Nissan GT-R .vs. Porsche 911 Turbo on Dyno
March 14, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
It’s hard not to compare the Nissan GT-R to the Porsche 911 Turbo, after all, Nissan did use the German car as the benchmark in its development. But despite being faster to 100km/h and by all reports even faster around a race track, the GT-R is no where near the 911’s price tag and essentially, it is, just a Nissan… Right?
Not at all, the just a Nissan tag is quickly dying out with report after report showering the GT-R with more praise than Nissan could have ever envisioned. To add to Porsche’s worries, both cars have now been put on a dyno to find out, once and for all, which has more power and torque.
Nissan’s official figures put the car at 353kW or about 473bhp (or 480hp depending on which measurement you use for horsepower) and 588Nm of torque. The 911, unsurprisingly, has the exact same power output but comes in at 620Nm. It is also roughly 90kg lighter.
The confusing thing about the figures is that despite weighing more and having less torque, the GT-R accelerates from 0-100km/h quicker than the Porsche (3.5 vs 3.9)!
Our friends in America decided to find out why. The results show a near identical power and torque output at the wheels! We can assume then, that the GT-R’s faster acceleration is either due to a better drivetrain and transmission, or because someone in Nissan has sold their soul to the devil.
On the actual dyno the GT-R measured 406hp (6,400rpm) and 560Nm of torque (3,800rpm), now remember these figures are at-the-wheel, meaning you have to account for energy lost through the drivetrain.
Using the same dyno, under the same testing conditions, a 997 Porsche 911 Turbo matched the GT-R almost identically, unfortunately for Porsche the extra 32Nm of torque did not eventuate (however as you can see, there is noticeably more torque in the lower revs for the German).
The end result? The 911 Tubro’s throne as the world’s best usable-supercar is starting to look a little less secure. To be fair, the current model 911 has been around for about 2 years and you can bet your house the next-generation (998) Porsche 911 Turbo will be hitting back at the GT-R – and hitting hard.
For more info and graphs check out Edmunds.
Print it: 
Yes…will be hitting hard
…………..until Vspec arrives
Nearly splitting hairs but seeing all the evidence it looks like the Nissan has it. Cannot imagine Porshe will let this title go easily. Watch tis space.
I’m not even going to ‘try’ and say anything, the topic speaks for itself.. :)
also the last issue of Car (Uk based) compared this beast to the 911turbo , the m3 (the new one) and the r8.
The conclusion (after having put on the track, normal use etc) show ‘just a Nissan’ crushing the Germans. (what the title read).
Well Done *stand up applause.
Fantastic. The power curve of the GT-R also looks smoother than the 997’s, although as the article states, the 997 has a superior torque curve with significantly more low-down punch at 3000-odd rpm.
Porsche will be pi$$ed.
The Germans are “crushed” — how, exactly. The Nissan has only just matched a 2 year old car after decades of trying to get there.
I’m a Godzilla fan from way back, but let’s not get too carried away.
Oh, yeah – If the Japanese Nissan and Lexus are so much better than the German offerings, why is it that the Jap fans ALWAYS carry on about how they have bettered the Germans.
Why don’t the Japs carry on about haw Lexus had beaten Nissan, or vice versa?
Answer – because the Germans set the benchmark that the Japs want to copy copy copy copy. Japs have never set the benchmark that anyone else wants to copy, it’s always been the other way.
Reckless – let’s be fair both ways!! Yes the Nissan has been trying to get there (matching 911 Turbo), but as you would know being a GT-R fan, they’ve had their hands tied behind their back with the agreement with the Japanese government limiting power to 280PS (even if you dyno’d an R32/3/4 GT-R and it indicated >280PS it still wouldn’t be much more).
Call that an excuse, but no-one can say that the GT-R never would have made it to the level of speed of 911s past, given no restrictions such as those described. In fairness, the 911 has been honed for over 3 decades and even if in the 90’s Nissan matched the 911 turbo for speed, it would be fair to say that the 911 would have the edge for purity of response and sheer joy of driving.
