April BestMotoring: NSX-R does well!

[NetViper]

Track: Twin Ring Motegi

Fastest time attack lap times:
1:40.9 - Ferrari 360 Modena
1:40.4 - Porsche 911 Turbo
1:39.6 - BMW M3 CSL
1:36.9 - Honda NSX Type-R
1:36.6 - Lamborghini Murcielago
1:36.0 - Lamborghini Gallardo

___________________________


I think it is pretty amazing that the NSX-R is only 0.9 behind the Gallardo and 0.3 behind the Murcie!!!! (though the fchat guys think it is rigged ).

Just imagine what the FX500 Type R could have done

It sure did spank the Ferrari though!

Is this video online somewhere?

 

[MAKO]

It sure redeemed itself after the a$$kicking and subsequent overheating that occurred at Fuji.

Just a shame that we'll never get a chance to own it here in the states. The ultimate overachiever.

Here's another comparo in which the NSX-R performed well:

Nurburgring Short Course:

1:11.8 - LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO
1:12.6 - PORSCHE 911 GT2 (996)
1:14.6 - HONDA NSX-R
1:14.7 - FERRARI 575M MARANELLO
1:15.1 - FERRARI 360 MODENA
1:17.6 - AUDI RS6 (2004)

 

[matteni]

It sure redeemed itself after the a$$kicking and subsequent overheating that occurred at Fuji.

Just a shame that we'll never get a chance to own it here in the states. The ultimate overachiever.

Here's another comparo in which the NSX-R performed well:

Nurburgring Short Course:

1:11.8 - LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO
1:12.6 - PORSCHE 911 GT2 (996)
1:14.6 - HONDA NSX-R
1:14.7 - FERRARI 575M MARANELLO
1:15.1 - FERRARI 360 MODENA
1:17.6 - AUDI RS6 (2004)

Wow - the overachiever is the RS6 IMO. A 4 door lux-o-cruiser with power everything pulling down a 1:17 - a small 2.5 seconds behind a 360?!?

 

[MAKO]

True, but if I'm paying $85k for a 450hp twin turbo sedan, it sure as $hit better be close to a dedicated sportscar around a track.

The upcomming BMW M5 will obliterate that RS6's time with its 500HP V10, and will probably match the Modena's time. Quite impressive, especially because it will be offered with the SMG tranny for the first time.

Of course the M5 will probably cost around $100k or so after dealer markup once it arrives, lol

 

[matteni]

True, but if I'm paying $85k for a 450hp twin turbo sedan, it sure as $hit better be close to a dedicated sportscar around a track.

OTOH - if I am paying over $160k for a Ferrari 360 I had better cleam up over a 4 door family sedan at 1/2 the price IMO. They is why I am so surprised the RS6 was in the hunt. As for the new M5 - that big V10 over the front wheels and only rear wheel drive may not translate as well at the "ring" as you think. Only time will tell but if there current move toward e-brake, e-shift, e-steer, etc is any indication - it won't be much fun getting there regardless of the times posted.

 

[MAKO]

OTOH - if I am paying over $160k for a Ferrari 360 I had better cleam up over a 4 door family sedan at 1/2 the price IMO. They is why I am so surprised the RS6 was in the hunt. As for the new M5 - that big V10 over the front wheels and only rear wheel drive may not translate as well at the "ring" as you think. Only time will tell but if there current move toward e-brake, e-shift, e-steer, etc is any indication - it won't be much fun getting there regardless of the times posted.

LOL, big V10? It weighs less than the V8 that was in the E39 M5....That's called progress.

Early reports are saying that the new M5 is every bit the driver's car the older one was, which is what you'd expect from BMW.

NEXT.

 

[NSXBOX]

Thats y the Schumacher brothers both drive RS6's as personal daily drivers for their families.

 

[Zanardi 50]

NSX-R = ~300bhp + 2760 lbs. curb wt.

Very modest P to W ratio. Superior cornering.

Amazing. Simply amazing.

 

[NSX-Racer]

Nurburgring Short Course:

1:11.8 - LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO
1:12.6 - PORSCHE 911 GT2 (996)
1:14.6 - HONDA NSX-R
1:14.7 - FERRARI 575M MARANELLO
1:15.1 - FERRARI 360 MODENA
1:17.6 - AUDI RS6 (2004)

Mako: These times are not from Nurburgring short course but from Hockenheim old short course (there are no car test times from Nurburgring GP or short course)

Just to compare: NSX cp. from '97 (6 gear, 3.2l) on Bridgestone stock tires 1:18.4
NSX-Racer on Yoko slicks on new Hockenheim short course: 1:18,1 but because of the new chicane I would have been about 4 seconds faster on the old one which is better than the time of the NSX-R above.

Please keep in my mind that all these above times (except mine) where driven by professional drivers (must have been Horst v. Saurma for the car mag "sport auto").

edit: corrected own laptime error

 

[matteni]

Mako: These times are not from Nurburgring short course but from Hockenheim old short course (there are no car test times from Nurburgring GP or short course)

Just to compare: NSX cp. from '97 (6 gear, 3.2l) on Bridgestone stock tires 1:18.4
NSX-Racer on Yoko slicks on new Hockenheim short course: Also 1:18,4 but because of the new chicane I would have been about 4 seconds faster on the old one which equals about the time of the NSX-R above.

