2008 Nissan GT-R - is Nissan fibbing about the power output?

Nissan have pitched their new GT-R right at Porsche’s 911 Turbo, so much so that on paper the GT-R is listed as having the same 353kW power output as the turbo. Yet by all reports, the GT-R is matching if not out-performing the 911 Turbo and it weighs some 200kgs more...so what gives?

Historically, Nissan have never provided accurate power output figures for their GT-R’s, a bi-product of the old Japanese ‘Gentlemen’s agreement’ limiting car power outputs. Previous generation GT-R’s were known to be packing a bigger punch than the factory stated and it seems that Nissan are up to their old tricks again.

Although quoting a 353Kw output for the new GT-R dyno results have started to come out of Japan and they are telling a very different story. According to one Dynapack dynamometer test (power readings taken at the wheel hubs), the GT-R produces 354kW ...at the wheels!

Assuming an AWD drivetrain saps the flywheel power output by 20% (usually 15-30%) that puts the GT-R’s flywheel output at 425kW! If you think that sounds unlikely then it would pay to remember the previous GT-R’s RB26DETT 2.6-litre twin-turbo engine and the 1000hp plus many of the aftermarket tuners were/are achieving.

It helps to make the awesome performance figures more believable and frankly has you wondering what the Spec-V and Group N versions are going to be capable of.

[Source: NAGTROC via MotorAuthority]