How We'd Spec It: Car and Driver's Lightning Lap Cars

Yahoo

20-02-2025

The 18th edition of Car and Driver's annual Lightning Lap—an event designed to distill a car's performance at VIR's challenging 4.1-mile Grand Course—featured 13 production cars and a wide spectrum of price points. The Hyundai Elantra N, with an as-tested price of $35,320, was this year's least expensive car, while the $729,458 Lamborghini Revuelto cost over 20 times that much. As we compared lap times and prices, which dictate the LL1–LL5 classes, a handful of us decided to spec our ideal version from this year's roster of track cars.
I'm no Lightning Lapper, but in the handful of times I've driven on a racetrack, one car has stood out: the ND Mazda Miata. Sure, with 181 hp, it's certainly not the fastest way around a track. But that's also what makes it one of, if not the best, ways to learn how to drive effectively on a track. Solid steering, a communicative and forgiving chassis, superb balance, and a sub-2500-pound curb weight certainly don't hurt, either.
For maximum driving fun, I went with the Club trim and its asymmetric limited-slip differential. The $4900 Brembo BBS Recaro package was a no-brainer addition for eponymous reasons. As for the color, while I contend Mazda's Soul Red is the best color in the business, I miss my 10th Anniversary Edition NB Miata dearly. So, as an homage, I selected Deep Crystal Blue Mica (which also saved me $595).
To keep that paint a bit more pristine, I added front and rear splash guards ($180 each). From experience with the NB, I know an overhead light isn't always enough to spot whatever you've dropped. The $380 footwell illumination kit should help with that—and add a bit more subtle style. And though a two-seater convertible won't ever be truly practical, the $60 cargo net and $225 Weather package's floor liners and cargo tray do make the Miata a bit more usable.
All told, my Miata build comes in at just under $40,000. That's not exactly cheap, but it's still less than the average new car these days. And the grin I'll have as I zoom-zoom around VIR or my local roads will be worth every penny. –Matthew Skwarczek
Read About the Miata Club's Lap
Cadillac's supersedan is a living legend. And since the life expectancy of a V-8-powered new car with three pedals might not be much longer than the 2:47.9 lap it turned at this year's event, the CT5-V Blackwing is at the top of my wish list. The car that posted that impressive time was fitted with the $18,000 Precision package, which includes carbon-ceramic brakes, grippier Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires, and myriad suspension upgrades that helped make it 1.5 seconds faster around VIR than a version we previously lapped without the kit. I love that Cadillac went all-out to make the CT5 even more heroic on a racetrack, but I'd skip that expensive option and focus on making my Blackwing a delightful daily driver that can embarrass pricier sports cars during the occasional track day.
I'm a green-paint guy, and the Caddy's available Typhoon Metallic is my kind of color. It's only a $625 upcharge, but I think it looks fantastic paired with the $1500 bronze 19-inch wheels (matching brake calipers cost an extra $595 but complete the look). While I think the CT5's face looked better before the recent refresh, the interior greatly benefits from the new 33-inch dashboard display. I don't prefer digital gauges over analog ones, but the pre-facelifted car already had a digitized instrument panel, and the overall dash layout didn't look great. It's better now, more cohesive. The only interior option I'd choose is the $8090 black-and-tan color scheme. Along with more supportive competition front seats, it includes nicer leather and puts it in more places. This is still a luxury sedan, after all.
Since I'm sticking with the standard six-speed manual, I can't option the hands-free Super Cruise system, which would've also cost me $5875, so I'm not mad. Instead, I'd get the $1600 PDR to record and analyze my lap times. That's it. My ideal CT5-V Blackwing rings up at $109,900. Not bad for a 668-hp four-door with rear-wheel drive and a back seat that won't make my in-laws think I'm trying to punish them. Although they might get the hint after a few glorious full-throttle runs. –Eric Stafford
Read About the CT5-V Blackwing's Lap
Look, there's really only one correct answer here and it's the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS with the Manthey kit. I'm dealing with hypothetical money, so that means I get to turn my nose up at drivel like the Miata, both Subarus, and both Hyundais. All fine cars any other week, but what I'm after is the wail of Porsche's eardrum-rattling 4.0-liter flat-six as it crests 9000 rpm. Mine will be coated in the $14,750 Paint to Sample Ultraviolet purple, thank you very much.
