Nissan GTR De-Throned!

[Destinova403]

well... the GTR is no longer the fastest production car on the ring... the ZR-1 has lapped it in 7:26:40

lets see what happens when the V-Spec gets its turn... or if the ZR-1 can pull off any faster times

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/27/gauntlet-thrown-corvette-zr1-laps-the-ring-in-7-26-4/


EDIT:

just to put things into perspective:

Fastest 'ring times:

7:27 = Pagani Zonda F Clubsport
7:29 = Nissan GTR
7:32 = Porsche 911 GT-2 (2008)
7:32 = Porsche Carrera GT
7:34 = Koenigsegg CCR
7:40 = Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
7:42 = Ford GT
7:42 = Corvette C6 Z06
7:47 = Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 E-gear
7:55 = Ferrari F430 Scuderia F1

i skipped a few in-between and pulled out the big names

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/x09ch_cr080_450op.jpg

[treg50]

That is AWESOME :eek: I wasn't sure if it could do it.:clap:

Should be interesting to see what the vspec will do.

[schocker]

I just saw this. Pretty impressive, but I expect the V-Spec to surpass it as people have been seeing the mule run 7:25.xx, but maybe the zr1 can go even faster:dunno:

[EIT07]

It's interesting that an "engineer" was a driver. Don't they have test drivers for these kinda things??

[heavyD]

Good to see that manufacturers are upping the ante. My concern is with the rising gas prices that it will be short lived.

[Destinova403]

Originally posted by EIT07
It's interesting that an "engineer" was a driver. Don't they have test drivers for these kinda things??

hense the reason that i suspect that it can get a better time... conditions on the track were not completely ideal... and i suspect that a better driver can be found... either way... its impressive

between the CTS and this... GM is throwing down an impressive performance benchmark

also soon will be the V-Spec, the new NSX and the new Lexus, so the battle for the 'ring is FAR from over.

[Tomaz]

Originally posted by EIT07
It's interesting that an "engineer" was a driver. Don't they have test drivers for these kinda things??

Engineers know the car inside and out. They would be the best people to test the car to make any notes on adjustments and improvments.

Maybe he was an engineer who is also a driver? :dunno:


Freeking sweet though! That is a great lap time! I thought GTR would be keeping the title for some length of time!

[phrozen]

Nice, I would like to see the 2 cars go at it.

[b_t]

Originally posted by heavyD
Good to see that manufacturers are upping the ante. My concern is with the rising gas prices that it will be short lived.

Its just like the late 60s all over again. Huge horsepower cars, great styling, manufacturers competing to make the fastest car, and it will come to a screeching halt in one or two years

[Destinova403]

Originally posted by b_t


Its just like the late 60s all over again. Huge horsepower cars, great styling, manufacturers competing to make the fastest car, and it will come to a screeching halt in one or two years

whats nice is that the ZR-1 still gets 20MPG even with all this performance...

[962 kid]

Originally posted by b_t


Its just like the late 60s all over again. Huge horsepower cars, great styling, manufacturers competing to make the fastest car, and it will come to a screeching halt in one or two years

Just like the 60s indeed. I wonder how long before manufacturers start building "special" cars just for laps around the ring.

[syeve]

We do live in good times. I love all these cars!

[ToastiER]

Originally posted by syeve
We do live in good times. I love all these cars!

+1 !

[Inzane]

Originally posted by 962 kid
Just like the 60s indeed. I wonder how long before manufacturers start building "special" cars just for laps around the ring.

Enjoy it while you can, because if this is like the late-60s, the analogy of the 70s is right around the corner. Back then it was the whole oil crisis/embargo. Nowadays it's the politicians and environmental terrorists (greenpeace, etc.) that will ruin things for us all over again. :(

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by phrozen
Nice, I would like to see the 2 cars go at it.


You're most likely not alone, there's probably somebody else out there who enjoys the idea of car pornography.

[Destinova403]

added some other lap times in the OP to add some perspective...

[hampstor]

Originally posted by Destinova403


whats nice is that the ZR-1 still gets 20MPG even with all this performance...

It would be interesting if all those cars in your list posted their MPG for the run on the ring!

