M3 performs admirably on Car and Driver's 2009 Lightning Lap Test

[Jason]

C&D recently conducted its 2009 Lightning Lap Test at the VIR track where the BMW M3 once again proved itself as one of the best performing cars available today, besting out most of the other mainstream performance cars participating in the test. Here is a list of the results:


1. Corvette ZR1, (2:51.8)
2. KTM X - Bow, (2:52.3)
3. Lamborghine LP670, (2:53.9)
4. Ariel Atom 3 (2:57.6)
5. Corvette Grand Sport (2:58.8)
6. Audi R8, 5.2 (2:59.5)
7. Lotus Exiqe S 260 (3:05.0)
8. BMW M3 (3:05.4)
9. Porsche Cayman S (3:05.8)
10. Porsche Carrera S (3:05.8)
11. Jaguar XKR (3:06.4)
12. Ford Shelby GT500 (3:07.4)
13. Audi TTS (3:08.4)
14. Camaro SS (3:09.5)
15. Audi S4 (3:10.8)
16. Nissan Nismo 370z (3:12.0)
17. Ford Mustang GT (3:13.3)
18. Genesis Coupe 3.8 (3:14.8)
19. Mazdaspeed 3 (316:2)
20. Subaru WRX (3:16.6)
21. Mini Cooper Works (3:17.1)
22. Volkswagen GTI (3:19.3)

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...3a05.4_page_13

[gthirtyfizle]

I can proudly say I OWN ONE haha.

[Jason]

Many here can, and should be happy with these results

[MrHarris]

Beating the Carrera S and Cayman S is quite a feat considering it's the updated models of both.

[STALKER]

and everyone is always saying the M3 needs a power increase, it uses its power well and it always translates to quick lap times.

[JCtx]

And 2 and 4 shouldn't even be there; they're specialized track cars. And yes, hopefully this will shut up those whining for more power .

[Lemans_Blue_M]

That is a very impressive lap time.

And this is despite the M3's 3,700 lb. curb weight.

It trailed the Lotus Exige by only 0.4 seconds, which boggles the mind when you consider the disparity in curb weights between the two cars...

The Lotus Exige S260 only weighs 2,020 lb (920 kg) with a full tank of fuel.

BMW deserves a pat on the back for the performance of this car.

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M

And this is despite the M3's 3,700 lb. curb weight.

3,606 buddy (page 42) . Our 6MTs should ring in right at 3,600 with a full tank of gas, so that DCT car probably wasn't full.

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

And 2 and 4 shouldn't even be there; they're specialized track cars. And yes, hopefully this will shut up those whining for more power .

Im kinda getting sick of all the ppl on this forum complaining that it needs more power when 90% of us here can't even extract the cars full potential with the power its got, including myself.

The M3 did a great job in this test. They were using Michelin Pilot Cup tires, but they did not make a significant improvement as expected, its in the article.

[Zoominrex]

What surprised me about this article was the TTS

[SS32]

Originally Posted by Zoominrex

What surprised me about this article was the TTS

+1, it looks like a fun car

[URBAN LEGEND]

Thats over 14 seconds off the pace.

[URBAN LEGEND]

Originally Posted by STALKER

Im kinda getting sick of all the ppl on this forum complaining that it needs more power when 90% of us here can't even extract the cars full potential with the power its got, including myself.

I guess i am on the 10 percent that can.

[BMWPower06]

WOW thats impressive!

[vshahv]

I am a huge fan of the Corvette ZR1... it looks amazing and performs even better.

[McLuVan]

woooooooooow
now if only I could drive my car that fast...

[SantaPimp27]

camaro beat the s4 hmmm

[TotalPower]

how did it beat the Carrera S?

[URBAN LEGEND]

Ok. My bad. The M came in second in the LL2 class. Close to 7 seconds of P1.

[sinajoon7]

nice

[vladberca]

[samuraisaiyo]

Wow ,cool