Reimu

Nissan won't let any upgrades be done except by a handful of tuner groups. It will also be near impossible to do any work yourself on it, so I'm sure owners will enjoy OUTRAGEOUS repair fees from the dealer in a few good year's time. The thing is so finely tuned to it's level that I can't see it responding well to even the slightest changes, everything can throw it off track.

Gradus Futura

I dont think the video works anymore..? 8-[

N-Dub

Season 12 Episode 1, The Stig laps a GT2 so fast around the test track that Clarkson burned the time card!!

am722

Yes, and if you watch last night's episode you find out what the time was...

Brian S

I have witnessed a GTR at MSR houston run a 1:47.something by a very skilled driver. Unfortunately my gt3 was having main seal issues and I had to run a miata and didn't get lap times but they were slower for sure (and this is a new direction for me, not for him)

The fastest miata time at the same track is also around 1:48.

He is just over the 1000 miles, and most likely not driving as hard as possible but he usually runs a LMP2 car when I see him in the 1:30 range at the same track (and direction) so he certainly has the skill in him.

N-Dub

1:19.5 – Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4
1:19.5 – Ariel Atom 2 300
1:19.5 – Porsche 911 GT2 (997)
1:19.7 – Nissan GT-R
1:19.7 – Ferrari 430 Scuderia
1:19.8 – Porsche Carrera GT
1:19.8 – Lamborghini Murciélago

interesting....

hesperus

Just drove a GTR on a good road last weekend.

very impressed. for someone with average skill (such as myself,) i am convinced that on most tracks and on virtually all real-world road conditions (i.e., not just a long straight highway), then i could cover ground in the GTR faster than in any Porsche.

It is a very impressive piece of engineering, and truly raises the bar for pure accessible performance. It also makes the 911 feel old and crude. I drove a 997 GT2 just a week earlier, and truth be told, the GTR makes the GT2 feel like an unsophisticated, antiquated tool.

Does the GTR take the driver out of the equation? Largely yes.

I would still take my GT3 over the GTR any day. I would get tired of the GTR long before I came anywhere near unlocking all the many hidden "secrets" the GT3 has.

But the GTR is a staggering engineering accomplishment, and I can see why someone would choose a GTR over a 911.

Cheers.

DM993tt

Sounds like the GTR is a good car for bad drivers - or at least those lacking experience. After 6 years of tracking a pre-1980 930's with 400+ hp, no power steering, no power brakes and antiquated suspension, that commanded lots of skill and respect to harness on the track, I am certain the GTR would not be a car I could ever enjoy. (and that doesn't even begin to factor in its grotesque styling).

Brian S

There is something special to getting any 911 around the track, but there is something entirely different getting it around the track fast.

cgomez

Not necessarily bad or rookies. My guess is most people (including tracktards and club racers) will be faster in the GTR than in a GT2, unless you are real Pro (helps if you drive 911s for a living ) or Stig-challenging quality. The 997 GT2 is relatively easy to drive fast, but to go 10/10ths you have to be VERY good. In the rain anyone will be faster in the GTR

CalgaryGT3

I don't know about some of you but I am so tired of hearing about this ugly car. It seems to be the greatest thing since slice bread as some would have you believe.

silverboy

+1...I actually like the way it looks. Front lights are almost Gallardo looking...just try to remember your first impressions when you saw a modern zen style home or condo. At first everyone thought they were atrocious...now they're mainstream.

silverboy

V spec was supposed to be out dec. '08 but wil be slightly delayed. They've shaved 300lbs and bumped the engine up to 550 bhp. On a separate note, HKS has a kit called GT570 and as the name says it brings up the power to 570bhp on 1.2 bar boost. Kit costs US$5,500. www.cobbtuning.com in the US has an ECU upgrade for only US$995 and it bumps it up to 545bhp at 1.1 bar (at the crank). It also allows the user to reset faults. I'm likely to get one. Difference between the two is the HKS kit comes w/ full alu pipes to replace the silicon ones, diverter valves, blow off valves, turbo outpipes (de cats them). Cobb is ECU remap only w/ handheld device.

But for those who intend to track their GTR's. Factory recommends changing the transmission oil every 3,000 kms (1,800 miles) vs the regular sched of 30,000 kms (19K miles). Cost of their special oil is US$100/ltr and 10L's are what's needed. Some owners are experimenting w/ Pentosin FFL2. The tranny is it's biggest strength and its weakness. Animal House racing has developed an upgrade (clutch, gears) for higher bhp cars and will be released soon. Expect other upgrades to follow.

Exhaust systems are not cheap. I've installed a full titanium exhuast w/ de cat pipe for US$6.3k. But well worth it. So much lighter and exhaust note is lovely. No drone.

For US$70k - it's a performance bargain.

N-Dub

All of my relative experience, while not with the GTR, with Cobb Tuning has been fantastic! Their AccessPort is a great handheld ECU upgrade. And as I understand, if you are in the area (Miller Motorsports Park) they will dyno tune your AccessPort for your modifications for free.

Not affiliated at all, just have good success with them.

Kit_Chris

I enjoy this comparison very much. Many here dismiss the GTR for being uninvolved compared to the 997, but it seems rather selective, if driver involvement and challenge truly were the decisive factors, people here would drive the sort of car you're describing, not late 911s.

Late Porsches are far easier to drive than 1980s and 1990s models, the GTR pushes the same logic farther with its technology bits. Whether the GTR goes too far is a matter for debate, but it would be surprising if Porsche and other makers didn't follow the same technology path to improve the performance of sports cars, in this sense the GTR is ahead of its time.

Regards,
Chris