Streamed from the official YouTube channel Car and Driver .
LIGHTNING LAP 2025: THE ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE CAR TEST
Car and Driver
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Car and Driver's 18th annual Lightning Lap event at Virginia International Raceway showcases a diverse range of performance vehicles, from the nimble Mazda MX-5 Miata Club to the record-shattering Ford F-150 Lightning SuperTruck. The test emphasizes unmodified production cars, categorized by price, to determine their track capability. Key takeaways include the significant impact of brake upgrades, as seen in the Subaru BRZ tS and WRX tS, which dramatically improved lap times and consistency. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N impressed with its electric performance and surprising agility despite its weight. Conversely, the Bentley Continental GT Speed's transition to a plug-in hybrid V8 resulted in reduced grip and slower times compared to its predecessor. The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, while powerful, faced thermal management limitations, hindering its sustained performance against the Lucid Air Sapphire, which set the fastest lap of the year thanks to improved tires and clever power management. The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing with the Precision Package further solidified its reputation as a track-capable luxury sedan, while the McLaren Artura Spider offered a refined hybrid V6 experience. The event concluded with the Ford F-150 Lightning SuperTruck setting a new Grand Course record, highlighting the extreme potential of electric performance.
