Originally Posted By: rpn453
Car and Driver's Annual Lightning Lap at VIR is a good way to compare track performance of street cars. Conditions will vary from year to year, but it's pretty much the same set of drivers driving all the cars on the same track. Not counting the X-Bow, the '09 GT-R is in 9th place. Here's the top ten so far:
1 2:45.9 MOSLER MT900S
2 2:48.6 DODGE VIPER SRT10 ACR
3 2:49.8 MOSLER PHOTON
4 2:49.8 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1
5 2:51.8 LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO LP570-4 SUPERLEGGERA
6 2:52.3 KTM X-BOW
7 2:53.5 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06
8 2:53.9 LAMBORGHINI MURCIÉLAGO LP670-4 SV
9 2:54.6 FERRARI 430 SCUDERIA
10 2:55.6 NISSAN GT-R
C&D Lightning Lap Rankings
That was then. This is now.
The Nissan GT-R has been substantially revised for 2012:
- Less aerodynamic drag
- More downforce
- Less unsprung and rotating mass
- Stiffer chassis
- Modified suspension geometry
- Bigger front brakes
- Significantly more horsepower
- Revised transmission programming: faster, smoother, and easier on the mechanicals.
And, if you care, better engine and brake cooling, and better fuel economy.
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/16/2012-nissan-gt-r-first-drive-review-road-test/
In short, the 2012 GT-R goes faster, handles better, stops shorter, and drives smoother than the '09, and you can use launch control all day without fear. If we're worried about lap times, I would think that changes the calculus slightly.
Car and Driver's Annual Lightning Lap at VIR is a good way to compare track performance of street cars. Conditions will vary from year to year, but it's pretty much the same set of drivers driving all the cars on the same track. Not counting the X-Bow, the '09 GT-R is in 9th place. Here's the top ten so far:
1 2:45.9 MOSLER MT900S
2 2:48.6 DODGE VIPER SRT10 ACR
3 2:49.8 MOSLER PHOTON
4 2:49.8 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1
5 2:51.8 LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO LP570-4 SUPERLEGGERA
6 2:52.3 KTM X-BOW
7 2:53.5 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06
8 2:53.9 LAMBORGHINI MURCIÉLAGO LP670-4 SV
9 2:54.6 FERRARI 430 SCUDERIA
10 2:55.6 NISSAN GT-R
C&D Lightning Lap Rankings
That was then. This is now.
- Less aerodynamic drag
- More downforce
- Less unsprung and rotating mass
- Stiffer chassis
- Modified suspension geometry
- Bigger front brakes
- Significantly more horsepower
- Revised transmission programming: faster, smoother, and easier on the mechanicals.
And, if you care, better engine and brake cooling, and better fuel economy.
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/16/2012-nissan-gt-r-first-drive-review-road-test/
In short, the 2012 GT-R goes faster, handles better, stops shorter, and drives smoother than the '09, and you can use launch control all day without fear. If we're worried about lap times, I would think that changes the calculus slightly.