Nissan Skyline Vs. Lamborghini
Though it is not referred as a Skyline any longer, the Nissan GT-R is a car that has earned the right to be mentioned in the same breath as greats such as Lamborghini, Porsche and Ferrari. Like the Lamborghini Gallardo and the Porsche 911 Turbo, the GT-R uses an all-wheel-drive platform and a turbocharged motor that together provide mind-blowing grip and acceleration. But unlike its competitors, the GT-R is able to deliver similarly incredible performance at a much more attractive price.
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Engines
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The GT-R features a 3.8-liter, 24-valve V6. Thanks in part to dual IHI turbochargers, the GT-R produces 480 horsepower at 6400 rpm and 430 ft-lbs of torque at 3200 rpm. The Lamborghini Gallardo is the closest competitor from the Italian firm, since the Murcielago has far more power and is also far more expensive. The Gallardo LP560-4 uses a V10 engine that produces a GT-R-besting 552 horsepower.
Gearboxes
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The GT-R features a 6-speed dual clutch, manual gearbox that is shifted via paddles behind the steering wheel. The Gallardo can be ordered with either a conventional 6-speed gearbox or a paddle shift transmission similar to the GT-Rs.
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Chassis
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With its PM (Premium Midship) chassis configuration, the GT-R has an optimal 53/47 weight distribution This layout layout puts the gearbox behind the front-mounted motor of the GT-R, which is unusual for a front-engine car and the first for an all-wheel-drive car. The GT-R offers quite a bit of practicality too, since it has back seats. In current Lamborghini tradition, the Gallardo also features an all-wheel drive platform. And in true exotic car fashion, the Gallardo utilizes an optimal mid-engine layout and can only seat two passengers. The chassis is an all aluminum design to keep weight down and the exterior is made of thermoplastic-formed panels.
Performance
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The GT-R and the LP560-4 are pretty close when it comes to on road performance. The GT-R posts a zero-to-60 time of 3.3 seconds and can max out at 192 mph according to Nissan. Thanks to its combination of power and handling, the GT-R was able post a sub 8-minute lap time on Nurburgring racetrack in Germany. Posting a time in the 7-minute range is a benchmark time. Despite having more power, the Gallardo is a little slower than the GT-R, and does zero-to-60 in 3.7 seconds, and can reach a top speed of over 200 mph.
Cost
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Here is where these two supercars diverge dramatically. Despite it's world beating performance, the GT-R starts at a paltry $77,000. Compare that to the Gallardo's whopping staring price of $198,000. Prices are as of 2009. The Gallardo is the "affordable" Lamborghini.
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