If you love fast cars, then you probably know the Nissan GT-R all too well. With the model’s latest version (dubbed R35 GT-R) boasting of more tech and features than ever that complements the high performance car’s renowned speed, agility and unmistakable shape that's designed to slice through the air like hot knife on butter, Nissan's distinguished coupe immediately tells you—it’s geared to satisfy your need for speed at every turn.
Going through a major facelift in 2018, the now 13-year old Nissan GT-R enjoys plenty of changes inside, out, and under the hood. Thanks to enhancements done all over, the latest Nissan GT-R continues to offer the high level of performance people come to expect from it. Perhaps most noteworthy of all changes is the updated 3.8-liter Twin Turbo V6 engine rated at 565hp and 633Nm of torque. There’s also the much-evolved. all-wheel-drive system that sends power to all four wheels equally without vectoring. Meanwhile, the GR6 six-speed dual clutch transmission comes with three driver selectable modes to suit personal driving style.
But more than a vehicle built for speed, the Nissan GT-R is also made to impress. Though the new GT-R is directly inspired by the Skyline’s signature look, it manages to marry the old design cues with some nifty fresh elements synergistically. With the swept-back super wide beam LED headlamps, imposing grille grille, sharp character lines, and ultra-stylish flourishes all around, the 2020 GT-R looks ready to get down and dirty with the best-looking cars in and beyond its class.
Proof of the Nissan GT-R’s plush leanings is its starting price. At PHP8.9 million, this Japanese speed legend is well beyond the reach of the average speed freak. But for those with plenty of disposable income to spare, the car lovingly known as Godzilla does have its set of rivals on the market.
Porsche Philippines recently brought the all-new 911 Turbo S onto our shores. Popularly known as the “drag race king,” the newly available model, which hails from the seventh-generation of the Porsche 911 Turbo S can cover 0 to 100kmph in a hair under 2.7secs, thanks to its six-cylinder, 3.8 liter boxer engine that can churn around 641hpand 800Nm—quite the upgrade from the previous engine’s 572hp and 750Nm output. Meanwhile, the car can hit the breakneck top speed of 330 kmph. Being mated to an 8-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission helps make these numbers all possible.
Further, the all-wheel drive system now has an enhanced Porsche Traction Management unit that allows the transfer case to transmit up to 500Nm of torque to its front wheels. Meanwhile, Porsche’s signature Active Suspension Management chassis delivers more controlled driving to enhance roll stability, road grip, steering behavior and cornering speeds.
Of course, the 911 Turbo S is not the only Porsche 911 sold locally. As one of the more versatile performance cars, Pinoy speedsters can also opt for a Porsche 911 Carrera PDK, Porsche 911 Carrera S PDK, Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet PDK, Porsche 911 Targa 4S PDK, Porsche 911 GT3 PDK, and Porsche 911 GT3 RS PDK.
The country is enjoying a renaissance of sorts for high performance models, with the release of the R8 Coupe V10 performance Quattro just last week. Powering the new R8 is a 5.2 FSI V10 engine capable of dishing out 620hp and 580Nm of pulling power. This allows the Audi R8 to hit 0 to 100 kmph in 3.1secs before reaching the maximum breakneck speed of 331kmph. The uprated numbers are due to an optimized valve train with components made of titanium, resulting in instantaneous response as the engine freely revs all the way to 8700rpm.
Complementing the engine is a 7-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission, which sends power to the signature quattro all-wheel drive system. Unlike other all-wheel drive systems, the quattro in the new R8 can send all of its powert to the front or rear axle when the situation calls for it. For suspension, the Audi R8 relies on theAudi magnetic ride, a regulated damping system that continuously adapts the shock absorbers in each wheel based to the driving style and conditions of the road.
If you're looking for a high performance vehicle with some daily-driving sensibilities, then the BMW M5 may be more to your liking. Although much of the car follows the M5 tradition, the new model is quite the departure from its predecessors. For starters, power is now shuttled to all four wheels via the M xDrive AWD. And that’s just the intro to the vehicle’s long list of interesting new features. Marking the debut of the all-wheel equipment in this particular BMW high-performance sedan, the M xDrive contributes immensely to better driving dynamics. Meanwhile an Active M Differential at the rear axle, which also works fully variably, helps the nifty drive system do its job better.
For power, the M5 relies on a 4.4-liter V8 turbo M engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology. The turbochargers are new, and these are combined with ultra-efficient indirect charge air cooling and increased fuel injection pressure to raise the power output to 600hp, and the torque to a whopping 750Nm. A map-controlled fully variable oil pump ensures oil reaches the engine whenever it is needed.
As for the M5’s performance digits, the car can reach 100 kmph in just 3.4secs. Top speed for the base model is 250kmph, but if you want more oomph, you can opt for the M Driver’s Package feature which pushes the vehicle up to 305kmph.
The C7 Corvette Stingray is equipped with the powertrain combo of a 6.2-liter LT1 V8 Wet Sump engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission, which delivers 455hp and 621Nm of torque. The locally available version exclusively comes with the 3LT trim package, with unique features that include competition sport seats, performance data recorder, and a magnetic ride control system that reads the road every millisecond and adjusts the damping in just 10 to 15 milliseconds in shocks containing a special lubricating fluid with minute iron particles for suspension strength and stability.
Photos from Nissan, Porsche, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet
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