I subscribe to R&T and read that article. I immediately thought that the test was rigged. Millen is a former factory driver for Nissan, and IIRC is still on the payroll as a consultant. Perhaps they should have asked for factory Corvette and Porsche drivers to balance things out. However, I'll wager that Nissan would not give R&T the GT-R without Millen being the driver. This is very bad practice and R&T will be dragged over the coals for this one.
It's not uncommon among car magazines to have skewed tests. Car & Driver is the absolute worst when it comes to predetermining the test result. I remember when they claimed that a 4 cylinder Camry could snap off a 7.1 second 0-60 some years ago. Down a ski slope perhaps, but a 3,400 lb car with 160 hp isn't producing those numbers.
IMHO, the most biased, slanted and dishonest automotive journalist in the business is Pat Bedard.
In the most recent issue of C&D, Bedard, for the second time in two years, selected the VW Rabbit as the best sporty entry level car. He gave it 20 points for "gotta have it". Really? VW dealers can't give away Rabbits... Sales are far below the competition. I guess the public doesn't have to have it after all. Honda Civic? Nope. Mazda 3? Nada. Subaru Impreza? Not this time. Mitsu Lancer GTS (here's the "gotta have it" car of this category)? Not this time. How about Suzuki's superior handling SX4 Sport? Nope, 6th place, they didn't like the center arm rest (no kidding). Saturn's new Astra (a huge hit across the pond)? No chance... Opel is a competitor for VW in the EU.
This was supposed to be a test of 4-door cars. However, they brought in a 2-door Rabbit. Why? The fact that the 2-door is 100 lbs lighter is my guess.
I'd take the Mitsu or the Suzuki over the Rabbit in a heartbeat.
Car and Driver tests have several categories that are totally subjective and award the greatest points. Thus, the test can be skewed as they wish. C&D hasn't been the same since David E Davis left... No integrity these days.
My regards,
Widewing
