So Porsche beat Mini.  By 2 very expensive seconds. 

[size=4]Your thoughts, gentlemen?[/size] [size=4][/size] [size=4]I am surprised that the 911 only outran the Cooper by 2 seconds.  Yes I know the course is designed to favour the FWD + short wheel base car, but still, only 2 seconds?[/size] [size=4][/size] [size=4]Consider watching the video on this page:[/size] [size=4][/size] [url=http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/22/video-the-race-is-over-but-the-mini-vs-porsche-hype-continues/#continued]http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/22/video-the-race-is-over-but-the-mini-vs-porsche-hype-continues/#continued[/url] [size=4]By the looks of it, Mini is planning back an Empire Strikes Back, without help from Lucas.[/size] [size=4][/size] [size=4]Granted, my knowledge for either brands is limited at best, but I can't help but to wonder, what if the Cooper S was taking on a Cayman S instead of a Carrera S?  Would that have made any difference?[/size] [size=4][/size] [size=4][/size]

Oh yeah, and this comment on AB made me ROFL: "BTW, anyone know the buxom mini girl's name? (there was nothing mini about her, besides her skirt) "

LOL...agree~~this is only an ad~~

cayman wouldve gained a bigger advantage...cuz its one of the few porches where the engine is at the right place... thus.. inprove handeling =D

nurburgring lap time.  . Mini Cooper S  9:31 (177hp)                                              Porsche 997 Carrera S 7:59:00  (355hp)

Don't be surprised by the result because: 1) You need to realize that 2 seconds difference on a small auto-X type handling course  is a lot !  Try to run your own car in an auto-X event, and you will see what 2 seconds would look like. Even on a small racetrack (like mission raceway), 2 seconds is quite a difference. So "only" by 2 seconds is actually a big difference. On a proper racetrack, a 997.2 C2S would lap a mini s.   2)The course (not a real racetrack) is clearly in favor of mini s,but a  C2S still managed to win by 2 seconds, that is pretty decent  result for Porsche. It is all about balance in a sport car, both cars are very nice,but they are simply not in the same class no matter what.  C2S is not a very fast car,and it doesn't handles that well either. Nevertheless, it is a very well balanced sport car and it carry the  class and prestige of a real porsche. 3)Yes. If the mini s was taking on a cayman s , that would make a bigger difference. A cayman s would beat the mini s by a few more seconds, but there is no need to use a cayman s. Even a big pig like 911 turbo would beat that mini s in that small handling course. I've been to a few official Porsche test drive and track events,and have driven a few porsche cars. The new cayman S really standout in handling department.

I still think to this date that the Cayman is THE best looking car to hail from Stuttgart, sans the CGT. It's retro, but not so retro like the 911. If I didn't have my eyes set on the E92, I'd seriously consider a Cayman S.