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Road Test
Nissan faster than a Porsche 911

We review the Nissan GT-R from price to economy and all its features

IF you can make your way past YouTube's captivating distractions of hiccupping pandas and epic twerking fails, take a look at the Nissan GT-R drag race.

 

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You'll find that Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche are no match for the GT-R. It deliciously devours them all. Given Nissan is best known for getting Granny to the shops in her Micra, that's some serious egg on the face for bosses of the poshest supercar makes.

This week I got my hands on the GT-R and from the outside it looks pretty sensible.

 

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Impressive... The interior is as good as its supercar rivals

But when the throttle is pushed to the floor the GT-R rips off its clothes like the legendary Hulk — accelerating from a standstill to 62mph in an arresting 2.8 seconds.

Not impressed? You should be.

That is nearly twice as fast as a Porsche 911 Carrera 4, which costs more than the GT-R. The first time I dared to dip the throttle my face lit up like Christmas as I was pinned into the figure-hugging race seat.

 

 

The GT-R's twin-turbo V6 engine sends its massive 546bhp to all four wheels, so whatever the road, whatever the weather, this car leaps off the line.

A purist will tell you it lacks the connection between man and machine that you get in some supercars. If you ask me, that's a load of mumbo jumbo.

The computers and technical wizardry don't get in the way, they help you out. We can't all drive with the skill of Lewis Hamilton or afford a Veyron. The GT-R is a dramatic, rewarding drive for a fraction of a supercar price. I love it.

 

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Beast... The GT-R will outrun a Porsche 911 Carrera 4

Thankfully, the huge Brembo brakes and super-quick F1-style gearbox are a match for the car's performance. And because it can carve through even the most winding road like a samurai sword through butter, this Japanese supercar never feels like it has a dangerous edge to it.

With such power beneath the bonnet, it's a challenge to keep a check on your speed. This is a 200mph Hulk, remember.

Take your eye off the speedo for a split second and before you know it, you could be losing sight of your driving licence too.

In my experience, the Nissan badge may raise a few sneers down the golf club but if I took it into the paddock at the British Grand Prix, the drivers would be asking if they could have a go.

Petrolheads and videogamers can't get enough of the GT-R. Now, you're probably thinking a 200mph supercar has a super-price but you'd be wrong. At £78,000, this is a comparative bargain.

 

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Hulk... Nissans pride and joy reaches speeds of 200mph

Bargain hunters with a taste for speed beware, you'll be doing well to get more than 20mpg and the servicing and parts prices (new tyres, anyone?) are sure to sting.

But rather than watching the GT-R in action on YouTube, why not experience it for real with a test drive? It will blow your mind.

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