In a current thread which discusses the relative qualities of an NSX and BMW M5, a number of wagging fingers have been pointed at the M5's 4000 lb weight. I'm a little puzzeled by this. Not only is the porky M5 as fast as the latest NSX in acceleration, it is within a tick in skidpad performance (.90 vs. .91) and very close going through a slalom (64.7 vs. 65.8). In fact, according to data in Road and Track, the heavy M5 is quicker through the cones than an M Roadster or a Porsche Boxster. It is also interesting that the new 580 hp Lamborghini Murcielago, which everyone whould agree is a sports car, weighs as much as an M5 (4020 lbs). I'm sure there are other examples of extremely high performing cars that weight over 4000 lbs.
My question to all gear-heads out there is this: If the power to weight ratio is held constant, will a lighter car always be faster in the corners than a heavier one? I think weight alone is not the critical factor here- suspension and tires are. Am I right or wrong?
My question to all gear-heads out there is this: If the power to weight ratio is held constant, will a lighter car always be faster in the corners than a heavier one? I think weight alone is not the critical factor here- suspension and tires are. Am I right or wrong?