Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: Inside the cockpit of the Viper ACR's record lap at Laguna Seca]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/25/video-inside-the-cockpit-of-the-viper-acrs-record-lap-at-lagun/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/25/video-inside-the-cockpit-of-the-viper-acrs-record-lap-at-lagun/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/25/video-inside-the-cockpit-of-the-viper-acrs-record-lap-at-lagun/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Dodge Viper ACR laps Laguna Seca - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Pushing a performance monster like the Viper ACR around a race track at ten tenths takes some pretty massive cojones. But few tracks require the testicular fortitude of Laguna Seca.

The iconic circuit in Northern California is packed full of decreasing radius corners, off-camber turns, and the indomitable corkscrew. Fortunately, Dodge test driver Chris Winkler was up to the task, and pushed the ACR around dry lagoon to a record-breaking lap time of 1:33.944, edging out its cousin the Devon GTX in the process to claim the fastest road-car lap time around the track.

Now we've got footage that takes us inside the cockpit for the record run, which may seem like old hat to the video game crowd, until you realize this was happening in real life. Follow the jump to check it out.

[Source: Chrysler via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Inside the cockpit of the Viper ACR's record lap at Laguna Seca

VIDEO: Inside the cockpit of the Viper ACR's record lap at Laguna Seca originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris williamschris winklerChrisWilliamsChrisWinklerdodge viperdodge viper acrdodge viper acr laguna secaDodgeViperDodgeViperAcrDodgeViperAcrLagunaSecalaguna secaLagunaSecalap recordlap timeLapRecordLapTimevideoviperviper acrViperAcrWed, 25 Nov 2009 18:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan clocks unofficial 7:26.7 'Ring time, gets dangerously close to ZR1]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/24/nissan-clocks-unofficial-7-26-7-ring-time-gets-dangerously-clo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/24/nissan-clocks-unofficial-7-26-7-ring-time-gets-dangerously-clo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/24/nissan-clocks-unofficial-7-26-7-ring-time-gets-dangerously-clo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Battle for top honors at the Nordschleife continues, with yet another revised 'Ring time for the Nissan GT-R. After a second day of testing, Nissan claims that the 2010 model hacked off nearly a second from its time on Wednesday, delivering an unofficial lap of 7:26.7 - a mere four-tenths of second behind the Corvette ZR1's official time and just over a second slower than the Ferrari Enzo. As always, unofficial times should be taken with the appropriate amount of NaCl, and the way things are going, we expect Porsche (or GM) to fire back, at which point Nissan may finally release the GT-R SpecV's lap time.

[Source: GTRBlog | Image: Kislik]

Nissan clocks unofficial 7:26.7 'Ring time, gets dangerously close to ZR1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>corvettelap timeLapTimenissan gt-rNissanGt-rnurburgringzr1Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:26:00 EST<![CDATA[2010 Porsche 911 GT3 runs the 'Ring in 7:40, reps still claim Nissan GT-R is slower]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/2010-porsche-911-gt3-runs-the-ring-in-7-40-still-claims-gt-r-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/2010-porsche-911-gt3-runs-the-ring-in-7-40-still-claims-gt-r-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/2010-porsche-911-gt3-runs-the-ring-in-7-40-still-claims-gt-r-i/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2010 Porsche 911 GT3 - Click above to view the gallery

The 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 is unquestionably bad-ass. Its naturally aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six provides 435 hp from behind the driver's seat, and its track-tuned chassis can dance with the world's most nimble supercars. The free-wheeling product of Stuttgart has been undergoing testing at the famed Nurburgring in Germany (along with every other sports coupe worth its salt) and it's been timed at an unofficial 7:40. Porsche driving ace Walter Rohrl was behind the wheel for the sprightly lap.

While 7:40 isn't enough time to best the 7:26 from the 638 hp Corvette ZR1, it's a very impressive time nonetheless (BTW - During testing Rohrl posted a 7:45 in a borrowed Ferrari F430 Scuderia). Nissan probably isn't impressed, though, since it recently clocked the GT-R at 7:27. Well, Porsche is still calling balderdash on that claim, telling Motor Trend that the twin-turbo Nissan is only good for a time of 7:56 in stock US form. Just under eight minutes is an amazing time, but almost 30 seconds slower than reports from Nissan.