[benyl]

According to C&D, the M3 is still the better choice... LOL :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[mikestypes]

When is a magazine going to step up and rent the track for a day? How awesome would it be if Top Gear (UK of course) got all the A-list cars together and run them all in stock form, on the same day, under the same conditions.

[lewdvig]

I wonder how fast the Tesla will do it.

[Eleanor]

Originally posted by lewdvig
I wonder how fast the Tesla will do it.

It will be slowed down by having to recharge halfway through :rofl:

[treg50]

Originally posted by mikestypes
When is a magazine going to step up and rent the track for a day? How awesome would it be if Top Gear (UK of course) got all the A-list cars together and run them all in stock form, on the same day, under the same conditions.
So long as they chain, gag, and velcro Clarkson to pillar in the basement of the BBC for the duration of the testing AND have the Stig do all the driving... then maybe they'd have a comparison we could take seriously.

[Zephyr]

Wow! Can't wait to see official lap times of the V spec and the LF-A though. Japan still has a few cards up their sleeves.

[mikestypes]

Originally posted by treg50

So long as they chain, gag, and velcro Clarkson to pillar in the basement of the BBC for the duration of the testing AND have the Stig do all the driving... then maybe they'd have a comparison we could take seriously.

ALL of their testing is done with the Stig, why would this be any different??

[teg_boya]

Originally posted by mikestypes


ALL of their testing is done with the Stig, why would this be any different??

i think he is referring to when Clarkson jumps in one vehicle and the stig drives another and then they race each other. those tests are bs because the stigs driving skills are obviously alot better giving that car a better opporunity

[treg50]

Originally posted by Zephyr
Wow! Can't wait to see official lap times of the V spec and the LF-A though. Japan still has a few cards up their sleeves.
I don't see this a Japan vs. USA thing... if Nissan wins I don't think Honda and Toyota will be happy.

All of this makes me wonder where the crap are the germans now, lol?!?!!1!
:burnout:

[Destinova403]

Originally posted by treg50

All of this makes me wonder where the crap are the germans now, lol?!?!!1!
:burnout:

or worse yet... the Italians... look at the times the Lambo and Ferrari got on my list in the OP.

[herragge]

Originally posted by benyl
According to C&D, the M3 is still the better choice... LOL :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Hahaha :rofl: when isn't the M3 the best choice in C&D's eyes?

[Rocky]

Originally posted by Destinova403


or worse yet... the Italians... look at the times the Lambo and Ferrari got on my list in the OP.
Isn't Pagani Italian...?

[Destinova403]

Originally posted by Rocky

Isn't Pagani Italian...?

sorta... its built and based in Italy... but the founder of the company Horacio Pagani is Argentinean

[Zephyr]

Pagani recently announced their new car as well code named C9, running on a V12 by Benz

[jsn]

TBH im not really surprised. The ZR1 is a more expensive car and has 150+ more HP and torque than the GTR. I'm definitely not saying that power is everything, but that extra 150 has to count for something. I'll be interested to see the lap time for the V-Spec...

Don't get me wrong though.. I'm not a GTR fanboy. The ZR1 is definitely an impressive car. Kudos to both Nissan and Chevy :thumbsup:

[BigMass]

Originally posted by Zephyr
Pagani recently announced their new car as well code named C9, running on a V12 by Benz

holy shit, i can't wait.

[treg50]

Originally posted by jsn
TBH im not really surprised. The ZR1 is a more expensive car and has 150+ more HP and torque than the GTR. I'm definitely not saying that power is everything, but that extra 150 has to count for something. I'll be interested to see the lap time for the V-Spec...

Don't get me wrong though.. I'm not a GTR fanboy. The ZR1 is definitely an impressive car. Kudos to both Nissan and Chevy :thumbsup:
Not trying to bash, but no one's stopping Nissan from increasing their power if they think that is the key. If Nissan loses because of power it's their own doing.

CCR: 800-hp/$600 000, Carrera GT: 600hp/$485 000, Zonda Clubsport: 600-hp/$400 000, McLaren SLR: 600hp/$500 000... these are more expensive but they're slower and/or more expensive than the ZR-1 only $105 000. That's pretty awesome. It shows the ZR-1 has a lot more going on than just power.

