Test drive Nissan GT-R R35 Restyling since 2011 compartment

Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione against Nissan GT-R SPECV: Comparative test drive

Why exactly GT-R and 8C Competizione?

Unlike the multifunctional Nissan GT-R, the SPEC V version has a limited scope of application is only racing loops and winding roads. SPECV service needs personnel with very highly specialized knowledge, and this is maintained in specialized centers (7 centers throughout Japan). Only 30 cops of SPECV are produced per month.

The concept of 8C Competizione was first presented in Frankfurt back in 2003. The classic body forms are made of hydrocarbon fiber, and since the car is made at the Maserati factory in Moden, it has many common features with Maserati Gran Turismo. For Japan, 70 copies of 8C were allocated in the body of the compartment (in the photo). In April 2009, Japan also announced the sales of the 8C Spider relatives at a price of 26,750,000 yen ($ 297,400).
   

Of all the cars ever produced by Japanese automakers, the most powerful and most expensive is, of course, Nissan GT-R SPECV. This supercar is equipped with a 3.8-liter V6-engine with two turbines capable of developing power up to 485 hp. The acceleration time to 100 km/h has not yet been officially announced. The northern loop of the Nürburgring highway GT-R passed in 7 minutes 20 seconds. The price of a car in Japan is unprecedented: 15,750,000 yen (about $ 175,000).

The second hero of our review is Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione: a V8-engine with a volume of 4.7 liters, maximum power up to 450 hp, the time of passing the northern loop is unknown. According to power indicators, the car loses to Nissan slightly, but this does not prevent him from showing super-results: 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, the maximum speed is 292 km/h. And the price tag in Japan is completely stunning: 22,590,000 yen (approximately $ 250,000).

When our turn came up for the GT-R SPECV test drive for the press, I thought that, of course, it is possible to devote an article to him alone, but is the character of SPECV, and indeed GT-R will not appear most vividly in confrontation with another car? .. on the other hand, who can compete with Specv? One of the automobile magazines chose Porsche 911 GT2 as such an opponent. And this is understandable: both top -end cars have their manufacturers, in addition, both with turbines.

But we decided to go the other way and chose a slightly unusual opponent for GT-R. Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione is a double compartment with an atmospheric eight -cylinder engine, a drive on the rear axle streamlined by carbon elements of the body. It would seem that this typical Italian has in common with an all-wheel drive turbocharged Nissan GT-R? This is the idea: such a contrast will help the temperaments of both cars to play even brighter colors.

8C Comfortable sports car

Carbones were also used in the frames of the seats-oiled and internal panels. The leather upholstery of the Poltrona Frau production and aluminum decoration of the central console continues the traditions of the Alfa family, begun in the model 159.

A completely aluminum 4.7-liter V8-engine with a collapse of 90 degrees. The six -speed semi -automatic gearbox with an integrated rear differential is located in the rear of the car the so -called Transaxle Layout circuit. The transmission is almost similar to such on Maserati Gran Turismo S.
   

And then one morning I find myself in the cockpit Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione. The cabin of a double compartment seems very cramped, but it turns out that two adults can accommodate here even with some comfort. Behind the seats there is a large shelf, on which you can throw, for example, a jacket and a portfolio. True, in the tested car, this place was occupied by the Schedoni red leather suitcases included in the package, so there was nowhere to put personal things resolutely.

Thin and flat pillows of the seats, covered with leather, are somewhat wide for the middle Japanese, but I liked it no longer clicks, sitting quite comfortably. The position of the steering wheel and seat can completely configure the adjustment function for yourself allows you to do this easily, however, choosing the right position of the seat convenient for me, I noted that due to the bulky dashboard, visibility worsens.

I click on the Start button located on the central console. I hear the dull mutter of the starter, and after a few moments a roar is heard, the motor, the heart of our true Italian, woke up. I involuntarily come to my mind Association with Weber carburetors, feeding the Ferrari V12 power plant. I choose an automatic switching mode of the 6-speed mechanical two-pedal box Q Select. Switching to increased gears is noticeable, but not annoying. In my opinion, it is more pleasant to drive in a machine gun: the steering wheel is easier, the gas pedal is more supple. Swaying so for some time, I noticed that I was instinctively looking for a transmission pedal.

