GT-R vs. 911 GT2 on the Nurburgring (Automobile Magazine test)

[996GT2]

Granted, this wasn't a tightly controlled test and the driver wasn't world-class, but the results still speak for themselves.

GT-R: 7:56
GT2: 7:49

Since the GT-R is supposed to be easy for anyone to drive, the fact that it still lost to the GT2 pretty much proves that Nissan had to do some real magic to get a 7:29 out of it on the N-Ring. Granted, the GT2 does cost some $100k more, so the fact the the GT-R can keep is is pretty amazing in itself.

Some of the straight line numbers tell a lot about the difference in power/weight between the 2 cars.

End of long straight before start/finish:

GT2: 181 mph
GT-R: 168 mph

 

[Hyperlite]

Automobile is a great mag. Glad they did this.

 

[geokilla]

I'm pretty sure the Pilot Sport Cup are WAY grippier than GTR's Dunlops. I mean, it is one of the best maximum performance tires out on the market.

Bet you didn't know this. Off the top of my head on what I can remember. GT-R transmissions need to be serviced every once in a while in order to get max performance. My friend sent me a site where Porsche bought their own GT-R, and found out that their 911 Turbo was quicker than the GT-R. Then Nissan sent some GT-R engineers to Porsche, fixed up the transmission and performed the routine maintenance such as replacing the brake pads cus there was little pad life left or something. Performance improved greatly thanks to the maintenance.

Basically, a GT-R needs to be kept VERY well, almost mint kind of condition. At least that's what I remember and are my thoughts on this.

 

[Apex]

This is a reprint of Chris Harris's article in Driver's Republic, which includes much more (great) information, including a section by section breakdown.

http://magazines.drivers-repub...truth030/?u1=texterity

The GT-R in question was more heavily equipped than the baseline one used in the Nissan test, and it was using the Bridgestones, not the Dunlops.

Good, evenhand reporting though, especially for someone who races Porsche CUP cars.

For what its worth, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires start out with 6/32" of tread, which is just under 5mm. They are grippiest at 3/32" to 4/32" (2.4 to 3mm of tread), and are often shaved to this depth for racing. So, the tread depth of the Porsche was pretty close to ideal.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Magic or not, the time still stands.

 

[Mermaidman]

I was reading this
"Nissan instructs dealers to reprogram launch control"

and came across
Hitler's GT-R. :laugh:

(Yes, I'm reposting myself, but it's just so funny.)

 

[Kabob]

Interesting...although I'd have rather seen them test the GT-R vs. the 911 Turbo. Both AWD, both with the same peak horsepower, and much closer in price (although the Porsche still being some 40% more expensive).

Good read though.

 

[Arkaign]

No Dunlop = EPIC FAIL. Not an equal match at all, never mind the $100k+ price chasm.

 

[DivideBYZero]

In all honesty there has to be no better endorsement of the GT-R's prowess than the constant attempts by Porsche or their legions to dethrone it.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
In all honesty there has to be no better endorsement of the GT-R's prowess than the constant attempts by Porsche or their legions to dethrone it.

Yeap.

And what really bothers me about this 'test', is that they didn't bother testing the GT-R with both tire sets. That would truly tell a lot about the times. For that matter, also test it with some elite tires like the Porsche had.

The GT-R sounds like it had zero mods other than deleting the speed limiter, and the times seem to show that.

 

[Koing]

Apples to Oranges.

The GTR has 4 SEATS ffs!

Any car that gets mid 8mins has got to be fun to drive! I got 30mins in the rain/ snow/ ice then later a 14min something in the wet . It would take HUGE sized balls to hammer around the track like they do in under 9mins...

A GT2 and GT3 were on the same track day as me. The GT2 was SAVAGELY fast around the track (Donnington) and seemed like it was propelled by a rocket ship. It had UBER acceleration from what I saw. The Caterhams, Exiges were very fast also, and tearing it up.

Koing

 

[theeedude]

Wait, did they really do the test on Good Years and not the Dunlops? Talk about a total waste of time.

 

[theeedude]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6AZNNnip1w

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Wait, did they really do the test on Good Years and not the Dunlops? Talk about a total waste of time.

Bridgestones.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: senseamp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6AZNNnip1w

GT-R 7:29:03 w/ Dunlop tires, porche owned

 

[swtethan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6mEirkQN8o

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: senseamp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6AZNNnip1w

GT-R 7:29:03 w/ Dunlop tires, porche owned

Porsche never questioned the fact that Tochio Suzuki ran the Nurburgring in the GT-R in 7:29. They accused Nissan of cheating (ie. using a non-stock car). Considering how easy it is to tweak a turbocharged car (a bit more boost), there's no real easy way to prove that run was on a stock, unmolested vehicle.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: senseamp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6AZNNnip1w

GT-R 7:29:03 w/ Dunlop tires, porche owned

Porsche never questioned the fact that Tochio Suzuki ran the Nurburgring in the GT-R in 7:29. They accused Nissan of cheating (ie. using a non-stock car). Considering how easy it is to tweak a turbocharged car (a bit more boost), there's no real easy way to prove that run was on a stock, unmolested vehicle.

but doesn't this apply to ALL cars and ALL tests?