The Nissan vs. Porsche 'Ring smack-down feels as though its about to peter out, but the grudge match is almost to the point that the GT-R vs. GT3 drama should play out on premium cable. Who can we call to set this up?


Gallery: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3


[Source: Motor Trend]

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 runs the 'Ring in 7:40, reps still claim Nissan GT-R is slower originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7:40ferrari scuderiaFerrariScuderiaGT-Rlap timeLapTimenurburgringporsche 911 GT3Porsche911Gt3ringThu, 23 Apr 2009 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Corvette ZR-1 knocks four seconds off 'Ring time]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/28/corvette-zr-1-knocks-four-seconds-off-ring-time/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/28/corvette-zr-1-knocks-four-seconds-off-ring-time/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/28/corvette-zr-1-knocks-four-seconds-off-ring-time/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for our high-res ZR-1 burnout gallery

Back at the Nürburgring, the hot Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 has just ripped four seconds off its claimed 7:26 lap. The new time, with Jan Magnussen at the wheel, is a claimed 7:22.4 for the full 12.93-mile loop. While the number is pretty bloody fast, it is still .3 seconds off the time earned by the Dodge Viper ACR (ouch, those three tenths really have to hurt!). We take these lap times with a grain of salt, as we've yet to see everyone on the 73-turn course under the same conditions, and with officially certified timing equipment. Again, so you don't have to Google the competition's best-claimed Ring times yourself, here they are: Porsche GT2 - 7:32, Nissan GT-R - 7:29, Corvette ZR1 - 7:22.4 and the Dodge Viper ACR - 7:22.1. Thanks for the tip, Xeyad!

Gallery: Covette ZR1 burnouts


[Source: Motor Gears]

Corvette ZR-1 knocks four seconds off 'Ring time originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CorvetteCorvette Nurburgringcorvette racingcorvette zr-1corvette zr1CorvetteNurburgringCorvetteRacingCorvetteZr-1CorvetteZr1Lap timeLapTimenurburgringnurburgring recordNurburgringRecordzr1 nurburgringzr1 ringZr1NurburgringZr1RingTue, 28 Oct 2008 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Gauntlet thrown: Corvette ZR1 laps the 'Ring in 7:26.4]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/gauntlet-thrown-corvette-zr1-laps-the-ring-in-7-26-4/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/gauntlet-thrown-corvette-zr1-laps-the-ring-in-7-26-4/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/gauntlet-thrown-corvette-zr1-laps-the-ring-in-7-26-4/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Corvette ZR1.

Tadge J. Juechter, Corvette's chief engineer, announced this morning that Jim Mero, GM's development engineer, drove the ZR1 around the Nurburgring in 7:26.4. According to the GMNext blog, the run took place earlier this morning and that conditions were good on the track, with the exception of a strong headwind down the main straight. Mero mentioned that he felt there were a few places where he could have gone faster, although no details were provided about why and where.

Juechter makes it clear that the ZR1 that lapped the 'Ring was instock trim, with the exception of safety and communications equipment. As such, the ZR1 was wearing the same Michelin Pilot Sport 2s found on the production model, the chassis alignment and vehicle height were set to factory specs and the unmodified engine was running on pump gas.

The lap began with a rolling start - which falls in line with current industry practices - and the time was confirmed both through an electronic timing system and two hand-held stopwatches. The ZR1 team will be posting a video of their run when they return from Germany and we'll be keeping our eye out for it when it's online the week of July 7th.

Top tip Mason!

Gallery: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1


[Source: GMNext]

Gauntlet thrown: Corvette ZR1 laps the 'Ring in 7:26.4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingchevroletchevycorvettecorvette zr1 nurburgring lap timeCorvetteZr1NurburgringLapTimelap timeLapTimenurburgringzr1zr1 ring lapZr1RingLapFri, 27 Jun 2008 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Nissan GT-R 7:29 'Ring run]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/01/video-nissan-gt-r-7-29-ring-run/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/01/video-nissan-gt-r-7-29-ring-run/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/01/video-nissan-gt-r-7-29-ring-run/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Video of Nissan's newly-mined 7:29 Nürburgring lap time has now surfaced on YouTube. The video comes courtesy of a fan recording a television screen at what looks to be a Nissan event display. The background noise is rather overbearing, but if you crank up the volume it is possible to catch a hint of the squealing tires and screaming engine. Those are the same street tires available off the showroom floor, along with supposedly stock engine specifications. Regardless of the equipment though, the track is completely dry this time around and Nissan test driver Tochio Suzuki doesn't hold anything back. Catch the video after the jump. Thanks for the tip Collin and D@rk!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Nissan GT-R 7:29 'Ring run