The revolutions go for an increase, the engine roar is heard more and more here I press the Sport button, and the music of the eight -cylinder engine already makes me break out in a satisfied smile: this is the sound of a real European sports car. July, in one breath I make a way from Tokyo to the Peninsula of Izu (distance about 100 km).


Restrained and harsh SPECV

Like the standard GT-R, SPECV received the seats of the production of Recaro, but here they were supplemented by the tilt adjustment mechanism. To reduce the weight of the rear chairs, only a banged upholstery remained. As an option, the salon is equipped with an acoustic BOSE system.

RAYS forged disks on SPECV are even easier than on a standard GT-R. The rubber Bridgestone Potenza RE070R (with Run Flat technology) is also characterized by a composition, tread pattern and design. But the most interesting is the original carbon-ceramic brakes created under the guidance of Brembo. On GT-R, the brake calipers were gilded, Spec V, however, received their more modest version of the silver. The diameter of the front brake discs is 390 mm, each weighs 5 kg. If it is necessary to replace precious brakes, for new ones you will have to lay out 4,700,000 yen ($ 52,300). The suspension is also exclusive from Bilstein.
   

On the GT-R Spec V, we see new buckets, which he received instead of unpopular standard ones. These seats are produced in Japan and, of course, take into account the semantic anatomy of the average Japanese, unlike 8C. However, apparently, in order to justify the high cost of the seats, they were made suspiciously soft, and this, in my opinion, is contrary to the Spartan character, which should possess the salon of a sports car.

As you know, the current GT-R model came from the sedan, and this historical connection is well traced in the location of the seats not as low as in 8C, which, in combination with the raised dashboard, seems quite reasonable. SPECV is actually a double car, since the rear seats pillows are removed, and now you can use them only to accommodate a small baggage.

The launch of a 3.8-liter V6-engine did not cause me such delight as in the case of 8C: everything is familiar here. SPECV is equipped with an automated manual gearbox with two clutches. And although the start seemed slightly awkward, the programs here switch easier and more smooth than 8C. The engine response is more acute, torque without complaints, the speed is gaining even more briskly than I expected. The sound of the SPEC V motor is more restrained, the amateur of ascetic mechanical noise here is no longer heard by the arias that the 8C Competizione engine for me performed.

But the most noticeable SPECV differs from 8C on the road. The effectiveness of carbon-ceramic brakes and lightweight wheel discs is not as obvious as a non-applied swing on an uneven road. According to the developers, the SPECV version initially thought for driving along the tracks, so the front springs here are more rigid than on the standard GT-R.

So, on the GT-R Spec V, I got from Tokyo to Izza on increased adrenaline not to compare with the quiet happiness with which I controlled 8C Competizione on the same route.

As for the brakes, there is nothing to say: SPECV brakes chief engineer GT-R Cazetosi Mizutoso calls the best carbon-ceramic brakes in the world, it is even embarrassing to compare them with the brakes that are equipped with 8C.



Hidden dangers

Wheels 8C with a diameter of 20 inches, rubber 245/35 R20 (front) and 285/35 R20 (rear). The brakes are also from Brembo, the discs are not at all from cast iron, but from a moisture alloy. Suspension levers (double transverse levers) are made of forged aluminum.

A devoted idea of \u200b\u200bweight loss at all costs, 8C Competizione boasts a carbon trim of a console and a checkpoint of a checkpoint. In the front row in the middle of the engine start button, on the left of the button (starting with distant), the reverse (R), automatic mode and sport, on the right, the danger, wet road and the disconnection button of the dynamic stabilization system VDC.
   

So, two cars arrived on the Izu Peninsula, popular among riders thanks to interesting mountain serpentines. Everything here should finally fall into place.

First, a series of turns on 8C Competizion. As befits a real European sports car, the car on the road is held as a glove: not the slightest movement either vertically or horizontally, the car passes through all the turns, demonstrating a small steering force and a minimum return from irregularities in the steering column, but in general, but in general Excellent stability and handling.

