N1-prepped VZ-R

vs.

Civic Type-R

The mags have all jumped on this wonderful matchup between two of the hottest cars in Japan. You may ask, "Why don't they pin the non-N1 VZ-R against the Type-R?" Fair question. However,the non-N1 VZ-R already has a worthy challenger in the Civic SiR - they both make 175ps. So, the 185ps Civic Type-R takes on the 200ps Pulsar VZ-R. Unfair? A sure blow-out? Wait... Remember, they have the same displacement...

On the straightaway, the N1 VZ-R is undoubtedly faster. The 200ps output is not just in high end - it has more power throughout the powerband. The numbers below don't show it because the VZ-R struggled in the wet condition. Though both cars have the same tires, the VZ-R uses a slightly different compound (suited more for the dry) than that of theType-R.

But there are more differences. The N1 race-prepped VZ-R is essentially the same car as the street-legal VZ-R, plus the better engine. On the other hand, the Type R got an entire makeover - its engine, chassis, body, etc.. This difference shows in the 1 second lap time. (a pretty big difference in a sub-one-minute track) The winner in the curves is the Type R.

Many automotive enthusiasts lament over the fact that Nissan is only going to make 200 N1 VZ-R's. Added to the fact that the N1 VZ-R costs around $5,000 more than the Type R Civic, it makes for a bunch of disappointed Nissan fans.

Here are some times from a test run by BestCar