The article does say that "The front camber has been increased compared with the regular MINI John Cooper Works, so that the performance potential of the sports tires – which differ significantly from road tires – can be used to full effect" It would be a fair assumption that they were using the GP2's stock tires, which are the Kumho Ecsta V700, barely street legal with a wear rating of 50 and not recommended in the rain. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+V700 MotoringFile » Archive » JCW GP Buying Guide, Standard Equipment & Options List
Throw those same tires on a Cadillac then tell me how tires are the only thing that increases performance.....
Why wouldn't swapping tires on a Cadillac increase its performance? This one ran "factory-spec street tires", probably not as extreme as the Kumho V700 and would have done even better if it did: Cadillac CTS-V Breaks Nurburgring Record! - Road & Track
As I stated the "only" thing. Ppl in here act like tires make all the difference. Just saying. And besides that I was just trying to think of the most boat like car quickly. Nothing to do with Cadillac in particular.
With more horsepower and torque on the Base Cooper , it should make for an interesting Justa, Wish they would put out some hints on fuel mileage.
WOW....had no idea they were putting tires like those on a GP2. That indeed would more than allow a much quicker lap time.