VIDEO: Nissan GT-R 7:29 'Ring run originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>729GT-RlaptimeNissan GT-RNissanGt-rNurburgringSun, 01 Jun 2008 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Lexus LF-A mule unseats Porsche GT2 as King of the 'Ring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/28/lexus-lf-a-unseats-porsche-gt2-as-king-of-the-ring/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/28/lexus-lf-a-unseats-porsche-gt2-as-king-of-the-ring/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/28/lexus-lf-a-unseats-porsche-gt2-as-king-of-the-ring/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click above for more images of the Lexus LF-A Concept

A Lexus LF-A mule has unofficially recorded a lap time on the Nordschleife of 7 minutes, 24 seconds. This is not in dispute. What is in dispute is how many seconds faster the LF-A's lap time is than that of the 2008 Porsche 911 GT2, the previous "King of the 'Ring" record holder. Wikipedia notes that the fastest 911 GT2 driven around the Ring posted a lap time of 7 minutes, 32 seconds and was driven by Walter Röhrl, Porsche's company test driver and accomplished WRC driver and road racing pilot. Porsche was so proud of the feat that it produced a snazzy video of the run that you can watch here. AutoExpress, however, which reported on the LF-A's remarkable lap time, claims that the fastest 911 GT2 lap time on the Nurburgring is 7 minutes, 25 seconds, but we could find no evidence on the web of a stock 911 GT2 ever posting a time that fast. Also note that a handful of other cars have posted lap times, but all are either tuner cars or limited production boutique cars like the Pagani Zonda F.

Nevertheless, the Lexus LF-A's time is remarkable and puts it in a class normally populated by purpose-built tuner cars. Its 4.8L V10 churns out a reported 552bhp while slapping the needle against a 9,000 rpm redline. A 210 mph top speed is said to be the car's upper bound, which makes us shake our heads. This is, after all, the brand that brought us the sarcophagus of a car that is the LS sedan. The production LF-A should be able to repeat the performance, but we'll have to wait a while longer while the Lexus supercar finishes baking in the oven. In the meantime, for Pete's sake, someone ship a Corvette ZR1 to Germany!

[Source: AutoExpress]

Gallery: Lexus LF-A Concept

Lexus LF-A mule unseats Porsche GT2 as King of the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lap timeLapTimelexus lf-aLexusLf-anurburgringporsche 911 gt2Porsche911Gt2recordFri, 28 Dec 2007 12:03:00 EST<![CDATA[EVO X vs STI - Tsukuba Lap Times]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/05/evo-x-vs-sti-tsukuba-lap-times/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/05/evo-x-vs-sti-tsukuba-lap-times/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/05/evo-x-vs-sti-tsukuba-lap-times/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It didn't take long for Japan's journalists to get the new STI and EVO X side by side, and the results are now officially in. Tsukuba circuit regulars Kazuo Shimizu and Manabu Kawaguchi spent an afternoon thrashing around the notoriously twisty short circuit just north of Tokyo and here (drum roll please) are the best times they could ring out of the AWD rivals:

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X : 1:06:46

Subaru Impreza WRX STI : 1:05:95

So there you have it. The new engine placed further forward in the engine bay of the EVO X than in the EVO IX has indeed proven to be a handicap, while the STI's "wheel at each corner" longer wheelbase plus new double wishbone rear suspension has proved its worth.

Neither car is quite as quick as its immediate ancestor though.

Check out this 15 year rivalry of the EVO vs the STI as recorded at Tsukuba after the jump.

[Source: CAR Top magazine]

Gallery: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X


Gallery: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI (JDM)

Continue reading EVO X vs STI - Tsukuba Lap Times

EVO X vs STI - Tsukuba Lap Times originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ap timeApTimebreakingevo xevolutionEvoXllap timeLapTimemitsubishistisubarutsukubaWed, 05 Dec 2007 14:02:00 EST