Nissan GT-R Spec V Stunning Observers with Nurburgring Lap Times

Nick April 9th, 2008 10:26 AM Link

Is anyone else a little sad that Nissan seems to have figured out that adding computers and pumps to a car makes it heavier, but faster?

They kept doing it–now they have this heavy, fast car? Come on, the normal GTR weighs 3800 pounds. Sure its fast, but do you want to pay for gas, brakes, tires, bushings…?

Sorry folks, I’m sure its an impressive car, but the GTR is too heavy.

So this one weighs 3450. That’s better, but even with the swelling going on, sports cars shouldn’t weigh more than 3250 (like a z06)

God, cant believe I just said that. A volvo 240 weighs less than 3000.

How about 2800.

COME ON PEOPLE, design some light cars.

Shelby Mustangs are over 3800 lbs, I’m sure the G8 is right on 4000.

I’d be first in line for an ‘05 GTO, but it weighs 3700lbs.

I’m very interested to try out a Factory Five.

Jeb April 9th, 2008 10:38 AM Link

The big question is, can manufacturers meet modern crashworthiness and emissions standards without putting on the weight? I’m not convinced. If the Smart ForTwo is the future of lightweight cars, bring on the heft (I couldn’t believe how unstable the one I was following at 70mph today looked…every bump made it shimmy).

southern April 9th, 2008 10:42 AM Link

Have you noticed that all new cars are fat?

Yes the 240 is under 3000……
but an S60 is 3650 pounds!

Apparently you can have light, or you can have safe.

All the emphasis on structural integrity and crash worthiness have taken their toll, I believe………..

What will be interesting is that fact that Nissan has a hstory of their first year car being as light as it is ever going to be, and then they grow…..and grow……and

dante April 9th, 2008 10:57 AM Link

That’s why I’m building my own car. Couldn’t care less about safety as long as the fuel tank is secure. Gotta go sometime and I’d rather enjoy the time I have than be safely locked in a padded room, constantly watched by benevolent Bog Brother, and fed my food through a straw like so many seem to prefer today. Weight has a great tendency to put a blanket on any personality. Fast cars with no personality are still boring. I suppose they’re good for impressing 12 year old boys, if that’s your thing.

Jeb April 9th, 2008 11:58 AM Link

I totally agree, dante, and I just wish I was in a position (time, $$$, and opportunity…I’ve got two small children, see) to do the same. I want a Se7en like nobody’s business.

Jeff April 9th, 2008 12:43 PM Link

Am I the only one who is really questioning the legitimacy of this lap time? I have a tough time believing that a 3500 lb Nissan with a 550 hp engine can outrun a 610 hp, 3000 lb Carrera GT around the ring. At least that pretends to be lightweight! I guarantee you it’d be more involving- I want to know how fun it is to drive this car, with all the computers doing the hard work for you.

teflon April 9th, 2008 1:14 PM Link

Jeff,

You are not alone. I highly doubt this car is faster than a Zonda F around the ring. However, I would believe it if this prototype weighs close to 3000lbs and has 600+hp.

Steve April 9th, 2008 1:59 PM Link

Well guys, let’s think this one through.

Here’s the video evidence of the 7:38 that the standard one runs… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TMXr2ReNhk

Do I think that 60hp and 330lbs might come up with another 13 seconds? Maybe with some suspension and tire work? It’s not out of the realm of possible…

Jeff April 9th, 2008 2:56 PM Link

Glad I’m not alone. And while I have no problem believing that a GTR can beat a 911 turbo, 13 seconds is a LOT of time, even on a 7 and a half minute lap. Although it is amazing what computers can do these days.

This car is incredibly fast- I will not argue that point with anyone. But I just don’t have the same respect for it since the computers are so heavily involved. And again, I’ll believe the lap times when I see them. I have no reason to be convinced that this is faster than a Carrera GT though, sorry. Especially on simple rumors which could very easily be started by Nissan itself to drum up further interest (hype?) for the V-spec.

