Nissan GT-R R35 test drive since 2007

Comparative test: Nissan GT-R, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Porsche 911 Turbo

From time to time, a car appears on the world car market, around which such an advertising hype is arranged that not only attracts the attention of professionals to it, but also creates a wild stir among representatives of a specialized press around the world: each edition seeks the first to test the novelty, test it and compare it in the first time other cars in their class. Nissan GT-R is from these. As before, our publication is headed by the queue for testing the version of this unusual machine in the configuration designed for the American market and its comparison with the largest competitors: Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and Porsche 911 Turbo.
Our regular readers undoubtedly remember the publication of four months ago dedicated to the first testing of GT-R, when in Germany we tested the version for the Japanese market. Then we had a very definite opinion about the car, but some details nevertheless slipped away from our attention. We immediately realized that the characteristics of GT-R will definitely allow him to take a place among the world elite in class 2+2 ... But we could not imagine that soon I and the editors Mike Montisello and Andrew Bornop will get the opportunity to conduct a comparative test of the first In the USA, GT-R in the configuration for the American market with Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and Porsche 911 Turbo. For the test, we chose one of the most insidious mountain roads in California, as well as the no less causing track Butonwillow Raceway (where Steve Millen, a former tester-test of the Nissan plant) joined us. Here we found out that GT-R not only justifies the whole hype arranged around his appearance, but also methodically chop it into pieces by a sharp samurai sword.
Track tests were held on the Buttonwillow highway along the route No. 13, the length of which is 4.39 km. The air temperature was 14, moisture 45%. There was no wind.
 

Third: Porsche 911 Turbo
Glasses: 380.7
Circle time: 2: 02.1
It is quite clear why those of us who had the opportunity to ride 911 Turbo do not find an adequate replacement of Porsche. It seems that in this machine there is everything: incredible power and controllability, high level of comfort, a methodical German assembly and aura generated by a rich racing past company. Nevertheless, past achievements are not enough to be the winner of our comparative test, and 911 Turbo, who won more than one fight with rivals, this time ended up in the very center of the brawl.
It is no secret that Nissan engineers used 911 Turbo as a comparison in the design of GT-R. Each time, attending the event, somehow related to GT-R, we noticed Porsche 911 Turbo, looming nearby, obviously used by Nissan engineers as a standard. They were equal to 480 hp, issued by a 6-cylinder opponent with a volume of 3.6 liters. Thanks to such indicators, 911 Turbo, weighing 1,682 kg, accelerates to hundreds in 3.4 seconds, it is enough to carry out Corvette and GT-R, but it is hardly possible to win GT-R and Corvette. The arrival for a quarter of a mile will not give anything, since both 911 Turbo and Corvette show the same result of 11.7 s, and GT-R lags behind them literally for a split second.
911 Turbo develops a craving for a well-over-over-a-leveling train, although it seems slow in comparison with the GT-R engine with its continuously increasing power, while 911 turbines have more turbine, says Bornop.
In terms of controllability, we were somewhat disappointed in our silver Porsche. In theory, the all -wheel drive 911 Turbo should swallow speedy turns, but instead he showed insufficient rotation in complex turns and excessive in more speedy ones. Some argued that such behavior is associated with the use of Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, others sinned on too soft suspension springs. But no matter what the reason was covered, Porsche could not show the acute manageability that GT-R showed us on a winding mountain road and on the track.
Undoubtedly, 911 Turbo showed an unexpected absence of proper grip, despite all -wheel drive. We watched mostly insufficient rotation, uncertain behavior of the program, during the exit from complex turns when the accelerator pedal pressed, he practically broke into the skid, Montisello noted.
911 Turbo shone in straight sections of the highway. The Porsche interior turned out to be the most luxurious of the three, the front seats are very comfortable, with good support, the skin is replete. Porsche scored a lot of points in the category of a car in which I would prefer to drive along suburban tracks. Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting noisiness at high speeds and small buttons of the radio/navigation system/climate control, which make it difficult to use these options while driving.
The cost of 911 Turbo ranges from $ 135,470, which also relates to disadvantages in our test. In general, the price that you pay to be able to go to Porsche is quite justified. But as for dry numbers, the Japanese supercope caught up and overtook the German, which means that now there is something to replace Porsche.
Second: Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Glasses: 384.2
Circle time: 2: 02.2
 
