Porsche is claiming, after internally testing the Nissan GTR on the ‘Ring, that the car could not come within 25 seconds of April’s acclaimed time of 7 mins 29s.

Product Chief August Achleitner for the 911 team claims ‘“This wonder car with 7:29 could not have been a regular series production car” and that  “For us, it’s not clear how this time is possible. What we can imagine with this Nissan is they used other tyres.” - meaning semi-slick tyres.

Achleitner said his team bought and tested a brand new Nissan GTR with new tyres, and achieved a time of 7:54, behind the 911 turbo at 7:38 and GT2 at 7:34. The opening shot at Nissan’s performance car credibility will no doubt create a response from fans and the company, and is being hailed around the world as a case of ‘sour grapes’ for Porsche, who’s 911 contender retails for double the cost of a new GTR.

[Source: Carsguide AU]

The Nissan GTR

Popularity: 6% [?]

Perhaps one of the most interesting rumors of the year has been MT’s revelations that high level Nissan honcho’s are considering producing a four door version of the Nissan R35 GT-R.The car would apparently carry the original equipment on the standard GT-R, the 480-HP V6 VR38DETT, FSG-style 6-speed auto clutch gearbox, and AWD. However, considerable revisions to the car body structure in order to fit any decent seats in the rear would mean the car would be considerably more expensive, and of course, heavier than it’s already heavy brother.

What does this do to the GT-R namesake? Does it dilute the sports coupe into another high powered family car? It all depends on how much of a purist you are, and how good your knowledge of the GT-R is. The first GT-R - the 1969 PGC10 (later the KPGC10 coupe) Skyline GT-R (known as the “Hakosuka”) - was originally a four door car, not to mention the Autech and Nismo limited edition 4 door R33 Skyline GT-R’s of the 90’s.

That said, the GT-R is so named to distance itself from the old Skyline moniker. As Nissan’s premier flagship model, perhaps the 4door is better suited to Nissan’s premium Infiniti brand.

Bring on the Infiniti M38TT. Yeah, we just made that up.

[Source: Motortrend]

Popularity: 53% [?]

Today Nissan Australia announced that the new Nissan GT-R will make its Australian debut, with the JDM model on display at this years Melbourne Motor Show. No information on the Australian spec GT-R, or any variants of the GT-R, is available at this time.

Popularity: 61% [?]

According to Prestige Motorsport, the new R35 GT-R can now be imported legally under SEVS!

However, compliance is as far as 12 months away (2009), and prices are expected to exceed AU$100,000 for the new Nissan supercar. Regardless, this is a big fist in the eye of Nissan Australia, as enthusiasts will now be able to grab the new car directly from the JDM without Nissan Australia’s interference!

[Source: Prestige Motorsport]

Popularity: 62% [?]

Totally awesome. Watch the GT-R take the 997 to task around Tsukuba. All said and done, Nissan’s built great competition for the Euro’s with the new R35. Still, insane JDM car fan as I am, I would still take that sexy 997 for a drive. And maybe never come back

Popularity: 50% [?]