Nissan GT-R Laps the ‘Green Hell’ Faster than 911 Turbo?
According to the latest news from our spies, the Nissan GT-R could be faster than a Porsche 911 Turbo around the infamous Nürburgring. Obviously, none of our spotters had sophisticated timing equipment on the cars, but using an actual stopwatch, a member of the KGP crew clocked the GT-R at an incredible 7:38 lap. That would be two full seconds faster than the current 997-generation 911 Turbo.
The legend also says the GT-R actually passed a 911 Turbo prototype during a lap. It's possible that the Turbo wasn't running an all-out performance test, but the possibility is certainly exciting. We won’t know for sure until the Tokyo Motor Show, but this certainly lends credence to the claims Nissan has been making about the GT-R's performance.
(Click the photos below to see more high-res shots of the 911 Turbo getting passed by a GT-R mule on the ‘Ring, or follow the jump to read the spy’s account.)
Nissan has made it clear from the start that their new Skyline GT-R sports car is gunning for the Porsche 911 Turbo. A 911 Turbo has been the benchmark on hand during the Skyline track sessions, and some wheel-to-wheel, nose-to-tail battles have even been documented during testing. Nissan's assault on Porsche's pre-eminence has continued this past week at the Nürburgring, as test drivers have been running flat-out on the Nordschleife in pursuit of a fastest lap time than the 997 911 Turbo.We watched as a Porsche-driven prototype for a facelifted 911 Turbo was on the track at the same time as a Skyline GT-R prototype. Our observations from earlier test sessions--that the Skyline is as fast, and probably faster than the 911 Turbo--appeared to hold true this week, as the Skyline reeled-in, and overtook the 911 Turbo prototype. While this is not scientific by any means--the 911 may have been running a less-intense durability cycle, and not a flat-out race run--our reporters on the scene hand-timed several of the Skylines laps and they recorded a best lap of 7 minutes 38 seconds. If those times are accurate, then it appears that the Skyline may have bettered the 7:40 time logged by a 997 911 Turbo that stands as a lofty Nürburgring benchmark.
Nissan will be reportedly be continuing their run at the 'Ring record books next week. We'll be searching out any official confirmation of the Skyline's lap times, but you can be sure that if Nissan is successful at dethroning the 911 Turbo, it will be trumpeted loudly during the car's Tokyo debut in October.
Comments
naggs
sounds about right for the top of the line 100k evo spec model
i wonder how much the car will weigh, i have heard everything between 2600 and 3800 lbs
john
2600lbs, not likely. Considering the G37 coupe weighs 3600lbs, this would likely be the weight of the GT-R. Maybe 100 - 150lbs less.
Jeff
If Nissan wants us to believe this, they should provide us with the on-board video of the entire lap. :) Also, that's fine if the GTR is quicker than the 911 Turbo- that's what the GT2 is for. Oh, and I agree with john- there's absolutely no way this car will be less than 3000 lbs, probably around 3600. Not exactly lightweight, unfortunately. There are a lot of car makes forgetting to "add lightness" these days before they finish the car.
Bill
There will some sour-faced krauts in Germany. HE HA.
Bring on the GT-R. I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!
Ducati Minor
"Also, that’s fine if the GTR is quicker than the 911 Turbo- that’s what the GT2 is for."
I don't know if the GT2 will actually outperform the Turbo; it's more of a higher-output naturally-aspirated update on the GT3, is it not? I thought I recalled that with the 996.
LJ
Jeff: Nissan doesn't want you to believe anything, if they did they would have posted official lap times. The times you see are stopwatch times from the spy camera men.
Also, it is difficult to "add lightness", as you put it, to a car when it carries two differentials, systems for splitting torque between front, rear and sides, turbos and all the tech they are packing into that car. Hats off to Nissan if they can make it as light as 3600lb with all that on-board.
You say its fine that the GTR beats the 911 Turbo, it sure is, since it is designed to be its direct competitor. The GT2 falls under a totally different category. Also, what is the price of the GT2, the 911 Turbo and the GTR? that alone should clue you in as to what is designed to be competition of what. By the same token you can say the GTR is not as quick as the McLaren F1, yea, it is not; it is also about $930,000 cheaper.
