Hot Lap Commentary! BRZ, GR86, Golf GTI, Golf R | Car and Driver Lightning Lap 2022

[@andreww2927]

So glad C&D is still doing this. Still the benchmark in US lap times.

[@radgeh5924]

Having worked around race tracks a little, this is how real drivers talk, always re analyzing shift or no shift, line choice. You could drive the same car on the same course all day and still wonder about subtle changes you could make and not be 100% happy with any 1 lap. Delightful!

[@RoadrunGTI]

These small nuances that can all add up to big differences in laptimes is what makes HPDE and track events so much fun. And now with technology to analyze video and data in the paddock right after a session, it's even more fun.

[@JEdmund81]

VW really needs to address these inadvertent button presses on their steering wheels. Hope they do it before the MK8 mid-cycle refresh.

[@UsgBifJgpwltA]

Just a software update enabling people to disable the capacitive buttons when in race mode would be enough

[@JEdmund81]

@@UsgBifJgpwltA good idea!

[@derbigpr500]

They'll realize this haptic feedback / touch BS is just bad and they'll go back to buttons very quickly, just like everyone else.

[@JEdmund81]

@@derbigpr500 Let's hope so. They'd be crazy not to. I'm surprised they went this route when they could have seen the fiasco Honda dealt with a few years ago.

[@brianreardon7700]

I got my 2022 gti about 6 weeks ago… love the way it drives.. but i have now accidentally turned on the heater button on the steering wheel 100 times now hahaha.. have mercy!!

[@davidrivera2165]

Carlos, I'm thrilled that you're at Car and Driver. For those of us that go back to David E. Davis & Brock, an automotive jounalist was pimarily a writer by trade. You are sitting next to an automotive writing legend. Rich Ceppos would take us into the experience. We were not viewers, or readers, but participants. As the old saying goes: " The man, the myth, the legend".

[@KTH96]

Really pleased with the GR86/BRZ. Once they offer the Brembo package, I'll be placing my order.

[@Blight-fp3vt]

If anyone was wondering, the time difference between the GR86/BRZ twins was all down to the hairpin at the start of sector 3 (the one right at the bottom of the track map pictured). He was down about 4mph around that bend, and didn't quite get on the throttle as early so compromised the exit speed 2 mph or so.

[@DM-ye9mm]

what a win for "car and driver' to have carlos on board. one of the best in the business.

[@aaronbryan5095]

I'm really glad that the 2nd gen GR86 and BRZ no longer feel sluggish. When the GR Corolla finally gets launched, I look forward to the results from your thorough testing.

[@maxwelltolstedt]

These videos are an awesome way to experience Lightning Lap!

[@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921]

100% This is what automotive enthusiasm is about.

[@Liplip40]

Will be great to see more investment in video content. Also, I grew up reading Ceppos.

[@Cogito1978]

These videos are amaizng for enthusiats and fill a great niche in the space. Keep them coming. Bravo on learning "grand course" of VIR in a day - its huge!

[@FairladyS130]

After wading through loads of crap videos at last, some enjoyable and informative BRZ/86 racing video. Thankyou!

[@cyberneticxylem9614]

5:04 I'm not sure if that's an Initial D reference...

[@Dre_Zoom]

Absolutely wild seeing Rich on YT. I grew up reading everything he wrote in C&D.

[@obsidian....]

Still so happy Los is over here now

[@backseatdriver8902]

The Golf R would go sub 3 with good tires. I wonder if you can use painters blue tape to cover the buttons? Just for track days?

[@revaholic]

Fantastic commentary!

[@pabauza]

Pedal cameras please.

[@lanegunnell1218]

VW did everything so right w/ the driving dynamics of the new Golfs. But they did everything SOOOOOO wrong w/ the infotainment. It's an absurd mess, especially compared to the brilliant simplicity of last gen. I've purchased two new Mk7 GTIs and was anxiously awaiting an upgrade to the Mk8 R, but not anymore. My money is going elsewhere: Type R? Type S? N? GR? We'll see, but it's not VW.

