Nissan GT-R (R35) | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Nissan |
Production | December 2007–present |
Model years | 2009–present |
Assembly | Japan: Kaminokawa, Tochigi[1] |
Designer |
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Body and chassis | |
Class |
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Body style | 2-door 2+2 seater coupé |
Layout | Front mid-engine, all-wheel drive |
Platform | Nissan Premium Midship |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 3.8 L twin-turbocharged VR38DETT V6 |
Power output |
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Transmission | 6-speed dual-clutch transmission |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,780 mm (109.4 in) |
Length |
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Width |
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Height |
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Curb weight | 1,703–1,785 kg (3,754–3,935 lb)[2] |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) |
The Nissan GT-R is a high-performance sports car and grand tourer produced by Nissan that was unveiled in 2007.[3][4][5] It is the successor to the Skyline GT-R, a high performance variant of the Nissan Skyline. Although this car was the sixth-generation model to bear the GT-R name, the model is no longer part of the Nissan Skyline model lineup since that name is now reserved for Nissan's luxury-sport vehicles. The GT-R shares the Nissan FM platform with the separate Nissan Skyline luxury car and the Nissan Z sports car.
See also: Nissan Skyline GT-R |
Between 1969 and 1974, and again between 1989 and 2002, Nissan produced a high performance version of its Skyline coupe called the Nissan Skyline GT-R. This car proved to be iconic for Nissan[6][7] and achieved much fame and success on road, track and motorsports.
The GT-R is an entirely new model sharing little with the Skyline GT-R save its signature four round tail lights. Like some later generations of the Skyline GT-R, the GT-R has all-wheel drive with a twin-turbocharged 6-cylinder engine. But the four-wheel-steering HICAS system has been removed and the former straight-6 RB26DETT engine has been replaced with a new VR38DETT V6 engine.[8] Because of the GT-R's heritage, the chassis code for the all-new version has been called CBA-R35 and for later model years as DBA-R35 and 4BA-R35,[9] or R35 for short (where CBA, DBA and 4BA stands for the emissions standard prefix), carrying on the naming trend from previous Skyline GT-R generations.
The GT-R has also retained its Skyline predecessor's nickname, Godzilla,[10] originally given to it by the Australian motoring publication Wheels in 1989 for its R32 generation model.
Nissan showed two GT-R concept cars at motor shows before it unveiled the production model: one at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2001, to preview a 21st-century GT-R;[11] and a redesigned one, dubbed GT-R Proto, at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. Officials said the production GT-R would be 80 to 90% based on the second concept.[12]
In late 2006 and early 2007, Nissan have been spied testing GT-R test mules alongside with a Porsche 911 Turbo (997) in roads such as in Autobahn, New Mexico, California and racetracks such as in Nürburgring, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Sendai Hi-Land Raceway, Sonoma Raceway. At Laguna Seca, the GT-R posted an unofficial lap time of 1:39.62 minutes, a time marginally faster than the 911 Turbo following it which was timed at 1:39.89 minutes.[13][14][15][16][17]
The production version of the GT-R debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, with a lap time of 7:38 minutes at the wet condition Nürburgring Nordschleife beating the all-time sports classic Porsche 911 Turbo as Nissan stated before launching the car.[18] The GT-R launched in the Japanese market on December 6, 2007. The U.S. official launch was seven months later on July 7, 2008 for the 2009 model year. The first production GT-R is owned by Nissan's CEO at the time Carlos Ghosn.[18] Universal Nissan in Los Angeles provided a customer with the delivery of a new GT-R, fresh from the production line at 12:01 am, on July 7, 2008. The Canadian launch was also in July 2008. Europe became the third consumer market, where it launched in March 2009. The large disparity in initial marketing between these regional releases is due to Nissan having to build GT-R performance centers where the car is serviced.
The engines are hand built by only five specially trained mechanics called "Takumi Craftsmens" on a special line at Nissan's Yokohama plant and their names are badged on every GT-R engine. The cars are built at their Tochigi plant on a shared production line. After the production, every single GT-R will be test driven by a professional driver around Nissan's test track.[19][20][21][22][23] Nissan GT-R was the world's first independent transaxle all-wheel-drive vehicle.[24]
Nissan chief creative officer, Shirō Nakamura, has likened the new GT-R to the giant robots of the Gundam series.[25] Nakamura stated: "The GT-R is unique because it is not simply a copy of a European-designed Sports car; 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.[25]
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.[26]
As of 2014[update] the GT-R was the only model built on Nissan's Premium Midship (PM) platform,[27] an evolution of the Front Midship (FM) architecture introduced on the 2001 (V35) Skyline. It is a hybrid unibody assembled on ultra-low-tolerance jigs similar to those used in race car construction. Alcoa aluminum is used for the hood, trunk lid, and outer door skins, with die-cast aluminum front shock towers and inner door structures. Outer body panels are stamped using a multiple-strike coining process for added rigidity and precision. The chassis is stiffened with a carbon-composite front cross member/radiator support.
Nissan developed a 6-stage paint process with a double clear coat and chip-resistant paint for use in critical areas of the GT-R chassis. An optional liquid-effect finish employs a hand-polished 8-stage process with product-specific Super Silver metallic paint and three layers of clearcoat.
