The Top Gear MEGATHREAD!!!!

[iGav]

id they take track/air temps into consideration? What fuel was used? theres so many things to consider when it comes to lap times

I'd assume they set the times back-to-back on the same day, and took an aggregate. The fuel was undoubtedly just your bog standard Super Unleaded. Nothing fancy. Or at least, that's how I'd have done it.

More importantly what tyres? Porsche used their most preferred tyres for the 911s (even though they are only optional on the Turbo) and stuck the GT-R on "road tyres", not the specific tyres that Nissan supply the GT-R on...

Where did you read that? I assumed Porsche would've run all the cars as delivered, the idea being to negate any such performance variables, or inconsistencies such as tyres.

Nissan said they set their time on their optional Dunlop tyres (which I presume are a variation on the Cup tyres, that are virtual slicks) and not with the standard rubber.

Do we know what rubber Porsche ran theirs on? Or what tyres they ran the GTR's on?

 

[robbieduncan]

Where did you read that? I assumed Porsche would've run all the cars as delivered, the idea being to negate any such performance variables, or inconsistencies such as tyres.

Nissan said they set their time on their optional Dunlop tyres (which I presume are a variation on the Cup tyres, that are virtual slicks) and not with the standard rubber.

Grr, Safari just crashed on me.

Anyway from here

"Achleitner says Porsche took a standard GT-R, running on regular road tyres"
"We bought the car in the US. We drove a GT-R with new tyres," he says."
"GT2 and Turbo both ran on regular Porsche road tyres, the Michelin Sport Cup"

Note that these are not the standard tyres for the 911 Turbo. The GT-R was on US-spec delivery tyres (at best). Nissan did not claim to set their laptime on these tyres.

As per here the time was set on "Japanese-market tires".

So the questions are:

1) Are US market tyres the same as Japanese ones?
2) Is a US-spec GT-R the same as a JDM one?

 

[iGav]

As per here the time was set on "Japanese-market tires".

Me thinks that's a little bit of journalistic license there... (that or the article therefore makes little sense) Nissan have confirmed that their GT-R was running on the optional Dunlops when it set the 7:29 time, it would appear that the GT-R is otherwise shod with Bridgestones, presumably as standard.

Regardless of rubber, it still clearly doesn't add up.

 

[robbieduncan]

Regardless of rubber, it clearly still doesn't add up.

I would agree with that, but I think the Porsche test is somewhat biased towards them...

 

[iGav]

I would agree with that, but I think the Porsche test is somewhat biased towards them...

In the name of clarity (not to mention reinforce their argument) Porsche should perhaps be more forthcoming with the specifics of their back-to-back test.

I did have a quick look on the Porsche website, but couldn't find any information about tyres, do you know what the standard fitment on Turbo/GT2's are?

I know Ferrari fit (or at least used to) Bridgestones, Pirelli's or Michelins as standard, and that there was apparently quite a pronounced difference in performances between all three, even though they were all standard fitment, and unless you specifically requested otherwise, your Ferrari could be delivered with either of the three.

It'd be interesting to know exactly what type of Dunlops the GT-R used, the Renault R26R can be specified with Toyo track specials, that are so devoid of tread, that Renault warn you'll likely aquaplan off the forecourt never mind a road should you tick that particular option box.

 

[robbieduncan]

I did have a quick look on the Porsche website, but couldn't find any information about tyres, do you know what the standard fitment on Turbo/GT2's are?

...

It'd be interesting to know exactly what type of Dunlops the GT-R used, the Renault R26R can be specified with Toyo track specials, that are so devoid of tread, that Renault warn you'll likely aquaplan off the forecourt never mind a road should you tick that particular option box.

My understanding is that they are the standard fitments to the GT2 (Pilot Sport Cup tyres). The turbo ships with standard Pilot Sport (not Cup) tyres I think. The Cups are an option.

I would also note that the GT-R is not really competing with the Turbo or GT2, both of which cost considerably more than it (a base Turbo lists at over £100,000)!

The R26R can be specified with Toyo R888 tyres. They're really not all that bad: I have them on the Elise. I picked it up in the rain expecting it to be a real handful, but they're fine as long as you don't take the piss. Grip levels on track are wonderful once they get hot

 

[iGav]

I would also note that the GT-R is not really competing with the Turbo or GT2, both of which cost considerably more than it (a base Turbo lists at over £100,000)!

I think Porsche are perhaps more concerned that some manufacturers are increasingly reaping the marketing benefits of associating products with the 'Ring, and that the over inflation of their performance potential is potentially harmful to manufacturers like Porsche, but who knows.

They're really not all that bad: I have them on the Elise. I picked it up in the rain expecting it to be a real handful, but they're fine as long as you don't take the piss. Grip levels on track are wonderful once they get hot

I bet they're interesting in the wet, on a negatively cambered roundabout. With the weather being like it has over the last few years, you've not been tempted to get a set of wheels with wets then?

 

[robbieduncan]

I bet they're interesting in the wet, on a negatively cambered roundabout. With the weather being like it has over the last few years, you've not been tempted to get a set of wheels with wets then?

Don't have anywhere to store them. I don't drive every day so I can basically get away with it

 

[robbieduncan]

Nissan have responded to Porsche as described here.

 

[bigandy]

I'd love to see Porsche taking up the offer of driving lessons from Nissan

 

[iGav]

Nissan have responded to Porsche as described here.

I was just about to post this... Autoblog have the full statement.

Good on Nissan, this spat is warming up nicely. *rubs hands*

I'd love to see Porsche taking up the offer of driving lessons from Nissan

Porsche have Walter Röhrl, he doesn't need to take driving lessons from anybody, and especially not from the likes of Toshio Suzuki.

 

[iGav]

Clarkson injured in head-on crash during filming.

"I'll get you next time, Clarkson!... Next time!"

 

[xUKHCx]

Split to a new thread located here