In this installment of what is fast becoming “Best R35 GT-R Motoring” DVD-zine we get to checkout exactly how a stock Series II (2009 JDM model) Nissan GT-R goes up against a Nismo Clubsport Package tweaked GT-R and a SpecV Nissan GT-R. After the SpecV’s less than impressive result in questionable conditions earlier in the year, Mizuno is on hand to ensure the test is fair this time.
Three seasoned racing pros go head to head at Sendai Highland Raceway to see which GT-R is ultimately king of the circuit. Should be a good one to pickup for the collection.
As usual you can order this and any GT-R books and DVD’s from Amazon Japan in English if you follow our HowTo linked below.
This issue features a Super Tuned battle at Motegi where the Shadow Sports Design GT-R faces off against a tuned Corvette Z06, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, RSD Ferrari 360 Modena, and the Ti Racing Lotus Exige.
I won’t spoil it too much but it’s worth a watch for GT-R fans for sure. If you really want to know though, Shadow Sports design posted a few of the results themselves on their blog. Hunt around a bit to find them.
After the story was published we had the owner of the SpecV in question comment to say the conditions were completely different in both tests which pretty much invalidates the results.
Youch! So much for our source!
So we will soon be able to judge for ourselves because the issue is due in stores soon with the announcement of this issue’s release today.
Also on this DVD is a test of the Nismo 370z S-Tune vs the 370z ST model vs the Porsche Cayman and 911 PDK. Should be an interesting match up.
We’ll have an update when you can buy this when it hits the online stores in a few days.
The Japanese press have finally got their hands on the production Nissan GT-R SpecV this week and they’re wasting no time in putting it through it’s paces on the circuit. Today we’ve learned that Best Motoring have had Tsukuba Circuit to themselves for the day as well as a SpecV GT-R. Put that together with tame racing driver Keiichi Tsuchiya and good weather and you’re set for an interesting afternoon.
Sources close to Best Motoring have given us the SpecV’s time and instead of keeping you all waiting like we love to do we’ll give it to you straight… 1:02.4.
Unfortunately this means it’s slower than both the 2009 and 2008 base GT-R at the same circuit in similar conditions. Here’s how the SpecV stacks up against the most recent base model GT-R taken from the current issue of Japanese mag Car Top:
MY08 GT-R (JDM – December 2007 delivery): 1:01.888
MY09 GT-R (JDM): 1:01.343
SpecV GT-R: 1:02.4
On a short circuit like Tsukuba the times should be close together but the SpecV should be in front, it should be 1:00 flat. So this begs the question: What’s the deal? We’re really hanging out for the April edition of Best Motoring DVD to find out more.
Here’s something we spotted on the most recent Best Motoring DVD yesterday while watching it. The first segment is the Nissan GT-R SpecV debut where we get an overview of the car. The main point that stuck out at me is that it’s a left hander. Since all models seen so far have been the Japanese domestic version I had to watch it again but sure enough it is a LHD SpecV.
Also note the carbon fibre rear centre section where the optional Bose subwoofers could live. This SpecV GT-R is specced minus the Bose system and comes with no subs at all.
The Ultimate Opal Black SpecV shown here is not a final production version yet but it does signal strongly that Nissan are preparing the SpecV for export. To where? Well so far all we know is NOT the United States so that leaves Europe, parts of Asia and the Middle East as the top three LHD markets.
Best Motoring DVD Volume 3 for March 2009 is out now. One of the main feature this month is the SpecV debut and Special Time Attack at Sendai Highland Raceway. Driven by tame Nissan racing driver Toshio Suzuki, the SpecV shows off it’s superior handling and braking to beat the standard GT-Rs time.
I wont spoil just how much it beats it by you’ll have to buy the DVD to find out but watching the lap with Suzuki-san flat out with ultimate commitment is worth it alone.
Also for GT-R fans is a suspension and stability control comparison between the Lexus IS-F, BMW M3 DCT, Porsche 911 GT2 and the Nissan GT-R (base model). Surely the base model GT-R won’t beat the ultimate Porsche in a handling competition…
Preview below but follow the “Buy” link below to get your copy express mailed to you from Amazon Japan.
It’s already late January 2009, can you believe it, and a bunch of magazines and DVDs have already been published this year which may interest GT-R fans across the world. Of course I’m talking about the kind you can’t get down the local book store outside Japan so keep reading if that interests you.
You can order all these online at Amazon.co.jp and I’ve written a little page on how to do that if you haven’t done it before which is linked below.
All which have some R35 GT-R content, some better than others. The Video Option and Best Motoring DVDs this year have been particularly good for GT-R fans. Like we said above you can order these online through Amazon Japan and have them shipped anywhere in the world.
Follow the jump to watch the preview videos or click these links to do the same:
Best Motoring 2008 Volume 10 is out now and what an issue it promises to be for Nissan GT-R fans! First we have a Porsche 911 GT2 vs Nissan GT-R Super Battle at Tsukuba circuit. Tsukuba is a tight short circuit, is it a match for the Porsche’s lighter weight and superior horsepower?!
Next is a circuit performance check by Tsuchiya comparing the Porsche with the GT-R and his own NSX-R. This is followed by a report from the recent Nissan driving performance meeting for new GT-R owners.
Last but not least is another Super Battle. This time AWD vs RWD with GT3RS, Ferrari F360 Modena, NSX-R challenging the GT2 and the Nissan GT-R.
In this segment from Best Motoring volume 8 2008 Mizuno-san lets down all four tires of the Nissan GT-R and has them take it for a test drive up to 80km/h and put it through various tests. Runflat technology is great but sometimes I wish the GT-R would have shipped with some better non-runflat tires as an option.
Best Motoring DVD and Option Magazine for August are out now and available online as per usual. Both packing features and articles on the R35 GT-R. You can get these online from Amazon at the links below.