For $15,640, I'm tacking on a set of silver forged magnesium wheels. Wait, add another $13,250 to my tab because the mag wheels require selecting the Weissach package. A further $2170 is set aside for the Race-Tex and leather interior. Of course, I'll also be spending $540 for the heated seats. I want a track car, but what kind of monster do you take me for?
The $3040 front-axle-lift system is practically a prerequisite for purchase. Seriously, who spends a quarter-million dollars and decides it's just too much to bear another $3000 for peace of mind? For maximum stopping power, I want the $8000 carbon-ceramic brakes. Certified Porsche dealers charge $53,946 for the Manthey kit, which puts my spec at a cool $279,131. You may think I'm out of my mind, but I think I've acted with quite a lot of restraint. However, I'll need to put money aside for medical bills after the constant abuse of the flat-six's 106-decibel song. Unfortunately, Porsche's configurator doesn't show the Manthey kit, so you'll have to use your imagination to see the bitchin' aero mods—or you can check out Dave Beard's flying lap. –Jack Fitzgerald
Read About the 718 Cayman GT4 RS's Lap
It is always a pleasure to use Porsche's online configurator. 'Here, pick from almost every color we've ever offered on our cars!' says Porsche. I understand why most manufacturers don't usually offer as many colors as possible (rest in peace Mk 7 Golf Spektrum paint colors), but I certainly wish they would.
For my Taycan Turbo GT build, I went straight to the Paint to Sample colors. The Purple Sky Metallic is free and tempting, but I couldn't help myself. Speed Yellow ($13,150) is my choice, and I kept the 21-inch Turbo GT wheels but painted them Brilliant Silver for $1290. I painted the side mirrors Speed Yellow ($650) and the model designation on the rear the same hue ($270) then added the illuminated Porsche logo on the light strip for $460. I slapped on the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes for an even $900 and put a bow on my performance upgrades.
I gave this car the GT interior with accents in GT Silver for $2020, which includes heated rear seats. Score! Those heating elements might add unnecessary weight, but, hey, it's either that or cold passengers. I'll take the former. The Porsche Design Subsecond Clock is an $1120 addition, the fixed panoramic roof adds $1540, and the head-up display is $1670. However, the most important option of all, the Burmester 3D High-End Surround Sound System, cost me $5810. That brings the total price of my Porsche Taycan Turbo GT to $260,885, so it looks like I'm gonna need to win the lottery. –Carter Fry
Read About the Taycan Turbo GT's Lap
I love playing around with car configurators. It's what got me through Communication Theory my junior year (sorry, Professor Bruni). McLaren's configurator has always been one of my favorites, and after seeing the Artura in person at Lightning Lap this year, I had to create one for myself.
Paint was a tough choice between Belize Blue and Lantana Purple. Both go well with the Azores calipers I chose, but I picked the latter because I love how menacing Artura Spider's rear end looks with a darker color. It gives me General Grievous vibes. To continue the theme, I went with the 10-spoke Star Forged Alloy wheels in gloss black, which really helps those orange calipers pop. I left the wheels wrapped in the normal Pirelli P Zeros, though, as opposed to the P Zero Corsas because I'd like to survive getting caught in the rain. I had to option the titanium locking wheel bolts too because they reduce unsprung mass by a whopping 400 grams—serious race-car stuff. Finishing off the exterior, I checked the boxes for the sport exhaust with the stealth finish and a satin titanium engine cover. I also opted for body-colored everything. Say what you want, but I'm just not a carbon-fiber guy.
For my Vision-spec interior, I continued with the orange accents instead of Flux Green (why only those two options?), which pairs nicely with the McLaren Orange seatbelt. I selected the simpler Clubsport seats, but because my back already feels like I'm 60, I opted for the lumbar support. Another checked box was the Thermal Insulated Windscreen, as it can get pretty toasty on those nine sunny days we get in every year in Michigan. Speaking of the Wolverine state, the final must-have for my ideal Artura is the front-axle-lift system. How much does it all cost? No idea. McLaren doesn't list prices on its configurator, but the car we lapped at VIR had an as-tested sticker of $388,793. –Mason Cordell
Read About the Artura Spider's LapYou Might Also Like
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