Best Handling (MotorTrend)

[Imhotep Evil]

Yep I remember that. Road and Track tested the Mini when it first arrived and it got the faster slalom time they'd recorded up to that point.

M

Mini has been a slalom machine since the 1950s.
Small, light and sporty FWD cars are on thing big(ger), heavier utilitarian only FWD cars are another.

 

[bmwrules]

The Mini in this test isn't the standard edition Mini. It is some type of John Cooper Mini Works special edition which would explain its exceptional handling. The link in first post in this topic doesn't explain why cars why the cars finished in the order that they die. It just explains why the cars were in the test. I have the magazine at home with the full article including why the cars finished where they did. I post some additional info from the article when I get home.

 

[drronh]

The article explains why they ranked them the way they did. They ranked them in regards to handling on a track and handling on a street, including how well they handled bumps, pot holes, etc. The final ranking was a composite, so some cars that did well because they were more compliant than a Z06 or GT3.

Getting back to the Z06, I remeber most of the Z06-Viper coupe comparos favoring the handling of the Viper, saying it was more prescise and easier to place, inspiring more confidence on the track, so I'm not surprised the Z06 was down on the list. I'm sure it had one of the fastest (if not the fastest lap) time on the track they used. You need to read the whole article to draw your own conclusions.

 

[Zafiro]

The Mini in this test isn't the standard edition Mini. It is some type of John Cooper Mini Works special edition which would explain its exceptional handling. The link in first post in this topic doesn't explain why cars why the cars finished in the order that they die. It just explains why the cars were in the test. I have the magazine at home with the full article including why the cars finished where they did. I post some additional info from the article when I get home.

BMW is now a new owner of John Cooper Mini Works. BMw own them. Is this built by BMW?

 

[Zonda]

997 GT3

 

[wltsm]

BMW is now a new owner of John Cooper Mini Works. BMw own them. Is this built by BMW?

I'm pretty sure that's the case, seeing as they own the company!

It was always a dealer option as well!

 

[bmwrules]

The article explains why they ranked them the way they did. They ranked them in regards to handling on a track and handling on a street, including how well they handled bumps, pot holes, etc.

That's not what I referring too. I'm talking about specifically why the GT3 was first, the 335 6th, the Z06 ninth, etc. There's a nice summary page with the 10 cars ranked and a blurb as to why they finished 1st, 2nd, etc. From what I can remember of the quick scan I did when I first got the magazine in the mail, they said that the 335 was the best all around real world car.

 

[Zafiro]

That's not what I referring too. I'm talking about specifically why the GT3 was first, the 335 6th, the Z06 ninth, etc. There's a nice summary page with the 10 cars ranked and a blurb as to why they finished 1st, 2nd, etc. From what I can remember of the quick scan I did when I first got the magazine in the mail, they said that the 335 was the best all around real world car.

are you going to scan this article here?

 

[bmwrules]

are you going to scan this article here?

I plan to when I get home from work. It will be a few hours until I get home but I'll scan the article then.

 

[Zonda]

are you going to scan this article here?

By quick scan I think quickly scanning it with his eyes Giving it a brief look.

 

[NarutoRamen]

^^Either Way...I want to read the whole artice to find out exactly WT-F happened. I mean a MazdaSpeed3 beat the Z06...something was weird.

 

[bmwrules]

Ok, here are the scans, all 26 of them. Enjoy!

http://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar01zq8.jpghttp://img300.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar02nn4.jpghttp://img169.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar03tp5.jpghttp://img457.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar04xr5.jpghttp://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar05cs4.jpg
http://img122.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar06if7.jpghttp://img329.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar07ks6.jpghttp://img175.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar08au0.jpghttp://img170.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar09mj6.jpghttp://img337.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar10yn5.jpg
http://img237.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar11nw0.jpghttp://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar13vu8.jpghttp://img253.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar14wn3.jpghttp://img133.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar15fy9.jpg
http://img82.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar16pi6.jpghttp://img457.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar17ci1.jpghttp://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar18ok5.jpghttp://img257.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar19sv1.jpghttp://img170.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar20df4.jpg
http://img253.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar21np7.jpghttp://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar22pi3.jpghttp://img72.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar23ge6.jpghttp://img133.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar24jt5.jpghttp://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar25at9.jpg
http://img133.imageshack.us/my.php?image=besthandlingcar26nt4.jpg

Luw, I think the Z06 weighs more in the rear. The transmission is located in the back and the LS7 is a lightweight despite its displacement. There's other things at work here, and perhaps Imhotep is right about the rigidity...

On page 3 of the scans, they indicate that the Z06 has perfect 50/50 weight distribution.

 

[Bruce]

Ok, here are the scans, all 26 of them. Enjoy!

Thanks!

On page 3 of the scans, they indicate that the Z06 has perfect 50/50 weight distribution.

That's true. FYI, when Sport Auto measured the C6's weight distribution with a full tank of gas and a 68kg driver they measured 52/48. Just a tidbit.

 

[NarutoRamen]

After looking at the graphs...The z06 was doing pretty good until the grip and slip test...even then it's hard to say how bad it did. Honestly, this was a BS test.

 

[bmwrules]

Thanks!




That's true. FYI, when Sport Auto measured the C6's weight distribution with a full tank of gas and a 68kg driver they measured 52/48. Just a tidbit.

Was that the base C6 or Z06? The different engines, tires, suspension, etc will lead to a different distribution of weight.

 

[bmwrules]

After looking at the graphs...The z06 was doing pretty good until the grip and slip test...even then it's hard to say how bad it did. Honestly, this was a BS test.

IMO, the reasons they give on the summary page make sense. Last place chassis control, too much power for the available grip and imprecise steering conspire to the 9th place finish. In the many reviews I've read on the Z06 it's handling always gets picked on. It just isn't this test.

But in a drag race they aren't many cars I'd choose over the Z06 given it's relatively cheap price.

I say this as a Corvette fan. It's the only American car built today that I would buy.

 

[Bruce]

Was that the base C6 or Z06? The different engines, tires, suspension, etc will lead to a different distribution of weight.

I was referring to the Z06, but my apologies because that number is incorrect. Sport Auto recorded 51/49 with the Z06 and 52/48 with the standard product.

http://www.germancarforum.com/test-data/8059-measured-weight-distributions.html

 

[NarutoRamen]

IMO, the reasons they give on the summary page make sense. Last place chassis control, too much power for the available grip and imprecise steering conspire to the 9th place finish. In the many reviews I've read on the Z06 it's handling always gets picked on. It just isn't this test.

But in a drag race they aren't many cars I'd choose over the Z06 given it's relatively cheap price.

I say this as a Corvette fan. It's the only American car built today that I would buy.

Yeah I know that Z06 has a hard time putting power through the wheels...I've had to deal with that on GM's very tight track. Step on the gas in a tight corner and the back starts sliding...but It's very easy to control. I pushed the hell out of the the C6 on their track and not once did I ever feel like I was about to loose control.

You're not the only one my friend...I too would would only buy this car.

 

[PanterroR]

I'm loving the last part:

Of course, all these contenders are terrific handling cars and any might respond well to some savvy chassis tinkering - just don't expect springs, shocks or Cup tires to turn any of them into a GT3...

 

[Imhotep Evil]

I'm loving the last part:

Of course, all these contenders are terrific handling cars and any might respond well to some savvy chassis tinkering - just don't expect springs, shocks or Cup tires to turn any of them into a GT3...

Well the Cayman should be even better (weight distribution, lower polar inertia).