Legendary Motor Matchup #7
Every Tuesday for 10 weeks, starting March 3, 2020, we will present one head-to-head challenge. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to cast your vote on each matchup. The results will tally on the Top 10 Legendary Motors page every week.
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APRIL 15–19
For this head to head, we have chosen the most potent mass-produced six-cylinder engines on the planet. Coupled to bulletproof all-wheel-drive systems, these legendary motors power two of the hardest accelerating iconic sports coupes of all time, making this the most challenging head to head for our fans, to date.
NISSAN GT-R
3.8 twin turbo V6
During the new R35 GT-R development, one of Nissan's goals was to create a 911 killer with the 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo being the R35's prey.
The goal? Beat the Porsche's Nurburgring lap time.
The R35 not only did that, but it also outperformed much more expensive supercars and is still one of the fastest cars around the “Ring” ten years later.
This powerhouse of an engine is a work of art. The VR38DETT 3.8 litre twin-turbo V6 replaced the beloved straight-six RB26DETT and became the most potent engine Nissan had ever put in a production car. In its debut 2007 production run, it punched out 473 bhp and 435 ft/lbs of torque. Fast forward 13 years, and today a standard R35 produces 565 bhp and 467 ft/lbs, propelling Godzilla from 0–60 in 2.9 seconds.
Only 13 master engineers named "Takumi" are allowed to assemble the R35's engine, which they mate to a custom gearbox that will only work with the specific hand-built engine.
With a few bolt-ons, such as bigger turbos, exhaust, and a tune, this beast of a motor can quickly gain a reliable 260 horsepower over stock, and run a low 10-second quarter mile on pump gas.
The aftermarket industry keeps pushing the R's V6 into uncharted territory with the current world record set at 3,500 horsepower! It seems the "Takumi" overbuilt this sucker a little.
Have a look in how they go about their craft in making this wonderful hand-built legendary motor.
PORSCHE
3.8 twin turbo Flat 6
When Porsche AG married a single KKK Turbo to their 3.0-liter RSR engine, wedged it into a 911 chassis and placed that little handwritten word "Turbo" right below a new massive whale tale, it created a motorhead cult following like no other.
From that day forth, motorsport enthusiasts branded the Porsche 930 simply as, "the Turbo."
Since its inaugural launch in the mid-1970s, the 911 Turbo has represented what Porsche considers the epitome of its road-car offerings in terms of performance and technology. The very best, the most powerful, and the quickest 911 in its stable.
They upped the ante in 1993 when they brought to the world stage a rare limited-edition version of the Type 964 Turbo: the Turbo S Leichtbau (light build). It came with a 3.3 litre boxer six, capable of producing 381 bhp and became the first ultimate 911 Turbo that carried the S badge.
Twenty-eight years and six generations later, Porsche is bringing to market their new Porsche 992 Turbo S, the most powerful member of the 911 family to date.
At 3.8 litres, its twin-turbo mill now packs 640 horsepower and 590 ft/lbs of torque! The result of that extra oomph is a blistering zero-to-60 time of just 2.6 seconds, and a 205-mile-per-hour top speed. So yeah, it's incredibly quick. To put that into further context, a McLaren 720S with its twin-turbo V8 takes 2.8 seconds to get to 60 despite a 600-pound weight advantage.
The 911 Turbo and its venerable Boxer Flat 6 is an automotive world wonder as it continues to set the bar against all other sport coupes, just as it has for 45 years.
We can go on about the performance and brilliance of this machine and its powerplant, and we will in good time. But for now, we patiently wait for the new Turbo S to be a feature on all video media platforms where it will undoubtedly annihilate pretty much everything in its path.