Who the hell knows what the numbers are?....and really, down force numbers do not mean squat if the car is slower around a track. My point is this, aero is not just a giant wing that creates downforce (and a tremendous amount of drag). It has to work with the rest of the car. Next to a large rear wing, the windshield probably creates the second highest amount of "down force" on a car. A lot of the aero bits that are used on cars and race cars minimize lift. Spoilers, vents, belly pans, wheel well arches, active aero, etc all work to minimize lift at speed which puts more pressure on the tires. Adding additional down force with rear wings or giants front splitters can create even more down force (but usually at the expense of tremendous drag).
If the rear wing on the ACR (one of the most potent track cars period, regardless of cost) was the answer, then the Gen 5 TA would have not been able to beat it at Laguna Seca. When they put on R-compound type tires, it destroyed the ACR time. I do understand that these tests were done on different days with different drivers, but 3 seconds per lap is eternity. The Gen 5 TA set the fastest time with a minimal front splitter and very mild rear spoiler. Please don't confuse a down force "number" without taking into account lift, drag, etc. You can put wings and spoilers on a car that generate 1500 lbs of "down force" at 150 mph, but if there is 700 lbs of "lift", you're really not getting an additional 1500 lbs of down force on the tires. When lift, down force and drag are controlled, you have a winning combination.
The McLaren P1 pictured above does not hold the Laguna Seca record, the Gen 5 TA does. I have no doubts that the P1 will run a faster lap at the Ring than the 2010 Gen 4 ACR, but until they do it with a production car and post the time, it does not exist. And as you know, the P1 wing is very rarely at a severe angle of attack like the Gen 4 ACR static wing is. It moves around as necessary to "control" air flow so the system works with the other aero bits on the car. I must admit, it would be epic to have a car that has a wing that goes vertical under braking...that must be an awesome feeling.
I'm not a modern Vette lover, but looking at the aero parts and techniques they are using, it will be very potent. The Z-28 is a heavy pig, but it still beat the new AWD Porsche and Nissan GTR in a recent magazine track test...both of which I believe have more horsepower. I know the sticky Trofeo's helped the Z-28 run fast times, but with rear wheel drive, less horsepower and a manual shifter. So how bad is the bloodbath going to be when the Z06 gets put up against the Porsche and GTR? My point is GM is stepping up big time. Do I know what the down force numbers are or what the lap times will be? No, the car is not in production yet. But the C7 Z06 will be faster at both the 1/4 mile and on the road track than the 2013 ZR1.
My biggest disappointment in this whole deal is the lack of development on the Gen 5 in regards to more advanced aero, handling options, etc. I was really hoping for a 2015 Gen 5 ACR announcement but I don't think that is going to happen. I am now hoping that the C7 Z06 destroys the Gen 5 out on the road track. Last time the Gen 5 got its ass kicked against a ZR1 we were rewarded with the Gen 5 TA (which seems to be selling pretty good) and new Laguna Seca record. Assuming they keep building the Viper, you won't see squat from SRT until they get embarrassed again.
Cheers,
George
