Monday we find out who is faster at Laguna Seca, ZR1 or Gen V

[SnakeBitten]

Pre-production or not, do you really think SRT would give a major magazine like Motortrend a car that is not up to production spec? I dont think so.

What does that matter? Dude that 2.1 sec beating is hard to absorb this early in the morning.

 

[Early93Viper]

That article was just awful in every way. So disappointed.......you can only hope this test is a fluke of some kind. That other tests will prove wrong. I would be interested in what SRT has to say.

 

[stingray23]

What does that matter? Dude that 2.1 sec beating is hard to absorb this early in the morning.

Of course it is, I'm just making a point for the excuse makers.

 

[v10enomous]

Now SRT has something to build on. I didn't realize that there was such a huge difference in wheelbase with these cars. Even tough it looks like the Viper has a better weight distribution at 50/50 that still leaves a lot hanging over the axles. There's no easy fix for that. At the end of the day it still seems that everyone agrees that the Viper is a more exciting car to drive and that's what I'll be sticking with. This is just one battle in a never ending war.

 

[dragon rider]

The Gen V is a fantastic car guys. We agree that all things being equal, it take much less seat time in a Vette to go fast than it does in a Viper. Confidence inspires one to go faster, and with the Viper that confidence will not come in five laps. I'd venture to say most test drivers for various mags are much familiar with driving C6's, Z06's, which makes the Zr1 more
familiar to them. Once more seat time is given to the Gen V, times will get better.

 

[SnakeBitten]

That may be, but for pro drivers the learning curve isnt as great. Look at what Dominik Farnbacher did with an ACR on the longest, hardest track in the world, with just a few laps. Pobst is a pro driver and if the closest he can get is 2.1 secs with equal seat time in both that says a lot. I'm not going to make any excuses for SRT. They are big boys.

 

[ViperSmith]

That may be, but for pro drivers the learning curve isnt as great. Look at what Dominik Farnbacher did with an ACR on the longest, hardest track in the world, with just a few laps. Pobst is a pro driver and if the closest he can get is 2.1 secs with equal seat time in both that says a lot. I'm not going to make any excuses for SRT. They are big boys.

I think we will see that change over time.

I still think it is bizarre Winkler bested Pobst in the ACR.

No intentions of canceling my order

 

[utahviper]

Well, SRT has their work cut out for them. If their goal was to match the ZR1's performance numbers they get an A. Its hard to get any closer. I know MT doesnt care for the Viper but I guess I expected better performance in everyway on and off track.

I can wait to hear all the GM guys saying, well if the new viper cant beat the old ZR1 now then wait until the new C7 comes out.

Kudos to the Corvette for being KOTH. Its a well balanced car that is fast and extremely capable. It is unbelievable that it beat the ACR.

 

[Vooodoo ACR]

Pobst is well-known for his ability to get up to speed quickly in any car. It's unfortunate to hear the new Viper wasn't very confidence inspiring.

 

[mnc2886]

This kind of makes the embossed Laguna track in the interior of the Gen V look a little stupid.....

In hindsight, I can't say I'm surprised. We never saw Gen V spy photos of track testing and nor did they develop it on a track like the Vette. Frankly, I'm very disappointed. I'm sick of "pre-production" excuses. Production has already started and SRT can not say they didn't have a production spec vehicle.

 

[ViperSmith]

All things being equal, pretty impressive he was within half a second of his lap time in the ACR.

 

[bluestreak]

^^Oh yeah. Lots of things askew in that article. I will say it again though. PSC>CORSA. They should have raced both cars on the same tire. Also, seems they didn't like the Viper's brakes.

They are not going to put mpsc non spec tires on a car. Ever. SRT is responsible for that like gm was with the zr1

So Randy did the old ACR in 1.35.1 and the new SRT in 1.35.77

When, an engineer ran the old ACR in 1.33.99

Meh. It is still ****ing fast. And I venture to bet someone will smash the ZR1 record in it, seeing as Randy couldn't even beat a time in the ACR set by an engineer.

Randy was on PS2 while the engineer was on mpsc with more engineers there helping set up the car. Not even remotely similar testing procedures.

Its really not all that bad, though SRT might want to do more suspension tuning and upgrade the tires. Corsas are not going to cut it vs mpsc.

 

[GONABITE]

No excuses needed. Only one word.

DISAPPOINTING.

 

[VENOM V]

No intentions of canceling my order

Amen, brother

 

[DMan]

Hmmm, sounds like an ALMS race.

