The Nissan GT-R is personally one of my most favourite cars. If I held the winning lottery ticket it would be the first car I would buy, which I would drive to the Aventador garage.! Having owned Nissan 200sx (S13) and now my Skyline R34 I definitely have a soft spot for these iconic Japanese cars.
The 2013 GT-R has a 3.8 litre twin turbocharged V6 engine that produces 550PS@6400rpm.
Nissan chief creative officer, Shirō Nakamura, has likened the new GT-R to the giant robots of the Gundam series.Nakamura stated: “The GT-R is unique because it is not simply a copy of a European-designed supercar; it had to really reflect Japanese culture.”
Nissan’s American designers sculpted the rear three quarters of the vehicle, while their European designers sculpted the roofline.
Polyphony Digital, creators of the Gran Turismo series of motor racing video games, were themselves involved in the development of the GT-R, having been contracted to design the GT-R’s multifunction display.
The Nissan GT-R’s body construction uses Nissan’s Premium Midship (PM) platform with hybrid unibody assembled using high-precision, ultra-low-tolerance jigs similar to racecar construction. Aluminum is used for the hood, trunk lid and outer door skins, with die-cast aluminum front shock towers and inner door structures. All outer body panels stamped using multiple-strike coining process for added rigidity and precision. The GT-R also has a Carbon-composite front crossmember/radiator support. Its paint is an advanced 6-stage paint process with double clear coat and chip-resistant paint in critical areas. An optional color is Super Silver special metallic paint, with 8-stage process, including three cleacoats and hand-polishing to achieve a lustrous, liquid effect. The Premium Nissan GT-R has a body-colored rear spoiler whereas the Black Edition has a dry carbon-fiber rear spoiler. Both the Premium and Black Edition GT-R are fitted with high intensity discharge (HID) headlights, automatic on/off headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights and brake lights, dual heated body-color power outside mirrors, power folding outside mirrors, flush-mounted aluminum door handles, four 5″ exhaust outlets with polished tips and UV-reducing solar glass.
For the 2014 model year, Nissan introduced a limited production Track Edition GT-R, which gets all the same features as the Black Edition, but adds a more aggressive suspension, carbon fiber air inlets, better brake cooling, a unique front spoiler, and new black and gray leather Recaro front seats. Nissan have also removed the rear seats, saving 22 lbs over the Black Edition.
The Nissan GT-R is powered by the VR38DETT V6 engine, a 3,799 cc (3.8 L; 231.8 cu in) DOHC V6 with plasma transferred wire arc sprayed cylinder bores. Two parallel Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) turbochargers provide forced induction. Models manufactured between 2007 and 2010 produce a manufacturer-claimed engine output of 485 hp at 6400 rpm and 434 lb·ft at 3200–5200 rpm. The engine also meets California Air Resources Board Ultra Low Emsission Vehicle (ULEV) standards. A curb weight of 1,730 kg (3,810 lb) or 1,736 kg (3,827 lb) with side curtain airbags is achieved using a jig welded steel chassis with aluminum used for the hood, trunk, and doors. A rear mounted six-speed BorgWarner designed dual clutch semi-automatic transmission built by Aichi Machine Industryis used in conjunction with the Attesa E-TS system to provide power to all four wheels and along with Nissan’s Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC-R) to aid in stability. Three shift modes can also be selected for various conditions. Beginning in 2010, engine power and torque were upgraded to 523 hp at 6400 rpm and 451 lb-ft at 3200–6000 rpm respectively. Models produced in 2012 again featured improved engine output 542 hp at at 6400 rpm and 463lb-ft at 3200–5800 rpm). In the near future, it is speculated that the GT-R might even be available as a hybrid.
2012 Facelift
The revised GT-R features an engine with revised mapping, changes to valve timing, larger inlets and a revised exhaust system which boosts rated power to 530 bhpand 612Nm of torque from 3200 to 6000rpm. Changes also include a new more rigid front strut bar made from carbon composite, larger front brake rotors, new lighter and stiffer wheels, and revised Dunlop tires. Cosmetic changes include a new front bumper with integrated LEDs. The front bumper improves cooling to the radiator and front brakes while reducing drag. A new rear diffuser improves downforce and also includes additional rear cooling ducts. The interior was revised to improve the quality. The revised GT-R went on sale in Japan from mid November 2010 and February 2011 in Europe, North America and other regions.
Spec-V
Nissan introduced the GT-R SpecV on January 7, 2009 at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon. Exterior changes from the base GT-R consist of a carbon fiber rear spoiler, grille, and brake ducts, along with an exclusive Ultimate Black Opal paint job. Interior changes include a set of carbon fiber Recaro front seats with the rear seats being completely removed. Carbon fiber covers the center storage box, instrument panel, and replaces the majority of the interior trim.
The GT-R SpecV is powered by the standard twin-turbo 3,799 cc (3.8 L; 231.8 cu in) V6 with no increase in horsepower. A new high gear boost controller that allows a temporary increase in boost pressure to the IHI twin turbochargers, now larger than those on the standard GT-R, should deliver more torque in mid to high-range revs. Other mechanical changes include a titanium exhaust, reworked suspension, carbon ceramic brakes, and 20-inch (510 mm) Nismo wheels. Overall weight is decreased by 60 kg over the standard GT-R.
Performance
Nissan claims the GT-R can reach a top speed of 193 mph. In tests the original production model was shown to be capable of achieving 0-60 mph times as low as 3.2 seconds using “launch control.”
