Mega meet idea

^JP^ · 1 Dec 2012 at 22:14

Yep, I know that, just try telling the Audi fanboys (my younger brother) though who think the A1 is now better than the GTR because of this article.

I think it was Autocar who did something similar with a Ford vs GTR over a mountain pass and the Ford won or it was very close, can't quite remember.

Skillmister · 1 Dec 2012 at 22:18

That sounds like top gear where if you want a comfortable fast saloon you should buy a skinny rock climbing man.

peterattheboro · 1 Dec 2012 at 22:41

^JP^ said:
Yep, I know that, just try telling the Audi fanboys (my younger brother) though who think the A1 is now better than the GTR because of this article.

I think it was Autocar who did something similar with a Ford vs GTR over a mountain pass and the Ford won or it was very close, can't quite remember.

Focus RS?

A few mags have done tests of hot hatches vs supercars on everyday roads and they all say that the hatchbacks are just as fun.

^JP^ · 1 Dec 2012 at 22:58

Could have been, was a few years ago and on bumpy road where the Nissan couldn't put the power down so the Ford was as good. Which is fair enough.

Gibbo · 1 Dec 2012 at 22:58

peterintheghetto said:
Focus RS?

A few mags have done tests of hot hatches vs supercars on everyday roads and they all say that the hatchbacks are just as fun.

Yes and no. Beauty of hatchbacks is they are generally small meaning you can hustle them even on narrower roads. Whereas the bigger super cars such as the GTR are too big to drive fast on some roads as they are just too big.

But fact is a FWD hatchback can't compare driving pleasure wise to something like GTR or a decent RWD or AWD sports/GT car in my opinion and from my own personal experience.

peterattheboro · 1 Dec 2012 at 23:17

peterattheboro · 1 Dec 2012 at 23:20

Another

Autocar like these

Gibbo · 1 Dec 2012 at 23:48

The videos are great, but when he says he is flat in the GTR he's blatantly lying if he was flat you hear it and you'd also hear the traction control as it's mega aggressive on the GTR.

But yes a small hatchback is far easier to drive quick as they don't require as much talent and you have more room on the road as they're physically smaller, so yes there is some truth that a hatchback might keep up on such narrow bumpy roads.

Having owned a few FWD cars and having an FN2 Civic for a week I can tell you now my 911 could take every type of corner quicker, stop better and was a lot more engaging/fun whilst doing do, same for the M3 CSL I owned too and my EVO. Don't get me wrong the Civic I had was ace fun, far more fun that the 2.0tsi Scirroco I had for a few weeks. But on the country roads I drive and enjoy driving fast a hatchback can't hold a candle to a GTR or 911 etc.

The only time this might change is in wet/cold conditions as powerful or RWD cars take a lot more confidence to push along in whereas the hatchback is easier and so the video is quite accurate on that point regarding confidence. But hey then just buy a Scooby or EVO.

PMKeates · 1 Dec 2012 at 23:51

So, moral of the story is that in contrived scenarios underdog can win. I think I'd take the R8/GT-R/other fastcar.

^JP^ · 3 Dec 2012 at 16:51

Sorry to bring this back up but they just released the video today:

When the camera goes inside the GTR check the 3 lights on the centre dash, Red Green Orange.
The Red one is for the speed the gearbox shifts, red for Race mode.
The middle is the Suspension setting, Green of comfort mode, OK a little softer could get some more grip in the wet.
The right switch on Orange is VDC OFF! That is just plain nuts, it means you get zero help from the computers to gain any kind of traction the wet.

Sure the tyres are sill a massive limitation but damn, when I was driving Gibbo and Kosta about the other weekend they could see how good the VDC was in the wet and I am on the same tyres.
It may cut the power but you can just keep your foot in and let the car work it out, better than sliding about going nowhere.

Anyone familiar with the inside of an Audi know if they turned traction control or whatever Audi has off?

ScoobyDoo69 · 3 Dec 2012 at 16:59

I've got that video on my watch later playlist. I'm interested to know how they got it to go 4 seconds (I think that's right?) faster than the GTR. But I don't know what track etc it's on, so will have a watch tonight.

Clarkey · 3 Dec 2012 at 17:23

It's blatently obvious that the tyres have no grip on that GTR. Presumably it's on RE070, notoriously poor in wet conditions.

^JP^ · 3 Dec 2012 at 17:32

Clarkey said:
It's blatently obvious that the tyres have no grip on that GTR. Presumably it's on RE070, notoriously poor in wet conditions.

