Porsche 911 R Battles Nissan GT-R in Sports Car Shootout

Both high-performance vehicles make up different corners of the segment in analog vs. digital showdown.

The world of high-performance sports cars is moving towards turbocharged, all-wheel-drive models. While that’s not a bad thing, it’s not exactly what enthusiasts want from high-end sports cars. Porsche, though, has found a way to continue offering high-revving, gasoline-powered engines in performance cars that feature manual transmissions. To see how Porsche’s latest, and arguably greatest, analog sports car stacks up against the competition, Carfection put it up against one of the best.

On paper, comparing the 911 R against the Nissan GT-R reveals a clear winner in favor of the digital, high-tech Japanese model. The latest GT-R is powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that cranks out 565 horsepower and 467 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to the motor, and the GT-R’s all-wheel-drive system, the sports car can hit 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and onto a top speed of 195 mph.

The 911 R, on the other hand, isn’t as powerful, as the 4.0-liter mill only produces 500 horsepower and 338 lb-ft of torque. The Porsche can only muster a zero to 60 mph time of 3.7 seconds, while the sports car’s top speed is higher at 200 mph.

Besides the performance differences, the two vehicles were engineered with differing ideology. The 911 R takes an old-school approach to sports cars, with a naturally-aspirated engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, and manual transmission. The GT-R, on the other hand, is a modern take on what a sports car should be with its twin-turbocharged motor, dual-clutch gearbox, and intricate all-wheel-drive system.

The GT-R should crush the 911 R in a head-to-head competition. But as Carfection found, Porsche’s old-school approach translates into something that’s much more enjoyable to drive, making it the vehicle to have and one of the best sports cars ever made.