Porsche 911 R vs Nissan GT-R: Battle of the R-ified Supercars
Technology and tradition; one makes a faster car, and one makes a better car.
We’ve seen this argument a dozen times, and participated in it even more than that. In the world of the modern performance car, should we be seeking speed at all costs or focus on engagement and sensation. This week the torch of debate is carried forth by Alex Goy in the latest Carfection video. We have the pinnacle of the classic sports car with the Porsche 911 R and the king of speed technology, the Nissan GT-R.
Alex starts with the Porsche, and immediately gushes about the sensations and noises that fill the cabin. With basically zero insulation, every nuance of what is happening with the car snakes its way into the cabin. There is actually very little remark on the engine aside from noise, but Goy certainly seems to hustle around the track. He does spend time discussing the biggest “classic” feature of the 911 R, the six-speed transmission. Sure, the throws are a bit heavy, but precise and short. Just how you want a good sporting transmission to feel.
With the 2017 model, Nissan has made the GT-R a little softer and more civil. The interior is filled with nicer materials, the infotainment system is simplified, and the suspension more forgiving. Alex appreciates the added niceties of the cabin, but not the overall design. On the move, the engine comes up front and center. It makes more power and torque than the Porsche and makes the GT-R much punchier. With the amazing AWD helping to shuffle around the power, Alex is moving at a much quicker pace than in the 911. Then we hit the sore points. Alex bemoans the sluggish transmission, light steering, and that the slightly softer suspension adds a lot of roll and pitch, making the car feel even heavier than it is.
The verdict here is not surprising, but the slightly more nuanced explanations of why Alex prefers the 911 R is worth watching the video for. Enjoy.
