[Figure] 2012 Corvette Z06 compared with 2013 Nissan GT
[Compiled by car home] There is no doubt that this will be a classic showdown: Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is compared with Nissan GT-R, and one side is the best player in the United States, with rear-wheel drive and V8 engine and manual gearbox; On the one hand, there is a dual-clutch gearbox with twin turbine engines, and the Japanese God of War armed with high technology.
This article is compiled from the original author of www.insideline.com: Mike Monticello.
We have witnessed a similar confrontation before. As early as 2008, the old 480-horsepower GT-R and the 638-horsepower Corvette ZR1 had a competition. ZR1 won the final summit, and we were also impressed by its strong power and excellent track performance.
However, since then, GT-R has been evolving constantly, and the maximum power of this 2013 GTR parked in front of us has been increased to 545 horsepower, and the performance of the suspension is more active. Yes, this Japanese god of war is not what it used to be.
This time, the representative of the Stars and Stripes was replaced by the 2012 Corvette Z06, which is also one of the purest speed machines on earth. Our test vehicle (centennial edition) is equipped with Brembo’s carbon ceramic brake system, adjustable electromagnetic suspension and high-performance traction control system. Most importantly, it is also equipped with a PTM torque limiting traction control system originally only equipped on ZR1, which can adjust the power output (PTM1-PTM5) in five stages through ignition, fuel injection and throttle opening. So, on the other hand, this beast has been tamed by high technology.
The fierce battle between the two sports cars will start on our test track, then go on the daily road and finally end in a private track. On this track, they will do their best to show us their strongest side.
price war
Since the release of GT-R five years ago, one of its most important selling points is that it is much cheaper than those sports car competitors with similar performance. But now it seems that Nissan has kicked this advantage away. Because the starting price of the 2013 GTR we are testing now has reached $97,820, which is $6,870 higher than that of the 2012 model, and our test car needs to pay an extra $3,000 because of the special "super silver" car paint, and the final total price is $100,820.
Let’s take a look at Corvette. The starting price of the 2012 Z06 is obviously more close to the people, and the standard version with a price of $76,500 can be said to be quite cost-effective. However, the extra spare parts on our test car cost an astonishing $25,260, including $8,812 for comfort configuration (including electric heating seats, navigation, advanced audio and Bluetooth) and $7,500 for extreme performance options (brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires). The $4,950 centennial edition optional package (including special car paint, rims and electromagnetic suspension system) and a $3,995 carbon fiber kit optional package finally reached $101,760.
Accelerated test
The 2013 GT-R upgraded its power system again, from 530 horsepower in 2012 last year to 545 horsepower today. Thanks to higher intake efficiency and larger intercooler intake pipe, the maximum torque also increased by 20Nm, reaching 627Nm. The 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox has also been replaced with a stronger shift fork, while the flywheel cover with better tolerance has improved ride comfort and quietness. Of course, it still has a 4000rpm ejection start mode.
Obviously, the 2012 Z06 doesn’t need to worry about the tolerance of exhaust gas turbine and intercooler. On the contrary, it still stubbornly adheres to the route of large-displacement natural inhalation. The maximum 505 horsepower of the 7.0L V8 engine explodes at 6300rpm, and the maximum torque reaches 637Nm at 4800rpm. Compared with the hand-built engine, this LS7 V8 engine does not use any new technology. It uses connecting rods and valves made of titanium alloy, for example, and is equipped with a dry oil pan. Dual-mode silencers can be made due to thunderous roar.
With the powerful ATTESA E-TS four-wheel drive system and starting control system, GT-R’s starting ability has long been known in the street. After a series of cautious attempts, GT-R still seems to be unable to fully exert its strength, but the 3.1-second 0-60mph9(0-96km/h) is only 0.2 second slower than the official result. In the end, GT-R ran a quarter mile in 11.1 seconds with a tail speed of 123.3mph(198.4km/h). Yes, the whole test process is really a piece of cake. You just need to release the brake and step on the accelerator to the end, so that the throttle is fully opened, and the rest is enough for GT-R.
But for the original Z06, you must master some skills to cope with the test. We tried Chevrolet’s starting control system, and found that its control of wheel idling is not as skilled as that of the driver, and although the 6-speed manual transmission has a short stroke and clear gear, it is a bit difficult to enter the gear in the second and third gears. In the end, the Z06 with rear-wheel drive can’t really compare with GT-R in the acceleration at the start. Nevertheless, the acceleration time of 0-60mph(0-96km/h) is 3.8 seconds (officially 3.5 seconds), which is a tolerable result, while it only takes 11.7 seconds to run a quarter mile and the tail speed is 122.3 mph (196.3). However, unlike the gentle voice of GT-R’s household vacuum cleaner, the sound from Z06′ s furious V8 engine is definitely one of the best sounds you can hear in the driver’s seat.
Suspension and winding pile
Z06 is equipped with the most advanced electromagnetic suspension system of the two cars. This electromagnetic suspension system can continuously adjust the suspension damping according to the road conditions, and its performance is amazing when running over those small stones and bumps.
Nissan’s engineers are upgrading the GTR chassis at full capacity (this seems to have become an annual routine), using lighter and harder materials for springs, using new bypass valves for shock absorbers, and enhancing the rigidity of the engine compartment and front buffer.
GT-R has always been an avid fan of pile-winding test, and this has not changed at all in the 2013 model. It accurately and skillfully bypasses the piles, with an average speed of 73.8mph(118.7km/h), and the slight sliding of the rear of the car when sweeping the last pile is also full of fun.