Christopher
I find it hard to get excited about these comparisons, as I'd much rather actually own a slower-but-more-rewarding car than one that simply turns a faster laptime. That said, I'm happy to see any and all "challengers" (to Porsche, to BMW, to any of the more established sportscar marques), as that makes for more choices and competition drives innovation. Good for Nissan. I just hope they do make it light. The trend toward fat but hugely powerful cars is discouraging.
naggs
ducati
the gt2 is the top of the line uprated turbo engine in the hardcore stripped out gt3 body. the gt3 is the NA hardcore model. the gt2 is like carrera gt, and 360 Challenge Stradale fast.
no freakin way the gtr will be faster than a gt2
Ducati Minor
Only time will tell.
SuperSkyline89
The GT-R might not be light but that's just because it'll have all the creature comforts that we expect of a car that costs $100,000. In response too the comparisons to the Porsche 911 GT2, you can't compare it too the GT-R, they're not in the same price range or class. I'm just glad to see the Japanese getting serious about performance, I just wish it looked more like the R34 Skyline but this is awesome too.
Autoblog : Round 1: GT-R vs. 911 Turbo at the 'Ring, advanta
[...] | Email this | Comments Share this post: email it! | bookmark it! | digg it! | reddit! Published Saturday, September 22, 2007 2:10 PM by Autoblog Filed under: Etc., Sports/GTs, SpyPhotos, Coupes, Nissan, GT-R, Porsche, porsche 911 turbo, Porsche911Turbo, Nurburgring, nissan gt-r, NissanGt-r, 997, Nissan GTR, NissanGtr, gtr, 997 turbo, the ring, TheRing, 911 turbo, 911Turbo, 997Turbo [...]
Super Car Blog » Blog Archive » Round 1: GT-R vs. 911 Turbo
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chris w.
A Porsche GT2 is just like a hardcore Porsche turbo, but with only two-wheel drive. That's where it can save weight. It's likely a handful to drive though. For me, I'll take all-wheel drive when I'm playing with 400+ hp.
Luke
Not only is the GT-R faster, it's much more attractive than the Porsche.
It looks like a tank...Nissans are notoriously reliable...mmmm...
Sonny
I'm a big fan of Nissan and hope the rumors about the Ring laptimes are true. But I doubt that they are, for the following reasons.
1) If the rumors are true, Nissan apparently knows lots more about speed than Porsche, one of the European foremost practitioners of speed. That means collective knowledge and practice of engine, chassis, aerodynamics, cooling, and what have you.
2) Have you guys been watching F1 the last several years? Honda and Toyota are being completely demolished by the likes of Ferrari, McLaren, BMW and Renault. They struggle to finish 7th and 8th to score one or two points, never mind podium finishes. Honda and Toyota are clearly not in the same speed league as the top Europeans. This is not for lack of trying. Toy is rumored to have by far the biggest F1 budget.
3) Do you really think Nissan knows so much more about speed than Honda and Toyota? I find that unbelievable!
smokyburnout
@sonny
well, Toyota has yet to produce anything like a supercar that competes with the likes of Ferrari or Porsche, and Honda has only had the NSX, so its probably possible Nissan "knows more about speed" than honda and Toyota...
and Ferrari and McLaren don't blow away Honda and Toyota in F1 simply because of the money they spend, they also have superior cars and the best drivers. never mind that F1 has become so rediculous that there's barely room for two teams at the top anyway...
Jippybob
"Do you really think Nissan knows so much more about speed than Honda and Toyota? I find that unbelievable!"
Now there is a scientific arguement- geez
LJ
Sonny: Just so you know, Renault and Nissan are partners and I would bet technology flows freely between the two companies as do their top executives. Your argument that Porsche knows more about building a fast car than Nissan, well, I only have to point out that the Nissan 350Z outperforms the Porsche Cayman/Boxter in acceleration and cornering. That is no speculation, it is a fact. If it has happened with the Z and Boxter/Cayman, I find it very reasonable that it can happen with the GT-R and the 911 Turbo. The problem with Europen cars is that you pay a big premium for the badge and the balance goes into paying for the car, that is not the case with Japanese cars. You may not like the badge attached to the car, but that doesn't make that car any slower.
