TechArt Porsche 911 Turbo GTstreet R Vs. Nissan GT-R

TechArt Porsche 911 Turbo GTstreet R

'Quod erat demonstrandum' (this completes the proof)

It was with this sentence that Sir Isaac Newton always completed the presentation of his mathematics and physics-based evidence. At TECHART, the phrase stands for the challenge of kitting out ‘Non plus ultra’ ex works vehicles with impressive performance capabilities. The result: the TECHART GTstreet RS based on the Porsche 911 GT2.

Impressive performance data

The GTstreet R is fitted with the TECHART performance kit TA097/T3 with an engine performance of 485 kW (660 hp) and a maximum torque of 860 Nm at 4,600 rpm. The GTstreet R with Tiptronic S can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds and with manual transmission it only takes a tenth of a second longer. The remarkable propulsion levels out at a top speed of 345 km/h.

An ample increase in performance is guaranteed thanks to the new turbochargers, large carbon fibre inlet pipes, special intercoolers, a sports exhaust system combined with high-performance manifolds and an improved sports air filter. A balanced downforce on the front and back axels and specially adapted TECHART VarioPlus coil over suspension guarantee excellent driving performance at high speeds and ensure extra driving stability and safety.

Technology meets emotion

The design of the car body brings sporting agility and a perfect exterior design. The aero-bonnet, headlight trims and mirror trims, striking sill panels and carbon fibre roof spoiler characterise the dynamic design of this sports car. Precise air ducts on the front spoiler and rear wing optimise the engine ventilation. The striking rear apron with its carbon fibre diffuser and air ducts to the intercooler are additional special features of the comprehensive TECHART GTstreet R aerodynamic programme.

Engine: Watercooled six-cylinder boxer twin-turbo engine with TechArt TA 097/T3 performance tuning consisting of 2 special turbochargers with variable turbine geometry, airbox with sport air filter, modified intercoolers, sport induction pipes, TechArt stainless steel high performance exhaust system with special manifolds and steel-bed high performance catalysts and a recalibrated ECU. TechArt engine design package.

Transmission: Permanent four-wheel drive. Six-speed manual gearbox with modified transmission-ratio, TechArt gearshift travel shortage and additional gearbox-oil cooling

Bodywork: 2+2 seater coupe with TechArt GTstreet bodystyling kit, consisting of: front apron with extendable Carbon splitter, headlight moldings, aerodynamics fenders front and rear (10 millimeters wider on each side), side skirts, side mirror moldings, roof spoiler, adjustable rear wing, rear apron with integrated Carbon diffuser.

GTstreet TechArt 911 Turbo 

To achieve this, power has been increased by 148bhp to 621bhp. Torque rises too, from 457lb/ft at 4,500rpm to 605lb/ft. To achieve this from the 3.6-litre Porsche engine, TechArt has modified the variable turbine turbochargers, added a new airbox, high performance manifolds, intercoolers, exhaust and reprogrammed the engine management system. The result is a 911 Turbo that accelerates to 62mph in 3.2 seconds and reaches 124mph in just 10.9 seconds, with a potential maximum of 214mph. Ensuring you stay on the road at such speeds is a tweaked aero package, which increases both downforce and engine and brake cooling.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage v Porsche 911 Carrera S

The GTstreet’s power is channelled to all four wheels via a short throw gearshift. And like the car it is based on, the best performance figures are achieved with the Tiptronic S transmission. Change gears yourself and 0-62mph takes 3.4 seconds, and 0-124mph 11.4 seconds – still stupidly quick then but clearly if you want the fastest version it has to be the auto. The top speed remains the same. Inside there is a TechArt sports steering wheel, aluminium pedals, illuminated TechArt sills and a leather interior with contrasting stitching. TechArt quotes prices starting from 245,000 Euros, or around £170,000. At that price, we are sure you can specify it in another colour too.

Maximum speed: 345 km/h 345 km/h

Driving these two cars back to back, it's not long before you realize that the Nissan makes the 911 seem old-fashioned.

The 911 Turbo comes in at around about $100,000, which is a good value for such a stupendous car, but the GT-R will cost about $40,000 less.

Nissan GT-R

Summary

Affordable supercar takes on a new meaning as Nissan offers Porsche 911 Turbo beating performance for BMW M3 money

• Likes: stunning looks, bang per buck, incredible technology, jaw-dropping performance
• Dislikes: interior space and design, a bit chunky, we have to wait until next year

The Nissan GT-R was developed with a new understanding and appreciation of the Earth's natural forces - gravity, inertial force and aerodynamics - and translates those forces into a completely new design, maximizing tire grip and airflow. 

