SRT Viper regains Laguna Seca track record

[Carfax83]

by 0.08 seconds!

Apparently, this new Viper had some minor modifications to the brakes and body to save a bit of weight and improve track performance.

The Viper Randy Pobst first drove in the comparison with the ZR1 was apparently a preproduction model. The production model has a revised suspension, and combined with the TA package and optional performance tires elevated the performance a smidgen over the ZR1.

With slicker tires (the Viper TA is rumored to be getting the Pirelli P Zero Trofeos) akin to the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires that the ZR1 uses, the Viper should pull ahead by a much larger margin.

Motor Trend actually tested the vehicle with racing slicks and it took 3 seconds off the track time, vs the Pirelli P Corsa performance tires which are 3 season.

In the end, it's great to see American sports cars like the Viper and the Corvette dominating the track times and destroying their European and Japanese counterparts..

Which makes me wonder, why do so many Europeans still persist in their belief that American cars "only go fast in a straight line."

20. 2013 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe 1:38.90
19. 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG 1:38.82
18. 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 1:38.70
17. 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 1:36.77
16. 2012 Lexus LFA 1:36.39
15. 2012 Audi R8 GT 1:36.39
14. 2012 Nissan GT-R 1:36.35
13. 2103 Nissan GT-R Black Edition 1:36.34
12. 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia 1:36.22
11. 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 1:35.83
10. 2013 SRT Viper GTS* 1:35.77
9. 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 1:35.40
8. 2008 Dodge Viper ACR 1:35.12
7. 2013 SRT Viper 1:34.63
6. 2012 McLaren MP4-12C 1:34.50
5. 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 1:34.43
4. 2013 SRT Viper GTS 1:34.23
3. 2010 Dodge Viper ACR** 1:33.92
2. 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 1:33.70
1. 2013 SRT Viper TA 1:33.62

*Preproduction
**Driven by SRT engineer Chris Winkler

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1303_2014_srt_viper_ta/viewall.html#ixzz2OCzIllwS

 

[Skurge]

It's really the corvette Z06 that started the revolution of american cars performing as well as their European counterparts. The Top 5 cars all being American... Although I suspect the positions would be reversed in a European test.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

that article, and it's nearly verbatim video, is poorly written and full of fluff. lots of attempted drama, not enough car. that list is pretty worthless too, since the sample size is awfully narrow - half of the list are corvettes and vipers? the mercs don't belong on a racetrack and there's no way the ferrari is legitimately 2 seconds off the pace of the mclaren and slower than the previous year's zr1. i suppose gm and dodge spend quite a bit more advertising in motor trend than ferrari does.

in one word: bullshit.

 

[Carfax83]

It's really the corvette Z06 that started the revolution of american cars performing as well as their European counterparts. The Top 5 cars all being American... Although I suspect the positions would be reversed in a European test.

Not as well, better than. The Viper also does very well on the Nurburgring, pulling in 7:12:13, beating the ZR1 and any Porsche, Ferrari or Lamborghini..

And that was the 2008 ACR model. The 2013 ACR model should get a much lower time.

Source

Looking at the various tracks, the Viper definitely has a tendency to dominate..

 

[Carfax83]

that article, and it's nearly verbatim video, is poorly written and full of fluff. lots of attempted drama, not enough car. that list is pretty worthless too, since the sample size is awfully narrow - half of the list are corvettes and vipers?

That was just the top 20. There are plenty of other cars that have run the Laguna Seca.

Complete but not fully up to date listing.

the mercs don't belong on a racetrack and there's no way the ferrari is legitimately 2 seconds off the pace of the mclaren and slower than the previous year's zr1. i suppose gm and dodge spend quite a bit more advertising in motor trend than ferrari does.

in one word: bullshit.

Sorry, but the fact of the matter is that both the Viper and the Corvette put down faster track times than Ferrari and the McLaren.

And that's not just the Laguna Seca track. The Nurburgring tells the same story, so take your accusations of bias and shove it..

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Sorry, but the fact of the matter is that both the Viper and the Corvette put down faster track times than Ferrari and the McLaren.

sorry, but that's not the point i was arguing.

 

[Skurge]

And then you look at a European test and the ZR1 isn't even in the top 10.

http://www.sportauto.de/rundenzeiten-nuerburgring-nordschleife-3649995.html?sort=ZeitHH&order=ASC

Also, I'd love to the lap of Lewis Hamilton in the Agera R

 

[brainhulk]

I was going to say because of the uphills to the corkscrew and the back straight, this is a horsepower heavy course, but that doesn't account for the zo6 destroying most of the list.

So back to the laptimes don't lie.