LJ
Some background info: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeQkhmAkaoY
nic
which one wud u rather have? nuff said.
Skyline proto sets 'Burg Record - Honda FIT Forums
[...] Skyline proto sets 'Burg Record Its not official but sounds promising. ttp://news.windingroad.com/body-stylesmarket-segment/sportsgts/nissan-gt-r-laps-the-green-hell-faster-than-911-turbo/ __________________ _________________________________________________ [...]
skyline_man
Sonny, you really have no knowledge of cars do you? Just because it's European made doesn't mean that it is superior to the Japanese made cars. In fact, anything electronic or mechanical that is made in Japan is top class. Japanese cars are more reliable than European cars. And finally, Renault owns Nissan -so there is no need for Nissan to be in formula 1 when Renault is in it already.
biturbo
What a bunch of BS. 7:38 GTR, right...
LJ
Nic: Which one would I rather have? I bought a Z this year, it made more sense, the Porsche of the same category was slower and cost way more. But don't let the facts get in the way of your beliefs. Do your homework before you buy. Or not, its your choice.
biturbo: now that's a very rational point, how can anyone argue your very schooled opinion. Again, don't let anything silly like the facts get in the way of your beliefs. Nissan have outdone Porsche before, they can do it again.
nic
LJ the Z is an amazing car..becuz its cheap and it performs very well. I luv it. i wud rather have it over a boxster anyday. But the 997 turbo is not a new car...911 turbo has been around for almost 40 years now. so for anyone that has been following porsche evolution wudnt even think about buyin a GT-R. Its like....wud u buy a Lexus or a Benz? S 500 is more than a car. Its an image. and same with porsche.
the gt-r has also been around for a while but u cant compare it to a 911 turbo.
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jgriff
As a Porsche owner I can tell you that most of us don't care about this at all. The Corvette has been faster and cheaper than Porsches for years. Nobody cares. Expensive Japanese sports cars just never sell well in the U.S. That's why the 300Z, Supra, and 3000GT failed years ago while Porsche just kept on selling cars. Nissan at least had the sense to bring back the Z at a much lower price point. Who knows? Maybe this one will change things but it would be a first.
Go take a look at the Porsche options list. It's just about the longest you'll ever see. People love ordering their car with one tiny extra piece of leather that no one else has. Most Porsches are more about the "Porsche" experience than ultimate performance. The GT-R is the exact antithesis to most Porsche owners idea of a good car. Most Porshce owners loath any aftermarket modification and that's what the GT-R is all about.
tom
7:31 --- 164,375 km/h - Porsche 997 GT2, 530 PS/1440 kg, company test driver Walter Roehrl
2009 Nissan Skyline GT-R Ready To Rock 2007 Tokyo Motor Show
this supercar is amazing.
it's said that to debut on 2007 tokyo motor show.
looking forward to see it.
Winding Road » Archive » Nissan (Don’t Call Me Skyline) GT-R
[...] Bye-bye Skyline, hello GT-R. [...]
Sonny
jgriff, times have changed a whole lot and keep on changing. It used to be the Japanese couldn't sell luxury cars either. Now Lexus is the biggest seller in the US and China, the 2 biggest luxury markets in the world. If Lexus didn't challenge the Germans, who would guess the Germans could be dethroned?
Corvette is uniquely American, using sheer brute force, its appeal is very limited, especially outside US. Whereas GTR is a more direct threat to Porsche, using pretty much the same technological recipe. The threat to Porsche, Ferrari and the other Germans will be much more than just GTR, which is only the first salvo. Toyota will challenge with LF-A and Supra TT, Honda with NSX. Europe probably will maintain dominance in its continent, but the biggest markets are in NA and the emerging economies of Asia and Russia, where the Japanese will be increasingly successful, just as in luxury cars.
Nissan makes a habit of poking its nose at much more expensive German hardware. G37, despite 200 lbs heavier and having less torque, is faster than 335i in the slalom and on the track. When it came out, 280 hp 350Z surprised everyone by posting faster lap times than 330 hp M3 in comparos. Recently I read in a British magazine recounting how the previous Skyline GTR, about 20-25 years ago, driven by auto journalists was faster at the 'Ring than contemporary Porsches in the hands of professional drivers.
