Forza Motorsport 7: R35 GT-R - then and now

A decade has passed since Nissan unveiled the R35 GT-R at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show and as supercars get more and more advanced, rest assured that despite its near-outdated looks, the R35 GT-R continues to break its limits until the day comes where it will lay to rest and undergo metamorphosis to become more powerful than it ever was. While we wait for that right time to come for Godzilla, it's fair to say that the R35 GT-R remains a classic for car enthusiasts worldwide because such looks and performance makes it a timeless classic.





Here in Forza Motorsport 7, I've been joined by two versions of the R35 GT-R, the 2012MY one and the latest 2017MY one. They're all slightly different but they're still the GT-R we all know and love.

Starting with the 2012 model, this is how I fell in love with the GT-R because of its incredible results compared against the world's best supercars. In its glorious days, it can mince even the most expensive supercars on the planet, probably thanks to its clever launch control feature. On the track, it can easily upset even the mighty Veyron as well. Now, seems that the luck has changed for the GT-R and as cars get more progressive than ever, looks like the GT-R's days are numbered as demonstrated by such humiliating clips where cars like the Aventador and the 911 Turbo S easily beaten the GT-R like a book.





Even the 2017 model couldn't help despite the added power. Sure it can beat the Honda NSX by a long straight but in the end, a Tesla Model S can beat it easily. Worse, it's even heavier than the previous GT-R I fell in love with and with the traction control off, it really doesn't feel like it's off, meaning dreary understeer is very likely for a 4WD JDM monster. Still, despite its faults, I still love the GT-R no matter what that is. This car has been the national treasure for Japan since sushi, anime, origami, even those dreary hybrids.

Speedo boys have been fallen in love with the R35 GT-R since its return a decade ago and as times change, even their favorite cars when they migrated to more powerful machines the Europeans offered, rest assured that in one piece of their memory, they can still remember the good old Godzilla within them because once driven, forever smitten, even when they switched cars.

So, what can I say? How about putting these two versions for a quick lap round the Top Gear Test Track, huh? Sure, I got all of the ingredients here and all it needs now to see which one is the best.

Roll the tape!



And now the results...

1:20.708 - 2017MY GT-R
1:20.808 - 2012MY GT-R

Well, that was kind of anticlimactic. Despite the added power and the improved performance, the 2017MY GT-R performed almost as similar to the pre-facelifted model it replaces. Judging by this result, there's no denying that it behaves pretty much like it was out a decade ago even though they've improved it everything they've got!

The R35 Nissan GT-R has been on the roads for a decade now and with yearly upgrades ever done to keep Japan's premiere sports coupe more enjoyable for many years to come, it still feels pretty much like the one we fall in love with and even though more and more powerful machines coming out to hunt its bumpers to the last drop, the GT-R is always coming back for more fights and it will keep on fighting even if it loses. That's determination to you.

As the car prepares its imminent metamorphoses, what are your wishes for its potential successor? Be more better than it was before? I believe it is and here's hoping we can look forward for its replacement Nissan's working on. Until then, keep driving the R35 GT-R 'till the very end!