Its on the stock and ridiculously named "Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600 DSST CTT"

As long as there is no standing water and you leave VDC ON they are OK in the wet just not brilliant like the MPSS.

I still want to know if that Audi had its traction control on or off.

Sutcliffe is a good driver but VDC off on the GTR is just crazy with those tyres in the wet.

Matt82 · 3 Dec 2012 at 18:41

hmmm new internet myth about gtr being a killer in the wet??

ScoobyDoo69 · 3 Dec 2012 at 19:01

Just watched it. Silly video really. I can't believe that any road would be as slippery at the test track and having been out in JP's GTR in what seemed like Noah's flood with no real traction issues it seems all a bit much. They should have done it with traction control on.

Gibbo · 3 Dec 2012 at 19:56

Hi there

That video tell us this:-

1. Tyres make a huge difference in wet conditions, especially when it's very wet. The MPSS is one of the best wet performing tyres on the Market, this video re-inforces that! The stock tyre on the GTR is R-compound, not so suited to the wet!
2. The Audi don't look particular exciting to drive!
3. That track looks like huge fun, is it open to the public to go and play? Would love slide the 911 around there!

Then it seems the test was rigged, in the wet you want suspension in softest mode and traction on because the GTR has superb traction control which will let you put a lot more than just 1/4 of the power down. I believe this alone would make it faster than the Audi, put them on the same tyres and GTR will walk it.

JP was amazed how fast I could put the 911 through corners and the fact I could put all the power down in such terrible conditions but that's how good the MPSS is, fair enough rear engine helps too.

PMKeates · 3 Dec 2012 at 19:58

PMKeates said:
So, moral of the story is that in contrived scenarios underdog can win. I think I'd take the R8/GT-R/other fastcar.

I repeat my statement!

The GT-R is a hugely more powerful car than the A1. As standard it has tyres that are not optimal in the wet and relies heavily on computer aids. The A1 has less than half the power and runs normal tyres. So, best comparison? Turn off all aids.

you knowsit

In my BMW I can fly around at 140 MPH in similarly wet conditions and the DSC does a great job of controlling things.

^JP^ · 3 Dec 2012 at 20:07

Gibbo said:
Hi there

That video tell us this:-

1. Tyres make a huge difference in wet conditions, especially when it's very wet. The MPSS is one of the best wet performing tyres on the Market, this video re-inforces that! The stock tyre on the GTR is R-compound, not so suited to the wet!
2. The Audi don't look particular exciting to drive!
3. That track looks like huge fun, is it open to the public to go and play? Would love slide the 911 around there!

Then it seems the test was rigged, in the wet you want suspension in softest mode and traction on because the GTR has superb traction control which will let you put a lot more than just 1/4 of the power down. I believe this alone would make it faster than the Audi, put them on the same tyres and GTR will walk it.

JP was amazed how fast I could put the 911 through corners and the fact I could put all the power down in such terrible conditions but that's how good the MPSS is, fair enough rear engine helps too.

Indeed, Nissan even recommends leaving everything in Normal mode in the wet for optimum performance.

The grip you had with the MPSS was excellent, not even a hint of slip in very wet conditions.

And they were on the Wet Handling Circuit at Mira.
http://www.mira.co.uk/our-services/proving-ground-and-events/test-tracks

Gibbo · 3 Dec 2012 at 20:19

^JP^ said:
Indeed, Nissan even recommends leaving everything in Normal mode in the wet for optimum performance.

The grip you had with the MPSS was excellent, not even a hint of slip in very wet conditions.

And they were on the Wet Handling Circuit at Mira.
http://www.mira.co.uk/our-services/proving-ground-and-events/test-tracks

Yeah I love the 911 as it communicates everything so well, just very exciting to drive and still scary at times.

A test definitely done to show up the GTR by the fact it's a low friction test track no doubt designed more for tyre test. Test both cars on MPSS with TC on, the figures will be very different.

^JP^ · 3 Dec 2012 at 20:29

Gibbo said:
Yeah I love the 911 as it communicates everything so well, just very exciting to drive and still scary at times.

A test definitely done to show up the GTR by the fact it's a low friction test track no doubt designed more for tyre test. Test both cars on MPSS with TC on, the figures will be very different.

Yeah, pretty much what I told my brother when he started on about how good Audi is (he has an RS3) after telling me about the article in the magazine the other day.

That is why I posted saying how much did Audi pay for this sales piece to try and sell their 41K A1!