2008 Ultimate Performance Car Test: 2009 Nissan GT-R vs. the World

We're in a 2009 Nissan GT-R, helmet on, seatbelt fastened, left foot poised to release the brake and unleash Godzilla's wrath. But we're not on a racetrack. In front of us there are 22 miles and 402 turns of the best driving road in the world, Southern California's Glendora Mountain Road. We've covered this ground thousands of times, but today it's different. Today there are two California Highway Patrol cruisers stationed at either end of this twisting strip of sun-drenched blacktop. It is our personal playground for the afternoon.

The radio crackles the "All clear" and with the GT-R's engine revved to a launch-controlled 4,500 rpm, we release the brake and let the big Nissan do what it does best: twist physics into knots.

This process is repeated all afternoon in a collection of today's quickest and most capable road cars. The list includes a 2008 Audi R8, 2008 Lotus Elise SC, 2008 Porsche 911, 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR and 2008 Subaru WRX STI. We didn't discriminate: Rally cars, focused rear-drive performance cars and everything in between was invited to the party. In fact, there's only one genre missing from this otherwise comprehensive list — the big-power, rear-drive supercar. But it wasn't for a lack of trying.

Fact is, we asked Chevy for a 2008 Corvette Z06 and we asked Dodge for a 2008 Viper SRT10, but both refused to loan us their cars — presumably because we'd be testing their best metal against the almighty GT-R.

Sniff, sniff. Does somebody smell chicken?

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ricerricer - 5/27/2008 4:35:07 PM
+3 Boost
The old pushrod boys didn't want none.


_43LE_43LE - 5/28/2008 9:25:16 AM
+2 Boost
Yeah Audi! Yeah Nissan!


DaHarderDaHarder - 5/27/2008 4:36:03 PM
+9 Boost
"by every measure, it lives up to the hype."... Honestly, What Else Need Be Said?


KZ258KZ258 - 5/27/2008 4:39:19 PM
+4 Boost
the R8 tailed out behind the GT-R lol


Need4SpeedNeed4Speed - 5/28/2008 9:01:18 AM
+1 Boost
The R8 could spin a 360..stand up and do the "hokey pokey" behind the GT-R and I still wouldn't care. The R8 would be my choice.


KZ258KZ258 - 5/28/2008 12:13:14 PM
+2 Boost
umm....ok need4speed...whatever


rockerrocker - 5/27/2008 4:44:29 PM
+2 Boost
EVO third for less than half of the GTR and 1/3 of the R8. hummmm.


EL34EL34 - 5/27/2008 5:18:48 PM
-6 Boost
I saw a black R8 a few days ago.

I will own that car :-\


hao420hao420 - 5/27/2008 6:44:57 PM
+4 Boost
Yea,Walmart has lots of them for 97-cents,better hurry...to get u toys!


S30GTRS30GTR - 5/27/2008 10:45:41 PM
+3 Boost
HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in you're dreams.


Agent63Agent63 - 5/28/2008 2:27:18 AM
0 Boost
Get the V10. I have the V8 model and I'm already envious of the way the V10 sounds. Mind you it's more potent as well. But if money is a factor then opt for the V8 it's priced very well for the product you get.


GermanNutGermanNut - 5/27/2008 5:50:55 PM
+6 Boost
...Because the V10 R8 will be the match for Porsche's 911 Turbo and it will make a complete mockery of BMW's M6.




M53RM53R - 5/27/2008 6:54:21 PM
-2 Boost
Because the M6 is a direct competitor to the R8, isn't it?


VISOVISO - 5/27/2008 10:32:02 PM
+3 Boost
Because amazing idiot is an idiot


JaybrnJaybrn - 5/27/2008 7:27:40 PM
+5 Boost
The EVO X put up some good numbers on the track


StarStar - 5/27/2008 7:39:28 PM
-12 Boost
The GT-R is the most overrated car of all times.


TehShibbsTehShibbs - 5/27/2008 8:37:24 PM
+7 Boost
hahaha Go home already. I'm not a fan of Nissan but I will definitely admit that this thing is amazing.


S30GTRS30GTR - 5/27/2008 10:44:38 PM
+4 Boost
I thought the GTR was one of the most underrated supercars. don't you guys think.


StarStar - 5/28/2008 9:56:23 AM
-5 Boost
The GT-R is a poorly built boyracer econobox. It is not a supercar. The EVO IX 400 FQ could also keep up with a Lamborghini on a track. That does not make it a supercar.
The GT-R is AS FAST as a super car but is not an ACTUAL supercar. BIG, BIG difference.


Htay7500Htay7500 - 5/28/2008 3:58:56 PM
+1 Boost
"The GT-R is a poorly built boyracer econobox."

I guess you can say that to a 911 as well? because its also got a wing and a bodykit and a different engine. you make me wanna laugh.


Htay7500Htay7500 - 5/28/2008 4:11:27 PM
0 Boost
"The GT-R is AS FAST as a super car but is not an ACTUAL supercar."

then what is it? a station wagon? a truck?



