Mustang GT350R runs similar lap times as the GT3.

[TSM330i]

Guys, you have to take the time comparison to the GT3 with a grain of salt.
If the Ford drivers are coming within 0.1 or whatever it is to a GT3 - who drove the GT3? Was it a Porsche factory driver as the Ford was driven by or was it a journalist or Randy Pobst that posted the time for the GT3?

To put this in perspective, Jim Mero (sp?) from GM drove a new Z06 at VIR and beat the 918 lap time that was set during the C&D Lightning Lap. During the Lightning Lap, it's the journalists driving the cars and they only have a few days to drive ALL the cars. They don't have XX,XXX number of laps behind the wheel of each car.

So, for Ford to make the statement that the 350R is extremely close to the new GT3 - yes, it's believable. It just may not pan out to be that close when they're driven by the same person.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by EfEightyM3

Trofeo are a much better tire I believe.

So it sounds like the Gt350r should be compared to the GT3RS, and in that case I wish it a lot of luck.

Now that is getting silly.

The fact that the GT350R compares well to a 991S or... heaven forbid even a GT3... at the track simply says that Ford did a great job with the car. Once you start talking about a limited production, $200,000, GT3RS that is effectively a street legal race car then we need to stop the discussion because we are now into crazy world IMO.

[FrankiE90]

not a heart of a Ferrari but close enough.
i'm quite excited bout the gt350

still not a Porsche but I'd hit it.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by EfEightyM3

I honestly have a hard time seeing it matching a 991S either, especially now that the refresh is right around the corner. Even a base 991 currently, which is a 4 year old model beats the m3/4 and the 991S is in another league. The 991.2 is going to be a significantly faster car from everything I've heard from Porsche insiders, and that's saying a lot considering the performance the 991 puts up now, and every manufacture has been scratching their heads since the inception of the 991 and it will only continue.
I dont for a second believe the GT350 will be putting down numbers anywhere near a GT3. My guess is the GT350 was dialed in on Trofeo R's or something giving it a distinct advantage and not an apples to apples comparison. We will see when some independany tests come out but a 3700 lbs car with 520 Mustang hp is going to have a hard time running even with a 991S.

Originally Posted by gthal

OK... we'll see. Don't get me wrong... I really LOVE the 991 and am very close to buying one myself but don't be too blinded by fanboyism. It would not surprise me at all if the 350R beats the 991S and is close to a GT3. It is as close to a race car as Ford currently builds. Put another way... the Z51 C7 and the 991S run neck and neck on most tracks. I cannot imagine the GT350R doesn't beat the Z51.

The GT3, btw, is on r compounds too if I'm not mistaken. I thought it came with Sport Cup 2's... similar to the Trofeo.

Originally Posted by EfEightyM3

Trofeo are a much better tire I believe.

So it sounds like the Gt350r should be compared to the GT3RS, and in that case I wish it a lot of luck.

Why are you guys talking about Trofeo R's? GT350R comes with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2.

[Law]

Originally Posted by Strongbark

This shot is

Ford might just have a real winner in its hands, especially at this price point.
I can't get over how awesome that motor is gonna be.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

Why are you guys talking about Trofeo R's?

GT350R comes with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2.

First... he brought up Trofeo's because he was in disbelief of the lap times... not me

Second... thanks for clarifying... so both on equal tires

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by gthal

First... he brought up Trofeo's because he was in disbelief of the lap times... not me

Second... thanks for clarifying... so both on equal tires

Doesn't the 991 GT3 come with Dunlog Sport Maxx Race, softer/sticker than Cup 2.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

Doesn't the 991 GT3 come with Dunlog Sport Maxx Race, softer/sticker than Cup 2.

I thought it was the PSC2... at least the one I saw in person had those tires. Maybe the owner changed them out from Dunlops?

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by gthal

I thought it was the PSC2... at least the one I saw in person had those tires. Maybe the owner changed them out from Dunlops?

