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.
[Source: YouTube]
Paris Preview: Officially Official, Honda's new hybrid is the Insight!
Mazda Kiyora city car concept, MX-5 facelift head to Paris
Leaked: Official updated Mazda MX-5 image
Reader Spy: Chevy Volt caught on set of Transformers 2
Spy Shot: Production interior of Chevy Volt (maybe)
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged
By the Numbers - August 2008: New Digs Edition
In the Autoblog Garage: KITT Shelby GT500 KR
First Drive: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Nissan Murano
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Seoultrain @ Feb 25th 2008 5:45PM
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.
andy @ Feb 25th 2008 6:55PM
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 @ Feb 25th 2008 7:17PM
I was thinking the same thing
Franz @ Feb 25th 2008 5:46PM
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. :)
R @ Feb 25th 2008 8:16PM
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 @ Feb 25th 2008 5:48PM
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?
Gustaf @ Feb 25th 2008 5:51PM
What happend to part 2?????
Andrew @ Feb 25th 2008 5:53PM
For shame...not getting enough views so you have to plug here?! What a douche.
dac @ Feb 25th 2008 5:54PM
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.
Aki @ Feb 25th 2008 5:54PM
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.
John R @ Feb 25th 2008 5:55PM
Seriously, Autoblog. The best post you've put up in weeks. GT-R! I love it.
Aki @ Feb 25th 2008 5:57PM
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.
Seoultrain @ Feb 25th 2008 6:03PM
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 @ Feb 25th 2008 7:31PM
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 @ Feb 25th 2008 8:52PM
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 @ Feb 25th 2008 5:59PM
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.
R1R @ Feb 26th 2008 12:07AM
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 @ Feb 25th 2008 6:03PM
this guy is an awful driver... its called M Dynamic Mode.
AlexP @ Feb 25th 2008 6:13PM
You're just pissed because your beloved M3 got beat by a Nissan. :D
Brett- BMW Advo @ Feb 25th 2008 6:26PM
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