But then again, everybody is prob on different tires

 

[Carfax83]

And then you look at a European test and the ZR1 isn't even in the top 10.

http://www.sportauto.de/rundenzeiten-nuerburgring-nordschleife-3649995.html?sort=ZeitHH&order=ASC

Also, I'd love to the lap of Lewis Hamilton in the Agera R

That listing isn't up to date. The link I provided earlier is much more up to date and complete..

Also, the Agera R put down one fast lap time, but that's to be expected considering the price of the vehicle (2.5 million USD).

The American competitor to the Agera R will be the Ultimate Aero Tuatara:

Link.

The Tuatara will make 1350 bhp and redline at 9200 rpm!

 

[Skurge]

That listing isn't up to date. The link I provided earlier is much more up to date and complete..

Also, the Agera R put down one fast lap time, but that's to be expected considering the price of the vehicle (2.5 million USD).

The American competitor to the Agera R will be the Ultimate Aero Tuatara:

Link.

The Tuatara will make 1350 bhp and redline at 9200 rpm!

I was kidding about the Agera R, cause that time is fake. Faster than a Zonda R? With Lewis Driving? I doubt Mercedes would let Lewis drive an Agera R at the nurburgring just before the Season starts.

The listing is pretty up to date, the only difference between the ZR1 in that test and the one on the list you posted earlier is the Tires. The ZR1 is on standard road tires, the other cars are have either Pilot Cups or P-zero Corsas. That is why the 458 is so far down that list. It doesn't come with Corsa's like the GT3 or the ZR1 Tested by MT. Same reason why every car is beating the crap out of the GTR. Tires.

Also, do you have any track times for the SSC ultimate Aero, cause all anyone talks about is it's top speed. I'd like to know how it does on track.

 

[Carfax83]

I was kidding about the Agera R, cause that time is fake. Faster than a Zonda R? With Lewis Driving? I doubt Mercedes would let Lewis drive an Agera R at the nurburgring just before the Season starts.

I have no idea who Lewis Hamilton is, but considering the specs of the Agera R, I doubt the time is fake.

In many ways, the Agera R is the most sophisticated sports car in the World, with lots of brand new tech.

The listing is pretty up to date, the only difference between the ZR1 in that test and the one on the list you posted earlier is the Tires. The ZR1 is on standard road tires, the other cars are have either Pilot Cups or P-zero Corsas. That is why the 458 is so far down that list. It doesn't come with Corsa's like the GT3 or the ZR1 Tested by MT. Same reason why every car is beating the crap out of the GTR. Tires.

I know tires are important, but can they make that much of a difference?

For example, the Z06 has faster lap times than the Lamborghini Aventador, a much more powerful car with all wheel drive. There has to be other factors coming into play here.

Also, do you have any track times for the SSC ultimate Aero, cause all anyone talks about is it's top speed. I'd like to know how it does on track.

I've never seen any lap times for that car. I remember when SSC was going for the top speed record against the Bugatti, they complained that the German gov't wouldn't allow them to run the car on the Nurburgring.

Bugatti has an advantage because they can use the Ehra Lessien test facility with it's 5.6 miles of high speed roadway.

If SSC had access to the Ehra Lessien, Bugatti probably wouldn't have the speed record right now.

Oh, and one other car that's another contender for the top speed crown is the Venom GT with 1244 hp and 1155 lb ft. Currently holds the 0-200 mph record at 14.51 seconds.

 

[darkswordsman17]

The new SSC is still in development so it hasn't been tested yet. The closest is them testing the drivetrain (namely transmission) in an Ultimate Aero mule that did 0-200 in under 16 seconds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR-_stFtaU4

Here's an official time set by the Agera R:
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/09/koenigsegg-agera-r-sets-new-0-200-mph-world-record.html

that article, and it's nearly verbatim video, is poorly written and full of fluff. lots of attempted drama, not enough car. that list is pretty worthless too, since the sample size is awfully narrow - half of the list are corvettes and vipers? the mercs don't belong on a racetrack and there's no way the ferrari is legitimately 2 seconds off the pace of the mclaren and slower than the previous year's zr1. i suppose gm and dodge spend quite a bit more advertising in motor trend than ferrari does.

in one word: bullshit.

You're joking right? Ferrari is well known to send ringer cars and do all sorts of things to make their cars look the best so if anyone is bullshitting its Ferrari.

 

[Skurge]

I have no idea who Lewis Hamilton is, but considering the specs of the Agera R, I doubt the time is fake.

In many ways, the Agera R is the most sophisticated sports car in the World, with lots of brand new tech.



I know tires are important, but can they make that much of a difference?

For example, the Z06 has faster lap times than the Lamborghini Aventador, a much more powerful car with all wheel drive. There has to be other factors coming into play here.



