There were plenty of enthusiasts who scoffed when Nissan's engineers started dragging a 911 Turbo around with them while testing the 2009 GT-R. It seemed like a lofty benchmark for a car that's expected to cost around $75,000, but the latest word from Germany suggests Nissan may have met its goals.
Prototypes of the 2009 GT-R started circling the Nurburgring yesterday, and according to spy shooters on the scene it was clear that the GT-R was running at full steam. With that in mind, they pulled out their stop watches to get an idea just how fast the GT-R was getting around the Nordschleife. The fastest hand timed lap came in at around 7:38, two seconds faster than the 911 Turbo's widely reported fastest lap of 7:40.
And as if that wasn’t enough to cement the GT-R's reputation around the Nurburgring, our spies also caught a couple shots of the Nissan blowing by the facelifted Porsche 911 Turbo we showed you earlier in the week. The Porsche may not have been running at full speed, but a pass is a pass.
but hold on to your horses, the Turbo is getting a 2009 refresh.
Looks like the 2009 Porsche 911 Turbo is getting a little touch up. This prototype spotted in Germany looks like the current model, but we noticed a few minor changes that indicate an imminent midcycle refresh. The front end is unmolested as far as we can tell, but the rear end has new taillights with LEDs and a slightly different lens arrangement. Reshaped tailpipes indicate a reworked exhaust, so there could be a few extra horsepower on tap for a car that's already one of the fastest we've ever tested. Look for an official debut early next year.
source : Straightline - Spy photos: Nissan GT-R beats 911 Turbo around the Nurburgring
Straightline - Spy photos: 2009 Porsche 911 Turbo refresh
Nissan Skyline GT-R a Porsche and Lambo killer?
During testing at the Nurburgring this week, the Nissan Skyline GT-R was spotted putting in some very hot laps. Although the numbers are unofficial, and reportedly hand-timed, the initial times are impressive. Putting the Skyline GT-R in a class with the Porsche 911 Turbo and substantially ahead of the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, the all-wheel drive coupe’s times are nearly unbelievable, given the pricing announced when it was released for sale in Japan on Thursday.
The Skyline GT-R is two seconds ahead of the 911 Turbo and a whopping eight seconds ahead of the Gallardo Superleggera, lapping the ‘ring in a searing 7:38, according to Edmunds. In fact, given the possible margin of error introduced by hand-timing, the GT-R could be running in a league with the Porsche 911 GT2, which laps the ‘ring in a scorching 7:32.
Adding even more heat to these rumored times is the possibility that the GT-R spied this week isn’t even the top-end model. The three-tiered GT-R model range includes a base-model sporting 480hp and selling for US$57,000, a V-Spec going for US$67,000, and a range-topping 100kg lighter EVO-Spec with 530hp priced at US$94,000. Although pre-orders began in Japan on Thursday, the official unveiling will happen in Tokyo next month, with delivery slated for December.
Regardless of which model is lapping the ‘ring in the 7:30s, it’s a price-to-performance dream. The 911 GT2 rings up at US$191,700, while the Superleggera will lighten your wallet by US$220,300, if you can find one next year - all the 2007s are sold. Even the Ferrari F430, which runs the Green Hell in a relatively snail-paced 7:55, will run you a minimum of US$173,079. Half the price and all the performance? The supercar stalwarts should be scared.
source : Motor Authority » Nissan Skyline GT-R a Porsche and Lambo killer?
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