Performance figures don't give an accurate picture of just how well a car performs overall. A given car may be the fastest to sixty, but that doesn't mean it has the highest top speed, tightest cornering or sharpest brakes. Lap times around a given track paint a more accurate, comprehensive picture of a car's abilities, but picking one track as the gold standard is dicey business. That's where Top Gear's Power Lap board comes into play.
Although weather conditions can vary, BBC's Top Gear puts all the cars through the paces at the same test track outside their studio, and what's more is that they're driven – or at least, so we're lead to believe – by the same driver: The Stig.
The latest high-performance supercar to make a run for the top of the record board is the Caparo T1, which, at 1:10.6, easily trounced the previous record holder, the Koenigsegg CCX, by an astonishing seven seconds. Unfortunately the Caparo was disqualified because, in its track set-up, it lacked the adjustable ride height to enable it to clear a requisite speed-bump. Caparo insists they deserve a second chance with a road-spec version. If the show's producers give the Ultima GTR an official run, meanwhile, the Caparo's reign as king of the Power Lap could be short-lived, adjustable shocks or not.
[Source: PistonHeads]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
eddie @ Nov 20th 2007 11:15AM
I saw that episode. The car kept having malfunctions and breaking down. The floor fell apart at one point.
It looked bad as hell going down the track.
Rafa @ Nov 20th 2007 2:20PM
And so did I.
I don´t care if it´s the fastest or not around a track, but what´s the point if its always going to break down or burn me alive.
Toy Yoda @ Nov 20th 2007 11:17AM
Is the Ultima GTR really much faster and cheaper?
John P. @ Nov 20th 2007 11:24AM
A car that ugly better be fast. I bet it would be a fun ride though, probably wouldn't be able to wipe the smile off my face the whole time.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Nov 20th 2007 11:24AM
Kinda odd after 30 years of migrating away from gimpy, dicey sports cars, parts of the industry is headed right back now in order to win a numbers war. And now we have one exhibiting Colin Chapman's principles of racing cars on TV during the tests.
Neither of the two cars mentioned are decent road going cars, they don't really deserve to be compared to street cars. Top Gear has gotten way off track now.
Duncan @ Nov 20th 2007 11:31AM
@LS2 I know you're the site troll, but did you even read the article? Top Gear refused to let the Caparo T1 on the hot lap board precisely because it shouldn't be compared against true road-going cars. (And it's certainly not the first track-day or full-on race car they've thrown around the track, they have a whole separate board for these kind of cars)
Top Gear has also so far refused to even test the Ultima, nonetheless attempt to compare it to a street car.
So, what exactly are you griping about? Seems like Top Gear is doing exactly what you want.
Bob-o @ Nov 20th 2007 1:06PM
What, and the Atom would be considered a true road going car?
Also, doesn't the Zonda F have a silly-low nose? I remember all the shenanigans they went through to get out of that parking garage...and that's on the board...
bert @ Nov 20th 2007 1:36PM
The Atom has adequate speed bump clearance. Meanwhile that certain Caparo has not. The Pagani can also clear a speedbump without trouble, the problem with the parking garage was due to steep angle, not a height problem. Please read and think before you speak.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Nov 20th 2007 2:40PM
How about not even running the car? They couldn't have driven it over the speed bump first? How about running some cars around the track that actually exist in the real world and are buyable by regular humans?
It used to be the top of the Top Gear board was dominated by a lot of oddball exotic cars like Ferrari 360s and such. Now those look pedestrian because they're rolling in insane cars like Koenigseggs, Atoms and this thing.
Anyone can make a race car go fast, and in the UK, you can often even get a plate on it. But it doesn't prove anything and it's not even relevant to most people.
Oh, they managed to test the Zonda S, and they love it despite showing themselves it isn't practical off the track. The exit angle from the parking garage was FAR from steep. Yes, it was too steep for the Zonda S, but it wasn't steep at all.
Mike @ Nov 20th 2007 4:53PM
Quit being a troll, and gtfo. The show is awesome and its always fun seeing how a car each week will stack up against the rest. Oh any btw isn't the new Civic Type R a car normal people would get ? And it only barely beat the Golf GTI witch was also on the list.
Get your stuff right before you troll on and look like an idiot
Yayaja @ Nov 20th 2007 11:28AM
There's some delicious information about the Ultima GTR on Wikipedia, its top gear track time as well as how it compares to the T1 -Link for the Lazies-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultima_GTR
Ed @ Nov 20th 2007 12:25PM
It kind of depends on what their speedbump definition is. Apparently the legal maximum height for speedbumps in the UK is 100mm. This is exactly the ground clearance of the Koenisegg. The Caparo has 90mm maximum I believe, which is enough for the standard UK speed bump (75mm), but not enough to negotiate the tallest legal speed bump.
Also i guess the clearance can be a lot lower right next to the wheels, but i guess the clearance refers to the height of the front spoiler and stuff.
Anyway the Caparo is hella awesome. I wonder how much slower it'd be jacked up to 100mm clearance.
The Ultima has 5 inch ground clearance, which is more than enough, and it went round in 1.12.
GDUB @ Nov 20th 2007 2:23PM
Top Gear Schmop Gear! We all know a Hennessey Viper pulling a Bugatti Veryon could beat the Caparo like it was a babies toy. That new Vector could probably do it as well not to mention that mustang boddied Lambo.
jhb @ Nov 20th 2007 11:57PM
Are you an idiot? The Caparo was not made for top speed performance. Any scumbag (read: Hennessey) can tune a car to go fast. The Caparo was made to dominate a track with a real driver (read: not drag racer) behind the wheel.
GDUB @ Nov 21st 2007 9:41AM
Yes! My Malibu Max rules the world.
rw @ Nov 20th 2007 3:10PM
Top Gear has become a joke. No objectivity. Almost like watching Benny Hill. Only Benny was more relevant.
Ricky @ Nov 20th 2007 3:51PM
I somewhat agree, but still much more entertaining than Fifth Gear. Tiff + name any car + track = only good parts of fifth gear.
GDUB @ Nov 20th 2007 4:25PM
All i gota say is top gear and fifth gear pale in comparison to Motor Week. Pat goss's garage kicks some serious ass
LOL
Pranav @ Nov 21st 2007 11:28AM
You are joking right? because if you're not, then you have no appreciation for the journalistic+petrolhead-ness of Top Gear ....you sir, are an idiot.
GDUB @ Nov 21st 2007 11:59AM
Motor Week Motor Week Motor Week
And that Anqoinette Crosby is she a fox or what?