Motor Trend tests Z06 vs GTR vs GT500
02-17-2011 | 11:03 PM
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Motor Trend tests Z06 vs GTR vs GT500
Motor Trend is on a quest to determine the best budget supercar. Ford, Chevrolet and Nissan stepped up to the challenge with the 2011 Shelby GT500, 2011 Corvette Z06 and 2012 GT-R. Total cost of the vehicles used in this 1,585-horsepower shootout? $244,290... or $37,040 less than the 570-horsepower $281,330 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera we tested in 2010. Perspective, folks.
This comparision is not about high-dollar exotics, however, because M/T is looking for the best sub-$100,000 performer. The 2012 Nissan GT-R develops 530 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6. The American muscle machines perfer V8 power with the supercharged 5.4-liter GT500 producing 550 horses and the 7.0-liter Z06 pumping out 505.
The Shelby GT500 certainly represents the best bang-for-your-buck due to its $55,330 as-tested price tag. Yet both the Z06 ($98,010 as-tested) and GT-R ($90,950) offer equally appealing performance at a relative bargain.
Motor Trend took all three super coupes to the drag strip and the Streets of Willow road course. The winning car is not much of a surprise (hint: it's not American) but the resulting videos are still fun to watch. Click past the jump for clips of the drag race and the road course testing, then head over to Motor Trend to read about the test.
[Source: Motor Trend]
This comparision is not about high-dollar exotics, however, because M/T is looking for the best sub-$100,000 performer. The 2012 Nissan GT-R develops 530 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6. The American muscle machines perfer V8 power with the supercharged 5.4-liter GT500 producing 550 horses and the 7.0-liter Z06 pumping out 505.
The Shelby GT500 certainly represents the best bang-for-your-buck due to its $55,330 as-tested price tag. Yet both the Z06 ($98,010 as-tested) and GT-R ($90,950) offer equally appealing performance at a relative bargain.
Motor Trend took all three super coupes to the drag strip and the Streets of Willow road course. The winning car is not much of a surprise (hint: it's not American) but the resulting videos are still fun to watch. Click past the jump for clips of the drag race and the road course testing, then head over to Motor Trend to read about the test.
[Source: Motor Trend]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfzqm...layer_embedded
02-18-2011 | 12:07 AM
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02-18-2011 | 12:23 AM
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02-18-2011 | 12:26 AM
#11
I would have to say that I am biased towards the nissan GT-R because I prefer japanese cars, and I also prefer AWD and the fact that it can actually take 4 people, I would take the GT-R first, and the Shelby second, Just not a fan of the corvette, I would need to have an experience in it, since I already experienced both the GT-R and the Shelby.
02-18-2011 | 06:50 AM
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My favorite car is not in this test. That would be the new 2011 Mustang GT which has that marvelous new Coyote engine. It's not as quick as any of these, but for the money, it is one hell of a bang for the buck machine. Next up for me would be the Z06. Since its inception, this car has been one of the best-in-category. Just an all around stellar machine.
I don't care for the GTR mostly because if I am going to go this route, I would prefer a V8 under the hood and in particular, an American V8. And I don't care for AWD systems, either.
This is why manufacturers make so many different cars. Buyer tastes. And that is a good thing.
Last edited by SouthernBoy; 02-18-2011 at 06:54 AM.
02-18-2011 | 07:18 AM
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Where is the coug comparison test?
I'll never forget driving my ex's Z06, super low, super loud, and oh so much power. I never liked vettes till then and I think it would be my choice now.
I'll never forget driving my ex's Z06, super low, super loud, and oh so much power. I never liked vettes till then and I think it would be my choice now.
02-18-2011 | 12:06 PM
#16
I would have to say that I am biased towards the nissan GT-R because I prefer japanese cars, and I also prefer AWD and the fact that it can actually take 4 people, I would take the GT-R first, and the Shelby second, Just not a fan of the corvette, I would need to have an experience in it, since I already experienced both the GT-R and the Shelby.
have you been in the back of a GT-R before?
