Skyline GT-R vs Newton's Second Law of Motion...
"Does the Skyline GT-R defy the laws of physics... or just the laws of marketing?"
Chris Harris wrote a feature article comparing the Nissan GT-R in a group test with the 997.2 C2S PDK, the Audi R8 and the AM V8 4.7 Vantage. It's interesting to note his comment on the GT-R’s power-to-weight ratio:
"But you already know that the GT-R can do astonishing things with asphalt, that it conjures far more forward momentum than its 272bhp-per-tonne would suggest is possible and it changes direction so obediently you wonder if the quoted 1740kg kerb weight is a typographical blunder..."
This could be considered a reference to Newton's second law of motion whereby:
"The acceleration of an object as produced by a net force is directly proportional to the magnitude of the net force, in the same direction as the net force, and inversely proportional to the mass of the object."
Well, according to Nissan's second law of marketing, the GT-R engine produces a maximum power output of 473bhp (or 480PS) at 6400rpm, implying 272bhp/ton. Audi's impressive R8 generates an almost identical 265bhp/ton so, according to Newton, the performance from these two great icons should be almost identical. But in back-to-back comparisons, it's not even close...
However, in the GT-R's official specifications this maximum is defined as "net power output", as follows:
* The engine power output values indicated in this catalog are all net power output values.
* Engine power output can be indicated as 'Net power output' or 'Gross power output'. 'Gross' values are estimations of power output of the engine alone. 'Net' values are estimations of when the engine is assembled onto the vehicle. For estimations of the same gasoline engines, 'Net' values are approximately 15% lower than 'Gross' values according to JAMA research.
Nissan-GTR-Official-Specifications_Link
This subtle footnote disclosure implies that the GT-R engine actually produces maximum "gross power output" of around 556bhp! So the GT-R, with an official curb weight of 1740kg, would appear to generate a power-to-weight ratio closer to 320bhp/ton!
That could also explain how Nissan can claim that the GT-R is quicker around the Nürburgring than a 997 Turbo with 298bhp/ton...
It's also worth noting the relative efficiency of the GT-R's six-speed GR6 dual-clutch transmission (developed alongside Borg Warner), which provides sequential gear changes with a clutch pack reportedly designed for a 150,000-mile life. Around the Nurburgring, the GT-R's gearbox is certainly reckoned to be worth a few seconds...
In any case, all due respect to Nissan for setting a great benchmark with the Skyline GT-R with a 556bhp twin-turbo V6 engine, a dual-clutch gearbox and remarkably competitive pricing.
Feedback from Japan reportedly suggested that, in the prevailing political climate, Nissan couldn't get away launching a new "Skyline GT-R" with 556bhp, but a "Nissan GT-R" with 473bhp and a 112mph speed limiter was deemed acceptable...
...so does the GT-R really defy the laws of physics, or just the laws of marketing?