Quote:
Originally Posted by NISFAN
These reviews tend to be supported by the factory, so have a team of technical bods on hand to ensure car performs as it should, new tyres, brake pads, pressures, fuel type, etc.
The driver probably gets a few sessions of practice as well as one or two quali style timed runs. For reference. The driver being a racing driver and a Hockenheim circuit veteran means a pretty accurate account of a single timed run.
Whilst the times are very impressive, what is unknown is how consistently the car would lap a 5-10 lap stint. Important for Track day drivers, and how good it feels at that pace. The 6MT lap looked not much fun at all, but hopefully at 8/10ths the car feels more connected than it looked on the wild 10/10ths lap we saw.
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I agree they tend to, BMW being an exception.
GTS was tested without factory support.
Recall Andy Pilgrim had to request Cup 2's for his M4 CS track test. BMW was content to send a podium Le Mans finisher out on Pilot Super Sports for a timed lap on a 23 turn 3+ mile track.
And in the case of the G8X, no reason why they shouldn't have arrived to Sport Auto on Cup 2 since they're a factory option and it was a hot lap test. Perplexing, really. The PS4S times are remarkable, but you'd put your best foot forward and objectively the Cup 2's are better suited to the process and slightly faster over one lap.
I don't think BMW M put nearly as much support (or forethought) into these tests as Porsche and Corvette, for example. In some ways maybe that's more commendable. They're not stacking the deck in their favor, they're true dual purpose cars and should be tested as such. But it won't get them the best results as compared to factory supported tests.
As for how it'll fare over a 5-10 lap stint -- G8X looks to be very near GTS pace. In combination with weight, that means too fast for both Michelin options if you're really getting after it on consecutive laps. G8X track drivers will have to pursue more durable aftermarket options, same as usual.
M's have always been a handful at 10/10ths with a lot of emphasis on the driver, and it's good to see that continued in my opinion.