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Which one of these fabulously capable cars would you think is the fastest around the track? The Audi is the most powerful but is slowed down by an old-fashioned manual gearbox. The new Porsche 911 Turbo now features a super-fast dual-clutch transmission and is only slightly less powerful than the uber-Audi. The Nissan is the heaviest and least powerful by at least 100 hp, but is blessed with incredible traction.

We won't spoil the fun. Just watch Autocar editor Steve Sutcliffe take the cars around for a timed lap to find out.

[Source: Autocar]

In a rare, deep glimpse into the engineering thought-process behind one of the most capable cars in the world, PistonHeads has interviewed Kazutoshi Mizuno, program manager and chief engineer of the Nissan GT-R. Be warned that these videos are for the hardest of hard-core gearheads, as Mr. Mizuno delves into such things as optimum weight targets per wheel, effects on tire patch, engine and transaxel packaging, and torque curves. Mizuno makes an interesting and debatable case against low weight in car design.

After designing the Nissan Primera, Mr. Mizuno spent many years leading Nissan's racing efforts, and as he ...

Although the current Nissan GT-R does not make use of the storied 'Skyline' moniker, it is very much related to that line of cars that has become the stuff of legend. Many iterations of the Skyline led up to the current Godzilla, but it was the late, great R-34 that was most responsible for launching the car onto the international stage.

Officially, the R-34 had only 276 hp, but everyone knew that Nissan did not really abide by that Japanese manufacturers' gentlemen's agreement. The bullet-proof R-34 inline 6 engine was supposedly good for 330 hp out of the factory ...

Anyone who read our blog knows we, like most other car nuts out there, go weak in the knees when it comes to the Nissan GT-R. The car has already become somewhat of an instant classic, a performance benchmark of sorts against which even companies like Porsche measure themselves. This is why we take note when someone thinks there is more performance to be extracted from this accessible supercar.

Stillen, the aftermarket specialist founded by race legend Steve Millen, has always had a cozy relationship with Nissan, so it is no surprise that it has been working on its own ...

Admittedly, I tend to get obsessive about certain things in life. It was an obsession with cars that led me to get out of pre-med studies in order to become an automotive engineer, and it was that same obsession that led me to start rightpedal.

Of late, I have had another obsession: the Nissan GT-R. Ever since seeing one at a Cars & Coffee event in Las Vegas two months ago, I have wanted one so badly it hurts. In fact, I took a picture of said GT-R on my iPhone and unbeknownst to the owner, the dude’s car now ...

Are you a lucky owner of an epic Nissan GT-R but think that 485 stock horsepower is just not enough? If so, you could contact Ohio-based tuner Switzer Performance who might just have the cure for you.

In response to a customer request, Switzer was able to generate an astounding, Bugatti Veyron-baiting 850 hp and 820 lb-ft of torque out of the GT-R’s twin-turbo V6 using high-octane race fuel. This all for a car that can hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and reach 193 mph, straight out of the factory!

Watch the Nissan rev up on the ...

Last week, we reported Autocar’s judgement that the Lotus Evora is the UK’s Best Driver’s Car, which I interpret as the world’s best driver’s car as explained here. Today, we present you videos from that comprehensive test around the Goodwood circtuit.

As Autocar editor Steve Sutcliffe states, this is the most talented group of cars they have ever tested, which is high praise for Lotus indeed from the world’s oldest car magazine.

Above is the summary video, while below, you will find the full Evora review followed by some gratuitous, naughty videos. You're ...

We just brought you the news of Bruno Senna, nephew of the great Ayrton Senna, potentially racing in F1 next year. Funny thing is, yesterday, as I contemplated buying a Nissan GT-R, I came across this fantastic video of Bruno Senna comparing the gifted Japanese supercar to its main rival, the 911 Turbo. I just had to post it for all of you to enjoy in case you have not yet come across it.

Besides enjoying watching Bruno's considerable skill behind the wheel, I was very interested in his commentary and expectations of the GT-R versus what he calls ...

Yes, our Autocar source article says "UK's best driver's car". However, the Brits are excellent judges of great cars, partially because their B-roads are such great tests for any car's overall handling prowess. In addition, the UK market has access to many great, European-oriented cars that we here in the US do not have the privilege to drive and therefore, the English magazines' test samples are usually more varied than ours.

During a comprehensive test comprising 10 rivals at the Goodwood circuit, nine out of ten Autocar judges placed the recently-launched Lotus Evora as their favorite,  calling ...

Next week is an important one for Nissan: the Japanese giant is opening its new corporate headquarters in Yokohama, Japan and will mark the occasion by unveiling an all-new electric car. The five-door hatchback will enter a production run of 50,000 unites in 2010 and by 2012, will be built in the US to the tune of some 150,000 units. Nissan will start selling the cars in the US next year.

Alas, electric cars still have a long way to go before they become as easy to use every day as internal combustion engine vehicles. The main issue ...

If you read car magazines and blogs regularly, you will know that Nissan and Porsche are locked in a bitter feud over whose flagship sports car is faster around the Nürburgring: the Nissan GTR or the Porsche 911 GT2? Porsche unbelievably accuses Nissan of making times up, but Nissan keeps going back with an updated GTR to set new times. So far, the fastest GT-R time is 7:26:70, while the fastest GT2 time is 7:32.02 set by none other than rally legend Walter Röhrl.

Here is the latest GTR video in the hands of ...

Put this in the 'oldie but goodie' category on this relatively slow car news day. If you have not yet clicked on the video above (unlikely), which car do you think would win a drag race between a Corvette ZR-1, a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, a Porsche GT2 and a Nissan GT-R? That is quite a list, the best of the US, Italy, Germany and Japan going at it.

Too bad all we see is a drag race because around a track, the outcome would be quite different.

[Source: MotorTrend via YouTube]

In part 3 our look at the 2009 New York International Auto Show, we took a look at the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the GM Segway (officially called the Segway P.U.M.A.), the Bentley Continental Supersports, and the Nissan 370Z NISMO.

Bentley Continental Supersports
We pretty much said it all in the video: most powerful, fastest and greenest Bentley of all time! Have your stupendous power and be kind to the planet at the same time, courtesy of the engine’s flexibility to run on ethanol.  The Supersports is some 200lb lighter than the regular Conti, in part due ...

The 2009 Brand Image Awards by Kelley Blue Book has named BMW the ‘coolest’ car brand, as well as the ‘best performance brand’ and ‘best exterior design brand’. Its arch-rival Mercedes-Benz, was voted as the ‘best prestige brand’.

The full results are as follows:

BMW: coolest
BMW: best performance
BMW: best exterior design - luxury
Cadillac: best comfort
Cadillac: best interior design
Ford: most rugged truck
Mercedez-Benz: most prestige
Nissan: best exterior design – non-luxury
Toyota: best value
Toyota: Most family

So, the question is, which would you rather be: cool, or prestigious? Do you agree with the other awards? Leave your ...