The Premium trim for the GT-R has a body-coloured rear spoiler whereas some special editions has a dry carbon-fibre rear spoiler. Both the production and special edition models are fitted with (LED) headlights, automatic on/off headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights and brake lights, dual-heated body-colour power wing mirrors, power-folding side mirrors, flush-mounted aluminum door handles, four 5-inch exhaust outlets with polished tips and UV-reducing solar glass.[28]
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.[29][30] Two parallel Ishikawajima-Harima (IHI) turbochargers provide forced induction.[31] Models manufactured between 2007 and 2009 are rated at a manufacturer-claimed engine output of 358 kW (487 PS; 480 hp) at 6,400 rpm and 583 N⋅m (430 lb⋅ft) at 3,200–5,200 rpm.[29] The engine also meets California Air Resources Board Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards.[29] The standard GT-R and the GT-R Nismo have a drag coefficient of Cd=0.26. lowest drag coefficient for a sports car at the time.[29][32]
A curb weight of 1,740 kg (3,837 lb)[3][33][5] with side curtain airbags is achieved using a jig welded steel chassis with aluminium used for the hood, trunk, and doors.[29] A rear mounted six-speed BorgWarner designed[34] dual-clutch automatic transmission built by Aichi Machine Industry[35] shifting gears in just 0.2 seconds is used in conjunction with the ATTESA E-TS system[36] to provide power to all four wheels, along with Nissan's Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC-R) to aid in stability.[29] But later from 2020 upgrades, gear shifting time decreased to 0.15 seconds.[37] Three shift modes can also be selected for various conditions.[29] The Nissan GT-R features four-wheel 15" floating disc Brembo brakes with monoblock calipers (six-piston on the front; four-piston on the rear).[29][38]
Year | Output | Torque | Source |
---|---|---|---|
2007–2009 | 358 kW (487 PS; 480 hp) at 6,400 rpm |
583 N⋅m (430 lb⋅ft) at 3,200–5,200 rpm |
[29] |
2010–2011 | 362 kW (492 PS; 485 hp) at 6,400 rpm |
588 N⋅m (434 lb⋅ft) at 3,200–5,200 rpm |
[39][40] |
2012 | 395 kW (537 PS; 530 hp) at 6,400 rpm |
607 N⋅m (448 lb⋅ft) at 3,200–5,200 rpm |
[41] |
2013–2016 | 406 kW (553 PS; 545 hp) at 6,400 rpm |
628 N⋅m (463 lb⋅ft) at 3,200–5,800 rpm |
[42][43][44][45] |
2017–present | 421 kW (573 PS; 565 hp) at 6,800 rpm |
633 N⋅m (467 lb⋅ft) at 3,300–5,800 rpm |
[46][47][48][49][50] |
In 2010, for the 2011 model year, 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 395 kW (537 PS; 530 hp)[51] and 607 N⋅m (448 lb⋅ft) of torque from 3,200 to 6,000 rpm. 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 quality. The new model is offered with a new HDD CARWINGS navigation system with enhanced entertainment features and a USB port with iPod connectivity. The revised GT-R went on sale in Japan from mid-November 2010 and February 2011 in Europe, North America, and other regions.[52][53]
In late 2011, Nissan put GT-R mechanicals into a Nissan Juke-R. Up to 23 vehicles were planned. A total of five cars were built by RML – two were wrecked, one left hand drive vehicle was produced for a customer and two were held by Nissan, one left hand drive and one right hand drive. It was not put into production.[54][55]
In 2012, for the 2013 model year, Nissan upgraded the GT-R again with increased power output to 406 kW (552 PS; 544 hp) and 628 N⋅m (463 lb⋅ft) of torque from 3,200 to 6,000 rpm, new flywheel housing and retuned suspension.[56][57]
In 2016, for the 2017 model year, the updated Nissan GT-R has the same twin-turbocharged 3,799 cc (3.8 L; 231.8 cu in) V6 VR38DETT engine but increased the engine output to 421 kW (572 PS; 565 hp) at 6,400 rpm and 633 N⋅m (467 lbf⋅ft) at 3,200–5,800 rpm. The transmission system is also refined to shift the gears smoothly and quieter than before.
