpel, it's one operated from across the country via video and robotic connection.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tekamul
09/05/2013 at 10:10

Before the C7? No.

Now? Yes.

GhostZ > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/05/2013 at 10:12

Was going to say "fun doesn't matter, speed and laptimes only" but.... the Z51 came in with a faster laptime. That was shocking.

Except that it isn't true in general: http://fastestlaps.com/tracks/willow_… the GT-R lap was unusually slow, and normally would come in ahead of the Corvette. That's a 6-second difference at peak. I blame the fact that the Corvette is probably easier to drive at its limits on such a small, tight course, that getting that peak time out of a GT-R would be a bit harder. But as you can see, the Camaro 1LE beats the corvette easily.

I think on most higher speed tracks, the GT-R is hands-down a faster track car. They put it against a Corvette in a scenario that favored the corvette, seemed to drive the Corvette its hardest, and just didn't push the GT-R as hard I think. I wonder if it was intentional, or not.

Because according to their test, they are both slower than a Mustang GT or Camaro SS, back when they were trying to cause an upset about Camaros being "slow". This track lends itself to some pretty deceptive times because of that.

GhostZ > Victorious Secret
09/05/2013 at 10:15

I wouldn't call the Corvette a fire spitting chainsaw. It's more like a gilded plumber's wrench.

I think the GT-R is beautiful, and I find excitement (fire-spitting chainsaw levels) from its function. Not everyone agrees with me though, and that's okay. But the car is a crazy poster car for the right type of person.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > GhostZ
09/05/2013 at 10:15

This is very true. Statement has been amended. I liked the area for its truly fantastic driving roads and close proximity to Watkins Glen. The engineers are ...Cornell engineers.

GhostZ > CalzoneGolem
09/05/2013 at 10:15

"... and explode. And melt into plastic goo."

I like the GT-R a lot, but even I have to agree that Top Gear is getting silly with the Corvette hate.

GhostZ > banjo cat ghost of oppo past
09/05/2013 at 10:19

It's cool though. It's always awesome to see a comment like that however, which shows how small (and awesome) the automotive community can be.

I only hear about groundbreaking sociology/economic studies and a bit of theoretical physics where I'm at. Nothing exciting or applicable to daily life.

Tekamul > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/05/2013 at 10:19

Really? I think the price difference, and the different 'demographic' feel keeps these two apart.

Corvette's typically have a historical following, people that buy them do so because either they know everything about the corvette family, or people they run with do.

GT-R buyers are more tech/tuner people, with big wallets and advanced degrees. They know what a GTO looks like in Japan (hint, it doesn't say Pontiac anywhere on it) but could care less about Mustangs going from 5 bolts to 6.

Maybe it's different now, especially with corvette going high tech with its suspension, but I'd be surprised.

CalzoneGolem > GhostZ
09/05/2013 at 10:20

I think it might be American things in general that they like to hate on.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > GhostZ
09/05/2013 at 10:23

Sounds like they need Randy Pobst to take these two out again on a cool day.

I'd still want the one with better feel. I don't go to the track to race, though. I go to get maximum enjoyment out of driving my car.

Brian, The Life of > CalzoneGolem
09/05/2013 at 10:31

Do you not recall him gushing over the C6 when they shot the Bonneville episode?

GhostZ > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/05/2013 at 10:31

The new GT-R is only a year and a half away though, and it wouldn't surprise me if it came with a significant improvement in performance.

But the real question is... is the GT-R twice as good as the Z51? I'd be willing to say no, hands down, no.

Casper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/05/2013 at 10:32

It's been so long since Chevy made a good Corvette that it became a joke. In reality it wasn't until the C6 that the vet was OK again, but not good (especially the interior and build quality). The C7 is where it is all coming together. New tech, new design, modern components, etc. It may have taken them 40+ years, but they are remembering how to build a sports car.

With Ford finally stepping up the Mustangs game, it should make for a new sports car revolution in the coming years. Lets face it, Germany and Japan won't like being one upped by a company that was saved from bankruptcy by the government.

