This fortnight’s Gran Turismo 7 Lap Time Challenge uses the frankly bonkers Nissan Skyline Super Silhouette Group 5 car at the Red Bull Ring.
Added as part of the recent v1.19 update alongside the Porsche 918 Spyder and Maserati A6GCS/53 Spyder, the Nissan was built for the Japanese Super Silhouette Series, which ran from 1979 to 1983.
Every car in this series was based on a road-going model, with manufacturers only needing to retain the original’s engine block and body shape (or silhouette, hence the championship name). This led to some incredible-looking machines with highly-tuned, small-capacity turbo engines.
In the Skyline’s case, its 2.1l four-pot produced upwards of 550bhp and had enough downforce to rival a single-seater. It looked just as fast too, featuring extravagant fins, wings and a hot-rod style set-up: 16-inch front wheels dwarfed by 19-inch wheels across the rear axle.
GT7‘s Lap Time Challenge is a straight-forward time trial mode where you compete against other players to set the fastest time on the leader board. However, there’s a caveat: setting a lap within three per cent of the fastest time nets players 2,000,000 Credits.
If you aren’t quite quick enough for that then lapping within five per cent gains you 1,000,000 Credits, while a time inside 10 per cent of the fastest results in a 250,000 Credits pay-out.
Austria’s Red Bull Ring seems like the perfect location for the Skyline to stretch its legs. Featuring high-speed corners coupled with long straights, players can use the Nissan’s elaborate downforce devices in the curves while also wringing the neck from its Doug Nash five-speed manual gearbox on the three long straights.
Well, you’ll be able to wring its neck once you get over the horrendous turbo lag…
As of the week commencing the 25th of April, if you don’t own the required Daily Races or Lap Time Challenge vehicles then GT7 allows players to rent them. For GT7 newbies, the Sport mode – where you can find the Daily Races and Lap Time Challenge – unlocks after completing Café Menu Book nine.
Recommended car: Nissan Skyline Super Silhouette ’84 (Legend Car dealership, 1,150,000 Credits or free rental)
Lap Time Challenge
Race Information
Car: Nissan Skyline Super Silhouette Group 5 ’84
Track: Red Bull Ring
Entry Period: 4th-18th August
Regulations
Categories: Nissan Skyline Super Silhouette Group 5 ’84
Wide Body: Prohibited
Nitrous: Prohibited
Tyre Choice: Racing: Medium, Intermediate, Wet
Car Restrictions
BoP/Tuning Forbidden: Mid-speed
Car Used: Garage Car, Event-Specified Car
Car Settings: Specified
Race Settings
Track Limit: Normal
Penalty Settings
Shortcut Penalty: Light