Yeah, your are right US cars get PSC2. I think the Dunlops are an option overseas.

http://rennlist.com/forums/991-gt3/8...-michelin.html

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by Law

This shot is

Ford might just have a real winner in its hands, especially at this price point.
I can't get over how awesome that motor is gonna be.

Pricing will be above MSRP, especially for the GT350R. Real world, I say between $10-20k over MSRP.

Regular GT350 in a year will be at MSRP, but I bet the R's stay above MSRP

[chris82]

Originally Posted by fcman

Impressive? If they said it was within .5 sec of the GT3 I would say it's impressive. Being faster is almost unbelievable, even if it is only on one track so far. This car is less than half the price of the 911. And it's not like the track they are testing on is some really wonky setup that would overwhelmingly favor the Ford. I'm a big 911 fan but I don't see how someone looking for a weekend track toy could pass over this car and pick up a GT3 without giving it a hard look and some serious thought.

Buying a Mustang over a GT3 for track use? That's comical. Who wants a 3600lb track car?

Originally Posted by EfEightyM3

Agree. Highly doubt this will be anywhere near what a GT3 can do. I'm sure the 'comparison' is more marketing hype due to the GT3's Godly status and the ultimate benchmark when it comes to trackable street cars.

Love the look and a lot of M3/4 guys are going to be crying when they see what this car is going to do it those cars at a nice chunk less money.

It's all marketing hype. Did you see the video of the Honda Type R that is as fast as an M3 around the track? All marketing. They don't release specifics on the driver or tires so it keeps everyone guessing and waiting for real tests.

[SunnyD]

Originally Posted by chris82

Buying a Mustang over a GT3 for track use? That's comical. Who wants a 3600lb track car?

Buying a $130K car for track use that you could potentially put in the wall? That's comical too, unless you're super wealthy.

[David70]

The fact that we are having a debate comparing a GT3 to any Mustang is a great accomplishment for Ford. It would be on my list of cars to consider. I also can deal with it being some fraction of a second faster or slower around a track than a GT3.

[buildbright]

The gt350r is a track car it I'm disappointed it's not faster then a GT3. If the non R was on par with the GT3 that would be very impressive. The GT3 is very civil. Now if the R was on par with the GT3 RS that would be something.

[EfEightyM3]

Originally Posted by gthal

Now that is getting silly.

The fact that the GT350R compares well to a 991S or... heaven forbid even a GT3... at the track simply says that Ford did a great job with the car. Once you start talking about a limited production, $200,000, GT3RS that is effectively a street legal race car then we need to stop the discussion because we are now into crazy world IMO.

How is it silly? The GT350R is like a street legal race car, a 991S is a GT car. Even the GT3 is more geared for street use than track use. The GT3 RS is the true track car.
I am also betting that most GT350R go for 100K and over. They are only making what, a couple hundred? You won't be getting one for 60k.
Again the times were marketing hype. I'm sure it was some time set by a factory driver versus a journalist time or something like that. Next they'll tell us is also beat the mclaren, Ferrari and Lamborghini in some weird scenario too. But again the GT3 is THE car to beat.
It's similar to how the Type R just beat up on the m4 at the track except that was actually head to head.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by buildbright

The gt350r is a track car it I'm disappointed it's not faster then a GT3. If the non R was on par with the GT3 that would be very impressive. The GT3 is very civil. Now if the R was on par with the GT3 RS that would be something.

The GT3 is absolutely a track focused car... check out some of the reviews of it vs. the 458 Speciale There are very few cars that can keep up with a GT3 on the track.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by EfEightyM3

How is it silly? The GT350R is like a street legal race car, a 991S is a GT car. Even the GT3 is more geared for street use than track use. The GT3 RS is the true track car.
I am also betting that most GT350R go for 100K and over. They are only making what, a couple hundred? You won't be getting one for 60k.
Again the times were marketing hype. I'm sure it was some time set by a factory driver versus a journalist time or something like that. Next they'll tell us is also beat the mclaren, Ferrari and Lamborghini in some weird scenario too. But again the GT3 is THE car to beat.
It's similar to how the Type R just beat up on the m4 at the track except that was actually head to head.

