Nissan GT-R: Record-setting Ring Run?

GTR overtook a 911 Turbo prototype.

Nissan has made it clear from the start that their new Skyline GT-R sports car is gunning for the Porsche 911 Turbo.  A 911 Turbo has been the benchmark on hand during the Skyline track sessions, and some wheel-to-wheel, nose-to-tail battles have even been documented during testing.  Nissan's assault on Porsche's pre-eminence has continued this past week at the Nürburgring, as test drivers have been running flat-out on the Nordschleife in pursuit of a fastest lap time than the 997 911 Turbo.

We watched as a Porsche-driven prototype for a facelifted 911 Turbo was on the track at the same time as a Skyline GT-R prototype.  Our observations from earlier test sessions--that the Skyline is as fast, and probably faster than the 911 Turbo--appeared to hold true this week, as the Skyline reeled-in, and overtook the 911 Turbo prototype.  While this is not scientific by any means--the 911 may have been running a less-intense durability cycle, and not a flat-out race run--our reporters on the scene hand-timed several of the Skylines laps and they recorded a best lap of 7 minutes 38 seconds.  If those times are accurate, then it appears that the Skyline may have bettered the 7:40 time logged by a 997 911 Turbo that stands as a lofty Nürburgring benchmark.

Nissan will reportedly be continuing their run at the 'Ring record books next week.  We'll be searching out any official confirmation of the Skyline's lap times, but you can be sure that if Nissan is successful at dethroning the 911 Turbo, it will be trumpeted loudly during the car's Tokyo debut in October.