Stumbled across this and thought you guys would like,


http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=1


Its the Ford GT vs. 360 vs. GT3




Enjoy

 

Thats the 360 Stradale, theres a difference.

 

Interesting. I wonder why they didn't put the GT2 in the competition instead of the GT3. It might have been able to give the GT more of a run for the money.

 

The bias against the GT-2 made me sick.

Before you castigate us and opine that clearly we should have opted for the 477-hp Porsche 911 GT2 for this test, keep in mind that its $192,000 price tag would have evaporated the high value here, and based on previous experience, we doubt it would have been fast enough to offset its higher price.

Please present me with the data that even on a short track like Gingerman (I know it well), the GT-2 would not be faster. Please! At Road America … say a big and long bye bye to the GT-3 and Stradale.

I think the GT-2 would have eaten up the Stradale and been damn close to the GT.

 

There is no doubt in my mind that the GT40 was a ringer from Ford! GT2 would have rocked.

 

'04 GT2 with revised shock valving, lighter weight and power bump can **** all over a Ford GT. Just wait and see if it ever gets tested.

 

Now Tim...Let's not exagerate here...excerpts from article:
http://autozine.kyul.net/html/Porsche2.htm

In real world, unsurprisingly, the GT3 does not feel as punchy as the super-torquey 911 Turbo. But its normally aspirated engine is definitely the choice for ultimate drivers, because of remarkably sharp throttle response, because of its willingness to rev to sky-high rpm and because of keener engine and exhaust note. In straight line, its lighter body challenges the Turbo very hard. It loses to the Turbo from 0 to 60mph because of the lack of 4-wheel traction, but after that it gains back quickly and matches the Turbo at 100mph. Both cars top 190mph.

However, once entering a bend, 911 GT3 is in a league of its own. Its lighter body and sportier suspension tuning makes it a perfect machine for attacking corners - sharp turn-in, accurate and communicative steering, rock-steady balance, astonishing braking.... the GT3 loves to be pushed to limit, and you will enjoy doing so, thanks to its superb feedback from steering wheel, throttle and brake pedals, thanks to the willing flat-6, thanks to its precise and short-throw gearshift. Many so-called "driver’s cars" deliver their best at 90% effort and need stability control to take care the last 10%. In contrast, the GT3 has no driver aids at all (except ABS) because Porsche engineers are confident of its chassis balance and adjustability. They believe for such a perfect machine the best stability control is the driver himself.

GT3 is definitely the ultimate driver choice among the 911 family. Even Walter Rhorl - famous ex-racing drivers, now Porsche’s test driver who tuned every modern Porsche - thinks so. He said the GT2 is faster but the GT3 is sharper to handle and inspires its drivers more. The old GT3 set a production car lap record of 7min 56sec in Nurburgring, that was broken by the GT2 at 7min 44sec. The new GT3 won’t match that, but is expected to cut back some 7 to 10 seconds.

Looks to me that when Walter get's to rip the new GT3 around the Ring, the time comparison will be as follows:
GT2- 7.44
GT3 Mk2- 7.46

Hardly a "Long Bye Bye"

 

The C & D 1/4 times for the GT40 were obviously a ringer - take a look at the data panel from the Road and Track GT40 test where it does a 12.2 sec 1/4, only 0.2 faster than 415hp TT (12.4) and behind the 11.9 sec GT2 (457 hp). The data panel is on the R & T web site

Let's see, a few feet more altitude, and my 01 TT would probably gain the 0.2 seconds for an even 1/4 since Supercharged engines do not compensate for altitude 100% the way turbos do since crank speed is linked to intake turbine speed. I figure the hill I live on (800 ft) is enough........

Bond

 

I too would have liked to see the gt2 in this one. the mere fact that they had no problem showcasing a 200k f-car shouldn't have bothered them with the gt2 either. The gt2 has around 100 more hp than the gt3 and would level the playing field. Certainly from a value perspective, the gt3 in this test probably deserved 2nd place based on the ferrari's similar performance to the gt3 in all areas and being about half the cost. just mho.

 

Boy-Oh-Boy! Harsh words for a car that hasn't even been in production yet. Let's see, 500HP & 500 LBS-FT at 3400 lbs (all estimates) vs. 477HP, similar torque and weight probably doesn't end up as a big advantage in anyone's favor. From every test I've read so far, all the drivers reported tremendous feel on the track. While it may not be the best out there, I predict the GT will be at or near the top in all performance categories on stock, production cars.

 

Rockitman:
Maybe, Ring times are difficult to compare because conditions are always so different but, the presumed 10 second gain is not granted by me.

While you may be right in your general point that it is closer than I presume, I would really love to see direct comparison data by an expert driver.

 

Keep in mind that the Ring is far in away the most demanding track in the world given it's length (23 km) and it's varied turns and elevation changes. For the GT3 to be within a 3-5 seconds(conservative estimate) of a GT2 on a track that long speaks volumes of this beauty's handling and 400 NA HP capabliities. The evidence is out there. So I respectfully disagree with your (GT3 get's creamed) opinion. Regardless of modified brute HP, what little the car would give up in the straights is mostly made up in the turns due to it's perfect balance and braking. After all the GT3 is the 911 style that all current racing Porsche's are modeled after. Just my thoughts...

 

Rockitman, you are probably right. The difference on the ring should be bigger in my estimation but again, the numbers there are usually difficult to compare. My point is, I want controlled conditions with back to back comparisons on a track like Road America to really see the difference. If C&D would have presented that data, than just supposed it, I wouldn’t have a problem with their comment. Without the data, I do.

 

That's fair...It would be really interesting for a track comparison shootout to have a TT, GT2 and GT3 lock horns, driven by the same pro driver with the same tires. Maybe someday this will happen...

 

The trackchallenge site I believe is data obtained from the same driver. It has the following results for the GT2 and 2003 GT3...

Hockenheim - GT2...1.12,6 min/GT3...1.13,2 min
Nuerburgring - GT2...7.46 min/GT3...7.54 min


trackchallenge