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]

Caparo T1 disqualified after taking Top Gear lap record originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ultima, one of several dozen independent British sportscar companies and makers of the GTR, could only take so much rejection. The cottage automaker claims it offered its road-legal race-car to the producers at BBC's hit TV show Top Gear several times, only to be repeatedly refused. So Ultima took things into its own hands, brought its latest fire-breather to the same converted airstrip that TG uses for a test track, retained a Stig of its own, and undertook to beat the fastest lap on the track.

Aside from the occasional exception like the Renault F1 car, the current record holder on Top Gear's power-lap board is the Koenigsegg CCX (which Top Gear can't spell). After the Stig famously spun the Swedish supercar off the track, the designers mounted a new rear wing to keep the tail planted, and the CCX set a fastest lap of 1:17.6, which was enough to beat the Ferrari Enzo, Maserati MC12 and Pagani Zonda that previously sat atop the chart.

Ultima drove the GTR720 to the track in full road trim and set a fast lap of 1:12.8, which easily beat the Koenigsegg. In fact, Ultima claims that at that rate, the GTR would lap an Enzo every 12 laps. Dang. Shame it would also beat the Ferrari in an ugly contest, though. Ultima says another visit in the more powerful 800-hp version is in the works.

[Source: PistonHeads]

Go your Own Way: Ultima GTR beats Top Gear lap record by 4½ seconds originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

You can make a car that accelerates. You can make a car that brakes. You can make one that handles. One that corners. One with a high top speed. But to make one that does it all is a different story entirely. That's why automakers go to the Nürburgring. Its northern loop is twenty-two kilometers of twists, turns, dips, straights, chicanes...even a carousel. And it's got a new champion.

The Pagani Zonda F recently lapped the track that claimed Lauda's ears in a scant 7:27:82, edging out the previous ruler, the Porsche Carrera GT (which it also rivals for carbon-fiber content in its construction). The Zonda's hot lap shaved a mere two milliseconds off the Carrera's time, but those are two milliseconds the German supercar evidently couldn't muster on its own home track. How embarrassing, ja?

The specific model that hit the high time was a Clubsport version, which itself will be trumped by the even more extreme Zonda R before designer Horacio Pagani goes back to the drawing board for the Zonda's successor.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Gallery: Pagani Zonda F at Geneva 07

King of the 'Ring: Pagani Zonda F sets new Norschleife lap record originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Oct 2007 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Run Like Hell - Pink Floyd's Nick Mason takes to the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

click above image for gallery

From its 530 hp, low curb weight of 3,179lbs, and 204 mph top speed, the 2008 Porsche GT2 is a supercar in every sense of the word. Heck, even its €189,496 sticker places Porsche's most potent 911 in the land of the F430 and the Gallardo. Where the Ferrari and the Lamborghini can't match up against the GT2 is where it matters most, on the track. Not just any track, either. We're talking about the track by which all great sports cars are judged... the vaunted 'Ring. Porsche claims the new GT2 can lap the legendary 14-mile course in a mere 7:32, which is 10 seconds better than even the 599 GTB. That ridiculous lap time puts the GT2's average speed at over 110mph, which is just sick. Must be the Titanium exhaust. The 2008 Porsche GT2 is scheduled to appear in Frankfurt in September, and the newest 997 will hit European streets in November.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Gallery: 2008 Porsche 911 GT2

Faster than getting a coffee at Starbucks: GT2 laps the 'Ring in 7:32 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Valentino Balboni has one of the best jobs in the world. When at Maranello, the Ferrari F1 drivers lend a hand in ringing out the latest Italian stallions. Over in Sant'Agata the job belongs to Balboni. He's been with the company since 1968, working his way up from mechanic's apprentice to his current role as chief test driver. The guy gets to drive Lamborghinis day in, day out...what more could you ask for?

Once in a while some lucky "civilian" gets the chance to ride shotgun with Balboni in the latest fire-snorting bull. This video was recorded from inside the cockpit of a Murcielago LP640 as Balboni gave his passenger what was certainly the ride of his life - tail out, foot to the floor as the Lambo drifted from corner to corner around the Bahrain race circuit. Hold on tight and follow the jump to catch the action.

Note: Due to the passenger/videographer repeatedly screaming obscenities during the lap, we wouldn't recommend watching as your boss looks over your shoulder.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: a Hot Lap with Lamborghini's test driver (NSFW)

Video: a Hot Lap with Lamborghini's test driver (NSFW) originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Apr 2007 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Lapping the Nurburgring's infamous Nordschleife circuit in less than nine minutes is downright impressive, no matter what way you look at it. But in a wagon? Unbelievable. Okay, so this isn't some soccer mom's family-hauler; it's a 450-hp Audi RS6 Avant, capable of hitting sixty in 4.2 seconds flat. But still.

For the first couple of minutes of this video, you'll find yourself impressed that the Audi estate is keeping up with a Porsche 911. Until the Audi passes it.

Not only does this video serve as an impressive display of the Audi's abilities (not to mention the driver's), but it also gives you a good fixed-camera view of the best angles and approaches to each of the 14-mile Nordschleife's 174 corners.

(Just bear in mind for the end that, while this driver did set the 8:29 lap time with two people in the car, the video is not of that specific lap.)

VIDEO: Nurburgring in 8:29...in a wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Nov 2006 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.