As you say though, to remark that the R35 has “crushed” the Germans is sensationalist. If you look at it from a bang for your buck point of view though, you might just have to agree.
Super Nissans (RB SR engines) are disturblingly underated. Anyways…did everyone forget about gear ratios etc? Doesn’t all just come down to power and weight. Heads up guys!
That’s true Godspeed. Nice to have a rational discussion for once :)
In some ways it’s a bit like the Yanks finally going a bee’s dick faster than the Veyron. The speed might be a tiny bit better, but the overall experience is what really counts.
Just as Korean new cars have their own unique smell (sickly), so do the Japanese (acceptable), and also the Germans (quality) :)
Most of the late German interiors are bliss. I’ve owned a few late model BMWs and everything feels extremely well put together, the control not only look great and are perfectly placed, but there’s a quality feel and weight to the components too. They still lead the way.
Having sat in the new Lexus LS600hL, it IS a stunning place to be, what with ottoman rear seats and shiatsu massage functions controlled by a rear centre console, but the appearance of some of the switchgear I thought still looked a bit “amateurish”. No doubt it’s a stunning vehicle though.
Ironically my anti-spam word is Datsun…
Anyhow – the reason why it is a Porka Crusher is because it does all of what the Porka does and more….
which is great…
Then you look at the price tag.
Game over.
As the owner of an SR20 Nissan (S15 200sx).
People do under estimate the Sr and RB range of motors, two of the best motors in their class over the last decade.
For a 4 Cyl motor not many rival the SR20DET.
For those in Sydney who are interested, this amazing machine will be on display outside IMAX this Tuesday.
And has Nissan really taken decades trying to match the Germans and have the Germans really always set the benchmark? That’s not what road tests and comparisons in Australia of the R32 GTR in the early 1990s were saying – it was hailed as being markedly superior to its German rivals and years ahead of its time. And let’s not forget its crushing performances on racetracks here and overseas.
The fact that the R35 GTR is even close, let alone perhaps superior to, the Porsche given its significantly lower price tag is a credit to Nissan.
Chris Carter – In what way is the SR20 Superior to other 4 bangers?
One thing i dont get with the gtr is the price! If you convert yen to aus$ it costs about $90 000,but when it goes on sale here it will cost about $150 000. there is no way it can cost $60 000 to put it on a dam boat!!!!! sure volume may not be as high compliance cost wise, but tohave to pay 40% more for a car then the rest of the world, why are we made to bleed out the back yard for it?
Again… huge fan of Nissan and japanese engineering in general. and the GTR legacy.
Some people who have brushed off japanese performance or luxury as “no way near” Euro’s.
Well, I’m gonna have to put it simply as…
Its one thing to innovate…. but its another to have perfect execution.
Japanese focus towards the execution bit. Innovating cost money and a lot of unproven concepts… once its proven… and tested… Japanese reverse engineer… then design and execute as perfect as they can.
The other good comparison is the IS-F and M3… Im a huge M3 fan, but from what I’ve seen and know with the IS-F… its going to be pushing the M3… for a cheaper price.
But back on topic… I’m a huge Porsche fan too.. but the GTR’s superior practical applications, even performance, 30~40% lower retail price…. its just too good.
Porsche is still a great buy if you are a very very rich man/woman, but for the people who live comfortably and are into performance…. GTR is just up there in the lists.
Aaah theres the rub Jamison. Nissan will never have the percived quality that the Porsche has due to the pricing. The Porsche will always be ahead in these terms. Toyota created Lexus and Nissan the Infinity range to raise a challenge to the established up market ranges. Lexus has succeeded to a point but will strugggle to gain more of a foothold from now on in, unless they do it better.
Performance on the track is one thing but presence is another. I doubt any of the manufacturers will truly catch the established marks.
