Nissan GT-R Once Again Breaks Previous April 15th Record Lap Time at Nurburgring

Nissan GT-R Chief Vehicle Engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno with Nissan test team

Nissan GT-R beat its previous record on the Nordschleife circuit at Nurburgring with a time of 7 min and 26.7 seconds

Nissan has scored a new record lap time for its GT-R at the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit with a sprint around the track on April 23rd coming in at 7 minutes and 26.7 seconds.

The GT-R beat its previous record, set a few days earlier on April 15, of 7 minutes 27.56 seconds.

The new record time is a milestone for Nissan, an elbow nudge at the more snooty Euro-centric car folks who may be a little too provincial about their dominance of endurance races at tracks like the Nurburgring.

But more importantly, its the democratic principle at work here. The GT-R is a more populist model, and the track time is meant to impress customers who opt for it over its more illustrious and expensive premium counterparts from the likes of Porsche, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, etc.

Says Kazutoshi Mizuno, Nissan's Chief Vehicle Engineer and Chief Vehicle Specialist, "We would like to continue delivering the passion and pride of ownership to our customers by improving its performance every year."

They're not so much about winning titles as much as they are about winning the hearts and minds of potential customers out there watching. And that's how you sell cars.

Source: Nissan

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AWARD-WINNING NISSAN GT-R ACHIEVES NEW RECORD LAP TIME AT NURBURGRING CIRCUIT

The NISSAN GT-R, winner of the 2009 World Performance Car of the Year, has improved its lap time at the renowned Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany to 7min 26 seconds 70 on April 23.

This new time underlines Nissan engineering team's commitment to constantly challenge the GT-R's performance. Previous recorded lap times at the 'Ring' were:

* 7 minutes 27 seconds 56 on April 15, 2009
* 7 minutes 29 in April 2008
* 7 minutes 38 in September 2007

"This record demonstrates our commitment to the continuous evolution of the Nissan GT-R," says Kazutoshi Mizuno, Chief Vehicle Engineer and Chief Vehicle Specialist. "We would like to continue delivering the passion and pride of ownership to our customers by improving its performance every year."

The Nissan GT-R has won more than a dozen awards globally including Car of the Year from CAR Magazine in the UK, and Car of the Year by both Motor Trend and Autombile Magazine in the US.

While the Nissan GT-R benefits from a strong image and heritage amongst performance car aficionados, its updated 2010 version will be the first to be sold globally. It was launched:

* in Japan in December 2008,
* in the US in March 2009
* in Europe, GCC, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan in April 2009

Europe is currently in the process of delivering the first GT-Rs to more than 2,200 pre-order customers.

The model R35 GT-R was first launched in Japan in December 2007, selling 5,900 units until March 2009. It went on sale in the US in July 2008, where 2,100 have been sold so far.

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Renegade

"We would like to continue delivering the passion and pride of ownership to our customers by improving its performance every year." nice one mister Mizuno, call us when you brake light speed.

May 14, 2009 12:09 pm

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prowler97

Still does not come close to American Power: 2009 Dodge Viper ACR 7:22.1 2009 Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 7:26.4 So... why are they celebrating? They did not beat anyone but themselves. I love how they use a Porsche 911 as a chase car.

May 14, 2009 12:15 pm

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5 replies

Joe_Limon

The ZR1 improved it's time, it is now at 7:22.4

May 14, 2009 12:20 pm

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mc959

Don't think the 911 is a chase car, looks like the 998 turbo which is still not on the market yet, Porsche was probably testing the car on that day too.

May 14, 2009 12:25 pm

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350Zed

The GT-R doesn't even compare in price to the ZR1 or ACR, so your point is moot. Besides, a guy who actually paid for a Plymouth Prowler (a laughable ending to a pathetic brand) isn't a credible source of any kind of credible automotive opinion, so it's double-moot.

May 14, 2009 12:51 pm

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Jamaicandude

Don't let Joe fool you. The 7:22 time from the ZR1 was a hoax: "We can safely report that the time of 7:22.4 is absolutely bogus. We finally got confirmation from Tadge Juechter (Corvette Chief Engineer) that Jan Magnussen was State-side during the time period that the car was at the 'Ring, thereby completely negating the possibility of him driving the car during that session. When we went to print, we couldn't get anybody to deny the time, and due to the margin between Magnussen's time and Merro's 7:26.4, we felt the '22.4 lap time was entirely plausible. Thanks for revisiting the issue and we appreciate you bringing it to our attention."- Road & Track Magazine

May 14, 2009 1:24 pm

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speed_freak

GT-R gets close to those two cars with much less horsepower. Think about it.

May 14, 2009 7:39 pm

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Ring times are useless...just bragging rights. However, even after months (Over a year) of track time the GT-R is still slower than the Viper ACR around The Ring. More impressive, it only took four laps to break the production car record. Imagine if Dodge had decided to invest the time and resources Nissan has at The Ring. The ACR would have gone below 7.20 along time ago.