[me&you]

Originally posted by Zephyr
Pagani recently announced their new car as well code named C9, running on a V12 by Benz

Sorry for the OT, but is this official? I just read this -

http://jalopnik.com/photogallery/V8ZondaAE/1001477829

Says it's a V8... also, "sub-3 second 0-60"

[DonJuan]

Whats sad is that you need to be a wicked computer hacker to be able to crack the GTR's ECU. And when you do that , you can say goodbye to your warranty. Thats like giving someone a gun but no bullets.

[Destinova403]

Is nissan lying about the GTR's Horsepower?

pretty much

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/30/is-nissan-lying-about-gt-r-horsepower-pretty-much/

[finboy]

what tires were on the vette?

[Whiley]

originally, but he moved in 1982, worked and lived in italy, for lamborghini


Originally posted by Destinova403

sorta... its built and based in Italy... but the founder of the company Horacio Pagani is Argentinean

[Whiley]

i'm disappointed the f430 scuderia finishing place, i thought it have placed better?
then again, 28 seconds behind the zonda f, isn't bad considering the huge track size!


Originally posted by Destinova403
Fastest 'ring times:

7:27 = Pagani Zonda F Clubsport
7:29 = Nissan GTR
7:32 = Porsche 911 GT-2 (2008)
7:32 = Porsche Carrera GT
7:34 = Koenigsegg CCR
7:40 = Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
7:42 = Ford GT
7:42 = Corvette C6 Z06
7:47 = Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 E-gear
7:55 = Ferrari F430 Scuderia F1

[herragge]

I also was disappointed with the lap-time done by the Scuderia...I also thought it would be much faster than that as well. However if you compare the Scuderia's time to that of a standard F430, it is quite a significant difference. Still a sub 8 minute lap time which is incredible whichever way you dice it.

Great lap by the ZR-1. Competition only encourages more innovation which is good for the consumer. A great time for fast cars is right now.

[Zephyr]

What i want to see is porsche rolling out with something, the skyline's original rival should step on out and play again

[Destinova403]

Originally posted by Zephyr
What i want to see is porsche rolling out with something, the skyline's original rival should step on out and play again

they are already working on it

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/spy-shots-porsche-911-turbo-due-for-upgrades-intent-on-beating/

[b_t]

So why was everyone saying the Nissan was the fastest street car around the ring when the Zonda was quicker?

[rage2]

Originally posted by b_t
So why was everyone saying the Nissan was the fastest street car around the ring when the Zonda was quicker?
Everyone has a different definition of "production" car. Zonda still holds the current record if I'm not mistaken, but the big manufacturers don't consider it a production car simply because they've only sold only what 100 cars in the last 10 years or so? Each models pretty much limited to 20 or so cars.

[TYMSMNY]

There will always be a "flavor of the month" with these cars. All about numbers, but MB caught on... it stopped trying to pump out big numbers and low times. It's a never ending race.

[Destinova403]

Originally posted by rage2

Everyone has a different definition of "production" car. Zonda still holds the current record if I'm not mistaken, but the big manufacturers don't consider it a production car simply because they've only sold only what 100 cars in the last 10 years or so? Each models pretty much limited to 20 or so cars.

the ZR-1 was slightly quicker but you are completely right.
there are a couple other cars even faster than the ZR-1 or Zonda but that most people dont even consider:

Ariel Atom 500 - 6:53
Radical SR8 - 6:55
Donkervoort D8 RS - 7:18

and the LF-A Prototype was clocked at 7:24 by a bystander with a stopwatch and the GTR V-Spec was clocked at 7:25 (i wouldnt even come close to considering These times valid)... but well see when the official times are released

[rage2]

Actually, with the 'ring being such a long track, stopwatch times are fairly decent.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by TYMSMNY
All about numbers, but MB caught on... it stopped trying to pump out big numbers and low times. It's a never ending race.

Really? They did? Then the CLK Black Edition is what, an attempt at being slower than usual? :nut:

[qbrown]

i really have a hard time believing that the Koenigsegg CCR could only pull off a time of 7:34

i would really like to see the Koenigsegg CCX lap time

[TYMSMNY]

Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat


Really? They did? Then the CLK Black Edition is what, an attempt at being slower than usual? :nut:

I have no idea what the Black edition or the pink one puts out. It was in a news article awhile back. It's not that they are completely pulling out of the races.. they are diverting some of those R&D funds into other parts of the company.. like the Interior Design.