Well first we saw the GTR beat a 911 around the Nurburgring, now it performs better on the dyno. But who really cares?
I saw the GTR at the Melbourne motorshow and wasn’t impressed by it at all, yeh sure its fast and has a big lump of power. But Supercars aren’t all about going fast, take the Veyron for example its amazingly fast, it handles like its on rails and it looks stunning. Or a Gallardo another supercar that is amazingly fast, handles well and it looks great as well.
As for the GTR for me it only ticks 2 out of 3 boxes and im sure as we start seeing more testing in Australia of them other differences will appear between the Porsche and GT-R. Like others have said it doesn’t have the German/European quality, even if it is hand built by a small army of Ninjas in a secret location in Japan, big deal Porsche have been doing this for decades!
Well thats my 2 cents, back to the drawing board Nissan, give us something that will set new benchmarks not just try keep up with the rest of the class.
Mick,
Mind stating the Price tag of each of the car? How many cars out there at its price tag outperforms it? Look at the US market where its sub 100K. The interests of these cars are already gone through the roof.
Give it some time and the new supra will be in this group as well
Phil, well it depends if Toyota’s corporate strategy will dedicate to performance!
Just to add out of interest, the drag co of the gtr is .27, Veyron is ~.34 enzo is ~.36
i think the nissan is the new benchmark. if nissan can make a car that handles at it does for half the price. then i think porsche could do the same no problem. or ferrari.
im still no fan of the GTR but i respect that the car itself is a monumental achievement for nissan or anyone.
i hope the toyota hybrid FT something (or supra) does just as well. and they are touting it as ‘affordable’. which can make it interesting.
It’s not really a surprise the 911 Turbo is beaten. Before the GTR, it has long been outpaced by the C6 Corvette Z06. It may not outhandle or provide the same aura, but at 1/3 the price, I’m beginning to believe we pay a lot extra for European prestige. The Nissan would be a winner if it can perform the duties of a real exotic. Porsche is still Porsche, but with how rapid the Japs are closing in on Euro luxury and performance, we might have a new car world order before we know it.
That was all fine but you mentioned a Vet in the same sentence as a Porsche……….Me I think the Germans will always be a step a head,they have earn’t their credentials over decades……..their not about to give them up. Its years of proving yourself as a manufacturer not just one car.
Saying that I think the GTR is a fabulous car but would I have it over the 911,naaaaaaaaa.
And a Vet?????pffttt I’ll take the GTR first thanks!
Agree Juraj,
We pay a mint on any prestige labels, whether Porche beamers, ferrari, same as we do for burberry, harmon Kardon, and the likes, naturally people are addicted to stature and would pay 1000% over the cost price. Sure you get more quality materials and refinement but its not aligned with the + 200k price tag
hehe Bavarian, I would take a 911 over a GTR too, coz of the shiny schwing factor :P, But for the ‘ive won a scratchy lottery’ oriented off the shelf supercar there not much in comparison to the GTR.
Alright… I think everyone is getting carried away with this argument!
Let me justify the price tag difference here a little. Porshe is so much more expensive for these reasons:
- Racing heritage
- Hand built
- Exclusivity
- Reliability
- Luxury
Now of course you would argue the point that the GTR has all of those things… well it does… just not to the extent of Porsche. Especially in the luxury category.
But of course you do pay a fair bit for the badge. Remember Porsche don’t sell mass production cars like Pulsars.
Overall I still have to think the GTR is a winner in how well it does for it’s price. Just remember the more technology involved in a car… the more that can go wrong.
I’d buy the GTR if I did need the extra money,
Porsche, hands down. The figures look great for the GT-R, however, its a Nissan! The 997 will still look great in 5 years, Japanese cars loose there styling fast. Plus the 997 turbo’s getting a facelift and bump of 20hp for 2009.
