After hustling the car up and down a mountain yesterday it feels like a combination of cars I‘ve owned. At low revs the induction noise reminds me on my former M3 CSL with the carbon airbox. Shifts in Corsa are like the ones of the 991 GT3 RS. You can drive the car in Corsa mode like a Mitsubishi Evo turned up to 11, it inspires that much confidence. So far I can only rev it to 6000 rpm and no full throttle but it feels already fast, full throttle up to 8500 rpm is surely ballistic on mountain roads.
M3ike:After hustling the car up and down a mountain yesterday it feels like a combination of cars I‘ve owned. At low revs the induction noise reminds me on my former M3 CSL with the carbon airbox. Shifts in Corsa are like the ones of the 991 GT3 RS. You can drive the car in Corsa mode like a Mitsubishi Evo turned up to 11, it inspires that much confidence. So far I can only rev it to 6000 rpm and no full throttle but it feels already fast, full throttle up to 8500 rpm is surely ballistic on mountain roads.
It is, my friend. It is.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Lamborghini Huracan Performante (2019), Mercedes GLC63 S AMG (2020), Mercedes C63 S AMG Cab (2019), Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (2019 EU)
Apr 27, 2021 2:56:02 PM
May 26, 2021 6:11:07 PM
Still bedding in the car according to the manual, made it now to 1400km, so another 100km before going full throttle and increasing rpm up to 8500 from 2500km. Probably conservative approach but quite similar to the one A. Preuninger recommended for the 991.2 GT3 to which I adhered to and the car goes like stink so hopefully the same with the Lambo.
Having now gained more experience, the steering is very darty, the RWS really helps in tighter corners to rotate the car and the the 3 driving modes are very distinct. As the car is AWD, it's very enjoyable even in the rain despite the PZero Corsa tires, it inspires great confidence, has great grip and is predictable. Braking traction so far is not easy, let's see how it works when going full throttle. The brakes themselves have nicely bedded in, nice pedal feel and good stopping power. The star of the show is clearly the engine, it makes all the right noises at all revs, it's a peach. It pulls already good low down, spins very freely, is very responsive. Compared to the a GT3 it's already drama at low revs which makes also low speed driving much more fun, just listening to the engine. Can't wait to rev it to 8500 rpm. Did a quick German Autobahn run to up to 240km/h, 6000 rpm in 7. gear. The 7. gear has the same ratio as the 6. gear in my Touring but with a lower rev limit. On the other hand, 140hp more to play. The car sounds brutal at higher autobahn speeds, for longer distances the Strada mode will make things more sedate.
The only downside so far is the fuel consumption, it drinks like an alcohol addicted, despite running it in I can't get it below 15liters per 100km. As they say, there is no free lunch!
Hopefully I can put additional kilometers on the car over the weekend, weather should be good.
Mike
15 l / 100 km... Haven't seen this consumption since...like ever.
Auto mode, Strada, gentle throttle usage and staying below 140 kph gives you maybe around 12 l / 100 km. No fun though.
My average consumption is always around 20-21 l / 100 km but I drive in Corsa mode manual only.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Lamborghini Huracan Performante (2019), Mercedes GLC63 S AMG (2020), Mercedes C63 S AMG Cab (2019), Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (2019 EU)
Quick update, having now fully completed the break-in I could finally let loose the beast. For this I took the opportunity to drive one of my favorite driving loops in Austria, consisting of the https://www.silvretta-bielerhoehe.at/en/Silvretta-Hochalpenstrasse, more than 20 kilometers of fun, 34 hairpins being the perfect territory for the 4WD and AWS to show how good it is. For sure I had my preferred co-pilot my dad with me. With the AWS the car has virtually no understeer, turn in is very sharp in both Sport and Corsa mode. Traction is very good, although as the Hochalpenstrasse just opened and was very green, in Sport Mode with a more rear power distribution it spun its wheels many times out of hairpins. In Sport Mode the car shifts automatically at the red line, in Corsa not so you have to watch the blue shift lights to not bounce of the limiter as the engine revs so quickly. The car is fun to drive, for those who look for permanent tail-out action it is not the right thing, although it will power slide, surprisingly the best feeling I had in Corsa mode despite it being more balanced regarding the power distribution. As we really pushed it and did not get out of 3. gear, mainly second gear, oil temp went up to 120 to 125 degrees, water stayed at 90 deg. Oil temp is much higher compared to the GT3. Fuel consumption is terrible, it's nigh on impossible now to get below 20 liters, even including driving with cruise control on Swiss highways. Brakes are faultless, tires already look a bit worn after 2500 km.
