as a whole, the actual engine and misplaced
cover give the impression of a V-16 or some
thing rather more exotic than a turbo V-8.
Not that the V-8 doesn’t generate plenty of excite-
ment. The turbos dull its soundtrack somewhat, but
the exhaust supplies plenty of pops on overrun, and
the thrust is undeniable. Throttle mapping varies with
the driving mode—Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, and a
Race mode on the C—but even at its most relaxed,
the engine’s response is immediate. Figure on the GT
hitting 60 mph in just 3.2 or so seconds, with the C
needing about 3.0 seconds. GT C drivers will appre-
ciate that model’s simplified launch-control activation,
whereby a traditional brake-torque approach—left
foot on the brake, the right mashing the gas—frees
the engine to rev to whatever speed the driver choos-
es using the shift paddles. Then just step out of the
brake, the clutch dumps, and the car is gone.
STUCK LIKE GLUE
That rearward positioning of the engine does wonders
for the GT’s handling, which is simply stupefying. The
GT is imperturbable, constantly goading its driver to
enter corners faster, accelerate earlier and harder,
and brake later. The stoppers are firm, progressive,
and tireless. And the GT is daringly neutral, particu-
larly with the C’s rear steering—which adds up to 1.5
degrees of toe either in phase with the front wheels
above 62 mph or opposite them at lower speeds. A
lighter lithium-ion battery and a magnesium ra-
diator support (the latter also common to the
base roadster) shift the C’s weight distribution
rearward. Locating the occupants so far aft in
the body amplifies the sensation of rotation, al-
though neither car ever feels out of sorts. And
while the GT C offers additional levels of damp-
er firmness—and its most aggressive setting
is notably stiffer than both its and the GT’s de-
fault mode—none is ever harsh. It is an effec-
tive apex duster and a comfortable tourer. You’d
better pack light, however, as the trunk is fairly
tight and there’s little interior storage. In terms
of people space, the GT lands between the Jag-
uar F-type on the low end and the roomier 911.
32 4GUYS.CA