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Oh no, they didn't! Porsche calls foul on GT-R Ring time

After testing, Porsche is claiming that Nissan somehow cheated with the GT-R's Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time.

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Antuan Goodwin Reviews Editor / Cars
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Expertise Reviewing cars and car technology since 2008 focusing on electrification, driver assistance and infotainment Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
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Antuan Goodwin
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Nissan GT-R
Porsche claims that Nissan cheated its way to the GT-R's lap time. Nissan Motors

Known as the Green Hell or more simply the Ring, the Nurburgring Nordschleife is considered the longest and most challenging racetrack in the world. Automotive manufacturers and speed demons place a high premium on Nurburgring lap times. So when the Nissan GT-R shattered the Porsche 911's record with a blistering 7:29:03 lap time earlier this year, a few feathers were ruffled in Stuttgart, Germany.

So what did Porsche's engineers do about it? Well, they went out, purchased a brand new GT-R, and drove it back to back with a 911 Turbo and a 911 GT2 in an attempt to duplicate Nissan's results. After testing, Porsche is claiming that Nissan somehow cheated and that the GT-R's true lap time is some 25 seconds slower. What gives?

Porsche 911 GT2
Is the 911 GT2 still King of the Ring? Porsche Cars North America

According to Porsche, Nissan's lap vehicle was no mere production vehicle, but rather a "wonder car." More specifically, Porsche is claiming that the GT-R in question was equipped with semislick racing tires, instead of stock tires as Nissan claims. Official video of the GT-R's lap was filmed in vehicle and, of course, the tires can't be seen.

Nissan hasn't released a comment.

Update 10/03: Says Nissan, "The final word from us is that it was done on absolutely standard tires which are available to customers in the showroom. They're not trick tires - absolutely standard tires, normal road tires."