M/T: The Leftovers (including Camaro 1LE, Focus RS, BMW M2)

[kevm14]

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/fiat/124 ... CB167935AF

We made some tough decisions, and although I think we cut correctly, we left some cars behind. In the days after the McLaren 570S’ win of our 2016 Best Driver’s Car, we discussed how to get the leftovers together for a separate shootout.

Fast-forward a few months, and we found ourselves doing what we love most: pushing great cars as hard as we can on the best roads we can find. We also called upon the services of our race car–driving buddy, Randy Pobst, to set lap times at the Streets of Willow circuit.

Basically they are saying they picked the GT350R but this is a shootout of the runners up since they all have good stuff to offer. Curious to see the 1LE V6 tested against the Focus RS as I've been claiming it holds up.

Meet what we have dubbed the Leftovers: the BMW M2, the Chevrolet Camaro 1LE, the Fiat 124 Spider Abarth, the Ford Focus RS, the Porsche 718 Boxster S, and the Toyota 86. Let’s be clear. These aren’t minor leaguers. They have serious performance chops. And unlike the six-figure price tags affixed to most of the BDC field, most of them have a family-friendly entry fee.

The competitive set’s excellence became clear after our testing when the first round of initial voting resulted in a four-way tie for first place—and no consistent voting pattern for the silver and bronze, either. Three days of nonstop arguing resulted in our photo finish for first through fourth place. The fifth place car was but a hair behind. It was so close that each vehicle deserved a rebuttal from a dissenting judge.

But this is a driver's car test and those kind of criteria are given priority over straight up performance.

[kevm14]

Focus RS summary:

With all this grip and an engine that just won’t quit, why didn’t the Focus RS finish higher? As much as I’d like to blame a West Coast conspiracy, the truth is the Focus RS rides worse than a dump truck. Its steering lacks the purity and play of the rest of our group.

It’s not a real driver’s car, but the Focus RS is a tremendous performance car and an easy choice for those where weather is a real concern

Each car gets a Rebuttal and this one agrees:

The last time I endured a suspension this harsh in so many environments was a Porsche 996 GT3 RS, but that was forgivable because #racecar. In the softer settings, the RS’ constant vertical upheavals dominate the driving experience so much that it’s hard to focus on what’s good in the RS.

Definitely down a peg:

The all-conquering Focus RS is only 0.11 second quicker around the track than the fourth-gen Subaru WRX STI. There’s a single way to get a car like this right, and there are so many ways to get it wrong. I can’t blame Ford for trying. I’m glad it did. It’s been such a long wait for this forbidden Euro fruit, but after tasting it, I think I’ll pass on my next slice, thank you.

It is still a fun car but not quite the total domination that some were saying.

[kevm14]

M2 was generally praised but it did place 5th - here is an explanation in the Rebuttal:

Cars in this test that could easily keep up with the BMW M2 on a winding canyon road include the Toyota 86, the Fiat Spider, and the V-6 Camaro. The car that can leave it for dead: the 718 Boxster. Ask me how I know.

I was a little shocked because around town the M2 feels fantastic. But when you push it hard or compare it to other cars, you realize it isn’t as great as you’d hoped.

The biggest culprit is the steering. It’s just … dead. There’s no feel whatsoever.

[kevm14]

Alpha with 1LE is just really good:

The first thing you need to know about the Camaro 1LE V-6 is that the front end never gives up. Go ahead. Try to force this car to understeer. I’ll wait. The steering itself is also exemplary, especially in Comfort mode, where the adjustable weighting seems to be just about right. What’s nice is that you can decouple the steering from the chassis mode. Sport or Track modes are a must for fancy driving, as the stability control is too intrusive if you just leave it in Comfort. The car is such a great handler that you can turn the nannies off with a high degree of confidence.

They definitely preferred the SS 1LE but that car is like $10k more expensive (I should confirm that - just a guess), which is relevant.

[kevm14]

They liked the 86 from a driver's perspective but imo, is just too gutless.

[kevm14]

They really like the Boxster but at $92,910 as tested, I would have REALLY liked to see it next to a Camaro SS 1LE, which is still half the price.

[kevm14]

Oh there are lap times at the end. I don't see a 6th gen SS 1LE tested. For reference, the old 1LE was less than a second off the winning Porsche Boxster so...like I said, with the numbers and engagement of the new SS 1LE, I think it would have stood a real chance.

[kevm14]

Camaro 1LE V6 was 1.68 seconds faster than the Charger Hellcat around this course. Lol

[kevm14]

Whoa, this is highly concerning. Look at the Focus RS's 1/4 mile:

13.6 sec @ 99.3 mph

99 mph trap??? WTF? Stupid EcoBoost. It was on Sport Cup 2 tires in case anyone asks...

[Bob]

On the Fiat:

Not once in 30 miles of tight, twisty road could he, in the 365-hp M2, pull away from me in the 164-hp Fiat. This isn’t because Evans isn’t a fast driver (he is), because the BMW isn’t quicker (it is), or because it doesn’t handle better (it does.) The Fiat kept up with a much more capable car because it earns its driver’s trust. That meant I could turn off its overly intrusive stability control and throw it into every corner without fear.

This driver trust thing is something I value a lot in a car. I know it doesn't necessarily translate into impressive numbers, but I like it.