Eric Siedlecki > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/05/2013 at 10:53

I think it says something pretty good about Nissan and the GT-R if they're testing the latest and greatest from Chevy against a 6 year old platform. I mean, the C6 was only out for about two and a half years before the GT-R was released.

Saracen > CalzoneGolem
09/05/2013 at 11:09

Clarkson did give his car of the year award to the ZR-1 a few years ago.

Justino6969 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/05/2013 at 11:13

This is why I don't like the new Vette. Corvettes (in my mind) are supposed to be brutal powerhouses, kinda like underpowered Vipers. Not tech machines that do all the work for you. It's already been said in the comments, but saying the GT-R is boring because of all the tech, and then praising the Vette because of all the tech was a little off. Also another comment pointed out that the GT-R is usually a lot faster around that track. I'll still take a C5Z.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tekamul
09/05/2013 at 11:15

I'm a regular on the E9x forum, and a decent number of M3 owners move to the GT-R (seems like most move to Porsche, though). Before the C7, very few on the forum would consider a Corvette, but it seems like that attitude has changed with this new one. I'm still no sold on the design, but the performance can not be argued with. How much better will the Z06 (Z07?) be?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > GhostZ
09/05/2013 at 11:18

Yeah, I can only imagine how fast the next GT-R will be. Great time to be a car guy!

GhostZ > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/05/2013 at 11:23

From the direction Nissan is going, I see a few possibilities:

1. Engine kept the same, but with a hybrid system of around 100HP on it.

2. Engine bumped to 4.0l and a little more boost/rpm to get it to 650HP, hybrid system of about 50-100 HP.

Either way, I think the chassis will see some weight reduction and an electric hybrid system.

CalzoneGolem > Brian, The Life of
09/05/2013 at 11:26

I do but he'll still say that American cars will fall over if they go around a corner.

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > Tekamul
09/05/2013 at 11:29

People have been cross shopping the zo6 viper and GT-R for years. And though they'd be loathe to admit it, I'm betting a lot of would be porsche owners bought GT-R's. I think there's definitely people who would but either one and not the other, but I'd say there's quite a bit of overlap as well.

Brian, The Life of > CalzoneGolem
09/05/2013 at 11:31

Yes. It is Jezza we're talking about ...

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/05/2013 at 11:35

.6 seconds isn't exactly a wide margin. That's well within the realm of driver error. We'll see where it falls speedwise on other comparisons. What's crazy to me though is that this isn't a Z06, and it's hella cheaper than the GT-R.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Justino6969
09/05/2013 at 11:38

The difference is, the C7 remains neutral when all the tech is turned off (the true sign of a well-sorted sports car).

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
09/05/2013 at 11:40

Close on the track, but not close in regard to which one they'd want to have in their garage.

C7 = world beater

CalzoneGolem > Saracen
09/05/2013 at 11:43

He will and does still say the same things about American cars despite evidence to the contrary (i.e. 'ring times)

CalzoneGolem > Brian, The Life of
09/05/2013 at 11:43

That's kinda my point.

Tekamul > dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter
09/05/2013 at 11:44

A friend wanted a GT-R in 2008, but the dealer markup was so high (they wanted $20k over sticker, no cheap bolt-ons to justify, just straight up 'market adjustment') he bought a 911 instead.

I would expect more Porsche to GT-R overlap (people who just want to be seen as rich and current) than Porsche/FT-R to Corvette overlap

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/05/2013 at 12:39

Did they just pretty much say the Corvette sucks but is fast as shit so it's therefore better?

I'm a massive Corvette fan but wow were they crushing the interior/push button start/dash functionality.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/05/2013 at 12:48

Facts is facts.

King Ginger, not writing for Business Insider > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/05/2013 at 16:07

So the brand new Corvette barely beat a heavier car that is ostensibly no different than when it was manufactured in 2007? Well I'll be damned...