AutoBild magazine traditionally brings us interesting performance tests. This time its journalists decided to explore the potential of three sport convertibles — Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible, Ferrari 458 Italia Spider and McLaren MP4–12C Spider. They measured straight line acceleration and Sachsenring lap time of the cars. Ferrari became the winner of the tests thanks to its excellent atmospheric engine, rapid gearbox and fantastic sound. McLaren was second due to the set of its characteristics, though its performance was tangibly more powerful. Third place was taken by Corvette which did not manage to impress the journalists either emotionally, or by its performance characteristics. However, they admitted that it was not a bad car taking into account its price.
1st place: Ferrari 458 Spider (4,2/5 stars)
Great handling, fantastic sound, athletic combination of engine and gearbox, high emotions.
- Tyres: Michelin Pilot Super Sport (K1)
- Weight: 1552 kg
- 0–100 km/h: 3,6 s
- 0–200 km/h: 12,0 s
- Flexibility (80–120 km/h) in 5th/6th gear: 3,4 s/4,9 s
- Braking (100–0 km/h), warm: 33,8 m
2nd place: McLaren MP4–12C Spider (4,1/5 stars)
More expensive, much faster and less emotional than the 458 Spider.
- Tyres: Pirelli P Zero (MC1)
- Weight: 1512 kg
- 0–100 km/h: 3,1 s
- 0–200 km/h: 9,4 s
- Flexibility (80–120 km/h) in 5th/6th gear: 4,0 s/6,9 s
- Braking (100–0 km/h), warm: 33,5 m
3rd place: Corvette 427 Convertible (4,0/5 stars)
The relatively cheap Corvette needs much more compromise from the driver — but its character makes it highly enjoyable.
- Tyres: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 (ZP)
- Weight: 1545 kg
- 0–100 km/h: 4,3 s
- 0–200 km/h: 13,2 s
- Flexibility (80–120 km/h) in 5th/6th gear: 6,7 s/12,5 s
- Braking (100–0 km/h), warm: 35,2 m
Sachsenring laptimes:
1:33,51 min — Porsche 911 GT2 RS (997.2) (semi-slicks)
1:33,69 min — McLaren MP4–12C Spider (semi-slicks)
1:34,45 min — Audi R8 GT (semi-slicks)
1:34,82 min — McLaren MP4–12C Spider
1:34,84 min — Lamborghini Aventador LP700–4 (semi-slicks)
1:35,72 min — Ferrari 458 Spider
1.36,10 min — Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT
1:36,62 min — Corvette 427 Convertible
Source: http://www.autobild.de/
