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Official: Nissan GT-R laps Nurburgring in 7m 29s

Official: Nissan GT-R laps Nurburgring in 7m 29s

Ralph Hanson May 1st, 2008 Ralph Hanson By Ralph Hanson Author May 1st, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 If you thought the GT-R’s previous recorded lap time of 7m 38s at the Nurburgring was shockingly fast get ready to be stunned again as Nissan has confirmed today that its latest supercar has achieved a blistering lap time of just 7m 29 seconds - making it one of the fastest ever production road cars to attack the ‘Ring. The lap times were recorded on April 16 and 17 and were for a stock-standard base specification GT-R fitted with the same Japanese market tires as the cars in showrooms. Driven by GT-R chief test driver Tochio Suzuki, this latest lap time beats the previous fastest time for the GT-R by nine seconds (and the Porsche 911 GT2 by three whole seconds). Incidentally, the previous time was also set by Suzuki and was already one of the fastest laps achieved by a production car. Poor conditions on the previous attempt - slightly damp on two corners – was cited as reasons for the slower time. “At last year’s testing, we were frustrated by the conditions at the Nürburgring, always believing that the GT-R could go under seven minutes 30 seconds,” said Kazutoshi Mizuno, Nissan’s chief vehicle engineer for the GT-R. “Below seven minutes 30 seconds, the GT-R proves it is among the fastest mass-production cars in the world. We set out to build a multi-performance supercar accessible to anyone, anytime and anywhere – I believe the GT-R has delivered that promise.” If the standard GT-R is this quick we can only imagine how fast the lighter and more powerful Spec-V model due next year will be. Prototypes spotted testing last month are said to be achieving lap times of 7m 25s and given the performance of the stock model we suspect the new car could be even faster. Nissan GT-R in depthNissan GT-R
Official: Nissan GT-R laps Nurburgring in 7m 29s

Official: Nissan GT-R laps Nurburgring in 7m 29s

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If you thought the GT-R’s previous recorded lap time of 7m 38s at the Nurburgring was shockingly fast get ready to be stunned again as Nissan has confirmed today that its latest supercar has achieved a blistering lap time of just 7m 29 seconds - making it one of the fastest ever production road cars to attack the ‘Ring. The lap times were recorded on April 16 and 17 and were for a stock-standard base specification GT-R fitted with the same Japanese market tires as the cars in showrooms.

Driven by GT-R chief test driver Tochio Suzuki, this latest lap time beats the previous fastest time for the GT-R by nine seconds (and the Porsche 911 GT2 by three whole seconds). Incidentally, the previous time was also set by Suzuki and was already one of the fastest laps achieved by a production car. Poor conditions on the previous attempt - slightly damp on two corners – was cited as reasons for the slower time.

“At last year’s testing, we were frustrated by the conditions at the Nürburgring, always believing that the GT-R could go under seven minutes 30 seconds,” said Kazutoshi Mizuno, Nissan’s chief vehicle engineer for the GT-R. “Below seven minutes 30 seconds, the GT-R proves it is among the fastest mass-production cars in the world. We set out to build a multi-performance supercar accessible to anyone, anytime and anywhere – I believe the GT-R has delivered that promise.”

If the standard GT-R is this quick we can only imagine how fast the lighter and more powerful Spec-V model due next year will be. Prototypes spotted testing last month are said to be achieving lap times of 7m 25s and given the performance of the stock model we suspect the new car could be even faster.

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Tags: Supercars

Posted in: 2009, Nissan, News, GT-R


Comments (24 total)

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  1. By surok #1, Posted: 5/1/2008

    wow what a good timeattack!!

  2. By Alan #2, Posted: 5/1/2008

    wow, that's an amazing time for such a heavy car with about 500bhp. never thought it can be pushed to under 7:29, must have being a perfect lap though. either way, the electronics in this car is simply amazing, goes to show what eletronics and properly calibrated AWD can do

  3. By MyWheelsOnWalls.com #3, Posted: 5/1/2008

    Stunning!!! Funny though how when this level of technology bowed in F1 and other forms of motorsport it was seen by many as cheating and taking away driver skill.

  4. By Ayax #4, Posted: 5/1/2008

    Thats shaving 9 seconds off the mentioned already stupendous run.... Are we sure this is proven? Not that I doubt it, but I would think Nissan would make a bigger marketing fuzz about these figures. And if this is on a completely stock GTR, whats to say about the V Spec, that will be interesting.

  5. By Stephen #5, Posted: 5/1/2008

    I think we still need an independent test. In fact they should do it in same way top speed records are recorded, they need to make two runs and take an average of those, that should be the way to record an official time at the 'ring, or any other course for that matter.

  6. By admin #6, Posted: 5/1/2008

    It's an official Nissan press release, and yes, they mention that it is stock standard with the OEM Japanese tyres customers will be able to get. Nissan could lie about it but they won't because the resulting bad PR could severely damage their reputation.

  7. By Arthur Pappas #7, Posted: 5/1/2008

    Fantastic time, that's for sure. However, I don't buy any manufacturer's 'official' times, period. Until a 3rd party drives a GTR off a dealer lot & duplicates this time Nissan can claim all it wants, these numbers mean nothing. It would be so easy for Nissan to squeeze an extra 80 - 100 ponies in a 'Ringer' car just to publish numbers. No one would have a clue & when the 7:29 can't be duplicated Nissan (or any other car company) can just blame track/weather conditions.

  8. By exess #8, Posted: 5/1/2008

    Honestly, this is suspicious. Anyone know how fast the Veyron does it?

  9. By Ayax #9, Posted: 5/1/2008

    A Veyron did 7:40... so ... its not even a contender here.

