New spy footage of 2009 Nissan Skyline GT-R at track

[Arwin]

The only thing that the 'RS4' has on its side is that it's exceptionally quick on the straight.

I think you're talking about the old RS4, as all of the things you have said apply to the RS4 right up to this latest model. At least, again, according to Clarkson ... (there was a nice episode where he raced a mountainclimber with it, and lost - twice). And yes, the CSL rocks.

*puts dantruon on a list of people who have nothing meaningful to contribute to car discussions*

Hey, at least I have been able to test a lot of these cars on the Ring myself ... in Gran Turismo 4 ... ... but I've driven on the ring in an Alfa 155 1.8 TS, speaking of which, the Alfa 159 is the best handing car in its category, the best handing car overall, even beating the BMW 3 series which is FR, as opposed to the Alfa's FF.

 

[dizietsma]

Yes, they are certainly not a bad car those M3's. Interestingly Chriss Harris from Autocar in the UK took his long term test Audi RS4 over there a while back and fitted it out with Pirelli P Zero Corsa track tyres and reported very favourably.

Tyres certinaly have come on a long way in the last few years now that track focussed tyres are becoming more popular.

 

[dantruon]

I think you're talking about the old RS4, as all of the things you have said apply to the RS4 right up to this latest model. At least, again, according to Clarkson ... (there was a nice episode where he raced a mountainclimber with it, and lost - twice). And yes, the CSL rocks.

*puts dantruon on a list of people who have nothing meaningful to contribute to car discussions*

Hey, at least I have been able to test a lot of these cars on the Ring myself ... in Gran Turismo 4 ... ... but I've driven on the ring in an Alfa 155 1.8 TS, speaking of which, the Alfa 159 is the best handing car in its category, the best handing car overall, even beating the BMW 3 series which is FR, as opposed to the Alfa's FF.

you better be joking !!

you boys better get to the topic too.

 

[Phil]

I think you're talking about the old RS4, as all of the things you have said apply to the RS4 right up to this latest model. At least, again, according to Clarkson ... (there was a nice episode where he raced a mountainclimber with it, and lost - twice). And yes, the CSL rocks.

You're right - the newer one is different, though I can't help but think that Jeremy was comparing the RS4's handling (and placement of the engine) more to the old one, rather than cars in the same league (i.e. BMW M3's). I'm fairly certain Tiff (and Plato) did a direct comparison between the new RS4 and a std. E46 M3 though and the RS4 did compare quite favourably. To be fair though, if I remember correctly, the track was wet/moist which would have gave the RS4 a bit of an advantage.

While I'd take the M3 over the RS4 any day (I like to think of it as more of a driver's car), the RS4 is by all means an awesome car and is very quick. Done 260+km/h on an older RS4 and the way it still accelerates above 200km/h is quite stunning. Speaking of which, the owner of that RS4 went to a nice M3 cabrio and now owns the new RS6... I'd love to see how that goes!

Hey, at least I have been able to test a lot of these cars on the Ring myself ... in Gran Turismo 4 ... ... but I've driven on the ring in an Alfa 155 1.8 TS, speaking of which, the Alfa 159 is the best handing car in its category, the best handing car overall, even beating the BMW 3 series which is FR, as opposed to the Alfa's FF.

You've been to the Nordschleife? Not bad... I myself haven't. It's a bit too dangerous for my liking, especially the amount of bikes there. And I'd be a bit worried coming too quick around a corner to find one of those tourist 'ring buses in front... Who knows, maybe if there was an opportunity to race and have the track limited to cars within the same performance group I might give it a go...

 

[Arwin]

You're right - the newer one is different, though I can't help but think that Jeremy was comparing the RS4's handling (and placement of the engine) more to the old one, rather than cars in the same league (i.e. BMW M3's).

He specifically said something like 'the handling is ... dare I say it ... even better than the M3'. I saw it in a best of Top Gear two days ago.

You've been to the Nordschleife? Not bad... I myself haven't. It's a bit too dangerous for my liking, especially the amount of bikes there. And I'd be a bit worried coming too quick around a corner to find one of those tourist 'ring buses in front... Who knows, maybe if there was an opportunity to race and have the track limited to cars within the same performance group I might give it a go...

