The BMW M5 vs Nissan GTR: A Track Battle to Remember

Transcription of the Video: A Closer Look at the Numbers

The BMW M5 is certainly an impressive machine, with its competition pack boasting an impressive 567 brake horsepower. This is significantly more than the Nissan GTR's output, which comes in at 347 horsepower. However, the M5 does weigh a whopping 200 kilograms more than the GTR, making it a formidable opponent on the track.

As professional racing driver Marino Franki took the wheel of both cars to set lap times and share his feedback, it became clear that these two machines are not evenly matched. Through the first corner, the M5 and GTR were neck and neck, but as soon as they exited the turn, the GTR's superior power and four-wheel drive system allowed it to pull away from its rival.

The GTR's engine proved to be a significant advantage in the fast right-hander, with Franki describing it as "rock solid". In contrast, the M5 gave him some fright with its tendency to step out of line at the flat right-hand turn, King. Despite this, both cars managed to navigate the tight section at the top of the hill without any dramas.

However, once they reached the final corner, the GTR's superior handling and stability became apparent. The M5 was struggling to maintain traction, with Franki admitting that it was "crossed up" in the off-camber sections. On the other hand, the GTR was able to carry a significant amount of speed through these corners and exit them quickly.

The lap times reflected the disparity between the two cars. Marino's lap time in the GTR came in at 1 minute 16.9 seconds, while his time in the M5 was 1 minute 19.7 seconds - a full 2.8 seconds behind. Franki attributed this to the GTR's ability to accelerate hard from the middle of corners and maintain straight-line speed.

In contrast, the M5's performance felt more natural for Marino, who was used to accessing its performance through point-to-point driving. However, he did admit that the car lacked rear downforce in all corners, which made it harder to control. Despite this, the M5 still delivered a thrilling drive, with Franki praising its drift capabilities at high speeds.

One area where the M5 excelled was in its ability to maintain traction and stability through braking zones. While both cars were similar in terms of braking performance, the GTR seemed to carry more speed through corners and had better traction overall. The M5, on the other hand, required more patience and finesse to extract the maximum from it.

Overall, the track battle between the BMW M5 and Nissan GTR was a thrilling spectacle that highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of each machine. While the M5 may have been more familiar territory for Marino Franki, the GTR's superior performance made it a formidable opponent on the circuit. As Marino noted, "it's like two different cars," but both were undeniably enjoyable to drive in their own right.

The Result: A Close Look at the Times

In the end, the Nissan GTR emerged victorious, crossing the finish line 2.7 seconds ahead of its rival, the Ferrari 458 Speciale. The M5, while not far behind, brought up the rear half a second slower than its little brother, the M4.

As Marino Franki reflected on his experience driving both cars, he was struck by the significant difference in lap times between them. "I think the GTR is in the slow speed corners and being able to accelerate really hard from the middle of the corner... you're just going point to point, trying not to roll speed through," he explained.

In contrast, the M5 required more finesse and control to extract the maximum from it. Marino noted that each car has its own way of getting lap time, and that the GTR's superior performance was largely due to its ability to accelerate hard and maintain straight-line speed. Despite this, he still managed to enjoy driving the M5, which felt more natural for him than the GTR.

The takeaway from this track battle is clear: if you're looking for a car that can deliver raw power and acceleration, the Nissan GTR may be the better choice. However, if you prefer a car that is more accessible and easier to drive on the track, the BMW M5 may be the way to go. Regardless of which car you choose, one thing is certain: both are undeniably exciting machines that can deliver thrilling driving experiences.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwhich way would your £80,000 go the BMW M5 competition packs numbers are bigger than the Nissan GTRs with 567 brake horsepower it has 25 horsepower more than the GTR and at 1,945 kg it's 200 kilos heavier so can the M5 keep up with the GTR around a lap of Angley professional racing driver Marino franki Took the Wheel to set the lap times and share his feedback with the GTR on the left and the M5 on the right we're across the start line they're evenly matched through the first corner but the GTR starts to pull away immediately at corner exit the M5 carries more speed into the hairpin and closes the Gap a little but at corner exit the GTR leaves the M5 in its wake it engine pulls harder than the m5s and the four-wheel drive system puts that power down without any waste the GT is Rock Solid in the scary fast right-hander but the M5 gives Marino fright by stepping out of line at the flat right hand King the GTR is already several car lengths ahead both cars get through the tight section at the top of the hill without any dramas but the GTR is sharper in the direction changes and it gets out of the right-hander much quicker it's also more stable in the off cam appeal while the M5 gets crossed up costing it yet more time the GTR is into the final corner while the M5 is still dropping down the cork screw the Nissan crosses the line after 1 minute 16.9 seconds as the BMW is sliding through the last Corner the M5 sets a time at 1 minute 19.7 seconds 2.8 seconds slower than the GTR I think the lap time in the GTR is in the slower speed corners and being able to accelerate really hard from the middle of the corner all the way to the exit you really have to square off the corner so you're just going point to point you're not trying to roll speed through you just breaking straight line to point try and get the thing rotated and don't pick up the throttle until you're almost straight because if you've got a lot of locking and you put the power in it seems to under steer but uh you know each car has got its way of getting lap time and that seems to be the way it works with the GTR but just it's the first time I've ever driven one and I can see why so many friends of mine that have got super cars that's their everyday car because it's so easy to get in and just be able to access the the performance of it a little bit disconcerting in the highspeed stuff uh just couldn't work out how to get through them without a lot of under steer um I'm sure cromy knows how to do it but uh yeah it's going to take me a while longer to work that out to drive the M5 on the track felt a lot more natural for me so accessing this performance was what I'm more used to the initial thing I felt was that it lacks rear downforce just in all the corners the rear seems to give up earlier than I expected to but what was nice about it is you can just you're not in the GTR you're driving from point to point in the M5 flows really nicely so when you get to that limit you get a nice drift it really tells you what's about to happen so the limit is lower but it's more involving as a driver and I felt like I got more out of it from driving the car where as the GTR seem to do more for me so Polar Opposites really but both both enjoyable in their own way but the M5 is just more what I'm used to but it's interesting you know that lip spoiler I'd love to just put a little bit more rear force on it and see how that was 2.8 seconds difference in the times when I got out I felt that was about the the difference it's really a little bit everywhere braking they're both pretty similar but the GTR seems to be able to carry a little bit more speed and the traction's much better so with the M5 you're really feeding the power in being patient and just working with the traction that you have available was the GTR get it turned get as straight as you can and just F throttle and it picks up and goes so I'd say mid Corner speeds a bit of it but it's mostly acceleration getting out onto those Straits quicker and just Accel that multiplies as you go through the the lap so the GTR makes light work of the M5 on track it slots into second position on our angle C leaderboard 2.7 seconds behind the Ferrari 458 Speciale the M5 brings up the rear half a second slower than its little brother the M4 remember to come back each Wednesday for more track battle videos d\n"