The Nissan GT-R's unique characteristics are instilled not just in the vehicle's design, but also through a specialized production process. Carbon fiber, aluminum and steel components are assembled with a special high-precision process, which includes a series of vibration tests. Engines and transmissions are assembled by a single craftsman in a "clean room" environment and upon completion, every GT-R undergoes a battery of comprehensive tests to ensure the proper operation of all vehicle components.

The GT-R's balance and body control are extraordinary through faster, bumpy bends that will have the 911 unsettled enough to make the driver lose confidence, number of heart-in-mouth moments in the Turbo trying to keep up with the GT-R, even with the Porsche's suspension set to its harder Sport setting.we hit an indicated 190 mph that the canary yellow Porsche 911 Turbo glued to my tail flashed his lights impatiently, sick of waiting, Nissan says the GT-R hits 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, To properly support the all-new GT-R, Nissan has established special Nissan High Performance Centers, where all certified advisors and technicians have received extensive training. Total support for the GT-R owner is offered for the first three years of ownership, including measurement and adjustment of the engine, transmission and wheel alignment after the first 1000 km, and again every 12 months, free of charge. 

The GT-R turns in beautifully, whether neutral or under brakes, and grips forever — slippery surfaces seem to bring out the best in it. Time after time I left the Porsche behind, The GT-R feels high, almost on tiptoe in comparison to the 911, but that's because it is. It's a big car. But it's not slow.

The Nissan GT-R offers a long list of safety and environmental features, including, for enhanced visibility inside and out of the vehicle, high-mounted LED stoplamps, bright LED rear combination taillights, "super wide beam" headlights, heated door mirrors and flat-blade wipers.

Standard safety equipment includes a pop-up engine hood system for enhanced pedestrian safety, driver and front passenger SRS Air Bag System, ELR front seat belts with tension reducer, front seat belts with load limiter, and three-point ELR rear seat belts. Driver and front passenger SRS Side Air Bag System and SRS Curtain Air Bag System are offered as options.

Environmental technologies include extensive work to create an U-LEV certification in Japan for the 3.8-liter twin turbo engine and reduced levels of volatile organic compound for materials used in the car. 

Performance: Put simply? Mind blowing. A car as big and as heavy as this - it weighs 1,740kg and is 205mm longer, 45mm wider and 70mm taller than a 911 Turbo - has no right to be this rapid. But even though it weighs 45kg more and has comparable power outputs to the Turbo it's a tenth quicker to 62mph.

Under the hood, the Nissan GT-R features an all-new 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 "VR38" engine, featuring plasma-sprayed bores and a special twin-turbo exhaust manifold system. A secondary air management system enables the newly designed powerplant to provide approximately 40kg/m of torque during ordinary low-rev driving, which gives an optimum air-fuel ratio for around-town efficiency and helps the Nissan GT-R meet ultra-low emission vehicle (U-LEV) standards in Japan.

The Nissan GT-R's new engine produces 480PS (353kW) at 6400rpm and maximum torque of 60kgm (588Nm) from 3200 to 5200rpm. Putting the power to the ground is an all-new GR6-type dual clutch transmission, with paddle shifting and a Borg Warner six-plate dual clutch for direct control.

That it matches the Turbo's 193mph top speed exactly shows how closely chief engineer and Mr GT-R Kazutoshi Mizuno has pegged his pet project to its iconic German rival. Even Nissan insiders admit Mizuno-san is 'a bit of an obsessive', his mission to beat Porsche at its own game becoming an all-consuming passion.

Nissan GT-R (image © Motoring Research)

So how have they achieved it? In true Japanese fashion they've thrown technology at it, with every facet of the car laden with acronym heavy innovation. The handbuilt, twin turbo 3.8-litre V6 tears up the 'gentleman's agreement' that saw previous GT-Rs limited to 276bhp - officially at least - and delivers 480bhp.

This drives through a super-trick four-wheel drive chassis and rear-mounted, twin-clutch six-speed automated gearbox, the seamless shifts offering relentless acceleration as each gear punches home. It's a distinctively turbocharged power delivery too. The boost takes a moment to build but when it does the GT-R simply erupts, air howling through the induction system with a roar.

Suspension duties are handled through a special Bilstein DampTronic*1 system, which utilizes all pertinent vehicle information to provide appropriate damping forces for all situations and helps maintain a high level of control for straight-line driving, cornering, and braking.

• Price – £52,900
• Available – March 2009
• Key rivals – BMW M3, Mercedes CLK63 AMG, Porsche 911 Turbo

Need to know

Petrol engine

-3.8-litre V6, twin turbo

Power (bhp)-

480

Torque (lb/ft)-

430

0-62 (secs)-

c. 3.6

Top speed (mph)-

193

Combined mpg

-c. 24

Ratings out of five: Nissan GT-R

Performance - 

*****

Ride & handling - 

*****

Interior

 - ***

Safety

 - ****

Price

 - *****

Practicality

 - ***

Fuel economy - 

**

HighThrottle verdict

 - *****