Lightning Lap 2019: Every Car, Every Lap Time!

Lapping the 181-hp Miata around VIR's 4.1-mile course is all about maintaining momentum—there's not much power to pull in the straights. Fortunately, the handling is predictable, making it easy to squirt from one corner to the next. We haven't lapped anything that's a full minute faster than the Miata, but each year we get closer to that milestone.

Volkswagen puts a lot of the GTI's greatest bits into the Jetta GLI sedan. It gets the GTI's 228-hp turbocharged inline-four, an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, and 13.4-inch brake rotors. The front differential performs miracles on corner exit and the GLI's optional summer tires have more grip than the GTI's, which is a lot of the reason the GLI beat the GTI.

The least expensive way to break into the 3:07s is from behind the wheel of Hyundai's Veloster N. Its 275-hp turbocharged inline-four pairs beautifully with a real manual transmission. The electronically controlled limited-slip differential puts the torque down precisely when it's needed, allowing it to maintain high speeds in corners. Despite its nose-heavy 64/36 front/rear weight distribution, understeer was never much of a problem.

Unlike the Kia Stinger GT we lapped last year, the Genesis G70 wears track-worthy brake pads as standard equipment. While the Stinger's stock pads faded on their first hot lap, the G70 performed flawlessly, and its hot lap was 4.3 seconds faster than the closely related Kia.

This Zanardi Edition NSX is one of 51 made, and to make it even more special, this one has an aftermarket supercharger bolted to its 3.5-liter V-6. Keeping this mid-engine time machine on the racetrack was no easy task. Its lack of power steering turned cornering into a full cardio workout, but it was still more fun than any modern car we can think of with a similar time. We estimate the blower adds 40 horses to the NSX's 290 horsepower, which was enough to top the new Supra's speed on the front straight.

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is an SUV with a crazy side. Unlike the Giulia upon which it's based, the Stelvio has SUV levels of suspension travel that allow it to go deep into the curbing. The carbon-ceramic brakes are fade resistant, but it's the speed and grip that are truly impressive for an SUV.

In a paddock filled with turbocharged engines, the crisp roar of the Lexus RC F Track Edition made us appreciate its naturally aspirated V-8. The RC F Track is a staggering 253 pounds lighter than the regular RC F we lapped in 2015, which contributed to a 3.2-second lap improvement and quicker acceleration.

The new Supra came so close to breaking the three-minute barrier. So close. With a beautifully balanced chassis, a cleverly tuned transmission, and a powerful BMW engine, the Supra clipped off a time just short of greatness.

The M2 now has the M4's twin-turbo six, giving it even more power to shrink the long straights at VIR. Faster than ever in those straight sections, the Competition knocked 2.2 seconds off the less powerful BMW M2 we lapped in 2016.