2018 Nissan GT-R-
The 2018 Nissan GT-R is a world-beating supercar with less drama than morning toast—it's disarming how calm 100 mph feels.
This year, the twin-turbo, all-wheel-drive 2018 GT-R is closer to a performance bargain (at least in relative terms) this year thanks to the addition of a new GT-R Pure trim level that pushes the price of entry down to about $100,000.
Overall, the GT-R rates 7.4 out of 10 on our scale. It’s not very practical and luxury isn’t one of its virtues, but you probably already knew that.
GT-R rethinks the way the driver receives information. Multiple, easily accessed screens give the driver immediate feedback to key performance parameters. The result is engaging, informative, and effective.The 2018 GT-R carries over some of last year’s big updates like a 20 horsepower bump, revised styling, and a more refined powertrain. The new GT-R Pure trim level pushes the supercar’s base price to a hair over $100,000, about $10,000 less than the carried-over GT-R Premium. Apple CarPlay is now standard on both versions of the GT-R and a black interior trim package is newly available.
Both share a handbuilt 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-6 that cranks out 565 horsepower and 467 pound-feet of torque that vaults the two-door to 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds. A 6-speed dual-clutch transmission shuttles power to all four wheels, providing the GT-R with astounding grip. An adjustable suspension can tighten things up to almost brutal levels for track use, but a comfort mode makes the GT-R fairly tolerable around town. Selecting R mode transforms the GT-R by tightening up its reflexes. Brembo six-piston front and four-piston rear brakes bring things to a halt time after time with no drama.
For enthusiasts, driving a GT-R is a bucket-list item. Its drama-free demeanor is best experienced at triple-digit speeds on a winding road course, where it hugs the pavement in a way unmatched by few cars short of a Formula One racer.
2018 Chevrolet Camaro SS
Chevrolet understands what customers expect from the Camaro, and the sixth-generation model exceeds those expectations. The Camaro rides on GM's Alpha platform, which is shared with both the Cadillac ATS and CTS. It's an incredibly stiff and light foundation for a performance car, and coupled with weight loss elsewhere relative to the previous generation--200 pounds in total--the Camaro packs quite a punch.
The Camaro is offered in several trim levels: 1LS, 1LT, 2LT, 1SS, 2SS and ZL1. It is also the most fuel-efficient Camaro to date, thanks to three fantastic engines. The 2.0L turbocharged four puts out an impressive 275 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque while posting a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds and returning an estimated 30 mpg on the highway, according to GM.
The direct-injected 3.6L V6 features variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation--a V6 first--all of which combine for 335 horsepower and 284-lb-ft of torque, plus up to 27 mpg on the highway. GM claims it will hit 60 mph from a stop in just over five seconds. The engine is the most powerful naturally aspirated V6 in its class.
Finally, the 6.2L V8 is also direct-injected and makes a healthy 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque--enough to propel the Camaro SS to 60 mph just 4 seconds. It, too, features cylinder deactivation, and the engine returns an estimated 28 mpg on the highway. In the ZL1, this engine is supercharged and makes 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque.
Suspension is handled thanks to double-pivot control arms and struts up front and a five-link setup in the rear. Chevy's adaptive Magnetic Ride Control damping system is optional on the SS and provides fully adjustable control for aggressive cornering.
A 6-speed manual transmission is standard on all Camaros, while an 8-speed automatic with steering wheel paddles is optional. In the SS, it features rev matching during downshifts.
28:41
0:11
33:02
0:59
