Mclaren MP4-12C vs Ferrari 458, Round 2: D'OH!

Spring must be Supercar test time in the UK. CAR pits the McLaren versus the Ferrari 458, Porsche GT2 RS, Mercedes SLS, Audi R8 V10 and Lamborghini LP 670-4 PS. This is the way all tests should be, BTW, Same track, same day, same driver, in this case, the ex-Stig Ben Collins.

SLS 1:33.1
Audi: 1:31.06
McLaren: 1:30.1
Lambo: 1:29.92
GT2 RS: 1:28.78
458 Italia:1:28.30

In the video, tires are not specified save for the Porsche GT2 RS' standard Michelin Sport Cup which makes the Ferrari time that much more remarkable. Also, you can't turn traction control fully off on the 12c, really?

As you can see at the end of the video, Mclaren claimed there was a mechanical issue with the car tested and later returned to the same track with their chief test driver and a presumably perfect MP4 12c fitted with optional Pirelli Corsa.

Their time? 1:28.0 ....D'oh!

It's all in the July Issue of CAR

Ouch.

Carrera GT 'Ring lap: final installment of the EVO Supertest

Supercarmovies.com released the final clip of the EVO Supertest and the Porsche Carrera GT's turn to set fastest time around the Nürburgring.

Marc Basseng lapped the Porsche supercar in 7:28.71 which is precisely the same time Walter Röhrl achieved in the GT.   I was surprised to hear the Carrera GT's weak point was its suspension tuning, it's a strange compromise given the car's non street friendly features like a super lightweight clutch.  In the end Porsche was slower than a notoriously not "tuned at the Nordschleife" Enzo with broken shocks.

Looking at the video though you would never guess, the car looks great and sounds fantastic. The V10 Porsche bottoms out a few times but you get few clues Basseng might have felt "not confident"!

Below is just a tease, just the first couple of turns, to see the whole thing at much better resolution you'll need to go to the Supercarmovies.com site HERE 

Supercarmovies.com

Pagani Zonda F Clubsport Nürburgring lap.

The latest installment of the Supercar Movies/Black Falcon supertest has been published. Can the Pagani Zonda F Clubsport better the Maserati MC12's lap time? The big Maserati used it's superior aerodynamics to overcome a power disadvantage and less than perfect brakes and was faster than both the Enzo Ferrari and the heavy Koenigsegg CCX.

The Zonda gets good marks for it's engine and brakes, not so good marks for wht I always objected to about the car , the gawdy non-funtional interior. From the video it looks like the car would be faster with some of the understeer dialled out, the driver has to use massive amounts of lock and the front tires scream for mercy in all the tighter sections.

Find the lap video HERE



Pagani Zonda F:

Engine: Mercedes-Benz AMG 12 cylinder V 60°, 48 valves; displacement 7291 cc.
Max. Power: (kW) hp/rpm (478) 650/6200.
Max. Torque: Nm/rpm: 780/4000.
Weight-to-Power ratio: 1,89 kg/hp.
Intake manifold: aluminium hydroformed alloy/avional MHG-System.
Exhaust system: hydroformed steel and ceramic coated, inconel manifold, titanium muffler.
Transmission: longitudinal mid engine; rear wheel drive with self-locking differential.
Clutch: twin plate clutch.
Gearbox: mechanical 6 speed (+ reverse).
Brakes: 4 ventilated Brembo disks, hydraulic power brake.
Carbon-ceramic brakes: front 380x34 mm 6 piston caliper;
rear 380x34 mm 4 piston caliper.
Steering: TRW rack and pinion power assisted.
Wheels: Forged aluminium/magnesium alloy APP wheels; 19” front, 20” rear.
Tyres: Michelin Pilot Sport 2: front 255/35/19 rear 335/30/20.
Suspensions: 4 independent wheels with double A-arm; pull rod helical springs and Öhlins adjustable shock absorbers; anti-roll bar; aluminium/magnesium alloy suspension arms.
Structure: central carbon fiber chassis; front and rear Cr Mo space frames; carbon fiber “MD System” bodywork panels.
Dimensions: length 4435 mm; width 2055 mm; height 1141 mm; wheelbase 2730 mm;
dry weight 1230 kg (without Comfort Pack and with CCM brakes).
Weight distribution: 46% front; 54% rear.
Downforce: ~600 kg at 300km/h (Clubsport version);
downforce distribution: ~270 kg front; ~330 kg rear.
Vehicle-Diagnosis: TMD remote diagnosis. Texa Mobile Diagnostic.
Safety: ABS/Traction Control Bosch; central carbon fibre safety cell with steel and carbon fibre roll bar; front and rear impact energy absorbing structure in carbon fibre and Cr Mo.
Performance: acceleration 0-100 km/h 3,6 sec.; 0-200 km/h 9,8 sec.;
Lateral g’s: 1,4 g with SPORT setting;
Braking 200-0 km/h: 4,4 sec.;
Top speed: > 345km/h.

Maserati MC12 Nürburgring lap.

Third in the Supercarmovies.com/Black Falcon/EVO Supertest laps series, after the Enzo Ferrari (great except for shocks which gave up halfway through the lap) and the Koenigsegg CCX (Heavy, soft and I think they crashed it too...).

Now it time for the Maserati MC12, a car somewhere between and Enzo and an FXX. Produced in less numbers than the Ferrari it is a rare sight and fairly absurd as a "road car" but the only car among the ones tested with a racing pedigree. Let's see how if worked on the Nordschleife .

Video HERE

After the jump I added a couple of behind the scenes YouTube clips shot as the tests were happening. Recognize a familiar car pulling into the parking lot behind the mega cars?






Here

Keonigsegg CCX Nürburgring lap

The third installment of the Nürburgring Supertest is now up at Supercarmovies.com.   After the Ferrari Enzo it's now time for the Koenigsegg to go after the lap record...  

The Swedish Supercar has a lot of show (and 914 hp) ...but does it go?

let's find out

click HERE

Supercars in Hell...

...the green hell that is.

Pardon the pun but this test runs rings around all others we have seen. This is how tests should be done: same time, same place, same driver, same amount of fuel and cars to factory spec. This is an Axis approved test.

Enzo Ferrari, Maserati MC12, Pagani Zonda R, Porsche Carrera GT and a Koeniggseg CCX, Supercar Movies and Black Falcon Performance really hit one out of the park.

The only improvement would be to have all the telemetry data available, perhaps in later episodes we will get that too. Below is the introduction and, after the jump, let's find out how the Enzo did on a timed lap around the Nürburgring.
(thank you Jay for the tip!)





Sorry but Supercarmovies.com objected to our direct use.... go see them on supercarmovies.com
Interesting about the shocks, whe we were at the Nürburgring, Dale Lomas told us the new M3 had similar issues, where dampners would overheat during the lap...

Can't wait for the next four episodes!