http://blogs.motortrend.com/6238831/editor...ared/index.html

Snippits:

"Maybe it's just the way Toyota's testing is scheduled (according to our spies at the 'Ring, the LF-A has resurfaced and should be on track shortly). But I wonder. Has the GT-R got Toyota running scared?"

"Toyota's problem is this: The GT-R has set the performance bar incredibly high for the next Japanese supercar. And Toyota being Toyota, delivering a supercar that's second-best to a Nissan is unthinkable, especially if it's going to carry the Lexus badge. The LF-A has to be faster than the GT-R, in a straight line, and around the legendary Nordschliefe. Otherwise it risks being perceived a failure."




If indeed Toyota is scared, so must Honda. Perhaps even the ZR-1 engineers with it's "It'll beat anything" comment.

Honda is like that Kid going to school who had ALL summer to write his book report but waits to the day before the new session to start reading the book, never mind even writing the report...

Going with that analogy, the S2k is like Honda going to summer school. Just needs some extra help is all.....right?

 

See that is the problem with coming out with these grandiose statments like "being 8 seconds faster than the GT-R" or "It'll beat anything" comments. The automotive world has become fast paced that you cant say something like that, work on it for the next three years and reveal it with your comment being true.

To compare some future car by claiming that will be faster than a current car is pointless because the cars are ever evolving, ever moving forward.. The best way to hit a moving target isnt to shout "I am going to shoot at you in a couple of minutes" but rather to stealthily begin to build something to give you the opportunity to pop up, deliver the goods, and then the chase is on.

I guarantee you if Honda ever releases the NSX, they will be dealing with a Nissan much quicker than a "base" V35 GT-R. Same goes with the LF-A.

 

I am sure I am the one wierdo here who will get a tongue lashing for saying something so blashpemous, but I don't care if Toyota's car comes up far short of the GTR. What I want is a toy for $40k or less that puts a serious grin on my face and goes like stink on a monkey.

If it is not better than some car I won't buy because its ugly and costs $70k, than I don't care.

They can fight each other all they want over who builds a faster car I will never buy.

Thats why I say, the more I read about these things the more I like the Vette. You can get one from a dealer for $40k (currently with discounts) it looks 100 times better than a GTR to me, and will do 90% of what the GTR will. On top of that, they will build a Z06 version to compete for bragging rights IF you want to pay that much. But they offer something with unreal performance at a decent price. The downside is that they are less exclusive, but I guess I am just one of the great unwashed.

Nissan can not say that, nor can Toyota, nor Honda, nor dare I say Porsche. The 350z, Boxster, and S2000 are fine cars, but they don't come as close to super performance that the Vette does at that price.

 

I don't think Honda will strive to beat the GTR, it;ll jsut engineer its own car and if it beats it, great, if not, whatever. Honda has a tendency of dancing to its own beat it seems, although it;s 8 second faster claim is quite bold. Lexus, on the other hand, has built itself around competition (namely luxury) and needs to be superior to maintain its image.

 

as if the ZR-1 guys can't just push up the boost a few more notches....I would be shocked if the ZR-1 isn't the fastest kid on the block at the time of release.

The N/A guys have a little larger problem... if it is their intent to build the fastest car. But I'm not sure that is the point; Ferrari doesn't always try to build the absolute fastest car every time, neither does lambo, neither does porsche. If they did, cars wouldn't be getting heavier each generation... for that matter, if Nissan was just trying to set ring records, would they have released such a big car?

 

The problem for the ZR-1 is going to be getting the power to the ground. The AWD on the Nissan makes that job much easier. The weight difference should help the Chevy.

 

GO LEXUS!!! Did I just say that?!?

 

Ya, I said something on the C&D forums like "I don

 

I don't think it is ever a matter of "can." They (Honda or GM) have to have the corporate will to do so. Honda probably lacks that. They probably perceive a faster car at the same price as a money-losing proposition.

But don't you think Honda or GM COULD do it?

As far as rear wheel drive and Ring times, aren't all those bad-@ss Radical cars, faster laps than the GT-R, rear wheel drive? See, all they need is downforce and barely DOT-legal tires...

 

I think anybody ''CAN'' do it. I believe it all boils down to who the top brass is and if their philosphy is in alignment. Also, if the bean counters allow them to spend the funds on R&D that could be used elsewhere that should have priority.