Inevitably, comparisons between the new +Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and the +Nissan GT-R Nismo are being made. Before I get to any discussion, here are the performance numbers for each: Corvette Z06 (manual) Corvette Z06 (auto) Nissan GT-R Nismo 0-30 mph 1.5 sec 1.3 sec 1.2 sec 0-40 mph 2.1 sec 1.7 sec 1.7 sec 0-50 mph 2.6 sec 2.3 sec 2.2 sec 0-60 mph 3.2 sec 3.0 sec 2.9 sec 0-70 mph 4.1 sec 3.8 sec 3.7 sec 0-80 mph 4.9 sec 4.7 sec 4.7 sec 0-90 mph 5.9 sec 5.6 sec 5.8 sec 0-100 mph 7.2 sec 6.8 sec 7.0 sec 1/4 mile 11.3 sec @ 126.2 mph 11.1 sec @ 127 mph 11.2 sec @ 125 mph braking 60-0 mph 91 ft 91 ft 97 ft braking 70-0 mph 128 ft 128 ft 145 ft figure 8 22.5 sec @ 0.98 g (avg) 22.5 sec @ 0.98 g (avg) 22.9 sec @ 0.91 g (avg) The manual Z06 acceleration numbers are based on Motor Trend's test because they tested a manual and the auto's numbers are based on Car and Driver's test because they tested an auto. The GT-R Nismo acceleration numbers are b...
"Who's your green student today?" asked a friend and instructor at the BMW Club Atlantic Advanced Driver Training (HPDE) weekend in June this year. I said: "The Saleen." The response was: "Oh, boy." Mustangs, generally, have a reputation for being more power than chassis. Mustang drivers have quite the reputation for.. how to put this nicely? Taking advantage of said power/chassis imbalance. To make matters worse, this particular Mustang was a supercharged Saleen, with a honkin' Shaker scoop sticking out of its hood. Did I mention it was also a convertible? And the owner was someone who's never been on track before but clearly has the speed bug. Having had a Mustang for years and driven a few on track, they don't scare me - generally speaking - but the combination of being convertible and supercharged with a new and excited owner worried me a little. Nevertheless, I shrugged it off and got excited about chatting with the owner to find ...







