Just_me

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Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster

Designed by a non-Italian for German bosses, the Murcielago is still the best wedge-shaped Italian supercar design I know. And as a roadster it's even better because the beautiful rear end becomes a showpiece. Overall, I want a harder ride with less three-lettered drive technology involved. I like the all-wheel-drive idea, but now the 3,670-pound dry weight is about 400 pounds too much. Simplify the suspension engineering and lose some weight, and this could be the most perfect Italian exotic of all time. Adding power and making ceramic rotors available, as will happen with the new version for 2006, will help.


Maserati MC12 Stradale

The "Stradale" part of the name is misleading. Simply stated: If you really want to drive this car properly, take it to a large track. Its 630 bhp and 471 lb-ft of torque demand long straights and sweeping curves, especially given the car's length. The sound of the exhaust and the sensation inside the cockpit are both completely amazing. The racing Cambiocorsa transmission is fast and fun, though it would be better with a higher redline than just 7700 rpm. I hope Maserati survives, because it needs to make more cars like this if only to dominate the FIA GT1 class.


Pagani Zonda F

This is the perfect Zonda. The 602-bhp version of the AMG 7.3-liter V12 is one of the best engines of all time. Weighing so little and with so much power and torque, the Zonda F is a good competitor for the Maserati on a large, long track. Horacio Pagani always emphasizes the heart and soul of his hand-made cars and never the performance. I think he can start talking about performance a little bit more now. In this class, I see it as a bargain given the huge price for the MC12. There is some talk that Pagani Automobili is on a thin financial edge, but it's a company that always survives.


Porsche Carrera GT

Key to the Carrera GT equation is balance. Weight distribution of 42/58 is spot-on for a rear-mid-engine car. I think most people would drive away from here in this car after a lot of thought and debate. It's not just the weight configuration, but also the exterior proportions, the Porsche name and the steering response. As full packages go, this a good one. The Carrera GT, Boxster and Cayman S rear-mid philosophy is Porsche's way into the future and I have a feeling that 911 sales will make up less and less of the annual budget as time marches on.

The Artist

Thnx for the article .. nice read.. no clear winner.. but it seemed like they didnt have anything to complain about the Zonda.. and atleast one thing for the others.. so yeey for Pagani

Just_me

no clear winner but they would take CGT back home cause of a great package

SDNR

Thank you for the article Just_me, I would find it very difficult to choose between the Zonda F and the CGT - I'd probably just have to take one of each

martinbo

Despite my overwhelming preference for the Zonda's exotic looks and notwithstanding the Porsche's seemingly tricky twin-plate carbon clutch I can't help but feel that I'd opt for the CGT by a ball hair if pushed.

Other than that, yup, my sentiments exactly...

Merc1

I would take the Zonda, CGT, Murci and MC12 in that order. A very difficult choice in deciding #1 I must say.

M

Centurion

Although the Murc isn't as "perfect" and refained as the other cars in the bunch it is really a good sports car. Escpecially when you look at the price tags. The Murc is 40-70% cheaper than the most super cars and therefor I don't think that it should be judged so hard. It's more or less the heapest super car out there and it's very good too.

The Artist

its a bit on the heavy side for a sports car though..

Tumbo

Is it only me that things that the MC12 is really UGLY?

martinbo

And in this company rather old-fashioned too...