Here we go AGAIN - AutoWeek July 22,2002

[ruckdr]

This in AutoWeek July 22,2002.
Will they ever learn?

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New Aston Martin kicks bum

IT'S NOT THE FASTEST THING WE'VE EVER tested, but it's in the class. The beauty of the Aston Martin Vanquish does not lie in its formidable performance as much as in the way it effortlessly combines speed and stately elegance.
That's not to say that the numbers aren't impressive, even by the standards of the best cars in the world. Zero-to-60 mph comes up in 5.06 seconds, the quarter-mile in 13.42 at 108.6 mph. The list of cars we've tested that beat it is short and impressive—the Porsche GT2, Ferrari 360 Modena, BMW Z8 and Corvette Z06. The list of tested cars that it beats includes everything else.
In handling, it's even better, flying through our 490-foot slalom at 46 mph, faster than the 360 and Z8, the same as the Z06 and BMW M3 and bettered only by the GT2 and Porsche Turbo.
The Vanquish doesn't accomplish those numbers with brute force. The body was quiet and tight during our testing, thanks to a monocoque made of extruded and folded aluminum bonded to a carbon fiber tunnel ................................................

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Later,

 

[ruckdr]

Sorry, JULY 29, 2002

Later,

 

[CAP]

I used to think AutoWeek was the it. I mean, with a publication every week, they must be right on top of it, yes? Its the same ol' stuff though. Mildly entertaining, but beware of accuracy (or the lack of) and typical journalistic prejudice.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I love those rags. They can keep snubbing the Viper for all I care. Those on the street and track know the truth.

A 13.4 1/4 and 5 second 0-60??? Not even close.

 

[KenH]

It IS amazing how mag articles like this overlook America's most powerful production car ever built much less the fact that it is still in production. If you were second or third, you could perhaps better understand how they could forget, but first!

However, I also believe that it just helps to build the mystic of the car. Over exposure is not necessarily a good thing. I mean after all, is there ANY mystic left with the Z06? I can probably dig up a mag article that gives the thread pitch on the tire valve stem if I were so inclined, while most people still don't even seem to know how many cylinders we're running, how big the engine actually is, how much HP, etc. They just know it's a lot

 

[Snake Bitten]

Emailed to the editor of AutoWeek:

Dear Sir:

Quoting your magazine:

08:35 July 23, 2002

"IT'S NOT THE FASTEST THING WE'VE EVER tested, but it's in the class. The beauty of the Aston Martin Vanquish does not lie in its formidable performance as much as in the way it effortlessly combines speed and stately elegance. That's not to say that the numbers aren't impressive, even by the standards of the best cars in the world. Zero-to-60 mph comes up in 5.06 seconds, the quarter-mile in 13.42 at 108.6 mph. The list of cars we've tested that beat it is short and impressive-the Porsche GT2, Ferrari 360 Modena, BMW Z8 and Corvette ZO6. The list of tested cars that it beats includes everything else. "

So, I am to assume that AutoWeek has not tested a Dodge Viper? Well then, let me be the first to invite you to come up to Minnesota and drive mine. It amazes me how the Viper is still the most powerful production car ever built in America, yet your magazine continues to slight it. This is the predomenant reason I did not renew my last subscription. For $243,715, I could purchase so many other cars, in multiples, that would "walk the Vanquish like a Civic". So I have to assume that this "article" should more precisely be considered a "classified add", for the 70 buyers of this vehicle.

So the question remains, how much to advertise the Dodge Viper in your magazine? I would put mine up against any of the before mentioned vehicles, especially the 4037 lb Vanquish...Of the categories you refered to, perhaps you could explain which of the before mentioned cars, to include the Vanquish, will out perform the Viper? You don't have to explain anything to me, but you owe the truth to your readers.

STANDING-START ACCELERATION
ROLLING ACCELERATION
HANDLING, SLALOM/SKIDPAD
BRAKING
INTERIOR NOISE (dBA)
FUEL MILEAGE

Congrats to the seventy individuals who purchased the $240,000 dust collectors.

