We’ll give GM plenty of kudos for creating a sports car that officially lapped the famous Nurburgring in a mere 7 minutes and 26.4 seconds as it puts plenty of supercars costing double its price to shame, but ultimately, its somewhat unfair to compare the Corvette ZR1 with the Nissan GT-R. True, in our article on the ZR1’s Nurburgring time we mentioned that GM’s sports car beat the Nissan GT-R (7 minutes and 29.03 seconds), but we only did it to give you a comparable example of how good the Corvette is.
However, we must put things into perspective. The 640Hp Corvette ZR1 is priced from $103,300, the 480Hp Nissan GT-R from $69,850. That’s a huge price difference -$33,450 or nearly 50% more. Practically, the GT-R should be compared with the 505Hp Corvette Z06 that starts from $72,125. Although this is not an official time, various sites (including Motortrend) have stated that the Z06 lapped the Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 42 seconds or 13 seconds more than the GT-R. -Continued
But to be totally honest, a sportscar’s Nurburgring time would be the last thing that would matter if we were in the market to buy one. Well before that we’d take into consideration a variety of factors including the emotional impact that the car has on us, the way it communicates with us on the road -maybe even on the track, and of course, the price tag. (Pic: Carscoop)
the zr1 is awesome!
The ZR-1 is amazing, but the GT-R is more so amazing. The GT-R though, is a work of art. To borrow another forum member's logic... let us comapre.
Welcome to a lesson in chassis dynamics Nurburgring style:
480hp vs 640hp
1740kg vs 1560kg
276hp/tonne vs 410hp/tonne
and finally
7:29 vs 7:26
I'd say Nissan deserves a bigger round of applause here, wouldn't you? Let's take away 200 hp from the ZR-1 and add some weight and see it keep up with the GT-R. :)
Wait for the GT-R V-Spec.
I'll try this again (sorry if it's a double post, it didn't load before)...
Just about every other site with any GT-R or ZR1 news devolves into an endless stream of bickering of the Vette vs. Nissan supercar. At the risk of repeating that here...
First off, both are damn impressive cars. Any noob posting "gtr sux" or "Nissan pwns GM!" is an idiot. If you really love cars, you'll appreciate both for what they are.
It is extremely impressive what the GT-R can do for the price point it hits. No one would argue with that. If it were a $40K car or less, fighting a Vette closer to $100K, then there would really be an issue. But seeing as the GT-R starts over $70K, it is still out of reach for most mortals. Add to that the limited supply and dealer markup, and the GT-R may go for closer to $100K.
This is not to say that the same factors won't also drive up the price of a ZR1 from $103K, but at those prices, if you can afford one, you can probably afford the other.
Another major factor in comparing the two is the ride. The ZR1 has advanced magneto-rheological fluid filled shocks that adapt to conditions faster than any other adjustable suspension. Its ride is vastly smoother than the Z06. The ZR1 is a flagship supercar that can be driven everyday in GT levels of luxury (particularly with that pricey $10K+ interior option package). Conversely, the GT-R sacrificed ride on the altar of ultimate performance, and even in its softest suspension setting, is extremely rough. See:
http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/4550
and
http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/4561
and
http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/4568
In many ways, the GT-R is more like a track car for the street--which makes me wonder how much more track car the Spec V model can be.
On the other hand, the GT-R has kiddie back seats, while the 911 is the only other car in this class to offer a spot for the progeny if that is what you need. Pretty impressive they found room for that in a supercar.
This is why carscoop rocks. This really needed to be out somewhere. Really can't compare teh Zr1 with GTR as stated in the article.
But yeah just wait for the GTR v-spec. It won't hit 640hp because there is no need to pump that much power when you can do the same with a car with less power and greater control. Oh and of course the GTR seats 4 while the zr1 seats 2
Nobody forced Nissan to make the car that heavy. They get no credit for making it work from me. IMO, they should make it lighter, make more of them, and do something about dealer price-gouging. Then I will applaude.
To Eltardo, yes Nissan has the edge and deserves the applause. But when it comes to the real world, anyone who can afford a 70k car might just as well be able to afford the ZR1, and buy it. It will really come down to aesthetic preference if you ask me, (and brand pride), when the averge person is buying one. I think the statistics are fairly negligable at the perfomance levels both can attain. MOST people who buy them won't be tracking them anyhow.