While it is a bit daunting, if you prepare yourself a little it is very doable. There are plenty of people who just take it easy out there, and most drivers are experienced and careful enough. The most important thing is to keep a close eye on all your mirrors for those fast cars that come up at twice your speed, and that you know how to signal to oncoming drivers that you're going to keep out of their way ... In that respect, a game like Gran Turismo is a great preparation, because it has modelled the Ring to within 3cm, so I knew the track by heart beforehand and knew where I could floor it, where the blind turns went, and therefore where I could safely drive to let that M Coupe or Veilside Porsche GT pass by.

If it rains, though, either go real slow or don't go at all. One of the great things about going to the Ring is that even when you're not driving, you're having a great time just looking at all the cars there. As a general rule of thumb, you'll see at least one unreleased car drive around each visit you go there. I saw among others the Golf V, the then latest model Focus, and two new versions of the BMW 3 series being tested, just that one day.

@dantruon: from about 3-5meters, knives are often more dangerous than guns.

 

[DJ12]

GT4 doesn't tell you where all the bumps are though. Even though it seems they have modelled plenty of bumps in that particular track (unlike most of the other tracks), I doubt they have modelled the road exactly as is.

 

[Arwin]

GT4 doesn't tell you where all the bumps are though. Even though it seems they have modelled plenty of bumps in that particular track (unlike most of the other tracks), I doubt they have modelled the road exactly as is.

The track isn't that bumpy in the first place - don't forget that there are Le Mans series there too. More importantly, you shouldn't expect to go there and drive at a speed where not anticipating any of the current bumps on the track will make you crash. The track has to meet quite exacting standards for circuits that hosts that kind of events.

 

[DJ12]

The track isn't that bumpy in the first place - don't forget that there are Le Mans series there too. More importantly, you shouldn't expect to go there and drive at a speed where not anticipating any of the current bumps on the track will make you crash. The track has to meet quite exacting standards for circuits that hosts that kind of events.

Are you talking about the long, old track?

I didn't think anyone used it for racing any more. I didn't think you could even go round the full track? (according to Clarkson anyway )

 

[almighty]

The Mitsubishi Evo 8 MR will munch any on road car in term of performance and handling any days.

Lotus Elise would EAT it.

It really doesn't have chance in hell against the Skyline (which is going to have about 400bhp), and I doubt it will handle as well as a Subaru Impreza STi or Evo and I guess it will cost twice as much (if the Escort Cosworth is anything to go by)

What a complete load of ****

 

[Frank]

I like the Impreza because it is civilized, and you can drive it a a normal family car as well. While being a lot of fun to drive.

No BMW or Ferrari for me, although I might be seriously tempted by an AWD Porsche.

And if I had so much money that I woudn't notice, perhaps a Rolls or Bentley.

 

[DJ12]

What a complete load of ****

In your opinion of course, which you are entitled to even if it is wrong.

 

[tongue_of_colicab]

I like the Impreza because it is civilized, and you can drive it a a normal family car as well.

Untill you get the fuel bill I dont know where you live but with the fuel prices here in holland you need to take a second morgage (did I spell that correct?) on your house if you want to use it as a family car.

 

[almighty]

In your opinion of course, which you are entitled to even if it is wrong.

So your opinion, saying that it wont be as fast as the skyline or handle as good as an evo or scooby is'nt? You dont know anything about the new cossie so please save the fanatsy dreams until specs get released.

 

[Arwin]

Are you talking about the long, old track?

I didn't think anyone used it for racing any more. I didn't think you could even go round the full track? (according to Clarkson anyway )

Whoops, sorry about that ... the LMS is on the 5km course. I don't know what I was thinking right there. This one however, is on the Nordschleife:

http://adac.24h-rennen.de/

And there are still lots of other events going on there, among which Formula Renault:

http://20832.com/?rubrik=termine&lang=deu

 

[Phil]

While it is a bit daunting, if you prepare yourself a little it is very doable. There are plenty of people who just take it easy out there, and most drivers are experienced and careful enough. The most important thing is to keep a close eye on all your mirrors for those fast cars that come up at twice your speed, and that you know how to signal to oncoming drivers that you're going to keep out of their way ... In that respect, a game like Gran Turismo is a great preparation, because it has modelled the Ring to within 3cm, so I knew the track by heart beforehand and knew where I could floor it, where the blind turns went, and therefore where I could safely drive to let that M Coupe or Veilside Porsche GT pass by.