I've never seen any lap times for that car. I remember when SSC was going for the top speed record against the Bugatti, they complained that the German gov't wouldn't allow them to run the car on the Nurburgring.

Bugatti has an advantage because they can use the Ehra Lessien test facility with it's 5.6 miles of high speed roadway.

If SSC had access to the Ehra Lessien, Bugatti probably wouldn't have the speed record right now.

Oh, and one other car that's another contender for the top speed crown is the Venom GT with 1244 hp and 1155 lb ft. Currently holds the 0-200 mph record at 14.51 seconds.

The Zonda R is a purpose built Race car, 1000KG, 800HP, Amazing aerodynamics and slick tires. There is not a chance in hell the Agera R would even come close to that or an FXX. As for Lewis Hamilton driving, he is one of the top F1 drivers and he drivers for Merc and owns a Zonda 760RS. It's highly doubtful he would be fooling around on the nurburgring 2 weeks before the 1st race of the season.

 

[MixMasterTang]

If SSC had access to the Ehra Lessien, Bugatti probably wouldn't have the speed record right now.

Or they could just go here almost anytime they like: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonneville_Salt_Flats

 

[PricklyPete]

I love the new viper and upcoming C7.

 

[MagickMan]

Or they could just go here almost anytime they like: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonneville_Salt_Flats

The traction there is ass. Sure, you can blast away for miles, but it isn't even close to being an optimal surface.

 

[Carfax83]

The Zonda R is a purpose built Race car, 1000KG, 800HP, Amazing aerodynamics and slick tires. There is not a chance in hell the Agera R would even come close to that or an FXX. As for Lewis Hamilton driving, he is one of the top F1 drivers and he drivers for Merc and owns a Zonda 760RS. It's highly doubtful he would be fooling around on the nurburgring 2 weeks before the 1st race of the season.

That's a good explanation, but when I see things like this:

Agera R hits 250 mph on Nurburgring

It makes it easy to believe. The Agera R left the Zonda F Clubsport in the dust. Now I'm sure the Zonda R is a different beast altogether, but the Agera R is something else entirely.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

That's a good explanation, but when I see things like this:

Agera R hits 250 mph on Nurburgring

It makes it easy to believe. The Agera R left the Zonda F Clubsport in the dust. Now I'm sure the Zonda R is a different beast altogether, but the Agera R is something else entirely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL2B_wN4XW0

That thing is magnificent.

 

[MixMasterTang]

.!

 

[Pariah]

It makes it easy to believe. The Agera R left the Zonda F Clubsport in the dust. Now I'm sure the Zonda R is a different beast altogether, but the Agera R is something else entirely.

Ring times

Zonda Cub Sport: 7:24.7
Zonda R: 6:47.50

About the only thing those two cars have in common is the word "Zonda" in their names. I'm sure the Agera can put down a great time, but it isn't competing with the likes of the Zonda R.

As for the Viper. Dodge releases a brand new car, which gets its ass handed to it by the 4 year old ZR1 with some better tires. CEO throws a temper tantrum and has a new track optimized version of the car built, which now barely squeaked by the ZR1 time. Congrats.... I guess.

 

[Carfax83]

Ring times

Zonda Cub Sport: 7:24.7
Zonda R: 6:47.50

About the only thing those two cars have in common is the word "Zonda" in their names. I'm sure the Agera can put down a great time, but it isn't competing with the likes of the Zonda R.

I guess we'll have to wait until we find out whether the time for the Agera R is legit or not.

Personally, I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt due to it approaching 250 mph on the Nurburgring.

As for the Viper. Dodge releases a brand new car, which gets its ass handed to it by the 4 year old ZR1 with some better tires. CEO throws a temper tantrum and has a new track optimized version of the car built, which now barely squeaked by the ZR1 time. Congrats.... I guess

Actually, in the initial Viper vs ZR1 test where the Viper lost, the Viper was a preproduction model.

Most of the improvements in the TA model come not from the weight reductions or even the brakes, but from further refinements to the suspension on the production model.

You can see this for yourself by looking at the time difference between the production model Viper GTS which occupies the number 4 time slot on the Laguna Seca race track, compared to the preproduction model which has the number 10 slot.

With semi slick tires like the Pirelli Trofeos, the Viper will definitely outperform the ZR1 with a greater margin.

 

[KentState]

With semi slick tires like the Pirelli Trofeos, the Viper will definitely outperform the ZR1 with a greater margin.

I don't think anyone is truly surprised or concerned that the Viper has a out going model in it's sites. This is just like GM getting all excited about beating down the GT500 with the ZR1 and Ford releasing a new model 2 months later. The C7 ZR1 will be the new target, but that's a few years off.