A tuned Nissan GT-R packing 1,400 horsepower has set a world record for the highest speed to enter a sideways drift and avoid overturning, the maker has announced.
The car, known affectionally to fans as Godzilla, was piloted by Japanese drift champion Masato Kawabata when it went crab-style at 304.96 kilometres per hour.
The stunt took place on a runway at Fujairah International Airport in the United Arab Emirates. The rear-wheel-drive Nissan was shod with special tyres to avoid the rubbers coming off during the feat and also sported a set of unique alloy wheels.
Kawabata swung the car sideways when he was travelling 87 km/h faster than the previous record-holder, Poland's Jakub Przygo?ski in a Toyota GT86. The feat is set to enter the Guinness Book of Records replacing the Pole's 2013 record.
Nissan said the drift record demonstrates the stability of the GT-R which normally comes with a modest 600 horses.
dpa