May 14, 2009 12:21 pm

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4 replies

Jamaicandude

You can't be seriously comparing the Viper ACR's time to the GT-R's... or Corvette ZR1's for that matter. The Viper is nothing more than a thinly disguised race car. It has R Compound tires, adjustable suspension AND adjustable aero front & rear. It was dialed in to optimum spes before it even turned a wheel at the 'Ring. It's also lighter and more powerful. It's supposed to beat regular street cars.

May 14, 2009 1:29 pm

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Jamaicandude

I can say the same thing about the GT-R. What about all the electronic aids found on the GT-R? Traction control, stability control, electronically controlled suspension etc. etc. All these systems are working on the fly to help the driver. The Viper is a dinosaur and all the adjustments must be made manually. Also, the Viper wasn't "dialed in" to make its Ring run. It wasn't even geared correctly when it broke the record. Imagine if the driver wasn't on the rev limiter for half of each lap. They ran four laps, broke the record and went home. Nissan has run countless laps optimizing the GT-R for the Ring and still hasn't eclipsed the ACR. What has been lost in the excitement over the ACR is the standard Viper is quite capable. Its straightaway speed (200mph+)is higher than the ACR, and it handles great too. It just doesn't have the aerodynamic features, shocks, brakes and tires of the ACR. The shocks, tires and brakes can be easily added to the standard Viper. Finally, the Viper is at a price point similar to the GT-R. Most importantly, it's a car the driver actually drives instead of being babied by electronics.

May 14, 2009 7:22 pm

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scratchy996

wake me up when they get to 6:00.0

May 14, 2009 12:35 pm

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ShinyG

Oh yes, glorious propaganda press releases! Yes comrades, the GTR is a true proletarian car, don't let those bourgeois Europeans tell you otherwise!

May 14, 2009 12:45 pm

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alamak

people, so wats up with the hate and negative comments. You have to admit that this car is a great package for its price, c'mon now. I can understand your option of buying a 911 or ZR1, but c'mon, you aren't making any sense when saying you'd prefer Dodge Viper ACR....r u kidding me? U gonna drive the ACR on the streets after u lapped the Ring?? That's what I thought! GT-R is one of the best cars produced, the price is an added bonus.

May 14, 2009 1:09 pm

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phobos

give me the spec - v lap time

May 14, 2009 1:33 pm

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Jamaicandude

People like to dismiss the GT-R based on the lap time alone, and the fact that it's still slower than the ZR1 or Viper ACR. What they always neglect to mention is that this is the regular GT-R. It's true competition is the Z06 Corvette, regular Viper SRT10 and the Porsche 911 TT. It whoops ass on all of them while being cheaper, less powerful and heavier. It gets eerily close the the $100k+ ZR1 (keep cheering about spending close to an extra $30-40K for those three tenths of a second. LOL) The bottom line is nothing in it's segment can touch it. The End. If that's not something to be admired, I dunno what is.

May 14, 2009 1:36 pm

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5 replies

Xanavi23

What do you see as Whooping ass ? The GT-R has the same quarter mile as a Z06, the Viper is slightly faster. Around a track, sure the GT-R is much faster than a Z06 stock but thats to be expected given the Z06 comes shod with run flat Bridgestones that limit grip. Slap on the same Dunlops as the GT-R and your gap is bridged. So while i love the GT-R, saying it whoops the Z06 flatly is totally out of context and a clearly intelligent car guy like you should know that. As for the 911, wait til it gets its stronger, more reliable PDK transmission. That will put it dead even with the V-spec, let alone GT-R.

May 15, 2009 12:59 am

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Jamaicandude

Xanavi23: I'm talking about Nurburgring lap times here. I thought a clearly intelligent car guy like yourself would have realized that. :) This article is about 'Ring lap times. My whole argument is about 'Ring lap times. The GT-R without question whoops both the Z06 and 911 TT in that respect. Also, the Z06's tire deficit isn't as huge as you'd imagine. The Dunlops on the GT-R are runflats too... as are the Bridgestones. Matter of fact, the Dunlops have the exact same treadwear rating as the Z06's Goodyears. (UTQG 220... which is incidentally the same as the Michelin PS2s on the 911 TT). They're closer in grip level than you'd think. And I relish the day when the new 911 Turbo variants roll out with direct injection and PDK. Competition is a wonderful thing. I may come across as a Nissan fanboy sometimes but rest assured, I'm a car enthusiast first and foremost. I've always been a fan of the Vette, Viper, 911. Skylines were always a bit of a legend where I grew up though, and I've owned an R32 and R33 so I may be a little biased. I always try to argue fairly though.

May 15, 2009 2:17 am

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Xanavi23

Lol, i never called you a fanboy, you're clearly not. I just disagree with just how bad you think a Z06 will get beat. I love the GT-R but i really don't buy certain aspects of the Ring times. Im sure a GT-R ran all of these times we've been given, i just don't think its in total factory condition or on factory boost levels.

May 15, 2009 3:53 am

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Scovito

Jamaicandude, you don't really believe that Nissan does not tweak the suspension setting along with other things to improve their time on the ring? Did nissan not say that they are always trying to improve the car? What the heck do you think that means? The GTR is a thinly disquised race car just like the ACR.

