No one in their right mind would take their brand new, $70,000 sports car onto a silt-covered dry lake just to do donuts in the dirt. So, of course, that’s the first place we headed. There was plenty of room on El Mirage dry lake to stretch the GT-R’s legs a little. We got it up to 130 mph before deciding that the limited visibility and random mounds of dirt made anything faster a potentially life – and GT-R – threatening exercise. Then we turned off the traction control and got it sideways to see what the GT-R is like when it’s not stuck to the pavement. Shocker of the day – it’s fun. Click through to see the videos.
Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor @ 132 miles
desmolicious says:
01:41 PM, 03/26/08
Doooods! Fun!
dougtheeng says:
01:45 PM, 03/26/08
Ah ha you used my salt flat idea. Well, to be fair, I suggested in Utah and I suppose this isn't technically salt, but still, good stuff. That thing moves like a torpedo in the first shot. Its a shame its so windy, I'd love to hear the engine.
mrmcderm says:
01:49 PM, 03/26/08
These videos are great, but you know what I would love to see? A short video of it just sitting there idling. And then maybe some good video/audio of it pulling away.
I've seen tons of video of this thing on the web, but I have no idea how it sounds at an idle, while its reving, or what it sounds like when pulling away in traffic.
santiagofdz says:
02:30 PM, 03/26/08
Someone's having fun! I hope you keep having fun the rest of the trip :)
BTW, the first vid reminds me of the old Knight Rider intro...if only this GT-R were black.
hondacura4 says:
02:49 PM, 03/26/08
"BTW, the first vid reminds me of the old Knight Rider intro...if only this GT-R were black."
The GT-R should have been the new Kitt as its just fits the role better than a Mustang.
skierx420 says:
03:11 PM, 03/26/08
It reminds me of the closing credits for the Duke's of Hazard. lol its no general lee but it still looks cool on the dirt.
dannon808 says:
03:11 PM, 03/26/08
i'm very interested in seeing these "super wide-beam" headlights. you guys should post up pictures of how much light is casted from them onto the road.
huyracing says:
03:15 PM, 03/26/08
aww c'mon, i did 135mph in a stock WRX... woulda gone faster but the car couldn't do it.
rkr says:
03:45 PM, 03/26/08
Of all the days, we are having 50mph gusts. So really the land speed maybe 130, but the engine is pushing 150-ish. As far as the idle noise, what noise? We were downstairs before they left yesterday. I have it on video starting up and pulling out. You can just hear it over our voices. Our G35 makes more exhaust noise starting up. It is such a sleeper wait to rip the pavement!
canyonfit says:
03:47 PM, 03/26/08
oh! that reminds me, you guys need to do a skidpad test of this car. I'm ready to be amazed.
jr1m90 says:
05:00 PM, 03/26/08
So I'm guessing that in the dirt this thing is pretty much an STI with the knob turned to about 14?
ferchizzle says:
07:33 AM, 03/27/08
OK - that donut photo is the best one so far. keep 'em coming Scott! - Kane!
mrryte says:
07:41 AM, 03/27/08
"The GT-R should have been the new Kitt as its just fits the role better than a Mustang."
Couldn't agree more. Not to bash the Mustang, but it just doesn't have that unique "cool" factor like the GT-R (but hey, it's a helluvalot cheaper....)