Auto Bild handling test(997C4S, R8, LP560-4)...

[KresoF1]

...M3 sedan and some other not so interesting cars(X6, 135i, SL63, Scirocco etc.).

Test track was Goodyear Mirval 3.3km long for dry and same track shorter version(1.69km) for wet.

Key cars results:

PORSCHE 997.2 Carrera 4S(Bridgestone RE050A N1, PDK, Sport PASM, PCCB, SC Plus)

Dry 1:37,60min Wet 1:11,40min


AUDI R8(Pirelli P Zero R01, manual, Magnetic Ride, Ceramics)

Dry 1:36,60min Wet 1:07,00min


LAMBORGHINI Gallardo LP560-4(Pirelli P Zero Corsa, e-gear, Sport setup, Ceramics)

Dry 1:34,20min Wet 1:08,40min


BMW M3 Sedan(Michelin Cup+, manual)

Dry 1:38,30min Wet 1:15,1min

[JavierNuvolari]

Any interesting numbers from the Scirocco Vs the 135?

[Ruergard]

I'd say the R8 did well, very well... What it will do with the V10 will be very interesting!

Look at the times in the wet... :D

[wedouglas]

What is the diff between R01 and Corsa's?

[KresoF1]

What is the diff between R01 and Corsa's?

R01 is signature that tire is developed for R8 only. Currently in R01 specs are available only Pirelli P Zero and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires.

Dimension are

Fronts 235/35-19 91Y
Rears 295/30-19 100Y or 305/30-19 102Y

All with that R01 signature on the side tire wall.

Regarding Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires, they are so called Competition DOT tires and are not currently available with R01 specs. Instead you can choose them in Porsche N0 specs. Since they are used on Gallardo LP560-4 as an option I do not see the problem for using them. As alternative you can use Michelin Pilot Sport Cup as well but, they are even more track oriented tires...

[RXBG]

interesting test. would have liked to see the GTR. how in the heck does the significantly less powerful R8 do so well vs the LP 560? that is insane. is that kind of a short twisty track or something? there is something about the R8's design is superior to the LP. i have no doubt the V10 will be a better car than the LP in every objective way.

[Leadfoot]

...M3 sedan and some other not so interesting cars(X6, 135i, SL63, Scirocco etc.).

Test track was Goodyear Mirval 3.3km long for dry and same track shorter version(1.69km) for wet.

Key cars results:

PORSCHE 997.2 Carrera 4S(Bridgestone RE050A N1, PDK, Sport PASM, PCCB, SC Plus)

Dry 1:37,60min Wet 1:11,40min


AUDI R8(Pirelli P Zero R01, manual, Magnetic Ride, Ceramics)

Dry 1:36,60min Wet 1:07,00min


LAMBORGHINI Gallardo LP560-4(Pirelli P Zero Corsa, e-gear, Sport setup, Ceramics)

Dry 1:34,20min Wet 1:08,40min


BMW M3 Sedan(Michelin Cup+, manual)

Dry 1:38,30min Wet 1:15,1min

OK, if the R8 received the same tyres as the Gallardo you would see the same kind of results, a better dry time and a slightly worse wet time. Considering the rubber, the weight and power advantage the Gallardo has, the R8 did better than many would have expected, myself included.

P.S.
Why no M3 with M-DKG? Though not that things would have improved much, it kind of making a mockery or BMW's 50/50 weight balance philosophy, it's got the worse balanced performance overall between dry and wet handling and there is only so much excuses you can use, though CUP+ rubber isn't one of them considering most of the other are similarly shod.

[RXBG]

OK, if the R8 received the same tyres as the Gallardo you would see the same kind of results, a better dry time and a slightly worse wet time. Considering the rubber, the weight and power advantage the Gallardo has, the R8 did better than many would have expected, myself included.

P.S.
Why no M3 with M-DKG? Though not that things would have improved much, it kind of making a mockery or BMW's 50/50 weight balance philosophy, it's got the worse balanced performance overall between dry and wet handling and there is only so much excuses you can use, though CUP+ rubber isn't one of them considering most of the other are similarly shod.

i think the DSG in the M3 would have improved things considerably. it does so in the GTR. i can assure you that GTR with a proper manual would probably not yield a 0-60 of 3.3 or a ring time as fast...

[KresoF1]

Well... M3 with M-DKG is not any faster on the track. In fact on some tracks manual version is faster since they do not use the same gearing on manual and M-DKG. Auto Bild requested fastest M3 Sedan from BMW. They sended manual with CUP+ tires. BTW, these tires are almost useless on wet road. They are to blame for some 2s on wet handling track. On the other hand they are around 2s faster on dry track...

Gallardo LP560-4? It is known thing that LP560-4 is despite awsome power just marginally faster on shorter tracks with many curves(a la Hockenheim, Oschersleben or USA's Laguna Seca). On very long Ring it is of course faster. Do not forget one other thing R8 with V8 have better traction then LP560-4.

I spoke with my Quattro gmbh friend and he told me that R8 V10 will be also just marignally faster around twisty tracks then current V8 model. On the Ring it will be faster just because of 105hp more power and 110Nm of more torque... BUT, it may not be that fluid or involving as V8 version...

[Leadfoot]

So you are saying the Dkg isn't actually as quick, or that's BMW's thinking?

Interesting that, I would have thought it would have been a little quicker but the gap would have been small. Also are you under the impression that Cups are worse in the wet than other similar types of r-compound rubber?

Either way the M3 hasn't as good an overall balance as all the other hi-performance cars tested and all down to the weight balance.

[andreadebi]

grazie!interesting comparison