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: senseamp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6AZNNnip1w

GT-R 7:29:03 w/ Dunlop tires, porche owned

Porsche never questioned the fact that Tochio Suzuki ran the Nurburgring in the GT-R in 7:29. They accused Nissan of cheating (ie. using a non-stock car). Considering how easy it is to tweak a turbocharged car (a bit more boost), there's no real easy way to prove that run was on a stock, unmolested vehicle.

but doesn't this apply to ALL cars and ALL tests?

Yes, I definitely agree with you. However especially so with turbocharged vehicles. A few extra lbs of boost and the difference in power is definitely big.

The real question is the GT-R's time is so much lower than anything even remotely close to its power to weight ratio that it falls under scrutiny.

If you want to see something really interesting, take a look at how well the GT-R kept up with the Corvette ZR1 on the straights (where the Corvette should have been WAY faster):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RuKB9J3-BI8

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OZ-CNFpPCnk&fmt=18

In theory, if the GT-R was stock, it should have been much slower on the straights than the ZR1, and if this was the case, to have gotten that 7:29 time, logically it would have had to have been much much faster than the ZR1 in the corners.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: senseamp
Wait, did they really do the test on Good Years and not the Dunlops? Talk about a total waste of time.

Bridgestones.

Still a waste of time. I have a great idea, let's go through the tremendous expense of tracking these cars at the Nurburgring, but while we're at it, let's get 2nd-rate tires for one of the cars. GREAT IDEA!

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: senseamp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6AZNNnip1w

GT-R 7:29:03 w/ Dunlop tires, porche owned

Porsche never questioned the fact that Tochio Suzuki ran the Nurburgring in the GT-R in 7:29. They accused Nissan of cheating (ie. using a non-stock car). Considering how easy it is to tweak a turbocharged car (a bit more boost), there's no real easy way to prove that run was on a stock, unmolested vehicle.

but doesn't this apply to ALL cars and ALL tests?

Yes, I definitely agree with you. However especially so with turbocharged vehicles. A few extra lbs of boost and the difference in power is definitely big.

The real question is the GT-R's time is so much lower than anything even remotely close to its power to weight ratio that it falls under scrutiny.

If you want to see something really interesting, take a look at how well the GT-R kept up with the Corvette ZR1 on the straights (where the Corvette should have been WAY faster):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RuKB9J3-BI8

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OZ-CNFpPCnk&fmt=18

In theory, if the GT-R was stock, it should have been much slower on the straights than the ZR1, and if this was the case, to have gotten that 7:29 time, logically it would have had to have been much much faster than the ZR1 in the corners.

I think that it is easy to cheat, but the fact remains, tons of private and professional tests have the GT-R performing incredible track times. Also to consider is that there seems to be a good bit of variance in GT-Rs, some are factory freaks, and others are less impressive.

And the final note is that the GT-R is notoriously underrated in HP.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: senseamp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6AZNNnip1w

GT-R 7:29:03 w/ Dunlop tires, porche owned

Porsche never questioned the fact that Tochio Suzuki ran the Nurburgring in the GT-R in 7:29. They accused Nissan of cheating (ie. using a non-stock car). Considering how easy it is to tweak a turbocharged car (a bit more boost), there's no real easy way to prove that run was on a stock, unmolested vehicle.

but doesn't this apply to ALL cars and ALL tests?

Yes, I definitely agree with you. However especially so with turbocharged vehicles. A few extra lbs of boost and the difference in power is definitely big.

The real question is the GT-R's time is so much lower than anything even remotely close to its power to weight ratio that it falls under scrutiny.

If you want to see something really interesting, take a look at how well the GT-R kept up with the Corvette ZR1 on the straights (where the Corvette should have been WAY faster):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RuKB9J3-BI8

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OZ-CNFpPCnk&fmt=18

In theory, if the GT-R was stock, it should have been much slower on the straights than the ZR1, and if this was the case, to have gotten that 7:29 time, logically it would have had to have been much much faster than the ZR1 in the corners.

I think that it is easy to cheat, but the fact remains, tons of private and professional tests have the GT-R performing incredible track times. Also to consider is that there seems to be a good bit of variance in GT-Rs, some are factory freaks, and others are less impressive.

And the final note is that the GT-R is notoriously underrated in HP.

Is everybody ignoring the fact that the 997 iteration of the GT2 has twin turbochargers?? The 'cheating' would be just as easy on the Porker.

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: senseamp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6AZNNnip1w

GT-R 7:29:03 w/ Dunlop tires, porche owned

Porsche never questioned the fact that Tochio Suzuki ran the Nurburgring in the GT-R in 7:29. They accused Nissan of cheating (ie. using a non-stock car). Considering how easy it is to tweak a turbocharged car (a bit more boost), there's no real easy way to prove that run was on a stock, unmolested vehicle.

There is also no easy way to prove that it wasn't. And Porsche, for all their whining, hasn't.

 

[geokilla]

Best Motoring had a full length video of the GT-R lapping the Nurburgring in the 7:30s. Just go on YouTube, it's there.

Don't forget that MOST, if not all magazines that tested the GT-R have it beating the 911 Turbo and many other cars that they compared the GT-R to.

Finally, don't forget my post on how Nissan sent some GT-R engineers to Porsche to fix up their own GT-R. The GT-R that Porsche had was not maintained well.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Well, they need to write about something I guess. Testing two cars 99% of the population will never own sells magazines for some strange reason.

What really amazes me is that people actually argue over stupid crap like this...