Porsche v Nissan GT-R cheat claim ...settled?

By Karla Pincott
Carsguide
25 November 2008

See below for video of the testing done. Photo Gallery

Has the war between Porsche and Nissan over Nurburgring times finally been settled?

See below for video of some of the independent testing done.

There was a lot of attention in April when the Nissan GT-R did a lap of the Nurburgring in 7:29.

There was applause and there was also some doubt.

Porsche in particular told carsguide that it could not understand “how this time is possible” and that Nissan must have used non-standard tyres.

Porsche ran its own back-to-back tests with the Japanese company's GT-R supercar and said it could not get within 25 seconds of Nissan's claimed record time of seven minutes 29 seconds in April. It also found its 911 Turbo and GT2 were both quicker than the GT-R.

Porsche said it took a standard GT-R, running on regular road tyres, and clocked the GT-R at 7:54.

The German sports car maker was initially protective of the exact lap times, which were run during a program when Porsche also compared its upcoming four-door Panamera with a range of potential rivals.

But Porsche eventually revealed its team clocked the GT-R at 7 minutes 54 seconds, with the 911 Turbo managing 7:38 and the GT2 getting down to 7:34.

The laps were not run by Porsche's usual hot-lap specialist, former world rally champion and race winner Walter Rohrl, but one of the company's chassis development engineers who is an expert on the Nurburgring.

Nissan hit back, saying that its times were valid, and that it could provide evidence – both on video and in the form of the tyres it used.

Now, Drivers Republic in the UK has chimed in, with Ring veteran Chris Harris taking both a Nissan GT-R and a Porsche GT2 around the track.

Both vehicles were stock, except that the limiter was removed from the Nissan and it had Bridgestone tyres rather than the Dunlops used when the car set the 7:29 time.

Which vehicle proved the point? Drivers Republic has offered us their story and the video of their laps.

And they’re happy for you to leave comments here for them to respond to.

Comments on this story

Displaying 3 of 70 comments

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look at the road tests and it should be spelt out for you, autocar,top gear and deceber issue of CAR.... porsche i have owned 3 carreras and one turbo, the GTR out brakes you without ceramic brakes, it is a lot heavier and it outruns you and changes direction quicker than you and is a hell of a lot cheaper, read the figures and weep.......
Landers of UNITED KINGDOM........ Posted on 21 December 2009 10:31am
In reality, every independent ring test has shown the Nissan to be no better, so far, than 7.50min. The Nissan is good but not as good as Nissan would like everybody to think. Just about every Porche is in reality quicker than the GRT around the ring including a straight line sprint to top speed, check out the figures. also to compare the Nissan to a GT2 is a bit rich. I would like to see an independent test around the ring between a gtr and Porche Carrera S. Now that will be a good test. Cheers Lee
Lee of Perth Posted on 08 July 2009 8:37pm
I would have to agree with all of those who can see that the Nissan driver in this video really isnt the pro driver Porsche claim him to be.
JOHNNY2CENTS of melbourne Posted on 29 June 2009 5:18pm
If its bang for buck were talking about then the GTR would be my choice. On the other hand if your a millionare big shot with and a burning desire to look cool with your hired escort and dress suit, then you might consider the Porsche.
JOHNNY2CENTS of melbourne Posted on 29 June 2009 5:07pm
What a beat up about nothing. we've got a bunch of big boys with fast toys and egos that are taking big hits. Let's get Subaru into the clash with their WRX to really give both Nissan and Porsche a time to beat. Then we'll have two fast car makers crying foul and accusing Subaru of swapping tyres, tinkering with engines or suspension. It doesn't matter which car is faster around the Nurburgring with a race driver at the wheel. you'll buy a Porsche or a Nissan because you like them and always will. 20 seconds on a race track isn't going to sway the buyer.
Bazathome of Bribie Island, Queensland Posted on 21 June 2009 8:39am
Well i was quite surprised by the video. I can understand why porshe cracked a wobberly, The ring is to test the car for what i understand to be 'Road Model' Cars primzarily in this generia. But on the other hand i say good on nissan for turning around with a heavier less powerful car and dethroning the almighty 997 gt2. I have a great amount of respect for both cars but people also have to remember that these cars also have different heritage's and i can see why porshe is shitty because of nissan stepping on their toes. Porshe Needs to grow up and realise that at some point and time other comnpanies will rise through the world of motoring and that they aren't perfect. Bad luck boys GET OVER IT. try on the next model Rivals are so Funny
R.Gartlan of Queensland Australia Posted on 26 January 2009 9:43pm
Personally myself if it wasn't for machines like the GTR a lot of these other rich mans cars wouldn't have been designed to the level they're at now. As for Porsche bunch of cry babies just like the aussies v8 races. They banned the Nissan because it was beating V8's. I say good on the Japanese and they will always come up with something better, thats progress for you.
kevin puru of New Zealand Posted on 18 January 2009 9:26am
Seriously, who cares? The Porsche is timeless, been around for over 40 years where as the GTR will be a design dinosaur in 5 years time. On one hand your driving something with history and culture, on the other your driving something specifically made to compete and beat the classics. Like the Ford GT, was great while it was around and then disappeared......... I would prefer to see a comparison in real world driving situations.
GoldCoastDude of Gold Coast Posted on 02 January 2009 9:36pm
Porsche is just trying to be hard-arsed. i had a huge amount of respect for them. they never used to do things like this. never! and what happened all of a sudden? well i know why: Porsche could always compete directly on performance with Ferrari, Lamborghini and other high priced exotics. the fact that it had no competitor on pricing, meant that it was always on top of its game. now all of a sudden along comes a competitor that not only beat them on performance, but also pricing and true value for money. (some of you know that previous generation GT-Rs have been doing this for a while...but don't let Porsche know about this or they might run you over with a Cayenne Turbo S at the 'Ring!). so what does Porsche do? shit in their pants and try to defame the gt-r!
Kevin Rodrigo of South Africa Posted on 12 December 2008 6:50pm
Come on guys, why arn't we testing Hyundai's and Kia's around the ring, and we can then debate wheather kia used the Bob jane alrounders to set a time of 1hr 40 instead of the standard simex tyres, and then some knob can say that the ford focus is beter value for money and is quicker at the same time, but ran Pirelli tyres which are an optional extra..... well it's not like many people reading this stroy will ever drive a gtr, let along have the painfull decision of whether to buy gtr or a 911 T
Zak Davidson Posted on 04 December 2008 12:16pm

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