The Z06 is not clumsy in shuttling between piles and buckets. We are impressed by the excellent grip of Michelin Pilot Sport cup tires (although it must be warmed before it can enter the state). Although the steering wheel feedback is heavy, the steering ratio is very natural. Thanks to the excellent traction control system, when PTM-3 is turned on, the speed around the pile is faster, reaching 74.7mph(120.2km/h). After all the control systems were turned off, Z06 was not an uncontrollable drifting beast, but was replaced by richer and more friendly feedback, and the final score was 74.4mph(119.7km/h).
Editor’s note: insideline’s pile winding test is 6 piles, every two piles are separated by 100 feet (equivalent to 30.48 meters), so the speed of pile winding can reach more than 70 miles per hour.
Interior contrast
Sitting in the GT-R car, the sense of technology and workmanship of the interior is stronger than that of Corvette. The interior is made of various materials with different textures, and most of them feel soft. The center console design of Z06 is more like a simple stack of various configuration buttons, leaving only a cold feeling. In addition, the seat position of GT-R is more reasonable, and the front view is very good, while the seat setting of Z06 is lower and lower.
The biggest improvement of the 2012 Z06 is the seat. When you sit down, you will find that this seat finally has the effect of lateral support, and it also uses the popular microfiber lining, so you will never swing left and right with the body when you swing around the corner. More importantly, this seat is still very comfortable. But in fact, we still prefer the racing bucket chair on GT-R. The narrow and elastic seat cushion can wrap you tightly and adapt to the state of intense driving.
Of the two, GT-R seems to be more normal and acceptable, and it even has a real back seat, although it may be meaningless to a normal adult. However, even if the adjustable suspension system is set to be comfortable, the GT-R still drives like a rock. On the contrary, the Tour mode of Z06 is completely comfortable, but the position of the front spoiler on Z06 is too low, which greatly reduces the passability, and the front wheel with a width of 285mm has too great a reaction to the steering wheel. When passing through some roads with irregular road conditions, the real feedback will even free the steering wheel from your hands.
Track confrontation
Comparing these two cars together, can we not drive them into the track? Well, you can do it, but this comparison will become meaningless. So, we drove them to a private track not far from the suburbs of Los Angeles. This closed track not only has various ups and downs and extremely difficult corners, but also has a long straight enough to accelerate these power beasts to 115mph(185km/h).
GT-R first appeared. What impresses you most about the famous Japanese God of War is that it allows you to drive very fast on the track easily. You should know that confidence is very important for drivers on the track. This is not only because of the help of all-wheel drive and dual-clutch gearbox, but also because it is more like a close comrade-in-arms providing effective help to the driver at any time on the track. All the control systems on GT-R tend to make you drive faster, instead of being a burden that affects your performance like some large super-runs.
It can also be said that this is the most exciting GT-R we have ever driven. With stronger power and sharper suspension, the 2013 GT-R is more lively than before, and it is more prone to oversteer when loosening oil. Of course, the more powerful engine also makes GT-R more confident to achieve drift and cornering by controlling the throttle. The new GT-R is not only more fun, but also incredibly fast. Although its wheelbase is 3.7 inches (94mm) longer than that of the Z06 and its weight is 642 pounds (291kg), the GT-R feels more like a car to drive.In the end, its best lap time is 1 minute 23 seconds 8.
The lively Z06 is a completely different feeling. The harsh tone in the cockpit is like a beast playing a heartbreaking song with a deep purr. You have to shift gears manually (you don’t really need to shift gears frequently because of the abundant low torque of large displacement engines) to really drive. It takes time to warm up the illegal Michelin semi-hot melt tires, but you can feel the improvement of tire grip after each lap.
On the day of the test, the weather was very cold, about 50 degrees Fahrenheit (about 10°C degrees Celsius). Due to the temperature limitation, we used PTM-4 system. The goal of PTM system is to distribute the output torque for you reasonably by controlling the throttle before and after the vehicle arrives in bending center. The system will only intervene when the tires start to slip, and it will completely replace you to control the torque output when the stability control system is closed, which also makes this high-powered rear-wheel drive more tame.
With the roar at every corner, the strength of Z06 is more terrible than you think. With stronger brakes and tires with better grip, Z06 can choose a later braking point and a sharper route. Brake thermal decay has never been a problem for Z06. In contrast, GT-R can already feel the slight brake decay in the last lap. Moreover, the linear braking on Z06 is easier to control than the rough feeling on GTR. Finally, we looked at the final lap speed table of Z06, and itsThe best result is locked in 1 minute 22 seconds 7, which is nearly one second faster than GT-R.
Summary: Godzilla or King Kong?
The 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and the 2013 Nissan GT-R show amazing standards on the track and country roads, both of which are better than their predecessors. Nissan’s engineers make GT-R more fun and make driving more pure. No normal person will think it is boring, and driving it is no longer so simple.
The performance of Z06 surprised us even more. We tried to get the z06 to burn its rear wheels, and even with such a ferocious V8 engine, PTM still stopped our irrational behavior on the track. Yes, with the electromagnetic suspension and PTM system, Z06 makes up the gap between itself and GT-R in technology.
Although the GT-R is more life-oriented, if we have to choose one of the two, we will still choose the Z06. The reason is very simple, that is, the Z06 has more pure driving pleasure, the real manual gearbox, the rear wheel drive is always ready for hurricane and tire drift, and the sound of the V8 engine is always intoxicating. Even just looking at the appearance, this centennial edition is hot enough.
GT-R is still a great car, and we also admire its strength. But only when you push it to the limit will it be fun to drive it, and it is still difficult for you to feel your existence when you are sitting in the car most of the time. The Z06 can not only dominate the track, but also excite you when you drive it to the grocery store. (The article was compiled from: www.insideline.com)
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