Sport Auto May 2020 Issue includes the Supertest of the 718 GT4. Some highlights below:
Generally favourable as one might expect, same overall % score as the first generation.
All images CREDIT Sport-Auto May 2020
Nordschleife time with the same driver, Christian Gebhardt in 7:32, 10 seconds faster than the earlier car. Most of the time difference is in the run from Foxhole to the highest point on the circuit, Hohe Acht.
718 lap
981 lap
Odd differences, for example why new one slower/faster/slower/faster through Flugplatz through to Foxhole section? I think it just shows the variability of one run to the next even with the same experienced driver.
Weight, 718 70kg heavier than 981, of this 15kg is on the front axle and 55kg rear. I wonder how much is GPF? Both running with PCCB brakes. Also looking at the scales below, the 981 set up weights don’t too optimal, it doesn’t confirm that either were run with these settings but one assumes they would.
718 scales
981 scales
Dyno performance had 981 with 450Nm torque and 390PS, the 718 with 400Nm and 412PS. Both seem odd, I remember Jens Ehresmann telling me he had questioned the 981 torque numbers with the guy who ran the dyno tests but did not get an answer he could understand. Also for what it is worth, Jens also said that in his experience 9A1 3.4 engines dyno test results trended above the specified power and the 3.8 engine trended below. The graphs are below.
718 dyno
981 dyno
So what does it tell us?
Not how a heavier less powerful car can be 10 sec faster
Not how much difference a later tyre specification might make
Not why one should trade a 981 for a 718
All a little confusing perhaps? Anyway enough for a discussion....
Generally favourable as one might expect, same overall % score as the first generation.
All images CREDIT Sport-Auto May 2020
Nordschleife time with the same driver, Christian Gebhardt in 7:32, 10 seconds faster than the earlier car. Most of the time difference is in the run from Foxhole to the highest point on the circuit, Hohe Acht.
718 lap
![GT4-718-Nordschliefe-Lap.jpg](https://i.postimg.cc/brYQXhFr/GT4-718-Nordschliefe-Lap.jpg)
981 lap
![GT4-981-Nordschliefe-Lap.jpg](https://i.postimg.cc/BnP2fNNT/GT4-981-Nordschliefe-Lap.jpg)
Odd differences, for example why new one slower/faster/slower/faster through Flugplatz through to Foxhole section? I think it just shows the variability of one run to the next even with the same experienced driver.
Weight, 718 70kg heavier than 981, of this 15kg is on the front axle and 55kg rear. I wonder how much is GPF? Both running with PCCB brakes. Also looking at the scales below, the 981 set up weights don’t too optimal, it doesn’t confirm that either were run with these settings but one assumes they would.
718 scales
![GT4-718-Weight.png](https://i.postimg.cc/YS1gh95j/GT4-718-Weight.png)
981 scales
![GT4-981-Weight.jpg](https://i.postimg.cc/MT5QmLKS/GT4-981-Weight.jpg)
Dyno performance had 981 with 450Nm torque and 390PS, the 718 with 400Nm and 412PS. Both seem odd, I remember Jens Ehresmann telling me he had questioned the 981 torque numbers with the guy who ran the dyno tests but did not get an answer he could understand. Also for what it is worth, Jens also said that in his experience 9A1 3.4 engines dyno test results trended above the specified power and the 3.8 engine trended below. The graphs are below.
718 dyno
![GT4-718-Dyno.png](https://i.postimg.cc/MHs1qFhD/GT4-718-Dyno.png)
981 dyno
![GT4-981-Dyno-1.jpg](https://i.postimg.cc/wBKLqJbS/GT4-981-Dyno-1.jpg)
So what does it tell us?
Not how a heavier less powerful car can be 10 sec faster
Not how much difference a later tyre specification might make
Not why one should trade a 981 for a 718
All a little confusing perhaps? Anyway enough for a discussion....