Top Gear: 997 TT vs Skyline GT-R - Page 3

Sunny · 12-06-2007, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osnabrueck

I had a discussion with my well-knowledged coworker about this, and he just about blew a gasket over this GT-R vs 997 TT issue. To paraphrase, it's apples and oranges. It's like comparing a wine from a well-regarded chatau with a pedigree of crafting the finest drink with Miller financing a premium wine venture. Add to that - the Porsche is a rear-engined car with rich characteristics that you just can't compare to an accomplished and accesable sports car like the GT-R.

I see his point. Tests like these are typically invented in cooperation with the manufacturer to generate buzz. You publish the test - we'll provide the cars. A more proper apples-to-apples comparison wouldn't be against the 997, but the Corvette Z06. We're talking two front-engined performance vehicles within virtually the same price bracket.

In any case, it's clear that the GT-R will accomplish it's mission: Make Nissan look good.

A sought of similar line of thought - almost any competent major car manufacturer could if they really wanted could take the hit, pour immense resources and time and make a 911TT beater. History is rife with these examples of giant killers - GT40 vs Ferrari comes to the mind most. But what sets Porsche or Ferrari apart is they consistently do it, model after model and more importantly makes money doing it. Of course, this doesn't take anything away from the GT40 or the GTR, but something to keep it mind before being carried away with the "Nissan kicks Porsche ass" argument.

martinbo · 12-06-2007, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guibo

I think what Lambornima is saying is that we should wait for performance tests using production (or, preferably, privately owned) GT-R's. The claimed 7:38 time on the partially wet Nurburgring sounds almost too good to be true. That's only 10 seconds off the pace of Walter Rohrl's best lap in the Carrera GT in the dry. (It's not unheard of for Nissan to overhype GT-R's...) The acceleration figures are also hard to fathom considering the car's power/wt ratio. However, with those tires and possibly very short gearing, I think it's possible. Many sources indicate Lotus Engineering fine-tuned the suspension (and evo mag says Lotus helped with acheiving the - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER), so combined with the lengthy 'Ring development time, I suppose a very low 'Ring laptime is possible. Whether that is closer to 7:3x or 7:5x remains to be seen.
On the basis of these initial driving impressions, which have little to do with possible power discrepancies, Nissan seems to have squarely met or indeed exceeded the level of the 997 Turbo. That is no small feat at all.

That's a nicely balanced and analytical post Guibo.

Actually, even I feel that Nissan's times are a tad optimistic. But heck, say this thing does the 'Ring conservatively at 7:49.9999. That's one mother of an achievement given the anticipated pricing of the thing.

Oh, and on the topic of power, Nissan's GT-R performance has never been proportional to its on-paper numbers; even so, one cannot disregard the "power" of 588 Nm through a hyper efficient dual-clutch transaxle AWD system.

Poverty · 12-06-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guibo

I think what Lambornima is saying is that we should wait for performance tests using production (or, preferably, privately owned) GT-R's. The claimed 7:38 time on the partially wet Nurburgring sounds almost too good to be true. That's only 10 seconds off the pace of Walter Rohrl's best lap in the Carrera GT in the dry. (It's not unheard of for Nissan to overhype GT-R's...) The acceleration figures are also hard to fathom considering the car's power/wt ratio. However, with those tires and possibly very short gearing, I think it's possible. Many sources indicate Lotus Engineering fine-tuned the suspension (and evo mag says Lotus helped with acheiving the - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER), so combined with the lengthy 'Ring development time, I suppose a very low 'Ring laptime is possible. Whether that is closer to 7:3x or 7:5x remains to be seen.
On the basis of these initial driving impressions, which have little to do with possible power discrepancies, Nissan seems to have squarely met or indeed exceeded the level of the 997 Turbo. That is no small feat at all.

There is now more evidence to suggest that the GTR cant do a 7 min 38 than there is saying that it can.....

martinbo · 12-07-2007, 01:53 AM

The GT-R is certainly setting the tracks alight with its blistering times.
Has there been an official Sport Auto supertest with Horst behind the wheel?

I wonder what uncle Walter would get in this car?

Just_me · 12-07-2007, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinbo

Has there been an official Sport Auto supertest with Horst behind the wheel?

7.50 min on a wet track (some areas on the track were wet) A better test will come later, perhaps he can go down in 7.45 min on a 100% dry track

SDNR · 12-07-2007, 02:58 AM

Apart from wanting to vomit just by looking at it, the Skyline is a very fine car. But, I'm a Porsche guy at heart ...call me biased if you want ...it is probably true.

dr Dunkel · 12-07-2007, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just_me

7.50 min on a wet track (some areas on the track were wet) A better test will come later, perhaps he can go down in 7.45 min on a 100% dry track

The article actually said that one key curve was damp.

Mr. M · 12-07-2007, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

Apart from wanting to vomit just by looking at it, the Skyline is a very fine car. But, I'm a Porsche guy at heart ...call me biased if you want ...it is probably true.

I think it looks revolutionary... What is with the GTR that irks you?

SDNR · 12-07-2007, 06:08 AM

It is interesting to look at but I'm not a fan. It looks like Darth Vader's toilet to me.

Sunny · 12-07-2007, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

It is interesting to look at but I'm not a fan. It looks like Darth Vader's toilet to me.

Lol, very apt description.

12-07-2007, 01:53 AM	#24
martinbo Fanatic Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Johannesburg Posts: 1,701 Thanks: 324 Thanked 531 Times in 269 Posts	Re: Top Gear: 997 TT vs Skyline GT-R The GT-R is certainly setting the tracks alight with its blistering times. Has there been an official Sport Auto supertest with Horst behind the wheel? I wonder what uncle Walter would get in this car?

12-07-2007, 02:58 AM	#26
SDNR Connoisseur Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5,985 Thanks: 1,319 Thanked 870 Times in 534 Posts	Re: Top Gear: 997 TT vs Skyline GT-R Apart from wanting to vomit just by looking at it, the Skyline is a very fine car. But, I'm a Porsche guy at heart ...call me biased if you want ...it is probably true.

12-07-2007, 06:08 AM	#29
SDNR Connoisseur Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5,985 Thanks: 1,319 Thanked 870 Times in 534 Posts	Re: Top Gear: 997 TT vs Skyline GT-R It is interesting to look at but I'm not a fan. It looks like Darth Vader's toilet to me.

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