I agree. I drove both cars back to back(the Z first) and when I drove the G, it didn't feel any slower. It definately felt more solid than the Z which is a plus in my book but performance wise I couldn't tell the difference. It really doesn't matter though, they're both great performers.

 

Does anybody know which model of the 350 Z that was in the test ? Ehthusiast, track, touring ? I think if they had placed the 350Z where the G35 started it probably would have won, and if it was the M3 it would have easily won. You can see many times where the M3 driver got cut off and had to hit the brakes when it could have gained ground on the lead car.

 

In the racing world, 200 pounds is huge.

Braking, cornering and acceleration are affected.

Those who think that a G35 will be able to be as fast as a 350Z on a track consistently need to think again.

I would love to see the difference on a track like nurburgring, my guess would be a significant difference over the 20 kms.

Lets not even talk about enduro racing where the extra 200 pounds will eat away at brakes and tires more quickly...

 

Think of it this way. 200# is a pretty heavy passenger which is often about 1-2 seconds per lap at most tracks. It would have been a better test to put the fastest car in front and see if the other one could stay with him. The M3 was being held up and that means he was not only slower into the corner but also exiting the corner--which is far worse.