Wheels Mag

[BrentS]

No doubt a few of you have read the latest Wheels mag that hit the stands late last week. Notwithstanding the perennial "bandwagon hopping" that seems to go on with these magazine authors, I was interested in the GT vs HSV R8 article.

I have to admit a bit of disappointment (yet again) with Ford seemingly playing second-fiddle in the performance stakes to HSV. Without quoting specifics, the new 285kw R8 appeared to have it over the GT in both standing & rolling starts by a good half-second or so.

Before everyone gets into me with phrases about there being more to a performance car than 0-100 times, I realise that, and acknowledge that the GT was noted as being the sweeter-handling of the two etc. However, if I'd just shelled-out $65K or thereabouts for a GT, I'd be a bit disappointed if I had to look the other way every time a VY Series II Clubsport pulled alongside me at the lights. All too familiar???

I really hope that Ford find a way of getting a good 50kg+ out of the car by the time Series II comes out.............

[Zeke]

I guess you mean Motor magazine!

[plonky]

What you will find is that it is generally the best time ever recorded by MOTOR or Wheels that is written up in the facts/figures at the end.

I remember Michael Taylor qualifying a Expensive Daewoo SS time that used to be in the back of the mag. Jonathon Hawley recorded a freak time of 13.97 for the 400m and that time was subsequently recorded for the time of a VXSS.

Now for somebody to go and replicate that time would be nigh near impossible, but it was the best time recorded, not an average time that was recorded.

Ford test drivers have been recording high 13's for the GT however no one at MOTOR or Wheels has mastered the technique. Once one of those guys has done it, then it will be published a such.

Don't take too much into account for 0-100 and 0-400m times recorded in magazines. Back in the late '60's in the US, Hot Rod Magazine and others recorded times for US Muscle Cars such as the Plymouth Roadrunner 440 Six Pack etc. They would record the BEST time on the day as well as the AVERAGE time for the car. Therefore of the Roadrunner did a 12.8 quarter mile (longer than 400 m remember) and it's average was around 13.05 sec.

Magazines are about selling issues. The mag that runs a story that appeals to the most people sells the best so therefore the Ford v Expensive Daewoo battle will continue to change each month.

[mercturbo]

All I know is I would be slightly PEEVED if I had bought a series 1 VY R8 3 monthes ago with 260KW. This would HAVE to devalue the S1 even more "OUCH"

[Turbo6man]

BrentS, I agree. Bragging rights DOES sell cars and Expensive Daewoo have trumped Ford again ... geez, dont' you hate that?!!! We need to lose more than just 50 kilos though - try at least 150 to get competitive. And proper gear ratios would help those times along too. I think we'll see a "series II" GT with about 320 kw in the first quarter of 2004. As it is the new "flagship" of the BA range it will do no good for Ford to have it playing second fiddle, and an early upgrade is warranted - the rest of the range will get upgrades about Sep I would think.

[Turbo6man]

All I know is I would be slightly PEEVED if I had bought a series 1 VY R8 3 monthes ago with 260KW. This would HAVE to devalue the S1 even more "OUCH"

Why? Expensive Daewoo buyers have been copping this for the last 6 years at least - they just keep trading up to the newer ones and the "cheap" second hand ones are snapped up by young buyers who can't afford "new" but still want a "winner" - this is not really hurting Expensive Daewoo at all because they have such a high "perceived" value that their "real" value is of little concern to the buyers. All this as a result of excellent marketing of what is really just little more than an average product. You don't see second hand HSVs on the lots for long.

[mercturbo]

All I know is I would be slightly PEEVED if I had bought a series 1 VY R8 3 monthes ago with 260KW. This would HAVE to devalue the S1 even more  "OUCH"

Why? Expensive Daewoo buyers have been copping this for the last 6 years at least - they just keep trading up to the newer ones and the "cheap" second hand ones are snapped up by young buyers who can't afford "new" but still want a "winner" - this is not really hurting Expensive Daewoo at all because they have such a high "perceived" value that their "real" value is of little concern to the buyers. All this as a result of excellent marketing of what is really just little more than an average product. You don't see second hand HSVs on the lots for long.

I wasn't speaking for Expensive Daewoo buyers, I was speaking for me, but if you think these guys are not at all unhappy that their $65k car just got upgraded from 260kw to 285kw with better handling etc within a few months then you are entitled to that opinion. Generally, Expensive Daewoo has been upgrading 5-10kw per series not 25kw. I agree Expensive Daewoo does have a high percieved value, except maybe, to those who have had their piston slapping engines rebuilt

[Robbo]

Guys,

As most of you know by my sig, I have an XR6T in Phantom and love it. I'd also love a GT .. Who wouldn't ?! But I've just come home from the Sydney Motor Show and apart for Porsches, Maseratis and Ferraris, if money was no object, I'd be grabbing the 285 R8 ClubSport. It just wreaks of grunt and performance. I know that is not the only reason why we spend a lot of money on cars but all I can say is that Expensive Daewoo have a real winner there.