Video: MT five-figure supercar comparo pits Corvette Z06 vs. Shelby GT500 vs. GT-R

Motor Trend is determined on finding the best budget supercar. Ford, Chevrolet and Nissan increased the challenge with the 2011 Shelby GT500, 2011 Corvette Z06 and 2012 GT-R. Total cost of the vehicles in the 1,585-horsepower shootout used? $ 244,290 ... or $ 37,040 less than the 570-horsepower Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera $ 281,330, we tested in 2010. Perspective, people.

This comparison is not high-dollar exotics, however, because M / T for the best sub-$ 100,000-looking performer. The 2012 Nissan GT-R develops 530 hp from the twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6. The American muscle machines perfer V8 power with the turbocharged 5.4-liter GT500 produce 550 horses and the 7.0-liter Z06 pumping 505th

The Shelby GT500 is certainly the best value for your dollar due to the $ 55,330 as tested price tag. But both the Z06 ($ 98,010 as-tested) and GT-R ($ 90,950) offer equally good performance at a relative bargain.

Motor Trend took all three super-coupe to the drag strip and the streets of Willow road course, the winning car is not much of a surprise. (hint: it's not American) but the resulting videos can be observed still funny. Click past the jump for clips of the drag race and the road test, then the head of Motor Trend to read about the test.

Video: Jay Leno throws his Corvette Z06 on the Real Car Simulator

A few years ago we reported on the Drag Tag Simulator setup in Australia. It allows you to use your own car in a virtual environment that simulates hundreds of places. Can change the time of day and weather, and the whole experience sounds like a fun way to waste a few hours. Jay Leno recently paid a visit to the day crew simulator and they brought an example of setting it up in Leno's Garage.

With his yellow Chevrolet Corvette Z06 strapped into the dynamometer, Jay takes a tour of the simulators different tracks and driving conditions. The rolling road allows Leno, push the car as hard as he likes without any legal effect or safety.

A machine ensures that air blown into the front of the car, while an extractor pulls gases from the rear. It is a smooth setup, it would look good screwed into the bottom of the Autoblog garage. Click past the jump to see Jay taking his Vette for a virtual spin, and visit us in dreams to have such a setup.