May 17, 2009 2:28 am

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Jamaicandude

Scovito: How many 4000lb AWD race cars do you know? That's the heaviest "thin disguise" I've ever seen. LOL

May 17, 2009 5:40 pm

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focal

Yeah, I think that comparing the ACR and the ZR1 to the GTR is a little silly, since the ACR is a purpose-built track-day machine, and both have at least 100HP more, and cost about $20,000 more. The point is that for the money, the GTR is a great performer.

May 14, 2009 1:42 pm

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postas

If american cars are all THAT good, why is Detroit breaking apart?

May 14, 2009 1:53 pm

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2 replies

N20_Purge

Because no-one is buying them, since they will fall apart in the long run. Anything else?

May 14, 2009 3:40 pm

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1234567890

break apart in the long run? lol.. more like a short run..

May 15, 2009 5:13 am

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Andy_Turbo

this car is nothing short of amazing, nothing in its price range can match its superb and NOTHING else on the market with 485hp can match it on or off the track

May 14, 2009 2:13 pm

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adz612

BOORRRRRINNNGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not being funny but Nissan is really overcompensating now. Nobody cares anymore. We get the bloody point already. You turned an ordinary Japanese box into a supercar eater. Big bloody deal. Tell ya what Nissan, why don't you start making some cars with an ounce of passion instead of a technofest. Maybe if you start designing cars that look as pretty as Alfa Romeos and have interiors as bombproof as Audi's and BMW's maybe...just maybe I might consider giving your products a second thought. One diamond in a range of turds and everyone must listen? Psshh. Please! Gimme a break!

May 14, 2009 3:09 pm

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2 replies

Ferrariguy

adz612, you don't know what you're talking about. Do you even know the history of the GTR, before calling it "ordinary japanese box???" Figures most people posting probably don't even drive. Also the comparison of the Viper ACR and ZR1, hahahaha! So a faster lap time means it's better car. If that is the case doesn't those two cars beat most of what Europe has to offer, so doesn't that make them better then Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc... for about a fraction of the cost.

May 14, 2009 5:42 pm

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adz612

OK first of all Ferrariguy don't come off and tell me anything about driving. I own an E36 M3 Evo and an Alfa Spider so I know a thing or two and participate at trackdays when I get a spare moment. Secondly don't question me about my knowledge of cars, especially the history of the Skyline GTR. You clearly misinterpreted what I was trying to say. I never said anything about hating the GTR. I highly respect it, but as far as I'm concerned it is boring. Yeah I know, I come across rather bullish, but enough is enough with regards to the Nurburgring laptimes. I bet you anything if they decide to take the bugger around the 'Ring next week and beat the time by 0.01 of a second they will post it. Like I said We get the point that it's a great car. Just don't keep shoving it in our faces all the time. Gets a bit repetitive if ya get what I'm saying.

May 14, 2009 5:54 pm

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eme7

Every assh*le compre the basic production GTR to the fully stock tuned ZR1 and Viper...let see 480hp against 600 and more?..and 1700+Kg of the GTR, this is an engeniering masterpice, every one nows but no one want to see it. This is ehy american car company are broken, american car sucks!

May 14, 2009 3:30 pm

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1 reply

Scovito

It is not an engineering masterpiece. It is a race car just like the ACR.

May 17, 2009 2:23 am

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postas

Try fitting 4 or 5 adults on a viper ...

May 14, 2009 4:12 pm

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1 reply

Xanavi23

Try that in a GT-R, everybody in the back is going to want to blow their brains out. The GT-Rs back seat is really not that useful except maybe for one tight fit adult.

May 18, 2009 12:44 pm

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dimeNickel

just shows that the GT-R still have room for improvement.

May 14, 2009 4:16 pm

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danteskov

engineering masterpiece as you said, the GTR haves passion in it because every angle and every side of the car is functional, and that hand build engine, you can see that the car do haves a lot of passion in it, but in it's pure Japanese style

May 14, 2009 4:18 pm

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reyngel

Why, exactly, are people bashing Nissan for this? Isn't this a car enthusiast website? So what if Nissan is proud of their car? Isn't that the whole POINT? Do people here really believe that car manufacturers should say as little as possible about their achievements? Give me a break.

May 14, 2009 4:30 pm

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GRAVE

Why some poeple comparing a ZR1 to GTR!!! A ZR1 is a super charged ZO6 with a 153hp more and a lighter body wieght, if the GTR body was made from carbon fiber it'll fly and eats the ZR1 lap time! The GTR is only 1.5 secs slower so 1 sec is nothing. Bring the Hennessey GTR600 to the ring and see what it can do.

May 14, 2009 5:21 pm

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LaidOut

You can add lipstick to a pig, but it's still a pig. Ugly and heavy. And seriously reliability issues. Let's at least be realistic here.

May 14, 2009 5:22 pm

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AutopiaDR

its obvious that the more you practice the better you'll get. Practice makes perfect!! Now, my question is where;s the ZR1,shouldnt they be doing the same?? I want the ZR1

May 14, 2009 6:08 pm

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