Going to Drive a GTR in Half an Hour

[insite]

some pics:

[insite]

this car is VERY, VERY fast. faster than a 997TT. faster than the GT2 i have driven. faster than a Z06. it is also very easy to drive. it really is like piloting an xbox 360; DSG paddles, a touch screen with displays ad infinitum. the electronic driver aids are amazing; you can toss it into a sweeper at 120 and simultaneously mash the brakes. the electronics sort it out with nary a peep from the tires.

the interior isn't bad. it's not what we'd expect from an $85k car, but then neither is this level of performance. consider this: at fiorano, it tied the F430 scuderia, which tied an ENZO for god sakes. it is ferrari enzo fast.

it is also big. and heavy. but you would never know it from the driver's seat; it feels so nimble and eager. the suspension is excellent. well damped, but not harsh. the brakes are simply unbelievable. the car wears 20" wheels. the brake rotors (floating hats, mind you) are FIFTEEN inches in diameter. pedal feel was great.

amenities? not bad! good stock stereo, niceley integrated nav, GINORMOUS trunk. three bags of clubs. there are some odd plasticy bits, but this is not a car designed to coddle the driver. this is a car designed to move. FAST. and i mean FAAAST. make your head spin fast.

much different driving philosophy than porsche. not bad, just different. the only thing i didn't like while driving was that i felt the pedals were MUCH too far apart. only afterward did i realize why: left foot braking. this thing has no clutch pedal, so no need for close gas/brake. when you don't need your left foot to clutch, you use it to brake. this is a serious toy indeed. my friend (the owner) described it as an EVO for grown ups. i agree.

[Cloudsurfer]

Wow. Seems like the civilized, factory version of the twin turbo 350Z my friend has

Patrick

[Dar01]

Sounds like an awesome "driving" car!...but I gotta say, it is UGLY.......I look at the 350z and love the looks, but this?!?!?!? maybe its just me.....

[RobZ]

Sounds fast but I'm sorry. Thats F U G L Y !

[gmboxster]

I just want to know if it's fast. Don't think you mentioned that.

[Jeph]

Did you get a lot of stares? Do people and other drivers notice the car? I'm curious about those reactions.

[ekam]

Originally Posted by insite

you can toss it into a sweeper at 120 and simultaneously mash the brakes. the electronics sort it out with nary a peep from the tires.

This is the same dilemma I had when I was looking at the Evo X. Is there really any enjoyment of driving cars like this beside speed that automatically turns everyone into a professional driver since the computer sorts everything out for you? Did you feel the computer was getting in the way?

For the price it definitely can't be beat. If money is not an issue, it's either F430 Scud or GT3 RS for me...

[insite]

Originally Posted by ekam

This is the same dilemma I had when I was looking at the Evo X. Is there really any enjoyment of driving cars like this beside speed that automatically turns everyone into a professional driver since the computer sorts everything out for you? Did you feel the computer was getting in the way?

For the price it definitely can't be beat. If money is not an issue, it's either F430 Scud or GT3 RS for me...

i don't know that i'd personally choose a car like this over something like a 997S for even money. it's fascinating for sure, but it is a little muted. the computer never really got in the way; fairly transparent. it IS possible to engage the yaw control even in race mode if you push it hard. the harder you push it, the better it feels.

[9eighty6]

I don't think it is THAT ugly. I am surprised at how many people think it is. I mean, no it's nothing goregous but hell, it is quick. Glad you were able to report to us about it.

[RobZ]

Now if they did this to it, it would be a bit better looking.

[insite]

nothing's different; that's exactly what it looks like in good lighting in a different color. i'm not the best photographer! it's still an odd car, but you really have to see it in person before you can be sure you hate it.