According to C/D lightning lap that is:

The February 2010 C&D just did their "Lightning Lap" at Virginia International Raceway.

Here are the results.

Corvette ZR1 - 2:51.8
KTM X bow - 2:52.3
Murcielago LP67-4.5V 2:53.9
Ariel Atom 3 - 2:57.6
Corvette Grand Sport - 2:58.8
Audi R8 5.2 - 3:05.0
Lotus Exige S260 Sport - 3:05.0
M3 - 3:05.4
Cayman S - 3:05.8
911 Carrera S - 3:05.8
Jag XKR - 3:06.4
GT 500 - 3:07.4
Audi TTS - 3:08.4
Camaro SS - 3:09.5
Audi S4 - 3:10.8
Nissan Nismo 370Z - 3:12.0 <-----.5 seconds faster than the 350Z track.
Mustang GT - 3:13.3
Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 - 3:14.8
Mazdaspeed 3 - 3:16.2
WRX - 3:16.6
Mini Cooper JC Works - 3:17.1
VW GTI - 3:19.3


Let's hope Nissan does running changes with this Z like it did with the last.

 

Do'h forgot an 'S'

 

I'd have to agree. It continually gets its *** kicked on best motoring by its competitors as well. It's a shame really.

 

I've seen that too. Pathetic.

 

At least it beat the... Mini...?

 

o best motor and all that stupid youtube review people. Honestly each one says a different 0-60 and stuff like that honestly wake up and decide for your self and your own personal info not from what some review and a sh itty driver have done.

 

Unless both cars are run on the same day, same conditions, same driver, I wouldn't put too much stock in those kind of numbers.

 

Holy run on sentence.

Are you saying best motoring isn't a competent reviewer? While at times I do feel they sand bag some of the euro cars, they are all VERY good professional drivers.

 

I know in the past they were typically run on the same day (thereby close in terms of conditions), but I think they just take the quickest lap of the day regardless of who is shoeing it around the track.

 

I'd bet the 350Z was run years ago. They take out the new bunch of cars and run them and add their times to the list.

 

This is why the 2012 Z will have a d.i. V8. hint hint. The base Z will be with the tt vhr. Keep it to yourselves.

The Vette gs surprises me, however VIR is a very fast track with I believe the longest straight on the northeast.

 

My apologies. I meant to say the 370z in comparison to the others in this months test. The 03 isn't really a fair, apples to apples, comparison.

 

Really? I'm pretty sure they are just journalists who are driving enthusiasts. I've seen some of the times they run (14+ in Z's in the 1/4) and its not impressive in the least bit to me. I don't put any stock in those numbers. I'm in agreement with Dave - same day, same driver, same conditions and lets see what they all do.

 

no GT-R

 

All the races I have seen on best motoring involving 370's (usually nismo) were done with jgtc drivers. Car & Driver is just journalists.

 

the audi tts surprises me on that list.

 

so far also in european test the tts is as fast as the 370z and the tt-rs just smokes away the 370z
I don't want to debate about the "fun to drive" factor where IMHO the 350/370 is still few step ahead for the price range and is a pretty decent performer out of the dealership... but looks like nissan lost the perspective on how the car should go compared to the competitors.

unless, like for the 350z... we can expect constant "speed bumps" and improvements every 1.5/2 years.

 

Just read the article today. I don't know if they are "just journalists" or not, but for the "Grand" course at VIR, those are pretty damn fast lap times!
Sounds like the brakes (specifically the pads) were a major issue in the 370Z. In fact they ended up crashing into a wall!!!!!
Overall, not a particularly encouraging read for us Z owners

 

^ Uhh what?

 

Well there is certainly no doubt they are avid car enthusiast along with being journalists. I plan to pick up the issue tomorrow. I was just pointing out in the previous post that they are quite the amateurs in comparison to the testers from Best Motoring........whom Armitage is not impressed with. All in all, I think we can agree that this is somewhat discouraging to see it falling short of some of its competitors.