Japanese cars are starting to join the ranks of supercars | FerrariChat

Japanese cars are starting to join the ranks of supercars

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by ascari_2, Dec 14, 2007.

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  1. ascari_2

    ascari_2 Karting

    Oct 9, 2005
    154
    Chicago area
    Full Name:
    Yuri
    Looks like the LF-A is now being clocked at 7:24 around the ring.

    http://motormagazine.co.jp/2007/12/20081_4.html
    和製sports car, toppling the GT-R for starting serious!
    GTO is packed with high-tech revival?
    LF-A is unspeakable, Nurburgring time 7 minutes 24 seconds
    RX-7 successor will have power to weight of 3 kg / ps units
    NSX successor to the V10 4.5 liter 580 horsepower


    And the r35 GT-R makes 475hp and 428ft/lb at the hubs
    http://www.nagtroc.com/forums/R35-Dyno-t20782.html
     
  2. DriveAfterDark

    DriveAfterDark F1 Veteran

    Jan 1, 2007
    9,148
    Norway

    Don't believe it before I see unofficial testing.

    When a Zonda F and a Carrera GT (which basically was made for the 'ring) don't get far below sub-30, 7:24 is too hard to believe...

    Maybe we'll see something from Honda as well in the future, but all spec's on that front is pure speculations. We don't even know if it will be a FR or a MR car.............
     
  3. ascari_2

    ascari_2 Karting

    Oct 9, 2005
    154
    Chicago area
    Full Name:
    Yuri
    As much as I agree with you, I look at the GT-R and remember how when the first ring numbers hit the web almost every person out there was in disbelief and said it couldn't be done. I remember seeing the threads on this forum also. But as we know now the nay-sayers have been proven wrong in that case. It would be hard to believe that the LF-A, which seems like it's being designed to be the flagship of Japanese sports cars, is going to be lagging behind the GT-R. Keep in mind that (and yes I know they are rumors) the word is that the LF-A is supposed to be a ~2800lbs car. When compared to the 3500+lbs/550hp GT-R, that weight combined with a 500+hp engine could very possibly result in the above-quoted lap times.
     
  4. JBsZ06

    JBsZ06 Formula Junior

    Dec 6, 2003
    761
    I don't believe the present times being discussed for the Lexis LSF or the Nissan GTR.

    I look forward to production examples hitting the "Road & Track"

    Should be insightful and if the performance being touted is real. Thats awesome

    If not? Well I'm sure they are still great cars.
     
  5. Mike J

    Mike J Formula Junior

    May 10, 2005
    570
    Ship Bottom, NJ
    Full Name:
    Michael
    They are most likely excellent cars, whether or not the performance will match a Z06 remains to be seen.
     
  6. masterflex164

    masterflex164 Formula Junior

    Oct 17, 2004
    630
    New England
    The LF-A will certainly be more reliable then the Z06. Looks like a great daily driver.
     
  7. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

    Sep 4, 2001
    12,887
    Cumming, Georgia
    Full Name:
    Franklin E. Parker
    ???...you can't really get more reliable than a Zo6 that only needs oil changes, tires and maybe brakes for the first $100k miles...
     
  8. ascari_2

    ascari_2 Karting

    Oct 9, 2005
    154
    Chicago area
    Full Name:
    Yuri
    You forgot about a new roof here and there.

    But in all seriousness, my beef with US sports cars if the lack of refinement in the cabin. The performance may be there, but when I am sitting in a Viper that has knobs from a Caravan, that just eliminates the idea of a whole package that I believe if present in the European supercars.
     
  9. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,599
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    Lol
     
  10. Akira

    Akira Formula Junior

    Dec 10, 2003
    440
    Well, Japan had the HP limit of 280HP until just few years ago. And now that limit is lifted. So expect a lot of fast cars in the future. And I believe LFA will be faster than GTR because Toyota will NOT allow their super car to be slower than GTR. It's pride thing, and Honda will come up with a car that is faster than LFA and so on. The cycle will go on.
     
