el_schorpio

Click above to view our massive gallery of the 2009 Nissan GT-R.

Back in the late sixties, automakers sometimes purposely under-reported the true horsepower that their solid-lifter, over-cammed and over-carburetor'd monster V8 engines actually delivered. More recently, some manufacturers have overestimated the real power of their vehicles, which has led some to distrust factory horsepower numbers. Owners of the uber-impressive Nissan GT-R have been wondering if they've been lied to regarding real horsepower figures too. But in this case they may actually be getting more than the 480 horses that they had bargained for. In fact, after considering that the coupe is capable of hitting 123 miles per hour in the quarter mile and the fact that it weighs roughly four-thousand pounds, the New York Times Wheels blog estimates that the GT-R really makes 550-580 horsepower at the crank.

While we are certain that the rabid horsepower wars and the debate over the GT-R's true power as compared to its rivals will rage on, NYT's estimates are actually pretty much in line with what Motor Trend got after putting the Nissan supercar on the dyno, and that's a figure that really can't be argued with. Thanks for the tip, Pete!

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Nissan GT-R

Other languages:

• Michelin’s Active Wheel technology in detail 10-6-2008 21:26
• The Paris Auto Show Press Room Sucks: Top Ten Reasons The Paris Auto Show Press 10-6-2008 00:22
• Exclusive Video and Spy Photos: 2009 BMW Z4 10-6-2008 09:09
• Paris 2008: Alfa Romeo Brera Ti 10-6-2008 09:10
• Tata Nano: Tata Abandons Factory Site, Will They Ever Build The Nano? 10-6-2008 00:22
• 2009 Infiniti G37 Sedan First Drive on Inside Line 10-7-2008 17:56
• Miss TW Steel Holland Crowned at Zandvoort 10-6-2008 21:23
• Euro carmakers want billions in loans, too 10-6-2008 00:22
• Merry Christmas: Envoy, Trailblazer, 9-7X plant closing Dec. 23rd 10-7-2008 10:25
• Chevrolet Traverse Production Begins in Tennessee 10-6-2008 00:22