Performance Review: Nissan R390 3.5L V8 - [1997]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Nissan R390 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Nissan R390 3.5L V8 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12.This particular Nissan R390 has a 3495cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The R390 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the R390's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1098 kgs (2420 lbs) this makes the Nissan R390 3.5L V8 in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Nissan R390 shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 3495cc 32V V8 engine produces 550 bhp (410 kW) @ 6800 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Turbo V8 throws out 470 lb-ft (637.2 Nm) @ 4400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Nissan R390 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2018 Ferrari Monza SP2 6.5L V12 (525.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Nissan R390.

The Nissan R390 has a Power to weight ratio of 500.9 bhp per ton and 428.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 R390 competing with the 2018 Ferrari Monza SP2 6.5L V12 (525.6 bhp per ton) or the 2013 McLaren P1 3.8 V8 Hybrid (521.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Nissan R390 generating around 428.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 Apollo Intensa Emozione 6.3 V12 (448.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C7 (447.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.9 secs, this made the Nissan R390 3.5L V8 as fast as the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (3.80 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (3.80 secs) the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (3.80 secs) the or the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.80 secs). This Nissan R390 3.5L V8 is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the R390 and the 2013 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG

When talking about the performance of the Nissan R390 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.34 secs @ 132.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG (10.30 secs), the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 PDK 982 (10.31 secs), and the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (10.31 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the Nissan R390 3.5L V8 has a maximum speed of 196mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 R390 equals the 2019 Bentley Flying Spur 6.0 W12 Twin Turbo (207 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1997 Nissan R390 3.5L V8 then how about the 2019 Bentley Flying Spur 6.0 W12 Twin Turbo (207 mph), the 2018 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Convertible (207 mph), or the 2017 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Turbo (207 mph).

Related Links:

1997 R390 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Nissan

Car Comparison