599 GTO Performance

I recently watched a YouTube video where a race took place between a Nissan GTR, a Corvette ZR1, and a 599 GTO. The GTO was the slowest per the video. Is such really the case or was this a staged loss?

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtVVF601HmE[/ame]

If it is this video, the GTR and Corvette have both been modified, but the Ferrari is stock. Also the 4WD of the GTR helps on the wet pavement.

I'd still take the GTO over both of these cars together.

 

I would have thought the GTO would have a lot better showing.

 

absolutely mate ... any day ...

 

Both the ZR1 (Lingenfelter) and the GTR were hot rodded and not stock. GTO was stock. Results not surprising. Plus the race was run in the wet, which gave the GTR a big advantage with AWD. Times for the GTO in the quarter were over 13 seconds and would normally be in the mid-10s.

 

That's the problem with 599's in general, seeminigly GTO included...................they're only "good" in text book ideal conditions (dry, warm and no challenging corners). Add a slightly wet road and performance is ~30% off, at least judged by this video.

There's also a youtube clip of an FF beating a GTO in slightly damp conditions too.

To each their own but I really scratch my head with the GTO, especially having now driven one.

 

The GTO is a great car to drive, both on and off the track. Mind you, she is a hand full, certainly in damp conditions but I have always enjoyed my GTO on a track. She handles really well also in challenging corners. Eau Rouge / Raidillon at the track of Spa is a blast with the GTO and you can take these very fast and challenging corners at high speed with the GTO but you have to drive it in full attack mode. Again, requires skill but that's what makes the GTO so nice to drive. Driver involvement is what makes this car stand out from the rest. For a front engine V12, it is amazing what Ferrari accomplished in terms of handling and balance with the GTO. Yes, the FF is amazing in damp conditions with the 4x4 system but the driving pleasure of the GTO is way better compared to the FF in my opinion.

I've been on the track with my GTO in very wet conditions and could easily keep up with Scuds and 458's. The 458C is obviously something else in terms of lap times but then again, that's a race car

 

The lines of a GTO are captivating. I do not care for the FF and the F12 seems a little too boxy to me. However, at over 400,000 USD, the GTO seems a little weak on the performance side vs. the more mudane Corvette or GTR. Is it really a traction issue that could easily be resolved with different tires?
Question for those with first hand knowledge of the GTO: Are there other inherent issues (service, breakdowns, failures) associated with the GTO? What is the approximate yearly cost associated with ownership of a GTO?

 

There aren't any inherent issues with the GTO and certainly nobody who has one is complaining. Annual running costs are just a service (in the UK). The GTO is a frighteningly fast car which can also be a very sedate cruiser. I don't think any owner wishes they'd rather bought a Vette or GTR - they may be fast but hardly desirable!

The biggest problem with the GTO is finding roads where you can use the performance (without getting locked up).

 

I just find these straight line shoot out videos utterly useless. There are so many variables involved which can make fast cars look slow and slow cars look fast. These type of videos rarely tell the real story.

 

And you could well be right, but I wouldn't say they were utterly useless.

In the FF vs GTO video, both cars are (were) owned by the same person, who genuinely wanted to see which was faster.

 

London John,

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=all+wheel+drive

 

Yep, I get the 4WD bit, but don't see the relevance.

 

My reply was somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but I was responding mostly to this:

My theory:

The delta is going to get larger and larger from optimal fair-weather performance and less-than-ideal performance as the hp goes up on the top-shelf sports cars. The electronics can only do so much with RWD, and since the automakers push the tire manufacturers to optimize the grip in ideal conditions, many times to the detriment of wet performance, the fall-off becomes amplified there too. On the flip side, at least the electronics also baby sit you to a certain extent if you get caught out in lousy weather, but most everybody who has one of these cars also has a few other vehicles much better suited when it's damp out.

Slightly OT, but check this MT test of the GT2RS in dusty conditions out, they come to a similar conclusion:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBrXft_p7Kg[/ame]

 

Agreed. Happy New Year M!

 

Same to you and your family Andrew. May 2013 be a great year with a lot of GTO (both 599 and 288 ) seat time.

Can't wait for the track season to start again