First of all the price of the car and how it performs are irrelvant. Example? Bugatti Veyron. Price? $1Million. 'Ring time? 7:40.
Every car has a purpose. The GT-R has one and so does the ZR-1. The ZR-1 is meant for every day driving that has super car capability. Did you read InsideLine's road trip on the GT-R? Heres a quote:
We’re all of 40 miles into the drive and the 405 isn’t being very kind. Not only was there the usual bumper to bumper traffic early on, but the broken concrete now feels like an endless row of speed bumps. We’ve got the suspension dialed to “comfort” and it’s not helping much. Feels like the tires are aired up to 100psi. We’ll get used to it, hopefully.
Second, the ZR-1's time was done with a rolling start as was the GT-R's. The Z06's time was done from a standing start. I am sure that # will drop dramatically should GM chose to re-run the Z06 from a rolling start.
Third, it was the engineer - not the typical Chevy test car driver or race car driver - that clocked this time. This time may drop when Jan - Chevy's race team driver - or Dave - Chevy's test car driver - gives it a run.
Just the facts...
Sources:
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/coupes/corvette-zr-1-laps-the-ring-in-7264/#more-6353
http://blog.gmnext.com/?p=194
http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/Comments/4563#cm
How do you know that the ZR-1 was made for everyday driving - did I miss out on Edmunds test drive? A sportscar has sportscar handling, period. And why shouldnt I take the Corvette's price in condsideration, especially since the ZR1's less-powerfull stablemate is a couple of thousands bucks more expensive than the GT-R.
If you are right,but how should we disscus the carrera gt who make the resault as 7:28!
The only problem I have with the GT-R is the waiting list.
I agree that it really comes down to personal preference, they are both great IMHO.
My friend loves the Vette, I love the GT-R, one day I hope we both get them so we can make fun of each others "crappy" car!
ZR1 vs. GT-R is really a moot point. It is interesting to see, how a Corvette evolved from being a brick-on-wheels to a state of the art racetrack horse, but that's about it.
Let's be honest: who is going to care about how fast both cars are on the 'ring? Does a few seconds really make any difference to any of you?
All of it boils down to this: are you a fan of Japanese drawers, or American steroids.
Besides, there is much more to those cars than just laptime. I assure you - if you will be choosing between them, Excel tables will be the least of your worries. You will compare the ride comfort, the price tag, the overall feel and character of the car.
Im a beginning car journalist (done classic cars for about 6 years now, but fresh in the market of new vehicles) and quite frankly, after driving a Seat Leon 1.8 TSI (a spanish golf really) and Mitsubishi Lancer 1.8 (stock version, not the Evolution) I would prefer the slower, cheaper Mitsu. Because I liked it better. That's it.
It doesn't really matter if the Spec V comes out cause spec V is going to be also in the 100k and its only as fast as corvette. I mean the Gtr is real quick but you got to understand these corperation going against eachother knows what to do. Best lap time usually goes to AWD standard tech that goes to rear drive when high speed and cornering goes to GTR for that reason its kinda cheating in these races thats why they don't really need so much horse power. But the real deal is Rear drive if you can make a rear drive that fast than your good Nissan could never make a car fast enough w/o being AWD when have cornering came up and heavy uphill races to lower speed under 100mph. Meaning you get the grip of 4 at corners and when the comp tells the 4 wheel to shift to rear wheel only to corner better it does that and shifts the weight to w/e wheel that doesn't have weight. Thats why I say Nissan GTR really is a great car but to have that tech anyone can do that but to run this time come on imagine if vette wanted to go AWD its more slick body and more aero it'll probably run 7:18s but who knows its who wants the real deal of Rear drive real racer or your kinda slow and need extra help with other wheels balancing. I choose rear cause i'm all about roaster and better corners. But AWD GTR can do that too cause it auto shuts off AWD when it knows that it can leave you boosting out a corner faster. Great Tech that every corp has but great cheat to keep up thats why i kind of think of the GTR a little lower than the rest of the group its a great car for everyone but in racing world its not what everyone wants to see.