In terms of optimal investment of Chevrolet Corvette, the king of Mountain has long been. And after the exit of the charged version of the Z06, there are also valleys, plains and coasts. Is it time to squeeze the king of American sports cars from the throne?
Undoubtedly, the characteristics of Corvette are impressive: a 7-liter V8 produces 505 atmospheric L.S. At 637 Nm of the moment. The elegant Chevy demonstrates the most powerful acceleration of all, being the easiest of the subjects only 1,519 kg. Acceleration to hundreds like the rest, but when rides by 402 meters, he managed to develop the largest speed at the finish of 199 km/h, which is 4 km/h more than that of 911 Turbo, and 11.5 km/h than that GT-R. This proves that, despite Corvette's inability to leave the start as quickly as his all -wheel drive rivals do, if he starts, no one will catch up with him.
I prefer atmospheric engines to turbocharged if they are as good as this. The Z06 engine has constant rabid power, in the entire speed range, in any transmission. And the sound ... is an American V8, do you need to say something else? From such power, it frankly tears off the roof, says Montisello.
Corvette had some difficulties in comparison with rivals when the road began to wriggle. Despite the excessive clutch, provided by the widest tires in the 275/35ZR-18 group in front and 325/30ZR-19 behind, and the masterpiece system of intellectual control, in Z06 there was a walk in steep and more speedy turns. On the track, Corvette has a decent competition by Porsche, but on the winding and dusty highway number 155, Vette had less chance not to lag behind 911 Turbo and GT-R. But on the clean coating, the Corvette track showed everyone why classic racing cars are equipped with rear -wheel drive, passing by slalom with a breathtaking lateral acceleration of 0.99G at a speed of 113 km/h.
When all 505 horses spin the rear wheels are always a challenge. But it is worth paying tribute to GM engineers: they worked well. The installation of a control system allows Z06 to demonstrate a much more impressive clutch than you could expect. The clutch is good, but still there is an impression that the ass is a little swimming. It is more difficult to control this machine than others, but if the driver has certain skills, it is very good, says Bornop.
Despite the absence of the rear seats, Corvette is very convenient in traveling long distances. He has a smooth move, comfortable seats, although they would not have prevented more active lateral support. The salon is quite quiet, the main source of noise is the engine, and that is good.
We came to the general conclusion that Corvette looks best. He is low, wide, which indicates his readiness to show himself in all its glory at any time. Well, the price equal to $ 79 595 makes it the most profitable acquisition in the world ... True, now he has a company.

First: Nissan GT-R
Glasses: 386.6
Circle time: 1: 56.9
 
Gathering for this test, we knew that the GT-R from Nissan was good, we just did not know how much. Our exclusive, the world's first GT-R test for the American market is a significant event: this is the first opportunity to drive by car after modernizing the suspension and comparing it with direct competitors.
The best GT-R showed himself on the track. The circle time speaks for itself: both Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911 Turbo were left behind, GT-R waved a pen, passing the 13th Buttonwillow highway for 5 seconds faster than the rest. Everyone present really liked the Twin-Turning V6 engine from Nissan with a volume of 3.8 liters of 480 horses at 6,400 rpm. and 588 Nm of the moment in the speed range from 3,200 to 5 200 in combination with a 6-speed box located in the rear of the body with a two-disc clutch. IHI turbines mounted directly with the exhaust manifold for a faster reaction, 0.8 bar blow, which accelerates from a place to hundreds of 3.4 s, and 402 meters passes for 11.8 s, i.e. Along with competitors, despite the considerable weight of 1,796 kg.
The power issued by the GT-R engine is simply phenomenal. Not because there are a lot of it, but because it is given very smoothly and naturally. Smaller in size than competitors, GT-R turbines are more responsive than Porsche, there is practically no delay between pressing the gas pedal and the engine reaction. However, the sound of the engine does not so excite the imagination as the sounds made by Z06 and 911 Turbo, Montisello notes.
GT-R controllability should be mentioned separately. The suspension was softer than that of the Japanese version, but also incredibly stable when passing any type of turn. As soon as you feel that the back of the car is about to swim, click on the gas and allow the ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system to cope with the problem without your participation. It instantly transfers up to 50% torque to the front wheels (usually the ratio of the moment along the axes is 2/98) and levels the machine without losing speed. The balancing of the car is simply incredible, when the slalom passes, lateral acceleration was 1.01G at a speed of 118 km/h, which is 4.8 km/h more than competitors (even more than Ferrari Enzo).
It is best to feel yourself in GT-R when you pass any turns. Slightly slowing down and turning the steering wheel, you give the back of the GT-R to enter the game and slightly change the line of turning, but never so much that the machine is lost to stability. The work of the steering wheel is minimal, the all -wheel drive system takes on the most difficult when leaving the turns, says Bornop.
GT-R showed himself well on the highway, although the championship in this part of the test was unconditionally given to Porsche 911 Turbo. In other words, GT-R is perfect for everyday driving. On the road, it is kept solid, only from it from the car presented for the test has a luggage compartment of normal sizes, the seats are quite comfortable. At the high speed of the Dunlop Sp Sports tires, they are a little noisy, and at low speed switching speeds, sometimes too tight in the rest of GT-R is a great option for every day.
It has enough space for a big guy, and in the back seat, the guys are smaller quite comfortably to ride at lunchtime to the nearest restaurant. The trip will not be soft, even in maximum comfort mode. The monitor screens look neat, although some details could be performed better. Could I spend all day in this car? Even how, Montisello notes.
As for the style of this car, we liked it, although there is an opinion that it is too similar to a robot. The lower line does not resemble the bottom of an ordinary machine, but then it is very eloquently hints at its outstanding abilities. Simply put, GT-R The most powerful car ever created in the Land of the Rising Sun, which will force American and European automakers to think carefully. And if it were not for its cost, equal to $ 69 850 (the approximate cost of the test set $ 72,880), and the authorship of Nissan, then GT-R could well be called the most exotic machine on the planet.
 

Source: Road & Tracks