Please keep in my mind that all these above times (except mine) where driven by professional drivers (must have been Horst v. Saurma for the car mag "sport auto").

Thanks for pointing that out. BTW I hear that all the German locals love to go to the Hockenheim for lapping over the Nurburgring (more tourests). Is this true? Wonder why?

 

[NSX-Racer]

If you speak of sheer numbers Nurburgring Nordschleife has surely a lot more weekend drivers than Hockenheim. At the Hockenheim tourist evening (once a week) you can only drive the short track which is a pain with a lot of cars on it.

At organized events you may have about equal resonance for Nurburgring Grand Prix track and Hockenheim GP track. Usualy there is no free-driving-event at Nurburgring Nordschleife with limited car numbers.

I personally wouldn't drive the Nordschleife with the NSX - too dangerous, nearly no run-off-zones (yes, you can call me a coward).

At Hockenheim GP you have mostly big zones with tarmac so you don't damage the car even if you are way too fast.

Nurburgring GP is not quite as safe but I will drive it this year for the first time.

 

[BITeR]

LOL, big V10? It weighs less than the V8 that was in the E39 M5....That's called progress.

Early reports are saying that the new M5 is every bit the driver's car the older one was, which is what you'd expect from BMW.

NEXT.

I agree, progress indeed. BMW is the only german company that actually cares about weight, and the only non japanese company I'd consider. I can't stand how MB and Audi rumps up the weight on their newer models.

And the NSX-R is probably one of the best drivers cars ever, even NSX prime members are amazed of it's performance. Must be something truly special.

 

[NetViper]

Honda really should import like 10 NSX-R into the states. They obviously had trouble selling 50 zanardi's, but I think 10 would go fast. Then we can get the most amazing NSX produced!

 

[MAKO]

Mako: These times are not from Nurburgring short course but from Hockenheim old short course (there are no car test times from Nurburgring GP or short course)

Right, sorry! I've got the Ring on the brain lately, trying to plan a trip...

And Hockenheim is verboten in my brain after the butchering they did to the long course two years ago. Still heart broken about that. Can you imagine the new F1 "one-engine" rule being run at Hockenheim's old course? I bet less than five cars would finish, lol.

 

[matteni]

LOL, big V10? It weighs less than the V8 that was in the E39 M5....That's called progress.

Early reports are saying that the new M5 is every bit the driver's car the older one was, which is what you'd expect from BMW.

NEXT.

Don't be so sure. Autoweek 3/15/2004 page 19 named the new M5 most fun concept at Geneva and says:

"Officially, this is a concept, but it is a concept that will be a real car in the not-too-distant future. For all the potential under the bulging hood and fenders, this next generation M5 was named our Most Fun. A 90 degree V10 derived from the powerplant used in the Williams BMW F1 car powers the M5. The engine produces 500 HP and 370 lb-ft of torque, driving it through a seven speed sequential manual gearbox operated by steering wheel mounted paddles. BMW says 0 to 60 happens in five seconds and 0 to 124 takes 13 seconds."

Now the "old" 2001 BMW tested by Autoweek didn't do any worse.

http://autoweek.com/search/search_d...16&Search_Type=STD&Search_ID=1973405&record=1

Road Test Data:

STANDING-START ACCELERATION
0-30 mph:1.90 sec
0-40 mph:3.01 sec
0-50 mph:3.81 sec
0-60 mph:4.96 sec
0-100 km/h
(62.1 mph):5.40 sec
0-80 mph:8.03 sec
0-quarter-mile:104.7 mph, 13.50 sec

All this without a Bangled design (thank God the BMW family demoted him before he ruined another BMW), the terrible i-drive, and if the standard BMW is any indication - the weird electronic assisted steering and braking. Talk about a great company going in the wrong direction IMO.

But if spending more money on an uglier car with more electronic nannies that isn't predicted to be too much faster then the outgoing car is your cup of tea - that's cool. The good news - based on enthusiasts I talk to in and out of the BMW club and the Germans I met at the Frankfurt Motor show last fall - there shouldn't be too big of a markup IMO. If your not impressed that the lower priced RS6 does extremely well on the track as they full on sports cars - fine - but I wouldn't hold out hope that the new M5 is going to do much better based on what we have seen at Geneva. Its too bad really - BMW was such an awesome company a few years ago and really went to pot with Bangle, i-drive, and the advent of all the electronic drivers aids that are taking over IMO.

 

[sjs]

I agree, progress indeed. BMW is the only german company that actually cares about weight, ...

Must not be the same BMW I know. They may be able to justify every ounce to people who want all the luxo amenities, full-surround airbags, huge beams in the doors, etc., but that doesn't change the fact that they are pigs.

 

[effer]

Honda really should import like 10 NSX-R into the states. They obviously had trouble selling 50 zanardi's, but I think 10 would go fast. Then we can get the most amazing NSX produced!

I agree. Even 20 would sell well I guess.

Would be fun to get it the last year before the next gen debut year...