02-21-2011 | 12:59 PM
#23
none of these would be in my DD category, therefor all of the backseat/knee room/luggage capacity talk is a non-factor to me...
based on performance... and these are all performance cars....the GTR just wins....
02-21-2011 | 01:36 PM
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I think you missed their description of the car ... They said it's basically a ZR1 with all those options on it but with the Z06 engine in it.
02-21-2011 | 02:33 PM
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02-21-2011 | 03:01 PM
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Some Hondas/Acuras are actually designed in the US too. I believe the 3G and 4G were also designed in Torrance, CA. But really though... Why does it even matter?
As far as hauling stuff in a Corvette, or having a backseat like in the GT-R or GT500, I don't think you can ignore the practicality of something like that. You could say someone buys an M3 for performance but there's a reason why it's offered as a sedan too.
As far as hauling stuff in a Corvette, or having a backseat like in the GT-R or GT500, I don't think you can ignore the practicality of something like that. You could say someone buys an M3 for performance but there's a reason why it's offered as a sedan too.
02-21-2011 | 03:18 PM
#28
These comparisons are getting more weird by the day. What I saw was a comparison between:
a muscle car
a supercar
a sports car
I'd pick the GT-R because I need electronic nannies and AWD to drive that spirited and not take out a tree by the roadside.
a muscle car
a supercar
a sports car
I'd pick the GT-R because I need electronic nannies and AWD to drive that spirited and not take out a tree by the roadside.
02-21-2011 | 03:28 PM
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Not sure about the GT500, though I'm sure it has something similar since it outlapped an R8 5.2... but the Z06 (and likely, the ZR1 as well) has a highly regarded traction/stability control system. It has several modes, including a "Competitive" mode which is supposed to wring out the best performance on the track.
02-21-2011 | 04:56 PM
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All three of the cars in this comparison are personal favorites of mine. But I'm still a Nissan fanboy and love the GT-R more with each review and road test.
Just as with the MB ML63 AMG, I do plan on acquiring a GT-R as soon as it reaches a price point with which my budget is comfortable.
Just as with the MB ML63 AMG, I do plan on acquiring a GT-R as soon as it reaches a price point with which my budget is comfortable.
02-21-2011 | 05:07 PM
#32
02-21-2011 | 05:08 PM
#33
AWD isn't a safety net. The GT-R is as dangerous as either of those cars in the wrong hands... period.
Not sure about the GT500, though I'm sure it has something similar since it outlapped an R8 5.2... but the Z06 (and likely, the ZR1 as well) has a highly regarded traction/stability control system. It has several modes, including a "Competitive" mode which is supposed to wring out the best performance on the track.
Not sure about the GT500, though I'm sure it has something similar since it outlapped an R8 5.2... but the Z06 (and likely, the ZR1 as well) has a highly regarded traction/stability control system. It has several modes, including a "Competitive" mode which is supposed to wring out the best performance on the track.
02-21-2011 | 06:10 PM
#34
I'd still rock a GT-R over those cars because I think it looks like a great super car and its easy to handle.
Now if I wanted a car to do some insane drifts i'd take the vette, but only real reason I would take the GT-R is for when if I take it to work and it snows I know I can get home safe in it. Now granted you can get home safe in a vette in the snow but im sure it would be the equivalent to taking like 5 shots of 6 hour energy.
Now if I wanted a car to do some insane drifts i'd take the vette, but only real reason I would take the GT-R is for when if I take it to work and it snows I know I can get home safe in it. Now granted you can get home safe in a vette in the snow but im sure it would be the equivalent to taking like 5 shots of 6 hour energy.
02-22-2011 | 07:12 AM
#38
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Z06, sure it's interior could use a little refinement (seats, interior,...) but for the money that's a lotta fun and performance.
Drove a C5 Z06 twice at GM events, the GM co-drivers let you go as hard as you wanted on a short low-speeed course around FedEx field aprking lot in DC. That was a blast!
Drove a C5 Z06 twice at GM events, the GM co-drivers let you go as hard as you wanted on a short low-speeed course around FedEx field aprking lot in DC. That was a blast!
02-23-2011 | 10:59 AM
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