Back in April a factory assault on the Nürburgring Nordschleife saw the Nissan GT-R set a new fastest lap. The new time, set late in the month, was an impressive 7 minutes 26.70 seconds. This marked a slight improvement over their earlier effort in mid-April.
However, the press statement announcing this grand news was only released about a week ago. So I decided to wait until the middle of the Nürburgring 24 hour race to post up the news. I thought that would be the best way to get something related to the GT-R online while the N24 action was underway.
You see, I am guessing that I am probably not the only one that finds the absence of the headline chasing GT-R at the Ring this weekend a little bit “interesting”. Gun shy perhaps?
Award-Winning Nissan GT-R Achieves New Record Time at Nurburgring Circuit
The NISSAN GT-R, winner of the 2009 World Performance Car of the Year, improved its lap time at the renowned Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in late April in Germany to 7min 26 seconds 70.
Previous recorded lap times at the ‘Ring’ were:
- 7 minutes 27 seconds 56 on April 15 2009
- 7 minutes 29 in April 2008
- 7 minutes 38 in September 2007
“This record demonstrates our commitment to the continuous evolution of the Nissan GT-R,†says Kazutoshi Mizuno, Chief Vehicle Engineer and Chief Vehicle Specialist. “We would like to continue delivering the passion and pride of ownership to our customers by improving its performance every year.â€
The Nissan GT-R has won more than a dozen awards globally including Car of the Year from CAR Magazine in the UK and Car of the Year by both Motor Trend and Automobile Magazine in the US.
The Nissan GT-R benefits from a strong image and heritage amongst performance car aficionados, especially in Australia which was the only country globally to officially retail the previous R32 in the early nineties.
The R35 GT-R was launched in Australia, Europe, GCC and New Zealand last month.
More than 170 GT-R’s have been ordered by Australian customers so far.
In Japan more than 5,900 GT-R’s have been sold up to March 2009. It went on sale in the US in July 2008 where 2,100 have also been sold so far.
The new, record Nurburgring lap was again set by Nissan Chief test driver Toshio Suzuki who visited Australia in February for the car’s official launch. The blistering lap time was achieved on Dunlop tyres in dry but dusty conditions.
A collection of automotive magazine editors, including Car (UK) were present to witness the historic GT-R lap record.
16 replies on “Nissan GT-R sets new Nürburgring record”
I dont find it all that odd since Porsche race GT3’s etc not stock as a rock 911’s. The vspec and later nismo versions of the car will race, and be even faster around the ring, more for porsche fans to sob about 😛
Oh yeah, I agree with the fact the Porsches aren’t stock machines, but for Nissan to so actively chase Nürburgring headlines, you’d reckon the 24 hour would be a great place for them to be.
Hearing Ulrich Bez talking to the Radio Le Mans guys about Aston Martin’s program was refreshing and honest.
Does this mean that Japan (Nissan in particular) are ahead of every other car manuafacturer in the world, especially considering the price. I mean what if Nissan were to build a supercar priced at say something like the Porsche 911 GT2 ($450,000AUD)which it already outperforms?
outperforms is one thing, but the proof will be in the pudding in terms of engineering longevity and endurance (measured in terms of many years)
Huh?
The GT-R concept is about 20 years old with the R32 up on the mantle a great cars.
I’d say the GT-R not going for the 24hour race has more to do with its turbo natured engine than Nissan being gun shy. Its the same reason Porche doesn’t use the GT2 for endurance racing despite its better power and torque output. Weight would also be an issue, which is why the 911 Turbo isn’t used.
I’d like to see this car on a time attack circuit. Its doing quite well at the Super GT series, although its using a different gearbox and engine.
wow, I should pay more attention to what I’m reading, before I comment 🙂
Tank, I believe what I was saying was that while a GT-R is cheaper and faster than a porker, you get what you pay for from a longevity perspective. Everyone knows you can track a 911 and thrash it within an inch of it’s life and know you can drive it to the office the next day. Personal experience shows the GT-Rs are not as robust in the long term.
@Car Fan:
Fair point, maybe…
But the VW Sciroccos and Golfs seem to manage quite okay, as just one example.
Audi TDIs tend to go okay at Le Mans, too, you may have noticed.
@Ang Moh
Gotcha – see your point and would not disagree.
I would disagree given previous GT-R’s were only tarted up skylines, this isn’t the case this time round. And further to my previous point, Nismo is currently working with a UK team entered in a couple of races in this years FIA GT championship as a test bed for further racing.. so i think you may see Nissan pop their heads up next time round 😉
As they should.
Jav, GTR isn’t as fast as GT2. Sure Nissan has managed a time that is GT2 beating at the Ring, but on just about any other test by motoring journalist, GT2 has been faster. Also, a GT-R can only do a couple of hot laps before it’s weight overcooks the tyres and brakes. The Spec V overcomes this, but it is also double the price which puts it in GT3 territory.
As for the FIA GT-championship GT-R Stubz, I believe that is a rear wheel drive V8!
Yeah i know, but that isnt the point, its that they’re working on racing versions (like it took porsche 18 months – 2 years to develope theirs). Compare apples and apples, a road going standard GTR with a standard 911 turbo which its more than a match for.
I agree. GTR should be compard to the 911 turbo. I don’t know why people even bother comparing it to the GT2.
Which comes back to my original point.
A GT-R and a 911T may be equally as quick, but is the GT-R really a comparative bargain, or is it really a case of “you get what you pay for”?
Is the GT-R as robust as a 911 Turbo? Particularly in the long term?
Time will tell, I suppose.
@Liam. I’d say the Audi TDI engines do well because turbos in diesels tend to work less and the engines have lower rpms than gas engines that rev higher with lttle low end torque. The Golfs also do well but I don’t think they weigh 1750kg.
I could be wrong about the whole thing. Its the only explanation I have about GT2s not being used in endurance races though.
But then Iam just happy reading comparisons between a stock GT-R and whatever car it is pitched across.