While the 2024 Nissan GT-R is more worthy of the nickname Godzilla than ever, many new sports cars fail to impress.
This year will be an absolute rocker for sports cars. BMW, Mercedes, Tesla, and Ford will all release new, insanely quick sports cars. However, one underrated player is updating theirs, Nissan. The GT-R is getting another facelift. The interior will finally be brought into the modern era and slight tweaks to the Powertrain will improve Godzilla.
But, how do these other sports cars compare to the almost 20-year-old platform? The chances that they will kick the Nissan GT-R off its throne are slim. There are many reasons for this, even though each car is good in its own right. None can beat the king.
1 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63
This is the first hybrid Mercedes-AMG vehicle. It packs some serious power. A 2.0-liter 4-cylinder combined with a rear-axle electric motor makes 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque. Of course, the exterior styling is distinct. The team took some cues from their Formula One team for the sharp lines and sleek profile.
Compared to the GT-R, the C63 engine lacks a bit of grunt. Using this smaller engine also diminishes the tuning potential. Although the Mercedes bests the GTR in interior styling and quality, the haptic feedback buttons may annoy some customers.
2 2022 Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet built the new Corvette from the ground up. Credit to them, it looks nothing like previous GM products. The exterior styling reminds you of a Ferrari but retains the Corvette look. It also has renewed punching power, with the base LT2 Overhead Valve V8 making 495 hp. The Z06 builds on that and comes with 670 hp.
Where it falls off, is the lack of a manual transmission. Opting for a dual-clutch transmission improves shift times, but reduces driver engagement and enjoyment. The engine is naturally aspirated and sounds gorgeous, but this Corvette lacks some driving character, which we may see with the upcoming Corvette Z06.
3 2023 Nissan Z
The Z is back. It still has a twin-turbo V6. The engine makes 400 hp and when you combine that with a small package, this Z is an absolute rocket. The 0-60 mph time is 4.3 seconds. It also still has a 6-speed manual which makes for an engaging drive.
One issue this vehicle has is road noise. The weather seals, creaky door panels, and lack of noise-reducing material make daily driving less pleasant. The GT-R is not the best in this department either but is miles better than the Nissan Z.
4 2022 BMW Z4 M40i
There was many complaints when the 2022 BMW Z4 came out, as they share the platform with the Toyota Supra. It uses the tried and tested B58 straight-six engine. Turbocharged, this engine makes 382 hp. The 8-speed ZF automatic provides instant shifts. The sleek body lines and rounder shape are a welcome change when compared to the previous version.
It is a great sports car in its own right but falls off a cliff in the steering feel department. This is an area where the GT-R excels, as you feel connected to the car and the road when driving it. A fun drive is why most people buy sports cars, and that’s where the Nissan GT-R beats this car.
5 2024 Jaguar F-Type 75 Special Edition
The 2024 Jaguar F-type is the latest facelift of the F-Type platform. But the changes are not just cosmetic. Improved suspension, active dampers, performance seats, and Pirelli P Zero tires are all added to this special edition. This is an outgoing car as emissions regulations will force Jaguar to retire the platform.
The P575 version boosts the power to 575 hp, coming from a supercharged V8. However, the base engine only comes with 300 hp from a straight-four engine. This is around 257 hp less than the GT-R with equal weight. The F-Type is not a slouch, but weaker in the power department compared to the Nissan GT-R R35.
6 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse
Another beast enters the ring. The Ford Mustang Dark Horse is like a Hoonicorn cross-bred with a Mustang. The road presence is unquestionable. 500 hp from a 5.0-Liter V8 mated to a six-speed manual make for a very attractive package. The color-changing paint is a reminder that the Midnight Purple Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 V-SPEC exists.
Ford still needs to release more information about the Mustang Dark Horse. A lot of engineering has gone into the EcoBoost engine, but it doesn’t compare to the hand-built 3.8-Liter twin-turbo VR38DETT V6. Few engines do.
7 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona SRT
The new charger is a hybrid. Whether that is a good or a bad thing is up to you. A rear motor is paired with a Hurricane straight-six engine, making 455 hp. The exterior styling is retro-modern with a single front light bar and wide-body fender flares.
Of course, it is a muscle car, so burnouts are a given. The rear-wheel drive setup is not the best for track times, an area where the GT-R and even previous Nissan Skylines have excelled. The ATTESA E-TS Pro system ensures traction and speed are maintained around corners.
8 2023 Tesla Roadster
1.99 seconds is the 0-60 mph time hailed by Tesla and critics alike. The 2023 Tesla Roadster is quick. A tri-motor set-up and AWD make cornering quick and precise. Exact horsepower numbers are yet to be released. Production has suffered delays, so there is no guarantee this car will even have a full release.
Where the Tesla Roadster falls off is at the top end. Although electric cars have insane acceleration, 60 mph to 124 mph times are mediocre. The new R35 can do it in 7.8 seconds.
9 2023 Porsche Taycan
The Porsche Taycan is Porsche’s first full-electric sports car. 2 AC synchronous electric motors make 402 hp, but the real engineering is in the suspension and weight distribution. A 79 kWh battery pack provides 288 miles of estimated range. The clever use of internal “foot garages” that store batteries allow the massive weight to be dispersed around the car.
The Taycan is a beast in its own right. The price is also beastly. A base Taycan will set you back $86,700. A brand new GT-R also comes in at $113,540. The great AWD system, twin-turbo V6, and dual-clutch transmission make the GT-R a better package all around than the Taycan. There are other Taycan Packages that increase the power, like the Taycan Turbo, but the price increases exponentially.
10 Lotus Evija
The Evija is a limited-production electric sports car from Lotus. Following a similar pattern to the Honda NSX, it has 4 electric motors, one on each wheel. The hp number is insane at 1970. The estimated range is 250 mi on a 70 kWh lithium-ion battery.
Of course, the Lotus Evija and the GT-R are at different corners of the market. The one area where the GT-R bests the Evija is usability. The GT-R has a decent-sized boot, 4 seats, and still enough power to enjoy on a winding mountain road. The Evija is more of a show and track car.
Sources: Manufacturer’s Pages, Top Gear, Hotcars