You seem to have some kind of denial thing happening here... you are making all kinds of assumptions as to why the 350R couldn't possibly be close to the GT3 but you may be completely wrong.

I don't disagree that it could have been biased and pure marketing hype but we don't know. Until we know, I think it is a bit fanboyish to be saying it can't possibly be true. Wait... it can't POSSIBLY be true... must be hype

P.S. I also do not think it will match the GT3 in the wild but I'm also not as black and white "not possible" as you are

[M3Bimmer77]

I still buy cars based on what I'm needing them for and the use. Still the design of these Mustangs do not win my eye. Have you guys seen that big hole between the headlights? Its awful!!! to say the least. Am being really picky? It can be outrageous fast but still that design doesn't beat a Porsche, a MB or a BMW. And I don't think it beats an M4 or a GT3. I would like to see results on 10 laps.

[buildbright]

Originally Posted by gthal

The GT3 is absolutely a track focused car... check out some of the reviews of it vs. the 458 Speciale There are very few cars that can keep up with a GT3 on the track.

I agree it is track focused but the GT3 is very civil day to day. The GT3 RS is a different story. Trust me I wish I could vindicate the purchase but I'm too frugal for that car. The M3 suits me just fine but I think a ZR1 might be on the horizon. I keep seeing nice ones in the 50's.

[EfEightyM3]

Originally Posted by gthal

You seem to have some kind of denial thing happening here... you are making all kinds of assumptions as to why the 350R couldn't possibly be close to the GT3 but you may be completely wrong.

I don't disagree that it could have been biased and pure marketing hype but we don't know. Until we know, I think it is a bit fanboyish to be saying it can't possibly be true. Wait... it can't POSSIBLY be true... must be hype

That is my hypothesis. When we see them compared we will know, but just going by what is known, they facts don't compute to me.

GT350R, 3700 lbs, 526 hp rating, and likely only puts down 440-450 to the wheels.

GT3, 3300 lbs, 475 hp rating and likely also putting down 450 to the wheels

Not only that, the GT3 also has the best dual clutch transmission available in any car on the market today.

Does that add up to you?

Again, we will certainly see in testing, and I don't see myself being proven wrong. I do not by any means want what I am saying to be construed in any way other than that I am highly skeptical.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by SunnyD

Buying a $130K car for track use that you could potentially put in the wall? That's comical too, unless you're super wealthy.

True, but car for car, the GT3, or any 911 is going to be the better track car, and more preferred. The GT350 R looks incredible, but so do a lot of cars, and the ones you see at the track the most are BMWs and Porches.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by TSM330i

To put this in perspective, Jim Mero (sp?) from GM drove a new Z06 at VIR and beat the 918 lap time that was set during the C&D Lightning Lap. During the Lightning Lap, it's the journalists driving the cars and they only have a few days to drive ALL the cars. They don't have XX,XXX number of laps behind the wheel of each car.

Maybe, but the Z28 was also pulling numbers in places that were only equaled by the 918, which goes to show that the americans have learned a thing or two about how to make a car handle AND go fast in a straight line. As these cars get progressively better, we see things like this. It also gets progressively harder for porsche to make a better car on their rear engined chassis, if you throw enough money and development at it, you an eventually do it, at least to a point, but the manufacturers with a superior chassis layout can do it for much cheaper with less extreme engineering challenges.

I'm not a "mustang" guy or one that has a certain allegiance to a certain brand, I go with what I like at the time, but you have to give serious props to cars like the 350, and yes, it may end up being a far better performing car than ones that cost more, or even as good as ones costing many times more.