Porsche 911 Turbo, Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and U.S. spec. Nissan GT-R hit the racetrack
Photo by Bruce Benedict
The arrival of the Nissan GT-R has not only clogged up the automotive news headlines, it has sparked the creative juices of many journalists. Every publication is scrambling to concoct a unique comparison test for the new Godzilla. In the past, typical comparisons consisted of nonsensical number ratings calculated through a formula that only had meaning to folks offering their opinion based off their butt cheeks. Now the objective seems to have shifted towards streamlining variables and logging repeatable data for direct overlay between vehicles. First Inside Line brought us unbiased measurements of power output, now Road and Track gives us measurements of time. They did not quite eliminate the use of their own point scale to add up the results of various tests, but at least they provided the actual time results, as well.
The crew from R&T recently transported a U.S. market version of the 2009 Nissan GT-R, a 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo and a 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 to Buttonwillow Raceway in California for a little fun. Don't worry about inconsistent journalist drivers either, as they also brought veteran 12 Hours of Sebring race winner Steve Millen along to be the pilot. Their plan saw each car take a few laps of race configuration 13, which has quickly become the circuit of choice for various media outlets. The typical 0-60 mph, 1/4 mile, skidpad, slalom and braking tests were also performed, but proved to be ill-equipped in distinguishing the competitors. The lap times really told the story with the Porsche clocking in at 2:02.1, the Z06 right on its tail at 2:02.2 and the GT-R well ahead at 1:56.9. Thanks for the tip Chuck!
[Source: Road and Track]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
DS 7:38PM (3/20/2008)
Bout time some one did this comparo... they should do it with a ZR1 and GT2 tho, see how that goes
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In2uition 9:10PM (3/20/2008)
I can see that possibly happening when the V-Spec model.
fbxcore 9:12PM (3/20/2008)
It's a higher bracket of cars, you can't really fairly compare the GT-R to a GT2 and a ZR1, plus, a $70,000 (well, maybe) car beating out a $120,000 Porsche is quite a feat in itself.
Dondonel 10:26PM (3/20/2008)
So the cars were tested by former Nissan test pilot and the result was that the Nissan came out first.
I guess Autoblog missed this bit of information.
John R 10:53PM (3/20/2008)
^^ wha, wha, wha! Why don't we call the whambulance.
Look, the GT-R is for real. The 'Vette and the turbo are great cars (yet the 911 doesn't seem so great for the price) but GM and Porsche have to go back to the drawing board. Nothing wrong with that.
JGuan 10:57PM (3/20/2008)
If you look at the lap times that Car and Driver got on Config 13 at Buttonwillow, the Z06's time was was 2:01. Only 1 second off Road and Track.
Dondonel 12:22AM (3/21/2008)
@JGuan
Exactly my point, the race champion (and former Nissan test driver) got a weaker time with Z06 than C&D journalists.
R 12:54AM (3/21/2008)
@Dondonel
Give it up already. C&D got one second better, that could very well be a weather difference. C&D's still wasn't enough to beat the GTR's time anyway. And how come no one was whining when the z06 "only" got a 2:01 under C&D's test?
Dondonel 10:23AM (3/21/2008)
@R
If you think that a GT racing champion gets a worse or similar time with some journalists testing the same car on a 2 minute track there is nothing else to comment.
naggs 12:14PM (3/27/2008)
first the tires don't matter then the driver doesn't matter
neutral driver, Virgina International Raceway, same day, = vette by 3 sec
Franz 7:39PM (3/20/2008)
Everyone was screaming for a US spec comparison test. Well, here you go!
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YtheLastMan 7:43PM (3/20/2008)
Come on where are all of the GTR haters out there anyone, anyone???
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Jeremy 8:17PM (3/20/2008)
I cannot understand people on the Internet. 99% of the people wasting their time making comments can't afford any of these cars. Yet, in true fanboi fashion everyone picks a side and start arguing about a topic that is completely irrelevant. Then every time a new piece of information arrives the pointless debates start again. And the best part of all is that when there is no one arguing people will simply stand on the hilltops and proclaim their greatness beckoning for any semblance of dissent so that they may be deemed "pwned". This is by far the stupidest thing that man has ever taken part of.
The GT-R is a car. In my opinion it has the ugliest interior of any car within the past 20 years. Many will disagree and drop tens of thousands of dollars on it. Others will say "I'm never going to be on a track so I'll get the Porsche". This is how life works. People have different opinions. The idea that people can't reconcile that in their heads is depressing. The Vette and the Porsche are both fine cars that do what they do in their own way. The GT-R is no different and just because it goes around a circle doesn't make it the best car for everyone.
I hope that maybe one day you'll understand that life isn't a giant Internet argument. Until then you, my trolling friend, are a complete douchebag.
LloydChiro 8:22PM (3/20/2008)
Does it make me a "hater" if I still prefer a 997 over the GT-R?
I would rather have a Cayman over the GT-R, with the Porsche's timeless looks vs. the Nissan's ostentatious high-tech look.
jake 8:25PM (3/20/2008)
@Jeremy
I completely agree with you; from both sides people just want to get on top of each other and smugly proclaim they are somehow better than the other side because "their" car won. Whatever man, most of us won't even buy these cars. Even at number 2, the Z06 still did well for what it is: a bargain supercar. I'll agree it's abundantly clear the GTR is the new king overall, but there's no need to bash the Z06, which did pretty well overall. Straightline performance it still did well esp in the 1/4 mile and it kept up in the 0-60 despite not having that AWD advantage.
Temple 10:26PM (3/20/2008)
>>Does it make me a "hater" if I still prefer a 997 over the GT-R?
Doesn't make you a "hater" as long as you don't irrationally bash the other brand or start questioning the validity or honesty of the review without merit. For my money I would choose the Corvette over the GT-R or 997, but after all the reviews from all over the world, its clear and almost axiomatic that the GT-R is the faster all around car. Period.
Ligor 5:37PM (3/21/2008)
hahahahah
I love the GT-R - it's a great car and you all should give it the credit it deserves.
now to those two idiots that say why do people always want to say "i'm on top" - get real, the US right now is telling the whole world they're on top. I guess mokey do as mokey see.
Like some others said, I still take the Vette of the Porsche, but for those of us that want all out performance and put looks (vette) as second and/or brand (porsche) as second, the GT-R is ideal.
I can't wait for the Spec-V to arrive. 530HP, down 300lbs in weight
btw - the interior design is not great - i addmit that - but it is set-up so that everything is ergonomic adn everything is leather covered, and when you're at the track ergonomics are most important, and when you drive daily the leather surfaces feel nice although you have to deal with the looks.
to me it still looks good - it has grown since first I saw it, even if that is only due to the fact that it's performance is the awesome.
Alex 7:46PM (3/20/2008)
That is impressive.
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aman 7:45PM (3/20/2008)
911: 2:02.1
Z06: 2:02.02
911 is slower than the 'Vette.
good on the GTR though. Just makes me want it even more, if that's possible.
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Xcountryflyer 8:01PM (3/20/2008)
I like the GTR even before this test. Heck, I'd take any of those 3 cars.