Yes, it seems .99 is rather high. I think a Z06 can pull over 1.0, but with the front end plow of the Z I can't imagine it getting much over .90 ; seems C&D had .88 and the RX at .91.
This article didn't bother to mention which of the several models of Z they had, or at least I missed it if they did. Assuming Track model, but it'd be nice if they'd say, and mention it's wheel / tire package as well. Almost everyone knows that even better cars handle worse on mediocre tires so they should make the tires as equal as possible if they are rating a car on it's skip pad ability.
The Honda Prelude was often hindered by it's rubber, and they almost always say that about the OEM tires on the WRX when wringing it out on pavement. Yet another reason for Mazda to put their best foot [S03] forward on the RX-8.

 

RX-8
30-70mph: 21.1 seconds


BMW 330i
30-70mph: 16.9 seconds

350Z
30-70mph: 16.8 seconds

can someone explain to me why it takes these cars longer to go from 30-70mph than it does for them to go 0-100mph?

If my car takes 21 seconds to go from 30mph to 70 mph I am going to cry.

 

without notes from the mag, I think the reason is that it's done in either top gear, or maybe 5th instead of using the shifter and starting from a lower gear.

 

They run the tests keeping the car in one gear, maybe the top gear. It seems like a silly test because almost anyone should have enough sense to downshift to the appropriate gear and rotor away. Even an auto trans should downshift to help accel the car.

 

Those are usually top gear "roll-on" tests, i.e. cruise in top gear at 30mph, floor the throttle, start the stopwatch (or whatever fancy measuring thingymajig) and see how long it takes to get to 70. Supposedly they help measure an engine's flexibility, but sometimes they don't make sense. E.g. an auto transmission is always a lot faster because it automatically kicks down a gear or more. Particularly in with an RX-8 with a fuel economy sixth gear, I would frankly be surprised if it was fast, particularly starting from 30.

Skidpad results also vary based on the how big of a circle they are using. I don't think mags are consistent between them in their skidpad circles.

It's interesting how some people think this is an extremely positive article (I do), and others don't think it's a good review at all. Perhaps the latter camp was hoping for the 8 to blow away the Z?

 

That's elapsed time in top gear. Sixth gear for the 8 and Z, fifth for the 330i

EDIT: I guess I'm a little late to this party. What a dolt. Should have noticed the other answers already available.

 

I'm tired of reading reviews...I just want to drive one to see for myself!

 

That article, and nearly every other Automobile writes is why I put that magazine on the top of the heap of American automotive journalism.

They give you a few numbers lightly sprinkled throughout the article, unlike other magazines who simply seem to write a story around a bunch of statistics.

What Automobile is always able to do, at least for me, is write the article in such a way that I am able almost feel myself behind the wheel of the car. I can almost hear the sound of the engine. I can almost feel the way it steers around corners. That is the true brilliance of Automobiles writing. Anyone can write down numbers, but it takes something more to transfer your driving experience to your readers in an effective way.

 

I was just wondering the same thing. Could anyone clarify this discrepancy. Also, after reading everything about how the rx8 is more rigid than the rx7 and has lower yaw inertia etc... I was wondering why the skidpad results for the rx8 are lower than the 350z according to this mag. Id appreciate any explanation. thanks

 

My guess is it's a misprint. Even 350Z owners know the car isn't going to get that high a number.

 

It's not a misprint, but rather a different way of measuring lateral Gs, IMO. Take it for it what it's worth, but Automobile also measured 1.01/.92 for the G35 Coupe in it's shootout against the 330ci. Instead of a a proper skidpad and numerous laps in a circle, I think that Automobile just throws any given vehicle into VERY HARD right and left turns, and measures the G forces encountered during that very quick manuver.

I cannot find data that represents how they test anywhere in the magazine.

 

Yes but even if that's the case, the RX-8's numbers should be better. The 8 has better grip (demonstrated by C&D) than both the 350Z and G35 Coupe, and is lighter so throwing it hard into a turn will result in a great suspension doing its job on a car that's a lot easier to control than a 350Z/G35c just due to weight.

I am curious about this, but I'm happy either way.