I agree to a degree... the biggest part I have trouble believing is brakes not fading

but another reason my manufacturers get better times is they have 1 driver (usually a race car driver) drive the car on the ring for months, so they're really dialed in to the car and the track. whereas the journalist usually isn't a race car driver and they only have the car for a few days. Although the ones that do 'ring laptimes know the track quite well...

 

tires, driver, conditions... iirc the evo was on yoko a046s in the WET by a driver when it did 8:11. you could see him visibly losing traction early on in the race

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also, journalists aren't going to have a cage of protection in the car when they do their runs, nor is there any incentive for them to set a blazing fast run, aside from what they normally try to test.

 

What is the drivetrain loss percentage to the wheels for a FWD car?

 

Difficult to tell but one thing is for sure is less than a RWD and AWD car.

 

Doesn't that depend on where the engine is located? I suspect mid/rear engine cars do not suffer much drivetrain loss.

 

It depends on how much parts you have between the engine and the wheels.

 

True

 

I saw this at New York Auto Show. It just looks dated already and I agree with warmmilk physics says you will have issues with any system that does everything. I see brake fade an issue.

 

The CTR is nowhere near the physics 'limit'. Check out of some the fwd time attack cars. As for brake fade, it did not appear to be an issue in the ring video.

 

you'll be a lot ballsier in a time attack too if you've got a cage surrounding you. just saying.

 

who said anything about the CTR being near the physics limit?

my comment about brake fade was that I was surprised that stock brakes can handle it, not that they can't. assuming the pad they did the 'ring record lap with are the same pads that are in the car at the dealer... which I'm not entirely convinced of

 

So what are the suspected 'issues'. Do you think a fwd car can't effectively put down ~300whp while steering/braking? Plenty of evidence to the contrary out there. Not the least of which is the ring video Honda posted.

 

The question for those interested in getting one is how much are they going to build. This car could, effectively, be as unattainable as the previous not sold in the US cars.

 

are you referring to the comments about suspected cheating for the 'ring time?

 

This a street car from factory not a tuned race car. There are amazing fwd cars (I love fwd cars see name) and Honda builds some of the best out there. I am not saying you can't achieve amazing things with fwd with some $$$. But, there are physical limitations with the fwd just as there are with rwd. One those limits is all the work is placed on the front wheels including braking, accelerating, and steering. All through the front tires. Maybe those Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s are just that good.

I still find it hard to believe that you can have street brakes from factory not have fading issues doing what was accomplished, but maybe Honda has the magical formula. We shall see.