Car and Driver Lightning Lap

[Brady1984]

The 135 holds it's own in some very stiff competition during Car and Driver's Lightning Lap 2008.

[Ron H]

The CTS V seems pretty amazing.

The 135 more than held its own with cars that I thought would walk over it. This should quiet a few people.

[Breville]

I am amazed the 135i was quicker than the Elise and STI; that just goes to show what good choices we all made!!

[Brady1984]

I think this "class" of cars is a little large but then again the 1er is in a class of it's own.

[135forthewin]

Not to try to bring our cars down, but is anyone else dissapointed a Cobalt SS beat it?

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by 135forthewin

Not to try to bring our cars down, but is anyone else dissapointed a Cobalt SS beat it?

Not really, that little thing is a monster, in the same vein as the old SRT4 Neon. It weighs a lot less, doesn't make a lot less power, has a limited slip and a more track oriented suspension.

However, it doesn't have a comfortable interior, all sorts of silly fluff like headlights that steer into turns, wipers that sense rain, run flats, etc. It's a very different car, and it's meant to be a track star and not that composed on the road. The 135i is more of a GT car that's fairly composed on the track.

If you wanted a track car, and only a track car, a Corvette at current discounts would have been a much better choice.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by 135forthewin

Not to try to bring our cars down, but is anyone else dissapointed a Cobalt SS beat it?

The Cobalt SS is a fast bastard on the track. If you'll notice it outran the Evo as well. GM's performance division has set up shop at The 'Ring, and they're SERIOUS about chassis tuning these days. It's also a lot lighter than a 135i, with better tires from the factory.

The 135i really isn't meant to be track focused right off the showroom floor. The Evo on the other hand is, and that just shows how much credit they deserve for making a FWD run like that.