[@gabrielflores1149]

I was considering it but dealers were asking $5k over MSRP ($52k total almost). Went with a $60-ish M340i brand new and it lapped faster than a lot of things lol 3:03.

[@bobmizoski9669]

I don't think this old guy has driven the old GTIs or truly understands them, he said he was surprised it beat some sports cars... despite the GTI being classified as a sports car and the leader of hot hatches... they are arguably better then the new ones, especially with a tune

[@aroundomaha]

I'm a little surprised that the time was a tad lower for the BRZ/86 but the brakes seem to be an issue. It is too bad the 2022 Civic SI wasn't in this year's LL as the LL1 class could have used more entries.

[@Blight-fp3vt]

Under these conditions, not knowing the track or the car, its always going to take longer to get the flow going on a RWD car. Not just the BRZ/GR either, all RWD cars require a fair amount of practice.

[@ClaytonYatescarenthusiast]

I've always wanted to work for a magazine.. i mean literally my whole life just always had to run my business and hold down jo s so never even considered it an option. But now I could and truly believe I'd be great. Know a lot about cars, went to school for mechanical engineering and am a race car driver. Built several race cars. No offense these guys are great but I hold several track records. My strong suit is getting a stock car to the limit. I tied randy pobst at willow in a slightly slower setup 16 camaro in less favorable weather. Do you guys have a hiring process or website to apply?

[@BM-235]

Mystified by comments on the R. I think if the car is in a selected mode say "Race" or "Nurburgring" simply pressing the R button on the steering wheel doesn't change the selected mode. You then have to select the change on the touch screen.

[@guiltyspark652]

This watches more like a driving critique meeting than a car review

[@RoadrunGTI]

Car AND Driver 😉

[@SlowDriverSean]

Awesome video.

[@petermartin9494]

Bigger rear anti roll bar = slightly less understeer = slightly faster lap time.

[@deanmarr785]

VW pleases fix the new infotainment.

[@ebigford34]

id like to see the M240i with some real tire under it, or even the optional setup. 225f width isnt great, probably 0 camber as well.

[@Duke_Silver22]

Elantra N next year please

[@tonyquiroga3777]

It's on the list.

[@SaxmanUSMC]

@@layne4376 more than likely it will be 1-2 seconds faster. Depends though if they lap the manual or DCT.

[@SaxmanUSMC]

@@layne4376 I owned a 2021 Veloster N DCT and now own a 2022 Elantra N Manual. The Elantra is as fast as my Veloster N DCT straight line, and is more balanced in the corners. Yes, the Elantra N will be slightly faster around the track, with the added torque from the upgraded turbo, updated suspension, and chassis bracing and stiffening.

[@SaxmanUSMC]

@@layne4376 definitely won’t deny that is a possibility. They did size up the brake rotors and put Michelin PIlot Sport 4S tires on the Elantra, which will more than likely mitigate most of that weight difference. Which is already a pretty small difference.

[@live1053]

GT86?

[@guiltyspark652]

Yeah… title typo

[@AzFarhad]

Wait, I thought every driver drove every car and in that way they eliminated the driver factor from the lap times. How come he drove only four cars?

[@TheChillBison]

Capacitive steering wheel buttons... What focus group requested that idiocy? You guys shoulda put some duct tape over them.

[@QuietStormX]

Like on the other Video, No Chevy Camaro or the C8??? ;-(

[@caranddriver]

We've had them at previous events. See the Corvette, for example www.caranddriver.com/features/a35368145/2020-chevrolet-corvette-stingray-z51-lightning-lap/

[@mheinrichs]

Sooo..the new GTI is only a couple seconds than a 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS on outdate Goodyear Eagles? It would be a mighty fine experiment to put some modern tires on a Cobalt SS and see just how good that chassis tuning was/is. Dooo it. Dooo it. Dooo it!

[@RoadrunGTI]

You're assuming you can still find a Cobalt SS. One thing the GTI has over the Cobalt...staying power.

[@Blight-fp3vt]

its 'GR'86, not gt =D

[@Yan7001978]

Ok VW did you eard that? Get rid of these buttons for the wheel and the infotainement now! I'm waiting!🙄