Speeding Shootout: The Performance Tests

Here's the reason we came here: side-by-side test numbers--lots of them. Some of the nine tests you see below are familiar and have real-world applications and consequences. Others are new and/or blatantly gratuitous. If there's one stand-out performer among this uncommonly capable group, it's the Mosler MT900 Photon, outright winning six of the nine contests (seven of 11, if you break the 0-100-0 test into its constituent pieces) and narrowly losing three braking tests to the new Viper, which set records in the process. The MT900 Photon "production" car single-handedly broke nine individual Motor Trend records. The two records left standing? Top Speed and Standing Mile. There's always next year. Read on for all the heart-pounding details.

Oh, and to better underscore just how extraordinary all nine of our land missiles are, we've included Motor Trend's year-long 2002-test averages, where applicable, for your comparative amusement. Also, record-breaking performances are indicated by an asterisk (*).

Click on images to enlarge charts.