[treg50]

Originally posted by qbrown
i really have a hard time believing that the Koenigsegg CCR could only pull off a time of 7:34
I don't. Yup, it's a fast car in a straightline and it's track performance is actually pretty good... it's just slower than some better cars.


Originally posted by TYMSMNY
I have no idea what the Black edition or the pink one puts out. It was in a news article awhile back. It's not that they are completely pulling out of the races.. they are diverting some of those R&D funds into other parts of the company.. like the Interior Design.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/telepampers/worlds-smallest-violin.jpg

It's okay, MB can't claim fastest anything anymore (well maybe fastest minivan)... but it's gonna be okay. MB has no excuses. GM apparently put funds into engine and handling perfomance with the ZR-1.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Has the Caparo T1 done a lap at the ring yet? I think that car could potentially demolish all the current lap times and it's street legal. It has twice the power/weight ratio of the veyron and enough downforce to be driven upside down at 150MPH.

Also, about the Konigsegg...isn't there a newer one out with a proper rear wing? If I remember correctly, it's problem before was that it didn't have enough downforce and it really hurt its track performance.

[RATM]

Originally posted by rage2
Actually, with the 'ring being such a long track, stopwatch times are fairly decent.

i was going to say, its a fairly large track
i'm personally very excited for what fanboys will call, the new "Supra", the LF-A.
thats a hella nice car

[qbrown]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
Has the Caparo T1 done a lap at the ring yet? I think that car could potentially demolish all the current lap times and it's street legal. It has twice the power/weight ratio of the veyron and enough downforce to be driven upside down at 150MPH.

Also, about the Konigsegg...isn't there a newer one out with a proper rear wing? If I remember correctly, it's problem before was that it didn't have enough downforce and it really hurt its track performance.

Yes, the newer Konigsegg is the CCX, but it doesn't come with a stock rear wing. The CCX would definately be a contender for that top spot (it did set a faster lap time around the top gear test track than the Zonda) but that doesn't mean anything really because the ring is way different than the top gear track.

[dragonone]

y is this such a big deal, do ppl buy these 1xxk cars just so they can say i'm split seconds faster then u? ie. ZR1>GTR? i think the looks and interior would matter more to moi. wat the the chances you'd get two side by side in downtown launching? ppl drive these things like babies

[RATM]

Originally posted by dragonone
y is this such a big deal, do ppl buy these 1xxk cars just so they can say i'm split seconds faster then u? ie. ZR1>GTR? i think the looks and interior would matter more to moi. wat the the chances you'd get two side by side in downtown launching? ppl drive these things like babies

i would say "drive these things like babies" is a slight exaggeration, but these cars are meant to take a bagging

[Destinova403]

The video is up

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/video-gm-releases-corvette-zr1s-7-26-4-ring-attack/

[E36M3]

Ferrari (and Porsche and most other manufacturers) do not optimize their production cars for 'ring times. If they did, you'd see them drop significantly. Keep in mind that the cars that do well are obviously optimized for the course. Also keep in mind that if you run the same car around the ring every day for months or years, you obviously are going to cut a significant amount of time off the lap. This is a marketing exercise more than anything.

Ferrari optimizes their cars for their own track, and Porsche does the same.. the "lap times" you see are not directly comparable because they are different drivers on different days under presumably different conditions.

It would be cool to see the top ten cars driven back to back by the same driver for a better basis of comparison.

It does not make any sense that a Nissan GTR beats many of these cars around the ring.. it just doesn't hold water. These 'ring laptimes are a flavor of the month, and the UK press is finally getting sick of hearing about them, so hopefully this fad will die soon.

Lap times are great, and a decent measure, but who cares if your 4000 lb GT car does a lap around the ring slightly slower than a Corvette?

The Corvette is a mass market throw away and is in no meaningful way comparable to a Scuderia, Carrera GT, Koenigsegg, Zonda, etc.. I watched a Honda Civic destroy a Lambo Gallardo in a straight line on a highway one time, but I still don't think they are comparable..

Anyone who drives a ZR-1 or a GTR back to back with any of the cars mentioned above and tells me that they are comparable overall is smoking some good shit.