I'm not surprised the ZR1 beat it, perf is awesome and it's well sorted. I am disappointed in the 2+ sec delta, that's absolutely huge, no dismissing it. There are a lot of high dollar super cars behind the Gen5's time and that's a real victory. I'm stoked two see two top nut-swinging super cars posting awesome times with red, white & blue blood in their veins. Am I disappointed it lost to the ZR1, no, am I disappointed though in the 2+ secs, yea, I don't know how you couldn't be, honestly. I think SRT is trying an 'any press is good press approach' and I don't think it's a good thing.

Dave.

PS_ as for the interior statements by them, someone's on crack, having driven the gen5 and having sat in the GTS, the interior is stupid nice, too nice for me as far as I"m concerned, but to report it as anything but, is just misinformation plain & simple.

 

[01viper4me]

Although I am very disappointed with the track results, I am not disappointed with the new Viper. The ZR1 is an utter beast that continues to show its capabilities (i.e. beating the old ACR). But, the ZR-1 for the most part is already stretched to the limit as far as its engine is concerned. If you want to add significant power gains you have to spend serious money to do so and the reliability is greatly compromised when doing so. The Viper on the other hand can and will handle almost anything you throw at it. From the factory the ZR1 takes the medal but lets not forget that when the ZR1 came out in 08 it ran an exact same lap time as the new Viper. Another massive factor that the Corvette will never have is the excitement and awe people get when seeing it in person. 90% of the general population don't know a regular C6 vs. a ZR1, but on the flip side 90% of the population know what a Viper is. All in all, after it is all said and done, America has showed what it can do in a big way with Dodge holding the #2 spot and Chevy taking #1 and #3. Lap times will get better as time goes on, but kudos to SRT for coming out of the gate with a true beast that bests most of what the world can bring to it!

 

[345s-bspinnin]

Randy was on PS2 while the engineer was on mpsc with more engineers there helping set up the car......

Ohhh really!!! Are you saying that Randy ran a ACR Viper on PS2? Since when do Gen IV ACR's come with PS2? They ALL came with MPSC.

 

[V10TT]

But, the ZR-1 for the most part is already stretched to the limit as far as its engine is concerned.

Sure, they are making 600+ to the wheels with a pulley and tune, and 800 rwh on head and cam set ups on E-85.

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

Personally I think the only difference was that Randy says he is not comfortable or confidant in the Viper and with very limited time in it compared to the Vette I can see the time difference. Maybe they should have taken another race driver with no time in either car and let him do the test, that way the learning curve would be equal. Would also like to know if they ran the cars in track mode or switched both systems all the way off.

 

[utahviper]

I dont agree with you on the ZR1 being at its limits. Its very cheap to add a pulley and a tune and get great performance increase. Adding boost to an already boosted car doesnt compromise reliability.

Although I am very disappointed with the track results, I am not disappointed with the new Viper. The ZR1 is an utter beast that continues to show its capabilities (i.e. beating the old ACR). But, the ZR-1 for the most part is already stretched to the limit as far as its engine is concerned. If you want to add significant power gains you have to spend serious money to do so and the reliability is greatly compromised when doing so. The Viper on the other hand can and will handle almost anything you throw at it.

 

[GONABITE]

Although I am very disappointed with the track results, I am not disappointed with the new Viper. The ZR1 is an utter beast that continues to show its capabilities (i.e. beating the old ACR). But, the ZR-1 for the most part is already stretched to the limit as far as its engine is concerned. If you want to add significant power gains you have to spend serious money to do so and the reliability is greatly compromised when doing so. The Viper on the other hand can and will handle almost anything you throw at it. From the factory the ZR1 takes the medal but lets not forget that when the ZR1 came out in 08 it ran an exact same lap time as the new Viper. Another massive factor that the Corvette will never have is the excitement and awe people get when seeing it in person. 90% of the general population don't know a regular C6 vs. a ZR1, but on the flip side 90% of the population know what a Viper is. All in all, after it is all said and done, America has showed what it can do in a big way with Dodge holding the #2 spot and Chevy taking #1 and #3. Lap times will get better as time goes on, but kudos to SRT for coming out of the gate with a true beast that bests most of what the world can bring to it!

I have owned both cars and modified both. I think you have the cars reversed when it comes to modifying them and compromising reliability and throwing serious money at them. The ZR1 is a forged motor the viper is not. You add a couple of pulleys to the ZR1 and an intake with headers and for around 3K you have 700 RWHP. You arent getting anywhere near 700 RWHP with a 3K investment.

