MY TRACK TEST: 911 GT3 vs AMG GT R vs 675LT vs Vantage GT8
- 5 years ago
My four track focused cars are all quite similar on the face of it; they are the hardcore versions of base models, come fitted with wings, bucket seats and Alcantara galore, and all are rear wheel drive. Yet, there is so much difference between them in terms of powertrain, chassis, gearbox and more so where better to experience them one after another than out on the Nurburgring Grand Prix circuit.
During Car Freitag weekend, the Nurburgring Nordschleife is open for Touristenfahrten drives but also the Grand-Prix-Strecke opens for a high speed opportunity to experience a Formula 1 circuit in short sessions. Having driven from London to Germany, via Paris, with my four cars this was one of my dream opportunities to really stretch all of the cars and discover their similarities and differences together.
Starting out with the latest addition to the collection, my new Porsche 911 GT3, we're slightly limited by revs due to the running in period but nonetheless get a sense of the precision implement that the car really is. With a 4.0l flat-6 that can rev all the way up to 9,000rpm with a spine-tingling sensation as you go about it, the car feels small, tight and nimble on circuit.
Next it's into something totally the opposite and hugely manual, the Aston Martin Vantage GT8. As the only car in the line-up fitted with a manual gearbox, it's also sporting a large 4.7l naturally aspirated V8 up front and heavy steering, clutch and gearstick to really make it about the driving experience.
My third choice is to jump into the Mercedes AMG GT R, the 'Beast of the Green Hell' as it's known following development at the Nurburgring. With a tremendously long bonnet hiding away a 585hp 4.0l twin turbo V8 it is easily the most playful of the cars but equally incredibly fast and easy to push on for any driver.
Finally, it's my flagship, the McLaren 675LT Spider; a true supercar in every sense. With 675hp from the 3.8l twin turbo V8 (yes, there's a V8 theme), the stiffness that comes from the carbon tub as well as quite how lightweight it is make for a machine that just moves at light speed in a different category to the rest.
To culminate this mega experience, I'm joined by the team to take all 4 cars out for a few laps together to see, hear and enjoy these cars being driven how their engineers and designers intended them to be! It was a true pinch moment for me, something very special that I shall never forget and I'd like to thank all the guys for looking after the cars safely, and to all of you who watch and support the Shmee150 channel, without whom this would not be possible. Thank you.
Thanks for watching, Tim
Subscribe: http://bit.ly/Shmee150YT
Website: http://www.shmee150.com
Facebook: http://www.fb.com/shmee150
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/shmee150
During Car Freitag weekend, the Nurburgring Nordschleife is open for Touristenfahrten drives but also the Grand-Prix-Strecke opens for a high speed opportunity to experience a Formula 1 circuit in short sessions. Having driven from London to Germany, via Paris, with my four cars this was one of my dream opportunities to really stretch all of the cars and discover their similarities and differences together.
Starting out with the latest addition to the collection, my new Porsche 911 GT3, we're slightly limited by revs due to the running in period but nonetheless get a sense of the precision implement that the car really is. With a 4.0l flat-6 that can rev all the way up to 9,000rpm with a spine-tingling sensation as you go about it, the car feels small, tight and nimble on circuit.
Next it's into something totally the opposite and hugely manual, the Aston Martin Vantage GT8. As the only car in the line-up fitted with a manual gearbox, it's also sporting a large 4.7l naturally aspirated V8 up front and heavy steering, clutch and gearstick to really make it about the driving experience.
My third choice is to jump into the Mercedes AMG GT R, the 'Beast of the Green Hell' as it's known following development at the Nurburgring. With a tremendously long bonnet hiding away a 585hp 4.0l twin turbo V8 it is easily the most playful of the cars but equally incredibly fast and easy to push on for any driver.
Finally, it's my flagship, the McLaren 675LT Spider; a true supercar in every sense. With 675hp from the 3.8l twin turbo V8 (yes, there's a V8 theme), the stiffness that comes from the carbon tub as well as quite how lightweight it is make for a machine that just moves at light speed in a different category to the rest.
To culminate this mega experience, I'm joined by the team to take all 4 cars out for a few laps together to see, hear and enjoy these cars being driven how their engineers and designers intended them to be! It was a true pinch moment for me, something very special that I shall never forget and I'd like to thank all the guys for looking after the cars safely, and to all of you who watch and support the Shmee150 channel, without whom this would not be possible. Thank you.
Thanks for watching, Tim
Subscribe: http://bit.ly/Shmee150YT
Website: http://www.shmee150.com
Facebook: http://www.fb.com/shmee150
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/shmee150