Sincerely,

Gerald Smith
Woodbury, MN

 

[SUN RA KAT]

Obviously the editors of AutoGeek don't have the testosterone to testosterone a Viper.

 

[HSSSTOY]

Once a wise man said " Those who look at the truth,and do not see it,are truly blind" Excellent reply Snake Bitten,thank you.

 

[Tomer]

3 cheers for Snake Bitten

Tomer

 

[ViperGTS]

>>>while most people still don't even seem to know how many cylinders we're running, how big the engine actually is, how much HP, etc. They just know it's a lot.<<<

 

[nitro]

488 c.i,450 hp(460 for the acr), 8 liter for the current viper. The new viper 8.3 liter 500c.i. 500 hp, but hopefully more! I don't own a Viper but I have always loved them since it's birth of the concept in 1989.

LONG LIVE THE KING!

 

[Joseph Houss]

Well, they're right. I just went through the Autoweek TEST archives on their website (about 4 years worth) and they never did TEST the Viper. Suprisingly, Mr Sabatini (writer) DID visit with us at Pocono, and expressed his personal positive impression of the power of our Snakes.

I don't know why Autoweek would want to open themselves up to the negative impact of such a comment, it is misleading (as many won't notice the word "test", and would rather think they meant "written about", or "driven"), and not only is the Viper Nation up in arms... but I would imagine many owners of Italian exotics, Porsche TT's, and even BMW M5's would be insulted by their naivity or blatant diregard for PUBLISHED, DOCUMENTED performance numbers.

Wake up Autoweek Staff! Your subscribers are knowledgeable, statistic savvy individuals. Saying the Vanquish is impressive is one thing, but let's show your readers .... that your writers aren't JUST reading Autoweek!

C'mon Autoweek! The world is waiting for a retraction! (not!)

 

[viper GTS-R]

I'm not supprised.They rarely put the viper in there mags.Road & Track has tested several and all had great stories.Put it this way Autoweek dosen't have the guts to test out cars with 800+ hp.

 

[ruckdr]

Joseph,
I did notice the word "test", and was somewhat intimidated with is's use before posting the article; but after all this was from AutoWeek, and they MUST be on top of the car world. I assumed they had tested everything worth testing (this includes the Viper). I am a subscriber, for a little longer at least.
Later,

 

[slaughterj]

Great email Snakebitten! (As a friendly reminder to everyone representing viper nation, please use spell check before sending out letters/emails to others.)

 

[gtsviper]

Sent to AutoWeek on July 30th.


C'mon guys...If you are going to make sweeping statements at least be accurate. The Aston Martin Vanquish IS an amazing car but at least mention that the Viper will beat it in the quarter and from 0-60. Also consider that the total cost of the Vanquish's OPTIONS would amount to over $23K. That is a nice deposit on a Viper with performance to spare. That btw is the Gen. II Viper...the SRT-10 will likely beat the Vanquish in all categories for 80 Grand. The only thing that will "Vanquish" is my bank account. I'll keep the Viper.

BTW, the Alfa Brera is the M Coupe BMW should have built.

 

[getbit]

They didn't have any problems about writing about Hennessey Viper situation weeks ago...they just don't have the time to write about the performance icon that is the Viper! Bad news sells I guess.

 

[Jim Hodel]

I have a copy of Autoweek here from 1998 where they have a report on a blue and white Viper GTS that they tested. This magazine is one of those 'summary' issues that collect articles from tests run in the previous year, so I'm guessing the real test was in 1997.

It did 0 - 60 in 4.25
1/4 mile in 12.53 @ 116.7


Jim

 

[viperprowler1]

As a matter of clarification...


It's <u>mystique</u> (miss-teek), not <u>mystic</u> (miss-tick)!

No flame intended...just in the interest of accuracy.

Mike
NY/CT VCA

 

[Chuck 97 GTS]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by riotac:
I can't tell you how many times I get asked about the V10 engine, and did I have to pay extra to get that over the V8!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Or how about, "Did you get the V12?"