autocar: R8 vs. 911 vs. GT-R

[r1lee]

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/v...and/#continued

[Davey_Dee]

Finished last! Blame the driver not the car

[Bodhii]

The course was ridiculously wet. And it seems that this particular R8 had been used a lot in demonstrations and publicity events, and that the brakes were probably in need of replacement. I can certainly sympathize with the driver's frustration of the metal gated shifter set-up.

This is a grudge match showdown between the Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 Turbo and Audi R8 V10 - and you can see the hi-res pictures and video here.

First up, our testers spent two days in the cars on normal roads, doing normal driving and seeing which could do 'normal' best.

See our exclusive Nissan GT-R v Porsche 911 v Audi R8 V10 pictures

Watch the Nissan GT-R v Porsche 911 v Audi R8 V10 video

The differences were stark: the GT-R's ride was harsh, and it was noisy - especially compared to the refined 911 Turbo; the R8 doesn't steer quite as sweetly as the 911, and its manual gearbox is a hindrance.

On the road, then, the testers rate the R8 as easiest to live with, followed by the 911 and GT-R. However, that order's reversed when they consider which is the most fun to have legal, on the road fun in.

To settle which is faster, autocar.co.uk then took the trio to a damp Castle Combe circuit and put Steve Sutcliffe out for a two timed laps in each.

It soon became clear that the GT-R is so stiff that it struggles in the wet. In contrast, the 911 is easier, faster and friendlier to drive in the wet, as is the 'how long can you hold it sideways R8'.

But as the day dried, Sutcliffe went out for his laps.

The 911 was first, and surprised Steve with the amount of steering wheel movement - especially over bumps. That said, the unwanted movement at the back of the previous generation car was gone, replaced by excellent body control and huge acceleration in each gear.

The R8 was well balanced and sounded fantastic, but its poor brakes and clumsy gearchange were major issues, making it the slowest of the three despite being the purest handling.

So it was left to the GT-R to take up the challenge, and on the dry track it did just that. The nervousness gone, replaced by near-perfect body control, massive stability on turn-in, extraordinary traction on the exit of corners and huge stopping power.

Despite being the heaviest and least powerful car at the track, the GT-R felt the fastest - and so it was - though only by 0.3sec over the 911.

So which is best? In theory it's the Audi, fitted with the Nissan's gearbox and 911's brakes, priced at the GT-R's level.

That car doesn't exist, so we have to pick the next best thing - the GT-R - performance bargain of the century.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/245741/

[London Lad]

Looking at the times I suspect that with R-Tronic and brakes the R8 may have come out on top.

[smoothy]

Can't speak for the manual gears on the R8 (never driven one), but if the gates were a problem, use an R-tronic. As for the brakes, that is just crazy talk. Next time Audi should send him a press car with the ceramic upgrade.

[cavaret]

They did not mention that if you get the porsche you look like every other guy in a midlife crisis...

[r1lee]

They did not mention that if you get the porsche you look like every other guy in a midlife crisis...

Or the fact that the GT-R looks like a$$ (i think)

[Davey_Dee]

So which is best? In theory it's the Audi, fitted with the Nissan's gearbox and 911's brakes, priced at the GT-R's level.

Look's amazing, gearbox amazing (going by Gazza's comments), brakes no idea some1 else fill in and price for that wow!

If only it were true lol...

[AnOutsider]

Or the fact that the GT-R looks like a$$ (i think)

I'd agree. R8 hands down, though I'm extremely jealous of the GT-R's performance (due mainly I guess to the TT and the transmission)

[r1lee]

Outsider, i agree that the GT-R deserves the accolades of being super quick. I woulnd't even attempt to race one to make a point.

But it's like going home with the ugliest chick at the club who swallows! Not trying to offend anyone here!

You envy that it does what it does, but wouldn't be caught dead with it!