GermanNutGermanNut - 5/27/2008 7:39:35 PM
-1 Boost
Tell BMW to get off its lazy ass and create the M1 to challenge Audi's R8, M5eR...by the time that happens Audi will be light years ahead.


CLK63BlackSeriesCLK63BlackSeries - 5/27/2008 7:40:47 PM
0 Boost
Why is the GT-R being put up against the 911 and not the turbo?! I thought it was GT-R vs. the World, not GT-R versus SOME of the [semi-performance car] world.


S30GTRS30GTR - 5/27/2008 10:43:37 PM
+1 Boost
dud. you make me laugh. you may want to do some research before you make this kinds of comments.


sectorsector - 5/27/2008 10:55:07 PM
+4 Boost
The humiliated 911 turbo don't want to come out of his room to play anymore, so the feisty little brother came out to fight the good fight on his behalf :)


quizzquizz - 5/28/2008 1:44:30 AM
-2 Boost
With Porsche releasing the updated direct injection engine models this coming fall, the Turbo will be able to easily take on the GTR in December.

Yes, the GTR is indeed amazing for the price, but I don't believe it will remain ahead of the pack after P's new Turbo and GT3 models come out over the next 12 months.


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 5/27/2008 11:05:00 PM
+2 Boost
i seriously doubt that is the reason why chevy didnt give up a Z06 it has already been compared to the GTR in several test, im sure there was another reason....


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 5/27/2008 11:08:21 PM
+1 Boost
this was an interesting test though i wonder why the Exige S wasnt used i mean still alot less than a GTR, or since price isnt an issue why not the 911 turbo, or 911 GT2...would have been at least slightly interesting we all know the 911 base car isnt anything close to what a GTR is, it is much more a GT, and the Elise SC isnt the fastest car Lotus makes.


993Turbo993Turbo - 5/28/2008 6:11:35 AM
-1 Boost
Great test, but a couple of points: From everything I have read, the GT-R is NOT going to sell for 70 something thousand but for over sticker, probably north of 100K making it a direct comparison for a more expensive and faster porsche that will sell for less than sticker (GT2 & GT3 excepted).

As competent as the GT-R is, and I give it full credit for raising the bar, it reminds me of another very fast but incredibly easy to drive car from Japan. Does anyone remember the Acura NSX? No? That's because it isn't sold anymore, it didn't sell well when it was for sale, and Acura is struggling to justify the expense of a new version. It the end, it just didn't have the character to make it a success in the marketplace.


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 5/28/2008 8:28:01 AM
+2 Boost
character wasnt a big flaw for it...but 250-293 horsepower in an exotic some 90 grand was. as was its 10 year product cycle, lack of features that matched its price, and dated interior, it was a revolution when it first came out but it failed to continue to improve became irrelevant through the years


Agent63Agent63 - 5/28/2008 9:17:37 AM
-5 Boost
Japanese cars have never failed to be fast and some have proven to handle great. However, if you're looking for a true supercar you have to look in Europe. Numbers without sound and design just isn't the winning combination for a "super car".

However it is what it is. A Japanese version of a supercar. Pump in lots of parts and make it go fast. Can't take that away from them. They are good at it.


Agent63Agent63 - 5/29/2008 12:03:05 AM
-1 Boost
lol fan boys fan boys fan boys. deboost because i didn't say the Japanese produce the best super cars in the world ?


golfer38golfer38 - 5/28/2008 10:09:59 AM
-1 Boost
I absolutely love the GT R, but I gotta say its becoming a little annoying seeing all of these comparisons that seem to be "set up". Where's the new 600 hp Viper, the Lambo Superleggera, Ferrari F430. The Nissan is an incredible value but lets get some cars that match it in power. Btw, did anyone see the drag race between the Lambo and the GTR? Watch how the Nissan has almost a second headstart to make sure that it wins. I wonder how many takes it took?

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/R35-GTR-vs-Gallardo-Superleggera_158711.htm


StarStar - 5/28/2008 11:15:06 AM
-2 Boost
What are you smoking? The EVO and STI became an embarrassment since even luxury cars like the BMW 335i are better performers.


StarStar - 5/28/2008 1:47:54 PM
-3 Boost
You mean the slow ass econoboxes from Japan that are rusting in dealerships unsold? The BMW 135i and 335i run circles around these underpowered Japanese trash cans.
The EVO and STI fans cry like little babies on their sites about the pathetic "performance" of the new generation of Japanese "performance" cars.


Htay7500Htay7500 - 5/28/2008 4:00:06 PM
-1 Boost
what about the evos and sti's offroad performance?


ShahanShahan - 5/28/2008 1:13:18 PM
+3 Boost
the R8 is almost better than the GTR, even though it has a smaller engine and is slower to 60.... Now, that is what I call perfect engineering


avanti64avanti64 - 5/29/2008 9:13:14 PM
+1 Boost
These German kraut lovers can't stand that the GT-R is smoking the cabbage. They will nitpick everything they can. What dopes.


abcdabcd - 5/30/2008 5:23:23 PM
+1 Boost
at coming le mans peugeot 908 hdi fap has also big chances to win
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