Filed under: Coupes, Videos, Supercars, BMW, Nissan, Porsche, First Drive
VIDEO: Nissan GT-R vs BMW M3 vs Porsche 911 GT3
Britain's Autocar hit the track with the BMW M3, Nissan GT-R, and Porsche 911 GT3 to see which of the musclebound sports cars could best its immediate competition, and they captured the three-way face-off on video. There's been plenty of GT-R vs. Porsche chatter since the Nissan's launch, but how would Bimmer's latest juggernaut fare against a tag-team of the GT-R and Zuffenhausen's latest road carver? We're not going to spoil it for you. Follow the jump to see if Godzilla devours Germany or if Nissan's monster is repelled by the defensive outposts in Munich or Stuttgart.
Gallery: Nissan GT-R (US-spec)
Gallery: 2008 BMW M3
Gallery: 2007 Porsche 911 GT3
[Source: YouTube]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Seoultrain 5:45PM (2/25/2008)
This guy is a great reviewer on camera. Fifth Gear or American Top Gear should totally hire him. He's got a nice mix of driving skill and enthusiasm, like a Tiff or Plato, but less annoying and way less pretentious.
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andy 6:55PM (2/25/2008)
the guy is Chris Harris and been with Autocar for ages. He's a great jurno and has a bit of racing experience (Nurburgring 24hrs). I remember a few years ago, he bought himself a Lambo :)
Kayne001 7:17PM (2/25/2008)
I was thinking the same thing
Franz 5:46PM (2/25/2008)
Saw this already. I actually enjoyed the test format: see what the cars can do without too much seat time or fiddling about. Like he says in the end, both do things the other can't... and the M3 is just simply outclassed. It also proves that the GT-R is a legitimate contender: 3.8 seconds to 60 with a passenger on board, AND after he bounced off the rev limiter at least 3 times before grabbing 2nd gear... amazing. "Baby Veyron"... I think it's fitting. :)
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R 8:16PM (2/25/2008)
I like how there's no music to get in the way. I can hear all the revs and downshifts that I normally wouldn't be able to hear on Top Gear.
Rogue_G 5:48PM (2/25/2008)
Hey buddy, GTRBlog had it awhile ago too. But far be it from me to stop you from plugging [INSERT BAD CAR BLOG HERE].
That aside, the way the guy proselytizes at the alter of GT-R is inspiring. It looks like he wasn't expecting it at all, given his stunned impression at the end of part 1. Now the only question is, will we ever see a time there won't be huge markets on this beastly godzilla?
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Gustaf 5:51PM (2/25/2008)
What happend to part 2?????
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Andrew 5:53PM (2/25/2008)
For shame...not getting enough views so you have to plug here?! What a douche.
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dac 5:54PM (2/25/2008)
That's more or less what I expected.
Nissan has to be delighted with the success of the R35 so far. It's an absolutely unbelievable car.
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Aki 5:54PM (2/25/2008)
http://www.autocar.co.uk/VideosWallpapers/Videos.aspx?AR=231444&CT=V
There's the second part.
That's a great vid. I just hope this isn't derailed by pointless "zomg they should've included the Corvette cus it's better" junk.
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John R 5:55PM (2/25/2008)
Seriously, Autoblog. The best post you've put up in weeks. GT-R! I love it.
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Aki 5:57PM (2/25/2008)
I just finished the second part, and I think it's rubbish (to borrow the UK phrase) that he says the GT3 is even with GT-R, in spite of a slower track time, in spite of slower 0-60 and 0-100 performance.
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Seoultrain 6:03PM (2/25/2008)
I think he makes it very clear that they are very different machines that will appeal to different people. They're both impressive in their own ways, with the GT-R being a technological marvel, and the GT3 having that organic connection to the driver.
Joshua 7:31PM (2/25/2008)
I think he makes it pretty clear;
If you're an average driver and you want to go around a racetrack as fast as possible: get a Skyline.
If you're an excellent driver and you want to go around a racetrack as fast as possible: well... still get the Skyline.
BUT; If you live and breath this s__t, if you enter a state of zen-like transcendence when you're on a track with a car that fuses with your being; The 911's the best bet.
For most people the Skyline's the pick, for the track enthusiasts that are likely to read/watch Autocar the 911's the pick. Therefore a tie.
993C4S 8:52PM (2/25/2008)
I'm a Porsche fan and Porsche blogger, but you have to give the R35 respect. The fact is, this is one of the first un-biased comparisons I've seen and not at all like most of the Japanese tuner videos that appear to be sponsored commercials for Nissan.
Best quote in the whole video is at the end "What we're saying is a car made by a company that used to be called Datsun is as good as the best 911 ever made. Pretty Good."
I also agree completely with Seoultrain and Joshua with regard to why the cars can be considered "even".
YourNameHere 5:59PM (2/25/2008)
ill be more interested after a year or two and these things dont turn into Nissan commercials. Its the new hottness and it can do wrong. but seriously think about it...how can nissan build a car for $80k that is "perfect" in every measurable way? once the buzz wears off and ppl dont feel obligated give it a gold star for fear of backlash.
I thinks its going to suffer from "Corvette-itis" amazing performance, rental car interior. it might keep up with the world class cars on a track but in the real world and on the sales charts its not gonna be such a stand out.
not to mention all of the limitations Nissan has put on the service of the cars and what not.
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R1R 12:07AM (2/26/2008)
Rental car interior? Yeah right.
Since when was a leather covered dash and Alcantara seating inserts rental grade?
The M3 and GT3 both have rental car interiors compared to the GT-R.
The M3 interior is absolute trash compared to the GT-R.
Brett- BMW Advo 6:03PM (2/25/2008)
this guy is an awful driver... its called M Dynamic Mode.
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AlexP 6:13PM (2/25/2008)
You're just pissed because your beloved M3 got beat by a Nissan. :D
Brett- BMW Advo 6:26PM (2/25/2008)
yea a bit haha. i just think the M3 was a bit bashed. i dont think it fits in the same segment as the GTR or the 911 GT3.
as for M Dynamic Mode..
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-5V876ZGAmg