You didn't make it clear you were talking about more track focused vs. the base model. It sounded like you thought the Z06 was more track focused than the ZR1.

 

Yeah, but not a Clydesdale and not a nag. This grown up pony car is maybe, just maybe, worth a look for people without pimples.

 

I can dig it. I'm guessing it should be around 40k being the GT is just above 30K and the Shelby is 50k.

 

So which tires are each car using respectively?

 

Yum... I'm really digging the wheels on the race car version in the preview video on Autoblog. Looks like a BBS of some sort. By those wheels and place on a consumer version and you will have one very hot looking ride. I wonder if they will offer a black one with white striping / lettering?

 

I'm not sure how else to put it. I'm basically stating this from Inside Line.

"Think of the Corvette lineup in Porsche 911 terms. The base coupe and convertible Corvette are analogous to the standard Carrera and Carrera S. The Z06 is the GT3 — the loud, hard-core choice of the performance junkie. The ZR1 is the Porsche Turbo. It's devastatingly fast, but it's also intended to be civilized. It's available with a head-up instrument display, power-adjustable seats, high-end audio and Delphi's smooth-riding MagneRide suspension dampers. It's no raw-boned racer. Hell, at 3,300 to 3,400 pounds, the ZR1 is almost 300 pounds heavier than a Z06."

And this is how I see the GT/Boss 302/GT500 relationship.

 

Unless you have tire data on both (i.e. slip angle vs. lateral acceleration graphs, traction circles, etc.) it really doesn't matter. I know the M3 could either come with Continentals or Michelins depending on wheel size.

But alas, we don't have tire data. The next best thing for finding out how good the tires are when it comes to max grip is a skidpad. Weight transfer isn't going to keep things constant (weight transfer diminishing max possible lateral grip), but on a skidpad it's pretty easy to minimize it since we're talking about stead-state cornering (you're basically always at the apex of the corner during a skidpad).

I don't really like skidpads as a measurement of production car performance. It's not that how a car performs on a skidpad isn't relevant. Apex speeds are critical. However, it's more a result of the tire, and that's easily changed on a car. It has nothing to do with the car itself. You can't throw any tire you want on there as tire design is one of the things you build a car around, but it's not fair to blast a car for poor handling because the tires the car comes with were all seasons that last 40k miles and all the competitors went with summer tires that last a quarter of that for performance numbers.

@Ghostface: I don't think it's that clear cut. In some regards the ZR1 is certainly more compromised. The suspension is adaptive and can go from hard to soft. I'm sure that adds weight. In general, I'm sure weight has been added to make it more "streetable."

However, a lot of the weight comes from the supercharger and the plumbing that accompanies it. Still more of the weight comes from the required strengthening of the drivetrain to deal with more power. You can't defy the laws of physics. Lighter weight means less strength and rigidity. I'm also curious to see the torsional rigidity of the two chassis. I honestly don't know too much about them in that regard.

It's also straight up faster, and not just in a straight line. The other curious thing that occurred to me was that the GT2 car is based on the ZR1 and not on the Z06 as it used to be if I'm not mistaken. What does that say about how track focused each of the cars is?

 

Wow, I've been impressed w/ the '11 Mustangs, but this is the first one (ex. the tacky looking LS edition) that is seriously lust-worthy.

I'm still keeping my M3, though - need the 4 doors, and the M3's interior is about 10 times nicer than any Mustang's.

Still, kudos to Ford, they seem very determined to get customers to buy their cars purely on their merits vs. domestic loyalty or patriotism.

 

Ugly paint, great car idea. Who in the world decided on the colors and graphic scheme!?!?

Either way, the idea is great, the execution sounds good and all that's left is to figure out the price. $42K? $45K? I can't say I'd get this over a used Z06 (or even a Z51 C6) at those prices, though. Since the back seats are useless due to the cross brace, it's still just a two-seater with some room behind the seats for luggage.

 

Yeah, I'd like to see that 2nd one in all black, machine finished wheels, _maybe_ just a small BOSS 302 logo (I'd ever consider the orange "side cove" graphic with everything else in one solid body color).

Neat ride, though.