Again, I never experienced so many positive reactions from other car drivers, bikers and bystanders, waiving, laughing, asking for picture, incredible, never experienced this with the GT3.
Is it more fun than the GT3? Difficult to say, it took me roughly 2000km to really gel with the car, finding the right driving position, btw the sports seats are even more comfortable than the Porsche buckets, we drove 400km and no complaints and my dad is 76. So far, I love the car, every time I leave it I have to turn around and have another look. The suspension is really compliant, soaking up everything so far. A proper German Highway run is on the cards, potentially this week when going up to the N'Ring.
Mike
Jun 22, 2021 10:45:19 PM
Nice review of a cool car. And good looking schnitzel too
22 GT3 Manual pending, 73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 18 GT3 Manual, 16 Cayman GT4, 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550, 79 635CSi
M3ike:proper German Highway run is on the cards, potentially this week when going up to the N'Ring.
Mike
Thanks for this interesting review. Seems that the GT3 always stays in a very special position even compared to the best italian cars.
Dave and I will be heading up to the Ring on Saturday. Will be looking for a bright green Lambo
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964 Carrera 4 -- 997.2 C2S , -20mm -- 991.2 GT3 RS
Jun 23, 2021 8:07:25 AM
Great to read, glad you're having fun!
M3ike:So far, I love the car, every time I leave it I have to turn around and have another look.
Tells you everything you need to know
Let us know if you'll still be around the 'ring at the weekend..
2019 911 GT3 RS,1964 Type 1
Thank you all for the kind words. As you all noticed the best thing is my father and myself spending more time with each other and him being always in very good mood after a drive. It also makes more fun together, it's our private space so to speak.
@ Eric and Dave, I'll be driving up to the Ring tomorrow night, was supposed to go tonight but the second vaccine shot put a spanner in the works. I stay at the Linder Congress hotel until Sunday noon, Saturday I'll most probably watch the NLS race from the Black Falcon lounge or I will drive down to the Mosel, enjoying some nice country roads with the Lambo. Whereabouts will you be staying, would be a good opportunity to meet.
Mike
M3ike:Thank you all for the kind words. As you all noticed the best thing is my father and myself spending more time with each other and him being always in very good mood after a drive. It also makes more fun together, it's our private space so to speak.
@ Eric and Dave, I'll be driving up to the Ring tomorrow night, was supposed to go tonight but the second vaccine shot put a spanner in the works. I stay at the Linder Congress hotel until Sunday noon, Saturday I'll most probably watch the NLS race from the Black Falcon lounge or I will drive down to the Mosel, enjoying some nice country roads with the Lambo. Whereabouts will you be staying, would be a good opportunity to meet.
Mike
Mike your attitude towards this ownership experience and sharing it with your dad is something to aspire to.
Jun 25, 2021 9:12:18 AM
DaveGordon:Great to read, glad you're having fun!
M3ike:So far, I love the car, every time I leave it I have to turn around and have another look.
Tells you everything you need to know
Let us know if you'll still be around the 'ring at the weekend..
I'll do my best to pop by as well!
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 / 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S / 2020 Ferrari 812SF
M3ike:
@ Eric and Dave, I'll be driving up to the Ring tomorrow night, was supposed to go tonight but the second vaccine shot put a spanner in the works. I stay at the Linder Congress hotel until Sunday noon, Saturday I'll most probably watch the NLS race from the Black Falcon lounge or I will drive down to the Mosel, enjoying some nice country roads with the Lambo. Whereabouts will you be staying, would be a good opportunity to meet.
Mike
We will be staying at Tiergarten. Saturday end of the afternoon we could have a beer at Pistenklause or other place . Sunday morning we will be around, could meet anywhere from Ring entrance to coffee place.
964 Carrera 4 -- 997.2 C2S , -20mm -- 991.2 GT3 RS
Porker:DaveGordon:Great to read, glad you're having fun!
M3ike:So far, I love the car, every time I leave it I have to turn around and have another look.
Tells you everything you need to know
Let us know if you'll still be around the 'ring at the weekend..
I'll do my best to pop by as well!
964 Carrera 4 -- 997.2 C2S , -20mm -- 991.2 GT3 RS