Main Street Rides

Nissan GT-R’s became famous in 1989 when the Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 hit the streets.  It’s near 300hp twin-turbo straight six put the power to the ground via a revolutionary all-wheel-drive system that allowed the R32 to leave the likes of Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s cowering on the track, the R32 created such a reputation for the GT-R line that they have since been known as ‘Godzilla’.  The old GT-R’s of yore however never made it to the states, it wasn’t until the most recent variation, the R35 or just plain GT-R, that we were able to have them sold here in the USA.

It’s been three years since Nissan’s debut of the mighty GT-R and three years that have been filled with competitive tension.  It’s no secret the GT-R was purpose built with the Porsche 911 Turbo squarely in it’s cross hairs as the training grounds for the GT-R during its development was the Nurburgring Nordschleife, a 13 mile loop of the infamous German Grand Prix track that is known for it’s challenging and demanding nature, often called the ‘Green Hell”.  Up until 2008 the most dominant production car on the ‘ring’, the Porsche 911 Turbo, had the track record buttoned down and tucked safely away, or so Porsche thought.  It was after the GT-R turned in a 7:29 lap time that Porsche had lost it’s dominance of the ‘Ring’ and race for owning the track record began.  The track record has changed hands several times since 2008, bouncing back and forth between Porsche, Nissan, and even a Dodge Viper ACR that dropped the record down to 7:22.

The first iteration of the current GT-R put down roughly 480hp and 434 ft-lb of torque.  For 2012 the new GT-R will not only get a slight remodel of the styling model offering but a boost in power as well.  By being lighter and more powerful the GT-R will be giving ‘Green Hell’ another run for the track record set by a production car.  Reportedly, the new GT-R has dropped it’s best time down to 7:20, a time that beats the Viper but doesn’t quite make it to the current record which is held by the uber Porsche GT2 RS at 7:18.  For 2012 the new GT-R will reportedly put down 523hp and 451 lb-ft of torque; nowhere near the GT2 RS’s 620, but that doesn’t worry Nissan much.  The Porsche 911 GT2 RS is raw racing machine that can only be taken to the limit by experienced drivers, unless they have a death wish, the GT-R can be taken to it’s near limits by your average Joe.  Not to mention, the GT-R didn’t get it’s name of ‘Godzilla’ by beating Ferrari’s because it overpowered them.  GT-R’s are famous for blowing the doors off the competition with less power and superior technology and handling.  Stay tuned for the next episode of ‘Godzilla’ Vs. “Green Hell”.