I love how the Germanphiles are changing their tunes. We were told how the 'Bahn and the 'Ring make German cars superior at speed and therefore superior overall. Now if GTR proves to be superior at speed, it's still inferior overall!
When it comes to the 'Ring, records speak loudest of all. If it's not right, it cannot make speed. When Alonso climbs out if his McLaren F1, he doesn't ask for less speed and more refinement! GTR evidently agrees: speed is refinement!
mack
No issues really, after its realease and after its been clad with all its weapons from the after market dudes it will be re-coronated to its rightfull place
Winding Road » Archive » Japan Report: Tokyo May Not be a Su
[...] On one level, this month’s Tokyo Motor Show was supposed to be a high stakes poker game between the Nissan GT-R, Lexus LF-A, and Acura’s next interpretation of the NSX. [...]
RMFA
Absolute forgotten marvel of japanese engineering, the 3S style cars have the ability to dominate ANYTHING! and I know becuase I own three of them. Old cars that keep up and surpass brandnew technology says something. I wish they would come out with a new version on the same platform with maybe some new tech. I mean they already have twin air gushers, intercoolers, electronic suspension, electronic exhaust(stupid but worth mentioning), and electronic aerodynamics, OH and ALL WHEEL STEERING... can you say porsche? audi? yeah they all have it, and it costs in some cases 4 and five times as much. Lets see a new version with no gimmicky back seat for insurance purposes and compete directly with the likes of nissan and all those guys. Lets put some valve tiiming tech into the already extremely tolerant engines. Lets bring back the 6g72 engine in a midmounted twin turbo all wheel drive exotic killing monster of technological marvel, in a sleek ferrari-ish shell that is TIMELESS! That same engine style is used in the new eclipses, it is all but forgotten. I blasted by an 04' STI on the highway and kept crawling on him past 130mph... it's a completely bone stock 93' stealth. Its missing a 6th gear and 20hp from its 2nd gen version. Highly underrated, Supremely appreciated... to hell with nissan and porsche.
Winding Road » Archive » Nissan GT-R Laps Nürburgring on Vid
[...] We now have video confirmation of the GT-R’s Porsche-911-Turbo-conquering time of 7:38:54 on the famous Nürburgring. It isn’t exactly a huge time difference when you consider the 14.2 mile lap length, but it certainly proves the GT-R is a serious contender. The video is a fantastic use of nine minutes. [...]
Round 1: GT-R vs. 911 Turbo at the ‘Ring, advantage GT-R | A
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steve
having a preferance shouldn`t stop you from admiration.i`d love a porsche,i`d love a gtr,i`d prefer both.stop arguin`!
zack
the GTR is simply amazing.
LJ is guess you got what you were looking for. There is now an on board Video of the GTR diong the nurb at 7:78:54
the 911 has been killed
jlr
911 killed? By what -- a 480 hp Altima? If the 911 has been killed, it has been by a Vette. Even that's a stretch. The Japanese still haven't figured out how to make cars entertaining to drive and will always be taking lessons in brute animal charm from America and in handling/steering sophistication from Europe.
Muscle Cars World » Blog Archive » Porsche Releases Aerokit
[...] The kit indeed reduces lift of the 911 at high speeds at both the front and rear axles, which will provide customers with a degree of stability that wasn’t possible in the standard car. The whole thing comes together nicely, with all pieces of the kit painted to perfectly match the factory colors, and adding a shade of aggressiveness to the already bold 911 Turbo. [...]
ricky bob
ill blow u all way wit my 1979 half ford pinto half transformer, so jus shuddup.
Tony
Dear Gents,
I am previous owner of 2004 911 Turbo and I have had a tweaked GTR R34 and frankly your crazy to buy a Porsche far to expensive and not as reliable as the R34 Hence Japan has the most reliabilist cars in the world for a excellent price. Germany has some incredible precision vehicles and are great too but have drivin both cars the GTR R34 Godzilla is a very user friendly car and has some outstanding feedback where the porsche did not as best feedback as this.
Bring on the GTR R35 I back these cars 100%
Tony
HSV ENGINEER
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