Quote:
Originally Posted by StraightOuttaCanadaEh
Guys I'm not talking about driver involvement. The question of the thread was "is weight no longer an issue in sports cars?" Absolutely it isn't. You've got heavy ass cars with some phenomenal performance
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Pure measurable performance doesn't make a better sports car. Sounds counterintuitive, but here’s an example.
A 4360 lb $85k Alfa Stelvio QV with its’ 505 HP Ferrari derived v6, carbon ceramic brakes, and active differential has better performance than 90% of the sports cars on the road. All that gear sounds racy doesn’t it? It’s an absolute beast and a great car for a long highway drive. The Stelvio QV and many other heavy GTs like it would trounce many lighter weight sports cars at tracks like Big Willow for a lap or five. Does this make it a good sports car?
• At the Auto-X or closed road course is it a good choice? I’d say not at all. Even though it’s ludicrously fast, the cost keeping a car this heavy and complex lapping reliably would chew through any personal or team budget. Generally it’s rich assholes that take big exotic GTs to the track (no offense to rich assholes, who one day I aspire to be =P )
• On the road is the Stelvio a great weekend canyon carver? It doesn't change direction, communicate, or engage the driver like a sub 3000 lb, $27k Twin or Miata. Take a step up to Alfa 4C, Cayman, or Elise and the gap gets even wider. Still, the Stelvio QV has greater measurable performance than any of these cars.
I’ve driven them all.
Yes, weight still matters for sports cars, because a good sports car is the sum of many measurable indicators (not just speed and acceleration in a straight line (exc drag racing.) GTs are generally not designed for and are not good for motorsports. That’s why GT is another subjective classification of car. Sure we can overcome weight with power, torque, complexity, and money, but why bother when you can “
simplicate and add lightness.” with your choice - RIP Colin Chapman ftw.