MotorTrend compares the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S, Nissan GT-R 45th anniversary edition, and Porsche 911 Turbo S with roadcourse times

[Sticky]

The comparison everyone has been waiting to see with laptimes included. Car and Driver compared the AMG GT S to the Porsche 911 GTS and Jaguar F-Type R but what everyone really wants to see is the AMG GT S squaring off against the 911 Turbo and Nissan GTR.

Well, here you have it. MotorTrend chose the 911 Turbo S which is the most powerful 911 model available for sale. The 2016 Nissan GTR 45th anniversary edition is likewise the top of the line GTR on the market.

As far as power is concerned the AMG GT S trails the other two at least on paper. It is rated at 503 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque although dyno results show it is slightly underrated. The Nissan GTR offers more crank horsepower at 545 but less peak torque with 463 lb-ft. The 911 Turbo S is rated the highest with 560 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.

It is important to understand that the AMG GT S sends power to the rear wheels while the GTR and Turbo S send power to all four wheels. This means higher drivetrain losses for the all wheel drive cars. As they all use dual clutch transmissions they are efficient for their power levels but the AMG GT S gets an efficiency bump from only powering the rear tires.

The GTR is the heaviest of the trio at 3911 and offers the most weight on the nose with a 55% to 45% front to rear balance. The AMG GT S weighs less at 3691 pounds but it is no lightweight. It does have exceptional balance with 47/53% front to rear. The rear engine 911 Turbo S of course has most of its weight on the rear with 61% of its 3563 pounds in back and 39% up front.

The quickest and fastest car acceleration wise is the 911 Turbo S. The 11.0 elapsed time in the 1/4 mile is impressive but the 124.6 miles per hour trap speed belies its 6.9 second 0-100 sprint. The AMG GT S manages a similar trap speed at 124.2 miles per hour but its 0-100 time takes 7.6 seconds. This sure looks like Porsche 911 Turbo heat soak rearing its ugly head and the ECU pulling timing as well as boost yet again.

The Nissan GTR gets the second quickest 1/4 mile time at 11.2 seconds but the slowest trap speed of 122.0. It looks like at speed where the all wheel drive is not providing a traction advantage of the line the AMG GT S should be faster.

The truth is all of the trap speeds are rather slow for these cars and it looks like that is due to California heat. Speaking as someone in California who just recently had their air conditioning system give out, it's hot. That will impact times but also provide realistic numbers one can hope to reproduce themselves.

We know all three cars are fast and powerful. What about how they go around the track? What is interesting to note is the AMG GT S pulls the most on the skidpad at 1.09g followed by the 911 Turbo S at 1.07g and the Nissan GTR at 1.00g.

The figure eight test has the 911 Turbo S come out on top at 22.9 seconds at .95g followed by the AMG GT S with 23.2 seconds at .95g and the Nissan GTR again taking the last spot with 23.5 seconds at .90g.

On the actual roadcourse the AMG GT S leads the entire way at Big Willow until the final turn. What happens on the final turn? The Porsche 911 Turbo S is able to put its power down quicker and use its acceleration to come out on top. The Porsche wins based on muscle, not finesse.

Speaking of which the Nissan GTR's heavier chassis and weight on the nose is finally starting to show signs of age as it should. Putting down torque early thanks to all wheel drive to mask these deficiencies can not defy the laws of physics. The GTR trails the other two cars by over two seconds. A lifetime on the roadcourse.

On a longer 2.42 mile course like Big Willow the AMG GT S is able to truly excel showing off its grip and ability to transition. This is much more telling than the comparison the Brits at EVO did between the AMG GT S and the 991 Turbo where the Turbo dominated the AMG on a tiny and tight course simply due to putting its power down earlier.

The car MotorTrend ultimately picks is the AMG GT S. Why? Because it is the best blend of performance and passion. It is the car you want to drive. People joke the GTR is a Japanese robot without emotion and that actually hits home here. The 911 Turbo S is slowly becoming a German robot as well and MotorTrend states it is simply all about business.

The AMG GT S is the car you pick when you want to do the driving and connect with the car. It is the driving enthusiast's choice and a hell of an achievement.

