What the hell? Results from new C&D VIR test!
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From: Tigard, Oregon
Just got my new Car & Driver today. Annual Lightning Lap issue. They tested 17 cars at VIR. Top cars weren't unexpected. Mosler, Viper, GT-r, etc.
The rest of the field in the 3:13 to 3:20 time range is what is interesting. Try to guess the top car in this field...
BMW 135i
Lexus is-F
S2000-CR
Lotus Elise SC
Audi S5
Infiniti G37
Challenger SRT-8
WRX-STI
EVO MR
VW R32
Chevy Cobalt SS
Don't scroll down until you've made your decision.
The Cobalt.
Unreal. Unfathomable. Are you freaking kidding me? FWD. 260hp. It was the fastest time of all those cars I listed. I've got to worry at the track about a friggin Cobalt? AAAAAGH! The Elise was 7th place in that list of cars. Who the hell was driving?!?
The rest of the field in the 3:13 to 3:20 time range is what is interesting. Try to guess the top car in this field...
BMW 135i
Lexus is-F
S2000-CR
Lotus Elise SC
Audi S5
Infiniti G37
Challenger SRT-8
WRX-STI
EVO MR
VW R32
Chevy Cobalt SS
Don't scroll down until you've made your decision.
The Cobalt.
Unreal. Unfathomable. Are you freaking kidding me? FWD. 260hp. It was the fastest time of all those cars I listed. I've got to worry at the track about a friggin Cobalt? AAAAAGH! The Elise was 7th place in that list of cars. Who the hell was driving?!?
Last edited by cueball1; Oct 8, 2008 at 12:26 AM.
any car that's slow enough to allow one to give a turn-by-turn analysis whilst driving it to the limit on the 'ring isn't exactly something to brag about. 
still, that's not a bad time at all.

still, that's not a bad time at all.
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From: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
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From: Republic of Dallas
I have a cobalt ss (NA) and man, it handles really well. However, I've done several track days with FI cobalts and never had a problem embarassing them at Hallett or the 1.3 at MSR.
A well set up FWD car can handle quite well. I've seen a number of great performers show up at our local SCCA stuff and the owner of a performance shop around here has gotten several first place awards with a Civic out at Hallett. As much as I hate to say Civic.
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From: Republic of Dallas
I have the green miata, do we know each other.
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They described it as the Grand course at VIR. 4.2 miles long.
The Cobalt was the new turbo direct injected model. All of the cars were in stock trim. Stock tires, wheels, suspension, brakes, etc.
How the hell does the cobalt beat any of the cars on that list? Let alone all of them. It's faster on a road course than the EVO, STI, Lotus, etc? Every CEO of the company and each project head for the specific models it beat should publicly disembowel themselves in shame. That would be the honorable thing.
Again. Inconceivable!
The Cobalt was the new turbo direct injected model. All of the cars were in stock trim. Stock tires, wheels, suspension, brakes, etc.
How the hell does the cobalt beat any of the cars on that list? Let alone all of them. It's faster on a road course than the EVO, STI, Lotus, etc? Every CEO of the company and each project head for the specific models it beat should publicly disembowel themselves in shame. That would be the honorable thing.
Again. Inconceivable!
Last edited by cueball1; Oct 8, 2008 at 01:31 PM.







