The R35 Nissan GT-R is a bit of a miracle in the automotive world – it’s been around for over 15 years.
First introduced in 2007, the GT-R was the long-awaited replacement to the legendary R34 Skyline GT-R that had stopped production in 2002.
In an industry where new cars tend to pop up every five years, the R35’s incredible longevity is perhaps a testament to its enduring design and performance.
In fact, the 2024 Nissan GT-R now cranks out 565 PS and can do 0 to 100 km/h in under 3 seconds – top speed is a thoroughly rapid 315 km/h.
The 2024 GT-R is also available locally through select Nissan Philippines Inc. dealers with a sticker price of ₱12,445,000. Among European supercars with similar performance, “Godzilla” still remains quite a bargain.
But what if you’re exceedingly wealthy and want a quick car that has the panache of a GT-R, but a fresher design? Here are some eight-figure alternatives that could pique your interest!
The Lotus Exige may not be the newest car on the block, first being introduced in 2012, but this still makes it five years younger than the GT-R.
And the 2022 Exige Sport 390 Final Edition pumps out 403 PS, which is good for 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 276 km/h. In addition, the Exige weighs just 1,138 kg, which means it’s more nimble in the corners compared to the heavy Nissan.
All this back-to-basics style and performance can be yours for ₱10,800,000.
The BMW M5 has already cemented itself in automotive greatness for offering supercar performance in the shape of a large and fairly low-key executive sedan.
Introduced six years ago, the F90 M5 is available with the Competition Package in the Philippines. This bumps up the power from the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine to 626 PS.
Mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive, the M5 Competition can give the GT-R a hard time by doing 0 to 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds. And you get all this pace and space for a little over ₱13 million.
The R35’s eternal rival comes from Stuttgart, with the Porsche 911 Turbo serving as the GT-R’s perennial benchmark.
Both models feature four-wheel drive, twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engines and plenty of go-fast tech and engineering. In addition, the latest 992 911 is only four years old.
But even the two-wheel-drive 911 Carrera, which starts at around ₱15 million, is no slouch. With 385 PS on tap from its twin-turbocharged flat-six engine, the base model 911 does 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds and tops out at 293 km/h.
You may have to spend a few million more than the Nissan, but you do get one of the best sports cars in the world.
For less than the price of an entry-level Porsche 911, you can join the electric revolution in a thoroughly exciting way.
Introduced in 2020 and costing around ₱14 million, the Audi RS e-tron GT has 654 PS of fully electric power on tap going through all four wheels. It can also do 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and has a claimed maximum range of 472 km.
Much like the M5, it has four doors and a trunk. But unlike the rest of the cars in this list, the RS e-tron GT makes maximum power even from idle, along with producing zero emissions.
Yes, an odd one, I know.
But the GT-R’s pricetag can also put you in one of the plushest sport-utility vehicles (SUV) in the business – the Range Rover Sport. It is likewise the newest in this list, being introduced in 2022.
The Dynamic SE P440e model comes in at ₱13,490,000. Aside from a truly sumptuous interior and a cavernous cargo area, this luxury SUV packs a turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-6 gasoline engine with a plug-in hybrid system.
Combined output is 440 PS and, with four-wheel drive, can hustle the leviathan from 0 to 100 in 5.8 seconds. And because it’s a Range Rover, it can keep on going when the tarmac turns to mud, sand or ruts.
Now, which of these would you pick? Or would you still stick to the trusty GT-R?
Rate this story now using the five stars below. It will help us provide content that you enjoy!