First of all, the Motor Trend should be congratulated on their persistence taking chances with +Tadge Juechter 's creation. Without any doubt, this was a risky choice considering MT's past experiences but it was rewarded greatly- the overweight overheating piece of shit called C7 Z06 managed to actually complete the test this time, without switching to a permanent limp mode or blowing up the motor. Obviously, MT staff took in consideration the imminent overheating problem and ran the test during a cold day, with the temperatures within 50's, the optimum temperature range for the flagship not to throw a code or two while not cracking its summer tires, either.
As already mentioned on this blog, the newest Dodge Viper ACR is more or less a disappointment, considering its close relation to the previous generation's ACR, along with the overall rehash approach to the latest generation of Viper (in many aspects, it is a direct carry-over). However, as also mentioned, the lack of Viper's development is actually a blessing in disguise, considering how good the previous generation of the car was and how little progress there could be made using the existing platform and powerplant. In other words, do not fuck with a good thing unless you want to fail, just like Juechter did...
Is the direct comparison between these two cars fair? Many Corvette nuthuggers would be arguing the point that the Viper ACR is a thinly disguised track car, barely falling within street car category but... this is exactly how the latest flagship is being advertised so what is unfair exactly? Isn't the latest GM Corvette flagship with Z07 option and level 3 aero, Cup 2 tires and ceramic brakes supposedly a track oriented car? How is exactly the barn door with the piece of plexi cheese on the ugly rear end of Z06 a piece of street equipment?
By all accounts, these two cars are fully compatible, unless someone in the GM marketing department and Juechter himself are lying? Are the level 3 aero and Z07 simply marketing ploys?
Considering the evidence and statements from Juechter, the direct comparison between these two cars is more than fair, especially since the Z06 has been given the advantage of operating within optimum temperature range, readily removing any advantage a normally aspirated Viper may have...
So how did it work out for Juechter, Corvette lemmings and the GM marketing department? Apparently not well at all, in spite of low ambient temperatures. In fact, problems with the Z06 such as excessive understeer were present as before, in spite of alleged track alignment. Based on the behaviour of the GM flagship, Motor Trend staff may consider using video game simulation next time as a matter of fact, to prevent a tragedy from happening- yes, the Corvette Z06 not only handled like shit but exhibited some truly dangerous handling characteristics.
Based on the results of this comparison, save the wave cruises, cars and coffee events and internet life may be the best way for the owners of these failures to spend their time, awaiting the next generation of Corvette.
Of course, considering how much of a failure the current generation is, the prospects of improvements while Juechter and senile buyers are around are beyond bleak. A better approach? Shopping somewhere else, at least for those who aspire to drive semi competitively.
In the meantime, it is very obvious that the alleged Laguna Seca "rematch" time for the flagship was another delusion, it came and it is beyond pathetic, to be filed away with the pathetic Nurburgring 7:18 lap time.
The really interesting question of course would be, how much beating would the newest GM flagship take from the previous generation's Viper ACR? Considering how much slower the C7 Z06 porker was around the Nurburgring, the reaming would not be much less...
lets see he loved the 911 and the Viper. The vette was a handle full and hard to make go fast. I wonder if the horse buggy style suspension is the reason? I will take the 911. Good job to Porsche and Fiat for making great cars.
ReplyDeleteThose concentric bolts make aligning generation 6 difficult and then impossible to stay aligned. The generation 7 not only uses the same flawed design but now, it adds the rear caster as another alignment component even more difficult to align and then even less possible to stay aligned. All of this originates in the leaf spring suspension, causing a chain reaction.
Deletethis was pretty obvious. I new the VIPER would smash the vette easily. just a better design with no Heat soak problems. lol
ReplyDeleteDesign wise, new Viper is almost identical to Generation 4 Viper, with the ACR finally getting the six piston brakes, track tires and better coil overs. I can assure you that if the Gen 4 was not a great design (there are significant differences between Gen 3 and 4 already), the new Viper would have issues. The fact Chrysler did not want to spend any money on an actual new Viper is a good thing in this case. With better coilovers, upgraded big brakes and tires, you can make the difference very small but again, it is a good thing.
DeleteCorvette designers on the other hand, they try to accomplish too much, using truly idiotic concept and this doomed the new Corvette. Yes, you can make a pig fly but if you started with a bird, the result would be considerably more impressive.
The ACR is faster than any other car on the planet around Laguna, and 12 other tracks around the world. Quite honestly, these "hero lap" comparisons are a bit of a joke, and completely useless in terms of assessing the cars for track day purposes. I'd like to see them run cars for a minimum of 1/4 race distance, or 15 laps per evaluation, and then see what the gap is. Oh......wait........the Corvette can't do 15 laps without overheating or imploding......... Even if it made it for 15 laps, I'd love to see the Viper ahead by about a minute at that point. That would truly emphasize how shitty the C7 Z07 is. Those of us who are into racing understand that 3 seconds a lap is an eternity, but it isn't as obvious to the uneducated. A gap of 45 seconds or more after 15 laps, now the message starts to get through to the senile Corvette crowd.
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