Check out this Nissan GT-R as it battles a Dodge Challenger Scat Pack for drag race supremacy.
It might look like the GT-R has a distinct advantage here, but don't let the numbers fool you. The Challenger Scat Pack has been specifically designed to drag race and has sophisticated launch control and torque reserve system that was previously employed in the Dodge Demon to ensure that it always has the perfect launch.
The Nissan GT-R doesn't have that. Sure, it has launch control, but the GT-R has a complicated stability and traction control system to go along with its AWD to ensure that it never spins a wheel. This means that it might not have the most explosive starts, but it means the GT-R is about as consistent a vehicle as you can buy.
But just for the sake of argument, let's take a look at the specs. The GT-R has a 3.8-L twin-turbo V6 with either 545 hp or 565 hp, depending on the year it was built. It's hard to tell with GT-Rs since they don't really update the styling year to year, and this particular car has an aftermarket spoiler.
Power is routed through a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission to all four wheels, with the whole package clocking in at just over 3,800 lbs.
Meanwhile, the Challenger has a 6.2-L HEMI V8 with 485 hp and 476 lb-ft of torque. Zero to sixty takes as little as 4.3 seconds. Power goes through either an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual, and judging by the way this car shifts in the video, you better believe it’s a manual gearbox.
In a series of 5 races, we get to see the Challenger line up against the GT-R, have a great launch thanks to its superior drag race tech, and then we see the driver tragically struggle with shifting into second gear. It’s hard to tell if it’s driver error or something physically wrong with the transmission, but only on the last race do we see the Challenger put up an even remotely respectable time.
Check out the video to see what we mean.