Quote:
Originally Posted by LSxJunkie
Randy Pobst was the hotshoe for that test. That test was with a Z06 on GoodYears.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz2IIoHh38m
He was also the hotshoe for this test. This was a ZR1 on Michelins. Up against a new 2013 Viper, which is the most honest apples to apples test. Similar weight, virtually identical power, front engine, RWD, one has coils and the other has leafs. Another good test would be a 599 GTO, but nobody's ever compared the two. As an engineer, I'm sure you care about testing standards and objectivity, things like minimizing variables. Right?
Now onto the juicy bit, the stuff from Randy Pobst.
Oh look, the transverse leaf springs were a NONFACTOR. You care more about them than a race car driver who will push this thing at 10/10ths.
Other notes from Randy Pobst on the 2012 Z06 with Michelin Sport Cups.
And there's one variable you keep forgetting here. Almost none of the other cars you've compared make torque at corner exit like an LS7 or an LS9 does. Of course that's going to lead to power oversteer, which combined with the awful breakaway characteristics of the GoodYears is going to lead to the twitchiness you've read about in reviews of Z06s from 2006-2010.
This is starting to feel like you initially thought that the Corvette came with this
and you formed your vitriolic opinion based on that and when you were informed that it didn't, you had to scramble to defend your opinion by bashing transverse leaf springs, which you clearly know nothing about, not on the merits, but on a misguided assumption that "this isn't what everyone else is doing so it must be worse."
To support this, you've repeatedly referenced reviews about handling characteristics that have nothing to do with transverse leaf springs. There is a reason that nobody talks about them. People who are much better versed in making cars go fast, driving cars fast, and telling the public what fast cars are about have figured out that the transverse leaf spring is a nonfactor. Spring RATE is a factor, but nobody mentions that either. Discussions are all based on the actual factors, damping and tires. However, pedants like yourself seem to want to make an issue of it.
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You and I are not going to agree. But, on Randy Pobst, his review that you quoted was not praising of the handling of the z06.
Here is what he had to say to wrap things up.
Overall... "I'll tell you what, much easier car to drive on R-compound tires. I felt like the car was really fast. It was generating a lot of grip. The Corvette is far better on this tire. It can handle the power. It kinda felt a little bit soft, which makes you feel a little bit...dull around the edges. There's less precision in the movements than other cars here."
Key part is: It kinda felt a little bit soft, which makes you feel a little bit...dull around the edges. There's less precision in the movements than other cars here."
Didn't measure up to the competition there in the handling department.
The viper is another one of those cars known for its numbers but not driving experience.
The magnetic shocks make a huge difference for the Vette that the viper doesn't have. They mentioned that in the article and also the ceramic brakes (viper also doesn't have) being a factor in inspiring confidence with the Vette.
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