8C Competizione shutting at the Pirelli Pzero super-razin with a diameter of 20 inches, which gives excellent adhesion to the road, which allowed me to take turns at very high speed. With the exception of one case that occurred during photography of the next turn. Approaching the right turn, I switched the program from the third to the second. It so happened that I was driving then a little faster than usual, and because of this I did not guess a little with the moment the transmission switching. As a result, I could not enter the turn along the familiar Slow in, Fast out (slow entrance, quick exit) I just flew into it! Having sharply turned the steering wheel, being already at the extreme point of turn, I realized that the rear wheels of the car simply fall in the air ... I suffered fear! At that moment, I had disconnected a dynamic stabilization system (VDC), which made the situation even more critical. In such a simple way, the usual super-sport 8C Competizione found its potential danger even within the roads of public use. And for some reason I am not sure that VDC can really save such a situation.



Stunning speed. The final choice

SPECV automatic transmission selector has the same design as on the standard GT-R. In general, with the exception of the seats, the SPECV cabin practically does not differ from that in the standard version. If you look closely, you can also notice that the panel covering the central rear wiefer is made of carbonate, which positively affects the sound quality. In general, getting rid of the rear seats and installing carbon parts (spoiler, part of the bottom protection), it was possible to reduce the weight of the machine by 60 kg.

In the upper part of the Central Console, SPECV is a multifunction display with the ability to display information about accelerating, slowing down, managing, transmission, fuel consumption, as well as an on -board journal. There is the possibility of individual setting of each mode.
   

Next, I am transplanted to GT-R SPECV and, having left for the already familiar serpentine, I experience a real celebration of speed. SPECV is heavier than 8C by exactly 100 kilograms, but acceleration is so smooth that the driver can forget about the risk of how massive this car actually is. Entering the turns (this time on the appropriate speed situation), I again noted the characteristic buildup of the body.

Having slowed down, I pressed the R button on the central console now the programs will switch faster, and also changed the VDC system settings and again went to the same serpentine, and this time I increased the pressure of the turbocharger as necessary. The car pulled significantly and began to move even more confidently, and flew out of the turns with a bullet. Song!

However, the conclusion is the same: like 8C, SPECV is not intended for active driving on general roads. If something happens, very few are given to cope with such a monster. GT-R SPECV has endless capabilities, a deep inner world and severe temperament, although extremely charming.

So what do we have? On the one hand, GT-R with magnificent indicators on the north loop of Nürburgring. On the other, 8C, the main mission of which is not ephemeral numbers, but real convenience for the driver. Which of the two supercars is better? I was very touched by the depth of the Nissan GT-R SPECV character, but still, being the great age grandfather (and I already exceeded 60), I choose the comfortable classics of the Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione. However, the matter here is not at age my choice is completely shared by the 30-year editor of our publication.


Technical characteristics Nissan GT-R SPECV

Full length: 4 650 mm.
Full width: 1 895 mm.
Complete height: 1 370 mm.
The length of the wheelbase: 2 780 mm.
Weight: 1 680 kg.
Drive: complete.
Engine: 3.8-liter V-shaped 6-cylinder DOHC with two turbochargers; The maximum power is 357 kW (485 hp) at 6,400 rpm, maximum torque 558 nm (70 kg-m) at 4,500 rpm.
Transmission: 6-speed DCT (with two clutches).
Price in Japan: 15,750,000 yen (about $ 175,000).


Technical characteristics of Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione

Full length: 4 380 mm.
Full width: 1 895 mm.
Complete height: 1 340 mm.
The length of the wheelbase: 2 645 mm.
Weight: 1 660 kg.
Drive: rear.
Engine: 4.7-liter V-shaped 8-cylinder Dohc; The maximum power is 331 kW (450 hp) at 7,000 rpm, maximum torque 480 nm (48.9 kg-m) at 4,750 rpm.
Transmission: 6-speed semiautomatic device (with one clutch).
Price in Japan: 22 590 000 yen (about $ 250,000).

Source: carView.co.jp