I drove the GTR @ Nürburgring GP
I recently won a Drivers Republic competition to attend the Nissan Race Academy event at the Nürburging GP circuit. All the other participants had paid a deposit on the car. The event was a blast and was very well organised and hosted. The GTR does indeed have almost magical levels of grip and traction, even on a racetrack with P Zero tyres in the rain and a cold 8c. I doubt many cars could match its speed in these conditions. I would give the GTR ten out of ten for performance.
I drove the GTR for about five laps in the rain at speeds that would have resulted in spins and slides in any RWD car. I felt I was getting close to the limits of the car by the end of five laps but, when I did two hot passenger laps with a racing driver, I soon discovered that the GTR can be pushed much faster with perfectly controlled four wheel drifts at gut-wrenching G-levels. Do not underestimate the performance of the GTR; it exceeded my expectations. I also drove the GTR on the Eifel back roads for about 40 minutes where it was completely unfazed by the rain and composting leaves and felt totally secure at all times.
But I would not buy this car as it is similar to my modded 996 Turbo X50 (with coilovers and 530 hp) in that it is a bit too easy to drive very fast. I much prefer the driving experience in a CSL or a 997 GT3, even though they cannot match the GTR in the dry and in the wet would be left far behind. Despite its truly extraordinary performance, the GTR just does not have the intangible combination of feel-good factors that makes me want to buy a sports car.
The GTR is the probably the most significant car of the year in terms of performance, practicality and price. But it is not quite my cup of tea.
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996 X50 Turbo530 HP H&R suspension Pagid yellow pads
