Skip advert
Advertisement

Nissan Skyline R34 vs Nissan GT-R video track battle

Two Japanese superstars take to the tarmac in our latest video track battle

The Nissan GT-R is one of our favourite road-going racers - a technological masterpiece that can give supercars a run for their money. It's been on sale for seven years, but the Japanese manufacturer continues to make minor updates to keep the car fresh and as always, brutally fast.

• See all of our latest videos here

Advertisement - Article continues below

It almost seems cruel, then, to put it up against a 16-year-old car with just about half the horsepower. But that's what we did in this battle, putting the GT-R against its predecessor, a 1999 Nissan Skyline R34.

The Nissan Skyline R34 boasts just 276bhp next to the GT-R's 543bhp, and a further 16 years of innovation by the computer wizards at Nissan has left the older car looking rather archaic next to its high-tech successor.

Even a 200kg weight advantage can't help the Skyline R34 and it posts a 49.7 second lap time against the GT-R's 45.7 seconds.

But how do the cars fare when it comes to driving dynamics - arguably more important than outright speed? Watch the video to find out.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best JDM cars: Japan’s greatest performance car legends
Best JDM cars

Best JDM cars: Japan’s greatest performance car legends

Japanese domestic market cars that have changed the car world for the better
Best cars & vans
25 Jul 2026
Official: Nissan GT-R will return and a new Skyline, too
Nissan Hyper Force - front 3/4

Official: Nissan GT-R will return and a new Skyline, too

Godzilla will roar again as CEO promises a new GT-R, plus a Skyline performance icon, as Nissan goes to work on heartbeat models
News
17 Apr 2026
New Nissan GT-R T-Spec 2026 review: a ferocious and fitting farewell
Nissan GT-R T-Spec - front tracking

New Nissan GT-R T-Spec 2026 review: a ferocious and fitting farewell

We take a blast in the final R35 version of Nissan’s performance hero
Road tests
24 Dec 2025

Most Popular

Fancy a cheap used EV? The data says you'd better be quick
Opinion - cheap used EVs

Fancy a cheap used EV? The data says you'd better be quick

A used EV has never had more appeal as the cost of petrol and diesel heads for £2 per litre, says our news editor. But prices are rising, so you’ll ne…
Opinion
24 Sep 2026
New BMW iX3 40 M Sport 2026 review: entry-level SUV isn't a compromise
New BMW iX3 40 M Sport - front tracking

New BMW iX3 40 M Sport 2026 review: entry-level SUV isn't a compromise

Practical, efficient and much cheaper than the xDrive50, we think the base-level BMW iX3 40 is the pick-of-the-range.
Road tests
24 Sep 2026
New Bentley Torcal revealed: brand's first EV is its most powerful car ever
Bentley Torcal - front action

New Bentley Torcal revealed: brand's first EV is its most powerful car ever

Meet the Torcal SUV, the first all-electric Bentley, claimed to ride like a limo and corner like a coupe
News
24 Sep 2026

Find a car with the experts