WRX STi vs. Evo8 vs. M3 SMG vs. RX-8 vs. 350Z

[SD_GR]

This is info and results from a series of shootouts on a circuit with 16 bends
between the following cars:

Subaru Impreza WRX STi v.8 2.0L, 265 HP
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII 2.0L, 265 HP
BMW M3 SMG 3.2L, 343 HP
Mazda RX-8 Challenge 1.3L 192 HP
Nizzan 350Z 3.5L 280 HP

The faster cars arrive at K1 in top around 200 kph and
exit K2 in 3rd or so. K3 and K4 are bends as are K6,7,8,9 but K5 between them looks pretty savage.

STi best lap 1.37.85 top speed 193.5 kph max lat g 0.96
Evo8 best lap 1.36.00 top speed 195 kph max lat g 1.06
M3 best lap 1.35.15 top speed 203.2 kph max lat g 1.09
350Z best lap 1.37.30 top speed 192.3 kph max lat g 1.12
RX8 best lap 1.38.60 top speed 175.1 kph max lat g 1.2

The cars were run in 2 groups but it's the same track nonetheless. There's several surprises here.

The RX8 and 350Z turned marginally better than the M3 on paper
(but didn't feel as solid and resorted to drama according to the authors). The Sti
apparently understeered quite a bit, the Evo responded best to ham-fisted
Tarzan-style stuff (I'm trying to read between the lines; the Z and RX8 got sloppy in shorter order
and the Evo was easier to hold on to).

Now consider what happened at K13, the right-hander with the wide exit.

Sti entry 143.1 kph exit 127.9 kph in 7.75 sec
Evo8 entry 144.3 kph exit 124.3 kph in 7.7 sec
M3 entry 146.3 kph exit 125.4 kph in 7.55 sec
350Z entry 138.0 kph exit 123.0 kph in 7.75 sec
RX8 entry 135.6 exit 117.1 in 7.85 kph sec

So the Sti enters slower but exits faster than the Evo, yet takes more time to
do so. The RX8 could use more HP or less gearing there I guess. The M3 is a missile with more of everything – power, g's, the works.

This material is property of this publisher and I include it in this post under fair use:

[Fight Club 2005], Drive, February 2005, Mototech S.A., ATH, GR.
The image is adapted from that on p222. All names are trademarks
of their respective owners etc.

I guess the real question remains though – which BOV is best and can I fit 20X7, 5X114mm, 20mm offset on a '02 RS?

[Digitalfiend]

I would be really surprised if that Z was on stock tires...or the JDM model is just better than the USDM one.

[Justin80]

I guess the real question remains though – which BOV is best and can I fit 20X7, 5X114mm, 20mm offset on a '02 RS?

Perfect.

[Z3RO]

too bad there wasnt an SRT-4 in the group..It would have owned.

[SD_GR]

I would be really surprised if that Z was on stock tires...or the JDM model is just better than the USDM one.

All the cars were stock and all the cars were registered in GR so there were no Japanese models. However, they did not list what tires/wheels came on each car specifically, and I don't know if the same setup is available from Nissan in your country. I'm more surprised at the performance of the RX8, which -- it appears -- gains with its balance and poise what it loses with its lower power and higher-spun torque curve.

too bad there wasnt an SRT-4 in the group..I would have owned.

Indeed. I don't actually know if the Neon, sold there as a Chrysler, comes with the turbo motor. I know they sold a 2.0L model there but I've never, ever seen on on the street. I've only seen Neons in the US.