[/end rant]


Originally posted by herragge
I also was disappointed with the lap-time done by the Scuderia...I also thought it would be much faster than that as well. However if you compare the Scuderia's time to that of a standard F430, it is quite a significant difference. Still a sub 8 minute lap time which is incredible whichever way you dice it.

Great lap by the ZR-1. Competition only encourages more innovation which is good for the consumer. A great time for fast cars is right now.

[Eleanor]

nice vid, looks like they might be able to shave a couple seconds off still too

:thumbsup: GM, even if the interior pieces were rattling around constantly :D

[Destinova403]

these guys split-screened the two ring laps... intense to watch

http://www.garage419.com/episode/419_20080710

[Daan]

good times would be if price of gas would be lower and Gallery of Fine Cars wouldn't be around


Originally posted by syeve
We do live in good times. I love all these cars!

[mboldt]

Anyone hear anything about the new GT-R Spec-V? 200lbs lighter and 40whp more..

[Destinova403]

no official lap times released, a lot of people are speculating that itll run below 7:30, and some even timed the mule at 3:25... im going to wait for official times to be released before i say anything.

[avishal26]

holy shit.. that zr1 is freakin fast!! 170mph down the straight and it goes through the revs like crazy... :D

[Hollywood]

Originally posted by Daan
good times would be if price of gas would be lower and Gallery of Fine Cars wouldn't be around



If you buy either cars you dont care about gas prices...sorry to say but adults buy these cars not teenagers who work at the circle k using they well earned money to drive their RHD skyline.....

Covette sounds pretty good, but I would still rock the GTR. Look how boring the interior of the vette is.....:barf:

[A3GTiVR6SC]

28 seconds is a huge gap...

[Mitsu3000gt]

What about the Ascari A-10? Has that thing been around the ring yet? I'd like to see lap times for that and the Caparo T1, but as someone previously mentioned, if lots of cars aren't specifically tuned for the ring so their lap times may not be that accurate.

[R-Audi]

Apparently there is a car who has recently trumped both with its ring time.... Believe it was posted on Auto blog.
Hint: It is AWD and has a V10!

[schocker]

Originally posted by R-Audi
Apparently there is a car who has recently trumped both with its ring time.... Believe it was posted on Auto blog.
Hint: It is AWD and has a V10!
nsx:thumbsup:.....until they test the R8 V10 [Possibly R10]

[dericer]

Originally posted by Hollywood


If you buy either cars you dont care about gas prices...sorry to say but adults buy these cars not teenagers who work at the circle k using they well earned money to drive their RHD skyline.....

Covette sounds pretty good, but I would still rock the GTR. Look how boring the interior of the vette is.....:barf:

Those kids @ Circle K are making around the 30k mark annually, + if they still live at home they could probably afford a nicer car than me.

[Destinova403]

Originally posted by R-Audi
Apparently there is a car who has recently trumped both with its ring time.... Believe it was posted on Auto blog.
Hint: It is AWD and has a V10!

no official times released yet, but when they are ill post them up.

as i said earlier, the NSX, v-spec, LF-A and V-10 R8 are all probably going to be faster but we will wait and see.

[R-Audi]

Originally posted by schocker

nsx:thumbsup:.....until they test the R8 V10 [Possibly R10]

From what I read the R8 V10 has been tested.....and thats what I was referring to..

All of course rumors till an official release...

Left Lane News (http://www.leftlanenews.com/audi-expects-v10-r8-to-beat-zr1-gt-r-nurburgring-lap-times.html)

[schocker]

Originally posted by R-Audi


From what I read the R8 V10 has been tested.....and thats what I was referring to..

All of course rumors till an official release...

Left Lane News (http://www.leftlanenews.com/audi-expects-v10-r8-to-beat-zr1-gt-r-nurburgring-lap-times.html)
ah, i hadnt heard it had been tested yet, i thought it was all speculation. it should be able to do it imo, but i want to see what the LP560-4 runs also as those would be pretty similar.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

As a bit of an update, with a race driver behind the wheel instead of a chassis engineer, they've knocked 4 seconds off the time.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/28/corvette-zr-1-knocks-four-seconds-off-ring-time/

As with all Ring times, take it with a big grain of salt.