	2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S	2016 Nissan GT-R 45th Anniversary	2015 Porsche 911 Turbo S
POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS
DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT	Front-engine, RWD	Front-engine, AWD	Rear-engine, AWD
ENGINE TYPE	Twin-turbo 90-deg V-8, alum block/heads	Twin-turbo 60-deg V-6, alum block/heads	Twin-turbo, flat-6, alum block/heads
VALVETRAIN	DOHC, 4 valves/cyl	DOHC, 4 valves/cyl	DOHC, 4 valves/cyl
DISPLACEMENT	243.0 cu in/3,982 cc	231.8 cu in/3,799 cc	231.9 cu in/3,800 cc
COMPRESSION RATIO	10.5:1	9.0:1	9.8:1
POWER (SAE NET)	503 hp @ 6,250 rpm	545 hp @ 6,400 rpm	560 hp @ 6,500 rpm
TORQUE (SAE NET)	479 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm	463 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm	516 lb-ft @ 2,100 rpm
REDLINE	7,000 rpm	7,000 rpm	7,200 rpm
WEIGHT TO POWER	7.3 lb/hp	7.2 lb/hp	6.4 lb/hp
TRANSMISSION	7-speed twin-clutch auto.	6-speed twin-clutch auto.	7-speed twin-clutch auto.
AXLE/FINAL-DRIVE RATIO	3.67:1/2.31:1	3.70:1/2.95:1	3.44:1/2.13:1
SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR	Control arms, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; control arms, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar	Control arms, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar	Struts, coil springs, adj shocks, adj anti-roll bar; multi-link, coil springs, adj shocks adj anti-roll bar
STEERING RATIO	14.3:1	15.0:1	15.0:1
TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK	2.3	2.5	2.6
BRAKES, F;R	15.8-in vented, drilled carbon ceramic disc; 14.2-in vented, drilled carbon ceramic disc, ABS	15.4-in vented, drilled disc; 15.0-in vented, drilled disc, ABS	16.1-in vented, drilled carbon ceramic disc; 15.4-in vented, drilled carbon ceramic disc, ABS
WHEELS, F;R	9.0 x 19-in; 11.0 x 20-in, forged aluminum	9.5 x 20 in; 10.5 x 20 in, forged aluminum	9.0 x 20-in, 11.5 x 20-in forged aluminum
TIRES, F;R	265/35ZR19 98Y; 295/30ZR20 101Y Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2	255/40ZRF20 97Y; 285/35ZRF20 100Y Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600	245/35ZR20 91Y; 305/30ZR20 103 Dunlop Sport Maxx Race
DIMENSIONS
WHEELBASE	103.5 in	109.4 in	96.5 in
TRACK, F/R	66.1/65.0 in	62.6/63.0 in	60.6/62.6 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	179.0 x 76.3 x 50.7 in	183.8 x 74.6 x 53.9 in	177.4 x 74.0 x 51.0 in
TURNING CIRCLE	37.7 ft	36.6 ft	34.8 ft
CURB WEIGHT	3,691 lb	3,911 lb	3,563 lb
WEIGHT DIST., F/R	47/53 %	55/45 %	39/61 %
SEATING CAPACITY	2	4	4
HEADROOM, F/R	39.5/- in	38.1 in	37.8/26.0 in
LEGROOM, F/R	43.5/- in	44.6 in	66.7/26.0 in (est)
SHOULDER ROOM, F/R	58.3/- in	54.3 in	53.4/47.3 in
CARGO VOLUME	12.4 cu ft	8.8 cu ft	4.1 cu ft
TEST DATA
ACCELERATION TO MPH
0-30	1.6 sec	1.1 sec	1.0 sec
0-40	2.2	1.6	1.5
0-50	2.8	2.1	2.0
0-60	3.5	2.9	2.7
0-70	4.3	3.7	3.4
0-80	5.3	4.8	4.5
0-90	6.3	6.0	5.6
0-100	7.6	7.3	6.9
PASSING, 45-65 MPH	1.4	1.5	1.3
QUARTER MILE	11.6 sec @ 124.2 mph	11.2 sec @ 122.0 mph	11.0 sec @ 124.6 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	100 ft	103 ft	98 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	1.09 g (avg)	1.00 g (avg)	1.07 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	23.2 sec @ 0.95 g (avg)	23.5 sec @ 0.90 g (avg)	22.9 sec @ 0.95 g (avg)
2.42-MI ROAD COURSE LAP	88.12 sec	90.48 sec	87.81 sec
TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH	1,700 rpm	2,200 rpm	1,650 rpm
CONSUMER INFO
BASE PRICE	$130,825	$103,365	$183,695
PRICE AS TESTED	$154,420	$104,660	$187,430
STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL	Yes/Yes	Yes/Yes	Yes/yes
AIRBAGS	Dual front, side, head, and knee	Dual front, front side, front curtain	Dual front, front side, front curtain, front knee
BASIC WARRANTY	4 yrs/50,000 miles	3 yrs/36,000 mi	4 yrs/50,000 miles
POWERTRAIN WARRANTY	4 yrs/50,000 miles	5 yrs/60,000 mi	4 yrs/50,000 miles
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE	Unlimited	3 yrs/36,000 mi	4 yrs/50,000 miles
FUEL CAPACITY	19.8 gal	19.5 gal	18.0 gal
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON	16/22/18 mpg	16/22/19 mpg	17/24/20 mpg
ENERGY CONS., CITY/HWY	211/153 kW-hrs/100 miles	211/153 kW-hrs/100 miles	198/140 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	1.06 lb/mile	1.06 lb/mile	0.99 lb/mile
RECOMMENDED FUEL	Unleaded premium	Unleaded premium	Unleaded premium

