Nissan GT-R

The Nissan GT-R is a high performance automobile created by Nissan, released in Japan on December 6, 2007, and expected to be released internationally by the beginning of 2008. Nissan and the automotive press frequently refer to the GT-R as a supercar.

Nissan Skyline GT-R

Between 1969 and 1974, and again between 1989 and 2002, Nissan produced a high performance version of its Skyline range, called the Nissan Skyline GT-R. This car proved to be iconic for Nissan and achieved much fame and success on road and track. The Nissan GT-R, although no longer carrying the "Skyline" badge, has heritage in the Nissan Skyline GT-R. Like the Skyline GT-Rs R32 through R34, the Nissan GT-R is All-Wheel-Drive with a twin-turbo 6 cylinder engine; however, the evolutionary, incremental changes between Skyline models R32 through R34 have been done away with. The four-wheel-steering HICAS system has been done away with, plus the traditional straight-6 RB26DETT engine has been replaced with a new V6 VR38DETT. Because of the GT-R's heritage the chassis code for the all-new version has been called CBA-R35, or 'R35' for short, carrying on the naming trend from the R34 Skyline GT-R.

Concepts

The Nissan GT-R Concept was initially unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2001 to preview what a 21st century GT-R would look like.

GT-R Proto

 

At the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan unveiled a redesigned concept, the GT-R Proto, stating that the production GT-R would be 80-90% based on this concept.

The production version of the GT-R has debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, with its launch in the Japanese market scheduled for 6 December 2007. The U.S. launch will follow in June 2008. Europe will be the third market, where it is expected to be launched late 2008. The large time distance between these releases is due to Nissan having to build GT-R performance centres where the car is built and serviced. Also the engine and rear-mounted dual-clutch gearbox are built by hand, limiting production to around 1000 cars a month. Prices start at $66,675 for the base model, $68,580 for the Black Edition (with forged wheels and black/red leather) and $71,900 for the Premium edition (forged wheels, beige leather seats, Bose premium speakers and a Thatcham alarm as standard fit).

It has already been driven by Autoweek in Germany in the new Nürburgring, in the autobahn and in small roads. Also, photos of the production vehicle were published a week early since Motor Trend broke the embargo.

Specifications

• 3.8 L twin-turbocharged DOHC V6 engine (VR38DETT)
• Induction: Two parallel Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) turbochargers with intercooler
• Power: 480 PS (473 hp/353 kW) @ 6400 rpm
• Torque: 588 N·m (434 ft·lbf) @ 3200-5200 rpm
• Curb weight: 1740 kg (3836 lb)
• ATTESA E-TS all wheel drive with Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC-R)
• 6-speed dual clutch automated manual transaxle with triple cone synchros and 3 shift modes
• Redline: 7000 rpm
• Drag coefficient: C_d of 0.27
• Environmental performance: California ULEV(Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) cleared. 

 Performance

• Top speed: 310 km/h (193 mph)
• Acceleration: 0-97 km/h (0-60 mph) in 3.5 seconds
• (measured Japanese production spec 0-60 mph (97 km/h), 3.3 seconds by Edmunds)
• Standing ¹/₄-mile: 11.6 s at 190 km/h (118 mph)

A test of the Japanese production spec GT-R by online auto-magazine Edmunds provided a 3.3-second 0-60-mph run, and 11.6 at 120.9 mph (194.6 km/h) quarter mile with launch control. Edmunds speculated that faster times may be achievable on better road conditions than provided by the runway which they used for the test. Dynamometer tests on early production versions have shown that the GT-R makes its advertised power at the wheels, which means actual engine output (before driveline losses) could be as high as 550-575 bhp SAE net.

Aftermarket Tuning

The new GT-R has been reported by both the automotive press as well as sources within Nissan as being harder to modify than the previous Skyline GT-Rs, due to the supposedly 'untuneable' ECU, the drivetrain accesories and the design of the turbochargers (integrated into exhaust manifolds). Nissan has also gone through lengths to safeguard the car against modification with sensors alerting the dealer of any performance modifications and nullifying the warranty. However, it has been reported that Nissan has given access to the car to select tuners, already Japanese tuning houses Mine's, MCR and Top Secret have been seen testing modified GT-Rs with the former two having conducted tests at the Tsukuba Circuit.

Motorsport

Nismo, the motorsport arm of Nissan will be entering the Nissan GT-R in the Super GT race series in the GT500 class for the 2008 season, replacing the Nissan 350Z. A prototype has recently been spotted testing around the Suzuka Circuit.

The Nissan GT-R will make it's world motorsport début in Australia's Targa Tasmania tarmac rally.

Design

Nissan chief creative officer, Shiro Nakamura, has likened the new GT-R to the eponymous giant robots of the Gundam series. Nakamura states: "The GT-R is unique because it is not simply a copy of a European-designed supercar, it had to really reflect Japanese culture." Specifically, Nakamura noted that the GT-R's square lines and vents were influenced by Gundam. Designers from Japan, America, and Europe contributed to the final GT-R shape.

Gran Turismo creators Polyphony Digital were themselves involved in the development of the GT-R, having been contracted to design the GT-R's multifunction display.