new skyline

[Goodspeed]

All in all, from preliminary reports, I think the GT-R is and will be a very impressive car. The ZO6 will undoubtedly be compared against the GT-R, as it has been to everything else given its world beating status and 70k price tag. People can't get over what a world beater the ZO6 is for the price, and rightly so. But don't forget that this car's intended target from the beginning was the 997 Turbo. Much like the ZO6, I think the GT-R will prove to do the same "world beating" on higher priced cars but from a totally different perspective, a 4 seater GT with AWD and more creature comforts.

On the topic of the GT-R vs. others at the 'ring, don't forget the driver equation. It may just be that Nissan's hotshoe is more talented or capable at the 'ring than GM's equivalent. I actually have a video of Nissan's test driver (and Falken JGTC race car driver) lapping a R34, and he could do it with his eyes closed. I think he quoted his number of laps as being in the thousands. I seem to remember GM's testing at the Nurburgring to be a recent addition to their regimen, but I'm pretty sure Nissan has been venturing to Germany to test the GT-R for several years. Also don't forget that the 'ring is probably the most variable track on earth, it can be raining at one part and not at the other side of the track. I'd be curious to see the same driver on the same day drive both cars back to back.

[.RJ]

It may just be that Nissan's hotshoe is more talented or capable at the 'ring than GM's equivalent.

Thats rich.

[Goodspeed]

It may just be that Nissan's hotshoe is more talented or capable at the 'ring than GM's equivalent.

Thats rich.

:?:

I'm saying that perhaps Nissan's test driver has a "home field" advantage over GM's. I have no idea who GM employs at the 'ring to lap the Vette, so I may well be wrong, but say its someone who has 500 laps in, wouldn't a driver with several thousand be more capable? I've done a lot of reading on the track and its history and most will state that its not until 100 laps that you get a general sense of whats around the next bend, and at 1,000 laps you can start to say you're "mastering" the track.

The Nurburgring is favored by manufacturers because its the most variable and challenging track on earth, that assumes real world conditions. I don't think you can rightly assume that two drivers, novice or pro, can show up and immediately find the best line around the track.

[.RJ]

I'm saying that perhaps Nissan's test driver has a "home field" advantage over GM's. I have no idea who GM employs at the 'ring to lap the Vette, so I may well be wrong, but say its someone who has 500 laps in, wouldn't a driver with several thousand be more capable?

Go back one page... you could say he's employed by GM - and qualified for the job.

Jan Magnussen said the car was a bit scary because it was catching air in some places.

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[Goodspeed]

Go back one page... you could say he's employed by GM - and qualified for the job.

Ah, I stand corrected then. I checked and GM only started testing at the 'ring with the C6 Vette and CTS-V, whereas Nissan has been there since at least the debut of the '99 R34 gen GT-R (they came out with the Nur-edition that held the street car lap record for some time). Still, how much Nurburgring experience does this Magnussen have?

[.RJ]

Still, how much Nurburgring experience does this Magnussen have?

To avoid your question... I dont know - but as an Ex- F1 and Factory GM driver, I suspect he is more than qualified to get 100% out of the car there.

How much 'ring experience do the Japanese guys that came over with the Skylines?

[Goodspeed]

Still, how much Nurburgring experience does this Magnussen have?

To avoid your question... I dont know - but as an Ex- F1 and Factory GM driver, I suspect he is more than qualified to get 100% out of the car there.

How much 'ring experience do the Japanese guys that came over with the Skylines?

The Nissan test driver I spoke of was actually a German man who piloted their R34 Falken race car, I think his name is Roland Asch. He did some 24hr enduros there among other races, and did a full power-on lap in the rain while providing commentary and speaking to the camera in an R34.

I guess what I was trying to say is that I think no matter how skilled you are elsewhere, being a novice at the Nurburgring may be damaging. Simply put, I think a F1 ace with zero experience at the 'ring will suffer compared to a F1 ace with 500 laps of the 'ring under his belt.

[.RJ]

Sounds like the Nissan guy is well qualified too.

So then the only variable is the car... and I stand by my point that something over 3800 lbs and under 500hp not going that fast around the ring without a rocket strapped to the roof - unless it is a test mule ringer.

[Ginger]

So, uhm, now that the obvious has been declared.

Tests with oversight vs. test without - I think the reliability of the results is pretty obvious.

[Maengelito]

my criteria for buying automobiles does not include lapping the 'ring in under 8 minutes. regardless of what kind of power this car this puts down, who's driving, what AWD system it has, etc. its still a very capable and nice car. will i buy it? not unless i fall ass backwards into millions of dollars, but its still puuuuuuurty

[HAULN-SS]

pfft. I think it looks like barf. And by that, I mean it looks like every other 350z that's around...

[G.Irish]

Still, how much Nurburgring experience does this Magnussen have?

To avoid your question... I dont know - but as an Ex- F1 and Factory GM driver, I suspect he is more than qualified to get 100% out of the car there.

How much 'ring experience do the Japanese guys that came over with the Skylines?

The Nissan test driver I spoke of was actually a German man who piloted their R34 Falken race car, I think his name is Roland Asch. He did some 24hr enduros there among other races, and did a full power-on lap in the rain while providing commentary and speaking to the camera in an R34.

I guess what I was trying to say is that I think no matter how skilled you are elsewhere, being a novice at the Nurburgring may be damaging. Simply put, I think a F1 ace with zero experience at the 'ring will suffer compared to a F1 ace with 500 laps of the 'ring under his belt.

Certainly. That's why I think the Z06's published time is not indicative of the relative best it can do.

[.RJ]

[Andy]

You're beating this picture to death

[.RJ]

Its azn goodspeed :lol:

[.RJ]

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Yep, doesnt look like an army of engineers setting up a ringer for a laptime

[Ginger]

Oh them? That's my Network.

[WRXtranceformed]

rofl!

[Evan]

Im a prophet

if this car beat a z06 at the ring, it most definately did NOT do it as the car comes from the factory.

Didnt happen without some judicious turning of the happy boost knob and some very sticky race tires.

[.RJ]

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