Nissan GT-R news - ’Ring wars: Round IV - 2009

The Nissan/Porsche Nurburgring war isn't going to end amicably, is it? Last year, Nissan reported that the GT-R had lapped the 'Ring in a scant 7m29s - a full three seconds quicker than a Porsche GT2. Porsche was sceptical. It bought a GT-R, shipped it to the 'Ring and posted a time of 7m54s. 

Nissan retaliated, emphatically stating that the GT-R was a stock production car, releasing photos of the tyres and posting a video of the 'Ring lap as evidence. It even offered free training to the Porsche test drivers. That probably didn't help matters.

And now the 2009 GT-R has just lapped the 'Ring in 7m27.56s in the hands of chief test driver Toshio Suzuki, a full second and a half quicker than before. The slightly updated Godzilla has an extra 5bhp, V-Spec tyres, a revised dual-clutch transmission and retuned suspension. All stock, Nissan is keen to point out - all options that GT-R customers can spec on their cars.

Ominously, Nissan reckons the GT-R can go even quicker: although the 'Ring tarmac was dry, Suzuki reported it was slippery and strewn with dust and sand. Nissan is promising another shot at the 'Ring record tomorrow if the track conditions improve.

So what is Porsche thinking? It's rumoured that the new GT2 is set to debut at the Frankfurt show this autumn... how long before it hits the 'Ring?