  10. By MOH #10, Posted: 5/1/2008

    does anyone know whats the record for the fastest lap on the nurburgring...and if u do what was the time and what car???

  11. By ohmy #11, Posted: 5/1/2008

    ya thats my GTR BABY!!!

    i do wonder what a Spec V will do, as stated before, perfect blend of electronic aid and good driving skillz

  12. By C6R #12, Posted: 5/1/2008

    Unbelievable shameless self advertising...
    As nobody can prove that is false Nissan can claim anything they want.

    But I don't believe it.

    A 3960 lbs car (as per Road and Track, weight with driver) cannot do such a fast lap on the most demanding track in the world.

  13. By Lexlife #13, Posted: 5/1/2008

    Kudos Nissan! I love the GTR & can't wait for the reduced weight model to lap the ring even faster! Keep up the good work. This car looks MUCH better in person than pictures do it justice. it had so many people surrounding it at the Chicago Auto Show. A test drive is desired soon.

  14. By Wizards Lore #14, Posted: 5/1/2008

    why does the fact that it is a chubby car be given as the reason for your apprehension for an official time ??

    The way the car is set up means that they use the weight of the car perfectly and provides a different (and imho more effective and safer) kind of downforce on the track.
    A superlight car with the same engine wouldnt do the same time because it would be skipping all over the track...think about it...its all physics.....

    Nissan have created a monster and i for one cannot wait till i have enough money in the bank to abe able to afford one...

  15. By exess #15, Posted: 5/2/2008

    I saw wikipedia claim 7:40 for the veyron and I can only imagine they had someone with extreme myopia driving it for that particular lap.

    @Wizards Lore - the fact that its a chubby car will make it break over longer distances as well as speed up in a longer period of time. That's the physics you need to be concerned with in this case.

    In any case, I simply cannot see how the GTR could do it 10 seconds faster than the veryron which goes to 200 mph faster than the GTR goes to 100 mph.

  16. By CCLdn #16, Posted: 5/2/2008

    "the veryron which goes to 200 mph faster than the GTR goes to 100 mph"

    ...am i reading this comment correctly?! if so, what are you talking about? the veyron takes roughly 24 secs to get to 200mph. the GT-R takes roughly 8 secs to get to 100mph.

    i don't deny that the veyron is far quicker in a straight line, but it is perfectly viable that the GT-R is quicker round the 'ring. the 997 GT3 and turbo have also posted quicker times than the veyron, which are also far slower in a straight line.

  17. By green #17, Posted: 5/3/2008

    This car is a legend already.

  18. By C6R #18, Posted: 5/6/2008

    Yes "green" the GT-R is a legend... for some. Nothing wrong with religion and blind belief in whatever Nissan PR pumps at them. It's a free world after all...
    For me is a good car that has a tainted reputation due to the eagerness and stupidity of Nissan's marketing department...

    Where is the video for this ridiculous claim?
    Still on the making at the "Special Effects and Fakes" department? :)

  19. By admin #19, Posted: 5/6/2008

    C6R - a "3960 lbs car" with "only" 480hp shouldn't be able to do 0-100km/h in 3.3s. You've made numerous comments putting the GT-R down. Have you even driven it yet? Until you have some evidence of Nissan lying about this time we're going to accept it.

    Manufacturers don't lie about track times these days because of the possibilities of class action lawsuits.

  20. By C6R #20, Posted: 5/8/2008

    Of course Nissan lies. Just because there absolutely no way anybody can prove that.

    0-100 km/h is done due to AWD and launch control. Nothing wrong with that, except the fact that the cars are prototypes/test mules and ringers (more than 500 HP crank, as per dyno test).

    I will give you sort of a proof that the GT-R is NOT at the same level with Carrera GT and Zonda: One Lap of America, VIR. GT-R should dominate categorically if it would such a fast car as the 7:29 Nordschleife time implies.
    But it was NOT dominating and not winning. It got beaten by many cars, including a 7 years old C5 Z06. Also 2 Porsche 996 Turbo.

    It is just a mater of time, the truth will come to light. This is not the first time Nissan makes ridiculous fake claims, just look back at previous generations GT-R and Nordschleife.

  21. By Wizards Lore #21, Posted: 5/13/2008

    One Lap of America, VIR

    what the hell is that ??

    Fact is Veyron is faster in a straight line of that there is no doubt, but last time i checked and remember when i went on it myself (well got driven on it) the 'Ring is hardly straight, but more like 21miles of undulations and sweeping turns...

    The GTR has become an instant classic no matter what your feelings. And when the US car companies come over with their stupidly midified cars like the Vette z07 (or whatever its called) and tuned out to the max, Nissan will come along with the GTR-R and put them all back in their places.

    Godzilla is back people :-)

  22. By Ryan #22, Posted: 9/1/2008

    This is a late post but I wonder how all you are feeling about the GT-R now that there are videos all over proving Nissan's car to be all that is advertised. Edmunds got 3.3 to 60 MPH and Top Gear got 3.5 secs.....Nissan relased the Nurburgring lap video....the nasayers here and elsewhere will always call foul. I am sure these people are the same ones I see in Corvettes acting like that car is amazing. 6.0 V8 - such amazing technology GM keeps selling. The German and Japanese automakers are the best....always will be.

  23. ma_Countach avatar by Countach #23, Posted: 1/18/2009

    Maybe Porsche should give a fake lower time too, just to piss Nissan off but gentlement does not do such things!

  24. By Justsomeguy #24, Posted: 8/26/2009

    Porsche claims this time is fake. They said that Nissan used different tires or racing gas. When they compared the 911 Turbo, the GT2 and the GTR on the ring they concluded that both Porsches ran faster laptimes than the GTR.

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