  11. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
    35,532
    Victory Circle
    Full Name:
    HUBBSTER
    I hear the 08 Z06 has the cockpit covered in leather, havent seen it yet

    I plan on redoing my interior on my 07 in blue alcantara w a roll bar & some nice race seats

    These guys make some Gorgeous Vette interiors

    http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com/
     
  12. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
    8,046
    SFL
    Do you have a clue? The GM LS series of V8's is probably the MOST reliable line of V8's around.

    Unlike Toyota's exploding camshafts in their V8's.......
     
  13. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
    8,046
    SFL
    That is an option on ALL Covette's as we speak.
     
  14. ADON

    ADON Formula 3

    Feb 8, 2007
    1,059
    Just because it can go around a track fast, or in a straight line, does not make it a supercar. There's a lot more to it, and I'm not seeing any of that coming out of Japan.
     
  15. Pantera

    Pantera F1 Rookie

    Nov 6, 2004
    4,479
    Lets wait and see what the finished product does for all we know it could be a huge recall and drives like ......
     
  16. Pantera

    Pantera F1 Rookie

    Nov 6, 2004
    4,479
    +10

    Agree with that 100% it takes much more than performance at the Nring to be called a Supercar.
     
  17. LamboLover

    LamboLover F1 Rookie

    Jul 16, 2006
    2,541
    Texas
    Full Name:
    Rick
    That rule was barely followed by anyone even when it was in place. Anyone with dyno sheets knew those R34's were producing more than 280Hp. 275Hp is just what Nissan labeled it as.

    How are the nay-sayers been proven wrong? Nissan claimed they hit 7:38. However, once a magazine got a hold of it, the car hit only 7:50. It was obvious Nissan had something they weren't telling.
     
  18. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    6,484
    Haha, thats the same thing they were saying in the early 90s when they were convinced they would own the sportscar market.......remember the:

    RX-7
    3000 GT
    300 ZX
    Supra
    NSX

    Only one thing in common.......they failed
     
  19. DriveAfterDark

    DriveAfterDark F1 Veteran

    Jan 1, 2007
    9,148
    Norway
    3000 GT and 300ZX failed, the others did not - they meant something for the auto society - like it or not.
     
  20. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    6,484
    Which ones are still being made?........NONE OF THEM.........they failed, so they were discontinued.....

    Lots of failed cars made an impression......take the Tucker for example......but it still failed as a marketable car, as these did.
     
  21. senna21

    senna21 F1 Rookie

    Jul 2, 2004
    3,334
    Los Angeles, CA
    Full Name:
    Charles W
    What about the 348? Or the 355? By your logic those cars from that period failed as well as they're not being made anymore. :rolleyes: I'm quite confident the cars listed more than made back their development cost and added to their perspective companies profit margins. That's a success. It always amazes me how Eurocentric people around here are. Some of you are still living with that 1950's "If it's Japanese its cr@p" mentality.
     
  22. DriveAfterDark

    DriveAfterDark F1 Veteran

    Jan 1, 2007
    9,148
    Norway



    You logic in your first line sucks.

    As for failed marketing, people were hesitating to buy Japanese cars for the brand of it. They have now built a somewhat small heritage and they will continue to spit out cars. I know hundreds of people enjoying these cars, so to me - they have not failed at all.


    Oh and yes, they are missed: http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=434398&topart=sports
     
  23. wingfeather

    wingfeather F1 Rookie

    Feb 1, 2007
    3,653
    rock bottom
    It seems Japanese cars suffer from this same plague.

    My $60,000 Infiniti had buttons from a $9k Sentra !!!
     
  24. Pantera

    Pantera F1 Rookie

    Nov 6, 2004
    4,479
    You serious? damn and some guys complain about the C6 having a Cavaler steering wheel.
     
  25. masterflex164

    masterflex164 Formula Junior

    Oct 17, 2004
    630
    New England
    only because Toyota can't make a pickup. That's for the Americans. They were fine in the Supra, even though it wasn't a V8. If upgraded right, it could outrun most anything.
     

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