15.10.2008
15th October 2008 – second update
Well the good news is that we’ve brought the cars back together again, all of them now in rude health and ready to be tested to the limit.
The bad news is that Silverstone today was a washout. Who said we were in the middle of an Indian-summer?
We recorded some good video of them all going sideways and there are some epic audio files that will appear on the site shortly, but we’d hoped to rerun our lap times which unfortunately we were unable to do.
The chaps have headed away tonight in search of some nice open roads to film the remainder of the feature so we will publish the digital magazine next week.
Most memorable observation from today was how sublime the LP560-4 was in the rain compared to the other two – Chris reckons he spun it three times but from where Neil and I were standing it was utterly awesome, you’ll enjoy seeing a Lambo being drifted as God intended.
The GT2 was… edgy. Dickie made every effort to perform for the cameras, but with its Michelin Cup Sport tyres on a flooded track he was never likely to achieve the balletic form of the LP560-4.
Jethro found it even more challenging in the Scuderia. Amazed at how sideways the Manettino settings would allow the Ferrari to become before eventually intervening, but on this sodden track its throttle response made the GT2′s seem downright friendly.
So, in our Silverstone re-examination the LP560-4 held a clear advantage, it sounded by far the best, was lapping miles faster than the other two and ‘looked’ the most enjoyable to drive.
Now on to the road section of our test and hopefully some drier weather to even the score.
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12th August 2008 – first update
It was going to be The Big Test – and it felt pretty special when a metallic grey Ferrari 430 Scuderia pulled up alongside the bright white GT2 and candy orange LP560-4 that had been waiting for it at Bruntingthorpe. The schedule was straightforward but bloody hell it was exciting – straight line figures up to 180mph or so in the morning at Brunters, an evening on the Silverstone GP circuit followed by a night time dash across to north Wales and a full day on the brilliant roads there.
But having spent weeks trying to get this test together it all went wrong quite early on, with one of the cars suffering a technical fault and leaving our plans in tatters. Oh well, these things happen. We’ll be recreating the test in the next 2-3 weeks and to be honest I’m even more excited by it now we’ve had a bit of a preview. Not quite all was lost on the day, as we managed to get some video footage of the cars in action. We’re working on a short but sweet edit that’ll go up early next week, which will hopefully go some way to compensate you for the delay. Believe me, we share your pain.
One thing’s for certain: when it happens this promises to be an extraordinary test. The LP560-4 – which I drove on the launch in Las Vegas – feels miles better than those early cars: everything from the e-gear ‘box to the ride quality and the epic power delivery seem of an entirely different order. On UK roads it’s outstanding. The Porsche is just outrageous: terrifyingly fast and yet with a control that you wouldn’t believe for a rear-drive, rear-engined car with 523bhp. You might expect it to feel a bit ‘ordinary’ in this company but nothing could be further from the truth.
And the Ferrari? Well, it’s rubbish… Only joking. It’s just as good as we remember: crammed with technology that actively enhances the experience and helps you make the absolute most of every single revolution that the incredible V8 engine can give. It’s focus extends beyond the track too. On the road it seems to glide over the surface yet nail itself to any apex you point it at. It really is a remarkable piece of kit. Whether it can match the sheer thrill of the loopy GT2 and the drama and intensity of the LP560-4 we’ll find out soon enough… I hope you don’t mind waiting just a little bit longer.
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24 Comments
Marty
August 12, 2008Awww. I was looking forward to reading this one! Oh well, best of luck in re-staging the test in a couple of weeks…
Marty
August 12, 2008Awww. I was looking forward to reading this one! Oh well, best of luck in re-staging the test in a couple of weeks…
Chris Jones
August 12, 2008Laughs!
Technical fault, eh.
Do cars not breakdown any more?
Shame about the test being delayed. Did the Ferrari go up in flames…
Chris Jones
August 12, 2008Laughs!
Technical fault, eh.
Do cars not breakdown any more?
Shame about the test being delayed. Did the Ferrari go up in flames…
Bryant
August 12, 2008I wonder which car’s failure caused the delay. I’m guessing that it was the Ferrari…
Bryant
August 12, 2008I wonder which car’s failure caused the delay. I’m guessing that it was the Ferrari…
Alan
August 12, 2008You weren’t responsible for the pranged grey 430 Scuderia which has appeared in various pictures recently ??, seems a bit of a coincidence !
Alan
August 12, 2008You weren’t responsible for the pranged grey 430 Scuderia which has appeared in various pictures recently ??, seems a bit of a coincidence !
Steve
August 13, 2008All cars left Silverstone in the condition they arrived in, it was mechanical issues that scuppered the day.
Steve
August 13, 2008All cars left Silverstone in the condition they arrived in, it was mechanical issues that scuppered the day.
Tim
August 19, 2008I hope there will be some images of this test available. My wallpaper needs it to brighten up my day at work! Also can we have some pictures of the Maser test? The photography was fantastic.
Tim
August 19, 2008I hope there will be some images of this test available. My wallpaper needs it to brighten up my day at work! Also can we have some pictures of the Maser test? The photography was fantastic.
Chris Caldwell
August 20, 2008Hey whatever happened to the gorgeous wheels the LP560-4 had in all the original pics Lamborghini sent out. The were far better then what I have seen on the LP560 in any recent test.
Chris Caldwell
August 20, 2008Hey whatever happened to the gorgeous wheels the LP560-4 had in all the original pics Lamborghini sent out. The were far better then what I have seen on the LP560 in any recent test.
tribeca
August 20, 2008The wheels are optional. I think they look great though a lot people aren’t keen for some reason.
tribeca
August 20, 2008The wheels are optional. I think they look great though a lot people aren’t keen for some reason.
bule1101
August 20, 2008So which car went wrong?
bule1101
August 20, 2008So which car went wrong?
Joe Slow
August 21, 2008sorry about the blow-up, but where’s the preview video?
Joe Slow
August 21, 2008sorry about the blow-up, but where’s the preview video?
ResB
August 23, 2008I like the video teaser. C’mon get the full monty up.
ResB
August 23, 2008I like the video teaser. C’mon get the full monty up.
tribeca
August 24, 2008Amusing laugh after the big drift in the Lamborghini haha
tribeca
August 24, 2008Amusing laugh after the big drift in the Lamborghini haha