Winding Road » Archive » Godzilla Unlimited: Tuner Cracks Nissan GT-R ECU April 9th, 2008 4:01 PM Link

[…] of the many safety features on the very fast Nissan GT-R is a speed limiter that would only switch off when a GPS link messaged back to the home office […]

Winding Road » Archive » Godzilla Unlimited: Tuner Cracks Nissan GT-R ECU April 9th, 2008 4:01 PM Link

[…] of the many safety features on the very fast Nissan GT-R is a speed limiter that would only switch off when a GPS link messaged back to the home office […]

Winding Road » Archive » Question of the Day: What Would You Remove to Lighten Modern Sports Cars? April 9th, 2008 6:00 PM Link

[…] in part to today’s reports that the new Nissan GT-R Spec V test mule is burning up the Nurburgring, there’s been a lot of chatter about how today’s sports cars, despite being fast, are just too […]

Nay April 9th, 2008 8:27 PM Link

Another ridiculous claim from a very trustworthy source: “observers of its Nurburgring testing of late”.

Autoblog.com calls them “bystanders”, even better

Amazingly disappointing…

The 7:38 run was done with a highly prepared prototype, not with a production GTR car.

News, NEWS:

It is reported that a wild pig at Nurburgring has seen the GTR RS V XY-Spec flying the entire lap and catching two wild ducks in the process for driver’s dinner

kevin April 9th, 2008 9:08 PM Link

hahaha….no amount of legitimate lap times and serious test track numbers from editors and drivers of top gear, fifth gear, autoblog, edmunds, car and driver ,motortrend, road and track, automobilemag (and others) would ever satisfy FANBOYS…and this was only from the base GTR.

then the GTR SPEC-V sneaks in for a test run. in no time they start screaaaming and cussing a “CAR” (all over again) like it was a terrorist, and finally running out of guns against it;

somebody brings in the ducks as AMMUNITION against an accidental but DESERVING “SUPERCAR”…

ugly?(not really)…err; heavy?(hhhmmm, yup)and it scoots to 0 to 60 in 3.3 seconds (and that’s the lowly and BASE GTR)…SOOOOOO HEAAAAVVY!

mo April 9th, 2008 9:50 PM Link

i guess kevin owns a GT-R and is trying to show that he was totally right when he bought it.

Tony D April 9th, 2008 10:15 PM Link

you guys are bunch of whining ninnies. It’s a fast, modern car with all the safety equipment your government insists on. So it ways as much as a Mustang, so what.

mo April 9th, 2008 10:19 PM Link

tony D also owns a GT-R and is trying to show that he was totally right when he bought it.

Jonathan Fung April 9th, 2008 11:51 PM Link

If that lap time is for real, it is insane. Where is the flux capacitor hidden in that car?

Bert April 10th, 2008 12:40 AM Link

Mo is just gay and has hated Nissan ever since. Period.

mo April 10th, 2008 12:54 AM Link

1) i don’t hate nissan. i was trying to make a joke.
2) if your as$ hurts from some hardcore action (god knows what you ppl do). don’t throw all your anger on me. it’s your boyfriend who did it to you. i try my best to stay away from you ppl.
3) did your soft feelings (i know you ppl are very emotional) get hurt when i taked about kevin and tony D. they didn’t respond back to me, why are you??? are you their attorney or something??
4) don’t try me again. you should grow up a notch. don’t just throw words, use the thing inside your head.

David Lundin April 11th, 2008 10:49 AM Link

“4) don’t try me again. you should grow up a notch. don’t just throw words, use the thing inside your head.”

Haha, interesting words from someone who just posted two extremely pointless posts which were apparently “jokes”. And at the end of a post which is just sad and overly defensive.

Did you think those through a long time, you know, used your head?

I know I shouldn’t be feeding trolls, but I’m just not inclined to do any work for the last 15 minutes… it’s friday after all.

randy April 19th, 2008 5:21 PM Link

I’m not into the purist anti-computer and weight discussion. I’m into light weight for performance reasons not just for the sake of it, so it doesn’t bother me that it is a bit heavy. The point is that it is reasonably good looking, and extremely fast. I do believe the numbers and remember the car’s power is underated.

Anyway, I would consider one to punish Vettes with. It is nice to see all this high tech stuff and it appears to be as potent as the Ford GT, maybe moreso. I am an American who hates American cars and flag waving, so this car is quite attractive.