Explanation of Zanardi's Quick Times?

[Rubber Chicken]

I was browsing the FAQ and noted that the Zanardi is merely 50-60 lbs lighter than 97 coupes with power steering, and it seemed odd to me that their 0-60 and 1/4 mile times were so much quicker in comparison.

Where does most of this difference come from? Reduction in unsprung weight? (lightweight wheels) reduction in parasitic losses from the engine (no power steering), maybe even a stiffer suspension helps lauches with traction? or is it merely the 50 lbs.

Or perhaps was the 97+ test car an NSX-T which is substantially heavier than the Zanardi...

Basically I'm looking for what the single largest contributor of the Zanardi's exceptional speed is.

 

[Litespeeds]

Most likely the DRIVER. I think it is kind of unfair to post numbers if the car is not tested with the same driver, same conditions, etc. I find it very hard to believe a stock NSX can run high 12's. Maybe the driver speed shifts and drives the car like no normal person would?

 

[Kirthasa]

The vast majority of post-97 NSXes are targas, which means that the weight difference is more like 200 lbs.

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by Rubber Chicken:
I was browsing the FAQ and noted that the Zanardi is merely 50-60 lbs lighter than 97 coupes with power steering, and it seemed odd to me that their 0-60 and 1/4 mile times were so much quicker in comparison.

The fastest test times reported by the magazines (4.5 0-60, 12.9 1/4) were achieved by Car and Driver in a '97+ NSX Coupe that was not a Zanardi.

 

[Zuerst]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
The fastest test times reported by the magazines (4.5 0-60, 12.9 1/4) were achieved by Car and Driver in a '97+ NSX Coupe that was not a Zanardi.

I always thought that they did it in a Targa by the looks of this video www.nsxprime.com/Gallery/multimedia/cd2001.rm in the Gallery...

 

[nsxtasy]

It was a '98 Kaiser Silver coupe.
http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Media/magazines/cd9808.htm

 

[Rubber Chicken]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
The fastest test times reported by the magazines (4.5 0-60, 12.9 1/4) were achieved by Car and Driver in a '97+ NSX Coupe that was not a Zanardi.

All things being equal, a Zanardi will out accelerate a Coupe hands down.

They should have tested a Zanardi under whatever conditions (temp, density, humidity, road stickiness) they tested that coupe.

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by Rubber Chicken:
All things being equal, a Zanardi will out accelerate a Coupe hands down.

Hands down? Hardly. The only advantage in acceleration of a Zanardi is due to weight savings of 54 pounds vs a comparable coupe. According to Bob Butler's analysis, that will improve 0-60 and 1/4 mile times by less than one tenth of a second.

So let's see... first you said that the Zanardi test figures were faster, and that was wrong. Now you say that they ought to be substantially faster ("hands down"), and that's wrong too. Anything else you'd like to get wrong?

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 14 February 2003).]

 

[Option2]

Originally posted by Rubber Chicken:
Where does most of this difference come from? reduction in parasitic losses from the engine (no power steering)

NSX's that have power steering use electric power steering.



------------------
Jay
'96 Red/Black

 

[Rubber Chicken]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
So let's see... first you said that the Zanardi test figures were faster, and that was wrong.

According to Bob Butler's analysis, that will improve 0-60 and 1/4 mile times by less than one tenth of a second.

that will improve 0-60 and 1/4 mile times

will improve 0-60

improve

improve

improve

improve

You didn't say "improve" did you? Because it sounded like you said "improve" I dunno.

First you say the zanardi's test times wont be faster then you say its time will improve. Which is it man, I'm confused. lol.

Now you say that they ought to be substantially faster ("hands down"), and that's wrong too. Anything else you'd like to get wrong?

If you apply a 1.0 pound force to a brick that weighs 1.0 pounds for 1.0 seconds. Then you apply a 1.0 pound force to a brick that weighs 1.1 pounds for 1.0 seconds.

And repeat that 10,000 times. I guarantee you that HANDS DOWN *wink wink* that the brick weighing 1.0 lbs will move farther every time.

Take away from that analogy what you will. Interpret "hands down" how you will.

 

[Z18]

I've not done a timed quarter mile, but I did get a 4.7 second 0-60, and I've seen skidpad reports of .99g on the Zanardi, which I agree with.

I'd guess we're talking 12.9/13.0 quarter mile, since the NSX's acceleration gets noticibly slower at higher speeds (e.g. it's not a good car to, say, race someone from 80-120mph, while it's fine off the line).

(that's one thing I really like about the 996 Turbo... it's not only damn fast off the line, especially with the AWD, but the acceleration from 80mph up is sweet... even in sixth gear... but if drop it into 4th, look out

-Z18