dcn (12/17/82)
The worlds fastest production passenger car is hard to determine, since there are several that are better in a particular measurement. According to Road & Track, the Porsche 930 Turbo (no longer available from American dealers) is quickest to 60 mph (5.0 secs) with the Ferrari Boxer close behind (5.1 secs), and the Lamborghini Countach a little farther back (5.7). At the 100 mph mark, the clock has ticked to 12.4 secs for the Ferrari and 13.0 for the Countach (time for Porsche not readily available). As for top speed, the 12 cylinder cars (Ferrari & Lamborghini) are above the Porsche's (150+ mph), with the Ferrari at 165+ and the Lamborghini is around 180-190. These figures are approximate and will vary from country to country. The issue of Road & Track I referred to is Feb. 1982, which contains a comparison of the Ferrari Boxer and Lamborghini Countach (which suffered minor ignition problems that reduced its top speed measurment to 150). Older issues (June 1978) have reviews of the Porsche 930 Turbo. I think all of these cars can be legally purchased here from a few special car dealers (there is one in downtown Chicago). All of these cars have been around for several years, and changes from year to year will be minimal. How many car companies are planning to produce new 2-seaters with 12 cylinder engines that get 10 or 11 mpg? Dave Newkirk ixn5h!dcn