No matter what the figures are a Porsche will be a Porsche, a Nissan will be a Nissan. Comparable numbers, but different target markets. The ideal client profile and decision making process for these two potential buyers are at different ends of the spectrum.
But hey maybe in biased! haha
-Ryan-
http://www.theporschepit.com
People that buy “supercars” look for exclusivity. The Nissan will always just be a Nissan, even if it had 1000hp, wait, come to think about it, the old GT-R was tuned up to 1000hp+ but it was STILL A NISSAN!!!
Not to mention the fact that people that buy Porsches are usually facing a mid time crises, and the car is just a bate.. and if I were in their place, I wouldn’t want to sit in a car and explain how it matches a Porsche’s performance, yet it is cheaper..
I respect the car.. but come on guys.. its a Nissan..
Too many people seem to judge how good a car is based on there 0 – 100 times and so on.
No matter how much faster the Nissan is its still not a better car.
Im a huge fan of porsches but i do respect what the japs have done with the Nissan.
To say the Nissan is better than the porsche is really stupid first of all the Nissan will date in time and im sure the porsche in 30 years will still look better and going from past examlples of old porsches they are becoming very collectable and expensise.
If money was not an issue 100% of people would choose the porsche simple as that and not the fact its .3 of a secs slower.
I absolutely guarantee that if the prices were totally reversed, I’d still buy the GT-R.
Dale came up with this list;
- Racing heritage
- Hand built
- Exclusivity
- Reliability
- Luxury
Can I just comment on that same list by saying;
Racing heritage
A little better, but c’mon Renault are successful at Formula 1 !!! This is not the whole story…
Hand built
You believe that?
Exclusivity
Probably not correct, and to be fair, 911 drivers are seen as tw*ts to some degree…
Reliability
Utter shite, sorry
Luxury
Perhaps, but should any 2-seat ‘racer’ be bought on luxury grounds???
Listen guys, I live in Europe and work very closely with German cars – VERY over-rated, you will learn this in time.
LOL… “even if it is hand built by a small army of Ninjas in a secret location in Japan”
My opinion is this, yes the Nissan is a killer car, guaranteed. But speed is not the only facet of ownership of such vehicles. If I owned the Nissan, i would be in the upper echelons of the sports tuner community. I’d be respected by ever spiky haired club going kid on each city street corner.
The Porsche on the other hand, doesn’t need your respect in such a manner. Everyone knows it’s capability, it’s racing heritage, it’s class, power, sophistication, etc. There are some things that are invalid in comparing the vehicles but I do not think should get carried away. After all, the Porsche was the Nissan’s BENCHMARK.
I have wanted to own a Porsche since I was a teenager. Nothing can take away the fact it’s got that raucious motor in the rear, the charismatic looks, the history, quality, name, etc. I’d pick up the keys if i was offered either of the two without a second’s hesitation.
I still don’t understand that it’s just a Nissan thing… Is it still a Nissan because it wasn’t the best ? And does that mean that it never will be a good car because it’s still a Nissan ? I guess people just can’t accept that Nissan has reached such success and are making lame excuses like “It’s just a Nissan!”. Yes, GTR may not be as comfortable and etc., but look at the price ! I also think that if Nissan would have it’s engine in the rear, the results would be better… People who like luxury and can afford Porsche, choose it. People who don’t care about luxury, are on a budget, or want to feel like they are driving a real sports (no luxury, like NASCAR) car, choose GTR. Both cars are good and its your choice.. Performance+Luxury=$$ or Performance=$ .Also GTR is made that way so people can get the performance they dreamed about for a lower price. Isn’t that what all people who are on a budget want ? I don’t understand the other thing some people say… It can’t be a super car because it doesn’t cost tons of money ? ok let’s say instead of $80k Nissan sells the same car for $160k, so does it become a super car ? They can put any price they want on their car.
I knew , its gonna happen sum day, ba coudnt believe too early. I dont know much about cars, but when it came to the pride of porch, I realy got stunned………..superb car….