Forza Motorsport 6: Sushi vs. Hamburger Redux

Remember several years ago when then-Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson tested an old Lotus Exige S (the one with the supercharged 2ZZ-GE engine in the middle) round the Top Gear Test Track and then raced against The Stig in a Ford Mustang and won? It was the old sushi vs. hamburger debate and now, that tale's about to be retold in its modern-day equivalents.



These are the modern-day equivalents I am talking about. Here, I've been rejoined by the V6-powered Lotus Exige S, the car capable of balancing big power and light weight at the same pace on the track. As for the Mustang side, I've gone for the most track-honed Mustang yet, the all-new GT350. Specifically, a specially-made GT350R. Let's hope this Mustang sounds as it should be because it's been updated twice after problems faced with the GT350's exhaust sound.

Anyway, what can you expect about these two? Well, both of these track-day, road-legal machines are well in tune with the racetracks thanks to its motorsport-derived dynamics that allows themselves to go through the corners as smooth as a baby's buttocks like those triplets in the picture. Although the Lotus Exige S V6 is a bulkier Lotus due to the bulk of its engine, its midship layout and its crafty dynamics still feels like the lightweight Lotus of yesteryears, making it the ideal track toy that you can use it harder and longer, as long as you don't pit in against ultra-lightweight machines like the Atom or the Mono because that would be suicidal.

The GT350R, a special model based on the GT350, is basically a hardcore sixth-generation Mustang I am really like and in fact, I like this one better than the old 1960's GT350 because the old GT350 is for Gran Turismo losers and the new GT350 is fit for Forza faithfuls like you and me. However, there are some idiots, presumably Gran Turismo fans, listed numerous things why they hate the new GT350 as well as many reasons not to buy one. One of the main reasons why is because it's a Forza car and you know how idiots react to cars featured in a Forza game. Anyway, while the V8 engine it powers it is not as powerful as the old GT500, its race-derived dynamics really compensates it and you can really set very fast lap times in this pony car if you set things right. Word of warning, however, is despite its newly sophisticated suspension setup like in the standard Mustang, it can still kick you off like a mechanical bull on the bar.




Now it's time to compare these two round the Top Gear Test Track and see if the whole sushi and hamburger debate still applies in this modern-day equivalents. Let's get crackin...


And now the results. The Lotus Exige S did it in 1:23.130 while the new Shelby GT350 did it in 1:23.389, meaning that light is right when it comes to track-day sportscars and looks like the sushi trumped the hamburger, but only just.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

With the latest generation Ford Mustang's taking shape thanks to its new engine choices, a much modern design that harks back to the past, and a new suspension setup that matches up against Europe's finest, looks like Ford's on the roll to turn the Mustang into a global sportscar. If this car's going global in style, perhaps one Mustang we want in our wishlists is this advanced version of the new Mustang, the new Shelby GT350.

2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

In the glorious past, the GT350 is known to be one of the most iconic and collectible muscle cars of the 60's, Now, fast forward fifty years to now and the legendary GT350 nameplate is back as the most advanced version of the new Mustang and because it's becoming a half-decent sportscar in its own right, you might think that this car is all buff and all bluff but no.

First up, the new GT350 is powered by an all-new 5.2L Flat Plane Crank V8 engine producing 526HP of power and 429lb-ft of torque while mated exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox. While it doesn't sound much for a V8-powered muscle car of this magnitude, it's powerful enough to roast some marshmallows when it makes a swift getaway.

2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R

Ford says that the new GT350 is more track focused than the previous GT500, which is known to be the most powerful Ford ever made it doesn't learn much despite the big power in its V8 engine. Of course, while this may not be the fastest Ford ever made, the handling will really remind you of the recently deceased Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. Yep, it's like a Porsche 911 GT3 edited for rednecks but if there's something even more redneck than a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Ford will offer you a more hardcore GT350R.

The GT350R removes all concessions of comfort as well as implementing more aerodynamic features inspired by the base GT350 and the implementation of space age materials, turning this buff car into a potent track weapon that can be enjoyed most of the time. With the GT350 and the GT350R, this pony car's got talent when it comes to slip past through corners. However, there's a much bigger consequence when it comes to driving it because while this is essentially a much sportier take on the modern Mustang, you'd had to think twice about using it on a day to day basis, well save it to the base GT350, because if you've gone for the R, you'll find yourself in a hard place because with all that concessions of comfort deleted from the inside, you may find yourself struggling to live on the streets.

Either way, the new GT350 from Ford is all about being a well-proven track performer that benefits from the new Mustang's drivetrain to become as better as what European sportscars do during track days. Of course, while this maybe a track weapon but it's essentially a muscle car that likes to throw a party at the neighborhood, something that will wake the neighbors up on a late Saturday night.

Should you buy one? The new GT350 starts from $49,095 for the base to $62,595 for the R so it maybe sound much but it's more affordable to own one rather than an expensive European sportscar you've been longing for. Anyway, if I had something to say about the modern GT350, one thing comes to my mind and that is I want this car better than the classic GT350 of the 60's and who can't blame them? The video games I blame...

Photo: Ford Motor Company