High performance road test fest

They are not particular flashy and the world barely notices you go by. They are not fast and will eventually get to the national speed limit.

They don’t consume fuel like a varsity student does on Saturday at the local derby game. And it is during these days when sensible reigns and we earn our money as motoring journalists.

But then there are days you go all rock star and live life in the fast lane. And I literally mean in the fast lane.

The week I just had saw me drive three of the quickest production cars in their relevant segments and run around with a total of R5.4 million of metal under my right foot.

These cars are not transport. The cost is more than the average person can afford, and they love guzzling fuel when you make use of the addictive pace they offer.

The three protagonists I tested in order of simple pricing are the Audi R8 V10 Plus at R2 365 500, the Nissan GT-R Track Pack at R1 746 700 and the Jaguar F Type V8 S at R1 385 000.

I not going to try and pit them against each other as each car appeals to a very different buyer. Two only offered seating for two people and not much else in terms of real luggage space, but I will cover a brief technical highlight, road test figure and what I did and didn’t like.

AUDI R8 V10 PLUS

AudiR8 V10 Plus

The R8 was by far the car that attracted the most attention, something this car has been doing since it was first launched in 2007. Now in its latest guise not much would have changed to the untrained eye.

Buying the Plus means you get a host of add-on parts made of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP), including the sideblades on the flanks, the side mirror housings, the enlarged front spoiler and distinctive diffuser. Some of the other new good stuff is hidden under the aluminium so to speak.

The R8 V10 Plus produces a massive 404 kW and 540 Nm of torque from its 5.2 litre V10 naturally aspirated engine and now also comes equipped with the exceptionally good seven-speed S tronic gearbox. That is good enough to get you to 100 km/h in a mere 3.95 seconds, across the quarter mile in 12.10 seconds, the one kilometre mark at 244.44 km/h while going onto a top speed that comes in at 302.69 km/h.

The grip, drive and steering precision from this machine are the best of the lot.The exhaust note is also something very special and hearing a highly tuned, high revving naturally aspirated engine screaming to 8 000 rpm and beyond is something to savour as these engines are fast becoming a thing of the past.

So is there a downside? For me it had to be the interior switchgear.

The R8 is not a new car anymore and it shows when you drive some of the recently released Audi stuff. This does not mean it is not a good place to be, it just reminds you that Audi interiors have moved on a little.

NISSAN GT-R TRACK PACK

Nissan GT-R Track Pack

I jumped out of the very smooth Audi into a somewhat more hardcore Nissan GT-R Track Pack. And by Track Pack I mean you get exclusive carbon fibre Recaro front buckets seats, while the rear seats go missing in action for a more track-focused interior.

On the outside 20-inch forged aluminium black RAYS wheels add a visual differentiator to go with a titanium exhaust muffler, and some cooling enhancements thanks to the addition of cooling fins, under cover ducts and a reduction in plate thickness in certain areas of the muffler. A new carbon fibre front splitter is also part of the Track Pack for improved aerodynamic efficiency, as well as a new air guide to aid in cooling the brakes.

However, the most important part of the Track Pack is the revised suspension setup, which has been exclusively developed by GT-R development driver Toshio Suzuki and NordRing Corporation. Hard spring rates have been adopted much like those of the GT-R Spec V, affording less body roll during high-speed cornering but still allowing for good ride comfort in a city environment thanks to aluminium dividing pistons within the shock absorbers.

This car is as focused as a professional athlete at the very top of his game and, as such, won’t appeal to the meek and the mild. That is its downside with the massive upside being it can’t be beaten at double the price.

With a twin-turbocharged 3.8 litre V6 engine that pumps out 397 kW and 628 Nm the ride is only for the brave with 100 km/h coming up in a mere 3.47 seconds, the quarter mile and one kilometre at 11.55 seconds and 251.08 km/h respectively. Top speed stops at only 315.41 km/h and along with it all bar room bragging by mere mortals in their multi million rand exotics.

JAGUAR F TYPE V8 S

Jaguar F Type V8 S

The last of my 300 km/h and beyond monsters was the ever impressive Jaguar F Type V8 S. You could foolishly call it the baby in the group but it is the best priced at R1 385 000 and makes the least amount of power at 364 kW.

But, and this is a big but, the ‘baby’ of the test trio rips into the competition and the tar like a child possessed.

Add a healthy 625 Nm of torque to this power from the tried and tested 5.0 V8 supercharged mill, all driving through only the rear tyres, and you know you are going to have fun with this two-seater convertible sports car.

The eight-speed Quickshift close-ratio automatic gearbox, with no fancy launch control function, blasts this machine to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, the quarter mile in 12.47 seconds and the one kilometre at 245.20 km/h. The top speed comes in at a very limited 304.93 km/h in only sixth gear.

If this car was allowed to reign free, I think it could actually get past the GT-R! I am not sure though why you would want to do 300 km/h in a convertible – but if that is what you want Jaguar has just the car for you.

This car tries to do subtle, but it doesn’t really succeed and is best when provoked.

Jaguar say the F Type is a continuation of a sporting bloodline that stretches back more than 75 years and encompasses some of the most beautiful, thrilling and desirable cars ever built. I have to agree.