Its just disappointing that an all new Viper comes out and cant out handle or out brake one of its fiercest rivals that is about to get an overhaul itself. SRT knew what the "bar" was so how do we not come out on top? At least until GM came out with their new supercar. But no they choose to play second fiddle to an outdated ZR1 model. So once again we the Viper community are behind the 8 ball again and we dont even have our cars yet.

 

[ferraritoviper]

Sugarcoat it all you want but no one can be pleased with these first two real world reviews in and the deafening silence from SRT
regarding their own test numbers.

I'd guess SRT may be to busy right now, firing their entire marketing department

 

[bushido]

I'm canceling..Im gonna enjoy my Gen 4 ACR,and my C6Z06. I think what the Z06 accomplished at Laguna Seca is most impressive for me..

 

[GONABITE]

I seriously hope that SRT takes this as a challenge and unlike the past with the ACR adds a substantial amount of power to at least have a chance against whatever GMs supercar will be in a couple of years.

SRT are you paying attention or are your heads buried in the sand?

 

[yellowmz3]

Personally, I found the description of the interior more distressing than the performance. 'Rock hard seats' definitely concerns me. I understand the give and take necessary for a car that's both good for the road and the track, but if the seats are truly uncomfortable, I'm a little nervous about trading in my R8.

 

[SnakeBitten]

I'd like to see a CCB option taken more seriously by SRT now. The excuses about it exploding, no real advantage, bigger rims needed etc are rendered a fallacy with this beat down they let the Viper get. Not only did it lose to the ZR1 badly but it lost to a car with CCB's, bigger diameter rims etc. you know all the stuff they say wasn't needed or had no real advantage. If the ZR1 can offer those at a similar price point then I think the Viper needs to have them as an option if not standard.

Also imho the GTS is the car that matches the ZR1 not the ACR. The GTS should be significantly faster than the old ZR1 since the new one is on the way. The ACR is not a GT car like the ZR1 and the new GTS is. ACR in a different category and probably shouldn't be compared to the GTS nor ZR1.

Waiting for the ACR to handle the ZR1 is admitting that the GTS can't handle it's main rival. Baring any hijinks by MT this is squarely SRT's fault.

 

[TrackAire]

Ohhh really!!! Are you saying that Randy ran a ACR Viper on PS2? Since when do Gen IV ACR's come with PS2? They ALL came with MPSC.

Bingo....not following that PS2 response

Time for a magazine to test all the R compound tires available from the automobile OEMs and even some of the ringer tires like the Viper spec'd PS2....different compound than the standard PS2 so once heated up, that will make a difference in lap times.

George

 

[Bobpantax]

I agree with Mark at post 139 above. The only thing I got fom the article is that the test driver did not have the confidence to drive the Viper at its limits while he did have the confidence to drive the ZR1 at its limits. I would like to see a test where he had a couple days to familiarize himself with the Viper and then do the test again. The driver clearly had extensive experience with ZO6s and the prior ZR1. Was the result disappointing? Yes. But this language provided some comfort:

As for the new Viper, Randy ripped off an even braver (says me) lap of 1:35.77. To put that in perspective, the SRT would be the sixth-fastest car we’ve ever lapped at Laguna Seca, behind the aforementioned Aventador (1:34.50) and Randy’s own effort in the old Viper ACR (1:35.10). That said, the 2013 Viper is faster around Laguna Seca than the Ferrari 458 Italia, Lexus LFA, Audi R8 GT, Porsche GT3 RS, and Nissan GT-R. As Randy shouted when he learned this fact, “God bless America!”

​

 

[BigDawg]

It's ok everyone. 2 press conferences already addressed our concerns.

#1 "The SRT Viper has moAr leather and ride control. It also costs moArz. It's betterz."
Sincerely, Ralphie G. SRT.

#2 "SRT is being rebranded to better reflect our mission directive. We are now Luxury and Cruising Technology, or LCT, the company formerly known as Street and Racing Technology, or SRT. I hope you enjoy the new car, I know my grandmother will!"
Sincerely, Ralpheferd G. LCT.

 

[VENOM V]

I'm canceling..Im gonna enjoy my Gen 4 ACR,and my C6Z06. I think what the Z06 accomplished at Laguna Seca is most impressive for me..

Jesus, you're canceling after one magazine article? I'm actually surprised at all the pessimism in this thread. The Vette is an amazing success story, yes. But I don't think too many GT-3 and 458 owners are panic selling their cars because they've been bested by quite a few cars. At this level, it's a drivers race. My friend in his mildly modded WRX can smoke the rest of our track buddies in their exotics because he's got skill and balls. Pick any car on the top 10, put the same tires on them, the best driver will win.