[leveraged sellout]

What AMG has done with the GT S is truly amazing, I am so blown away by the numbers this car puts out. And its gorgeous.

[Sticky]

It's reasonably priced too and higher performance variants are coming.

It's a home run I think.

[leveraged sellout]

When the Black Series drops watch the fck out. These things are going to be a force to be reckoned with.

[ezec63]

When the Black Series drops watch the fck out. These things are going to be a force to be reckoned with.

That's honestly what blows my mind the most after driving it lol Its so sharp, balanced, responsive etc in GT-S trim that when they really take off the gloves with the black series its going to be epic. Such an upgrade from the SLS that was mer sometimes dynamically and look at the difference the Black Series upgrade made to that car.

[SpeedLimit?]

I love the AMG GT S but can't help but wonder how different the results would be if the Turbo & GTR had tires more comparable to those cup 2's. I road around in a supercharged e92 M3 last night that had those tires and they're no joke!

[Sticky]

I love the AMG GT S but can't help but wonder how different the results would be if the Turbo & GTR had tires more comparable to those cup 2's. I road around in a supercharged e92 M3 last night that had those tires and they're no joke!

Certainly a valid point but it didn't hurt the Turbo S acceleration out of corners.

[SpeedLimit?]

Certainly a valid point but it didn't hurt the Turbo S acceleration out of corners.

There's also braking and cornering grip advantages to be had...

[Sticky]

There's also braking and cornering grip advantages to be had...

Right I just mentioned the acceleration out of corners specifically as it helped the Turbo S win.

[SpeedLimit?]

Right I just mentioned the acceleration out of corners specifically as it helped the Turbo S win.

Oh ok, I see how you meant it now after re-reading it.

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

I love the AMG GT S but can't help but wonder how different the results would be if the Turbo & GTR had tires more comparable to those cup 2's. I road around in a supercharged e92 M3 last night that had those tires and they're no joke!

The Dunlop Sport Maxx Race are also cup tires and as such comparable to the Michelins. The Michelins are the newer model though, so that might be a slight advantage. The Dunlop however were also rated quite highly in comparison tests when they came out.

[BLKROKT]

I got to flog the piss out of the GT-S at the Thermal Club last winter, and I can't imagine a more balanced, precise, manageable track weapon out of the box. I said it then that this was more a competitor to the 991 Turbo - not sure why all the mags and talk was about it competing with the non-turbo models. It's crazy to think about what the BS version of this will be like.

[Sticky]

I said it then that this was more a competitor to the 991 Turbo - not sure why all the mags and talk was about it competing with the non-turbo models.

Because they went based on price more than logic. The GT S is a value compared to the Turbo.

[JerryT]

Great comparison although i grow tired of the gtr.