If it rains, though, either go real slow or don't go at all. One of the great things about going to the Ring is that even when you're not driving, you're having a great time just looking at all the cars there. As a general rule of thumb, you'll see at least one unreleased car drive around each visit you go there. I saw among others the Golf V, the then latest model Focus, and two new versions of the BMW 3 series being tested, just that one day.

I'll be keeping an eye out for the Nordschleife this year for sure. Might be visiting the Hockenheim and Nürburgring sometime in Summer... perhaps I'll make an effort to visit Nordschleife as well. :smile:

 

[DJ12]

So your opinion, saying that it wont be as fast as the skyline or handle as good as an evo or scooby is'nt? You dont know anything about the new cossie so please save the fanatsy dreams until specs get released.

I can tell you something though, if it has a 2 litre engine it won't beat a 400+ bhp Skyline. Anyway, weren't you the one saying I was full of ****, yet even you don't know what specs the cossie will have, so you'll excuse me if I completely ignore any point you are trying to make.

 

[Arwin]

I'll be keeping an eye out for the Nordschleife this year for sure. Might be visiting the Hockenheim and Nürburgring sometime in Summer... perhaps I'll make an effort to visit Nordschleife as well. :smile:

If you visit the Nurburgring Grand Prix track, then you're already pretty much at the Nordschleife also.

DJ12: Don't underestimate 2 liter engines ... Last year's F1 cars had only 2.4 ... And while the RX-8doesn't make it to 400Bhp, its Wankel Rotary makes do with 1.3 to output 250bhp (though perhaps that's cheating a tiny bit).

 

[DJ12]

I don't underestimate 2 litre engines, my car has one.

My tuned Impreza although pretty fast would be eaten alive by the new skyline.

Rotary engines are completely different so yeah, they don't count. Didn't the old Norton 500 wankle engine superbikes compete with 750s (and normally kick their arses too in the hands of Rocket Ron anyway), so even using that ratio of 1.5 a rotary engine of 1.3 would be equivalent to a 2 litre engine.

 

[almighty]

I can tell you something though, if it has a 2 litre engine it won't beat a 400+ bhp Skyline. Anyway, weren't you the one saying I was full of ****, yet even you don't know what specs the cossie will have, so you'll excuse me if I completely ignore any point you are trying to make.

I suggest you go on youtube at look at a few videos of cossies beating jap cars with bigger engines and more power up the quater drag strip. In fact one video springs to mind, a escort cossie with 600bhp vs the TRD supra with 900bhp and the cossie wins.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jW_m0uxjB8

Not bad for a 2ltre ay? how much bigger is the supra egine again?

Ford RS 200 >>>>> any car

And this is just for you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxEp7Pl2HK4

 

[Moloch]

If you visit the Nurburgring Grand Prix track, then you're already pretty much at the Nordschleife also.

DJ12: Don't underestimate 2 liter engines ... Last year's F1 cars had only 2.4 ... And while the RX-8doesn't make it to 400Bhp, its Wankel Rotary makes do with 1.3 to output 250bhp (though perhaps that's cheating a tiny bit).

Rotary engines also have horrible bsfc, so instead of being more effcient like rotary fanbois would have you believe they're actually less effcient than piston engines.
Incase you have no idea what bsfc is heres a link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_specific_fuel_consumption.
A simple explaination is that it measures how much fuel an engine uses per hp.
Thats why they get horrible gas milage despite only being 1.3 liters.
Huge combustion chambers don't lend themselves to thermodynamic effciency
I dont care if an engine gets 200hp per liter but has to use a shitload of fuel to do so (like say.. a wankle engine).
Btw an rx8 doesnt have anywher near 250hp, the latest rating is 232hp, which is still overrated.
They're about 210-215hp.