Other updates include new front and rear bumpers, improved cooling system and downforce, new leather has been added to the whole interior with a new steering wheel, new 8-inch display infotainment system and redesigned carbon-fibre center console, 20-inch 15 spoke aluminum forged wheels, re-tuned suspension system, titanium exhaust system, and upgraded braking system.[58] Nissan claimed these updates gave GT-R a more comfortable ride, increased acceleration at mid to high rpm (3200 rpm and above) and increased cornering performance. The updates were also applied to the GT-R Track Edition and the GT-R Nismo.[59][60]
In 2019, for the 2020 model year, Nissan updated the GT-R again with minor upgrades. New upgrades includes, re-tuned transmission to shift gears in 0.15 seconds, new lightweight forged aluminum wheels and with new both interior and exterior colour options.[61][30]
Nissan introduced the GT-R SpecV on January 7, 2009, at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon. This version uses carbon fibre trim inside and out, and has no rear seats.[62] In addition, a new colour was introduced limited to the SpecV, LAC Black Opal, The car came with Bridgestone Potenza RE070R street tires.[63]
The GT-R SpecV is powered by the standard twin-turbocharged 3,799 cc (3.8 L; 231.8 cu in) V6. A new high gear boost controller that allows a temporary increase in boost pressure from the IHI twin turbochargers, now larger than those on the standard GT-R, delivering 20 N⋅m (15 lb⋅ft) more torque than the standard GT-R in mid to high-range revs.[63] Other mechanical changes include a titanium exhaust, Recaro bucket seats,[63] reworked suspension, carbon ceramic brakes, and 20-inch (510 mm) Nismo wheels. Overall weight is decreased by 60 kg (132 lb) over the standard GT-R.[64]
Sales began in Japan on February 2, 2009, at seven preselected dealers staffed with specially trained mechanics knowledgeable about racing circuit driving. The SpecV was also sold in Europe and the Middle East. A total of 110 SpecV were built, 77 for Japan, 24 for Europe, 1 for United Kingdom, 7 for Middle East and 1 additional car.
In November 2011, Nissan introduced the Track Pack Special Edition. The model provides racing Track Pack accessories to replace the Spec V version. Including Bilstein adjustable suspension, brake radiator air guide, RAYS forged aluminum alloy wheels, carbon fibre front spoiler with air guide, etc. The rear seat is removed in the car to reduce weight, and it is equipped with high friction special anti-skid Bucket seat. It went on sale on November 24, 2011, and was exported to other regions in January 2012. It is limited to 150 units worldwide.
Auto Express tested the SpecV and posted a 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) time of 3.20 seconds, 1⁄4 mile (400 m) time of 11.5 seconds, pulled 1.12 g on the skidpad and 120.2 km/h in the slalom. An earlier tested Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 resulted in an identical slalom speed but a lower 1.06 g on the skidpad.[65] Japanese motor publication Best Motoring, tested the SpecV around the Nürburgring Nordchleife, achieved a lap time of 7:34.46 minutes in a semi–wet condition track surface.[66]
Nissan introduced the GT-R Egoist (known as VVIP Edition in the Middle East) as the luxury version of Nissan GT-R for the 2012 model year which is only produced for the Japanese, European and Middle East markets with only 43 units. (With 2 VVIP Editions).
The new updates to Egoist include increased engine power output to 537 PS; 530 hp (395 kW) at 6,800 rpm and torque to 607 N⋅m (448 lb⋅ft) at 3,200-5,800 rpm. Nissan improved straight-line performance for this new model with 2.9 seconds of 0 to 60 mph time, and a quarter-mile of 11.2 seconds at 122.7 mph.
Interior upgrades include a Wajima Lacquer steering emblem, exclusive leather and Alcantara suede for instrument panel, console, door trim, rear side, pillar trim and roof trim, new leather interior colour, fabric carpet, leather cleaner, leather car verification case, and leather seats.
For the exterior a new dry carbon-fibre rear spoiler with LED-type high-mount brake light, a titanium muffler, and exhaust system, dedicated emblem, and Rays lightweight forged aluminum wheels with carbon-ceramic brakes.
The VVIP Edition was introduced by Nissan Middle East and it was only sold in the Middle East. VVIP version upgrades include interior colours among 12 choices (four upper area interior colours and seven lower area interior colours), new racing seats, Wajima Lacquer (Maki-e) Emblem on the middle of the steering wheel, new Bose precision sound system and dry carbon-fibre rear spoiler. The wheels, front shells, and some other small components were painted with unique gold paint.
Nissan sold 35 units in Japan, 3 in the United Kingdom, 3 in Europe, and 2 VVIP Editions in the Middle East.[67]
The Black Edition comes with exclusive 20-inch RAYS wheels and a carbon-fibre rear spoiler. Recaro racing seats were commissioned specifically by Nissan for the Black Edition. The interior is finished in red and black leather, but a beige colour known as 'Pale Ivory' is also available. No mechanical changes are made from the standard GT-R.[68]
In a test conducted by Motor Trend, the GT-R Black Edition achieved 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 2.8 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 11.1 seconds at 124.8 mph (200.8 km/h).[69]
In 2013, for the 2014 model year, Nissan introduced a 150 units limited production GT-R Track Edition (also known as GT-R Track Edition Engineered by Nismo) which removes the rear seats (saving 10 kg (22 lb) over the Black Edition) and adds stiffer suspension, carbon fibre air inlets, titanium exhaust, improved brake cooling, a unique front spoiler, and new black and gray leather Recaro front seats.[70][71]
Motor Trend tested the 2014 model year Track Edition GT-R, achieving 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) in 2.7 seconds and 1⁄4 mile (400 m) in 10.8 seconds at 201.3 km/h (125.1 mph).[72] The German car magazine Sport Auto achieved a top speed of 333 km/h (207 mph).[73]
At the 2019 New York Auto Show, Nissan introduced the 2020 model year GT-R Track Edition. The car gets its drivetrain from the Nismo GT-R's twin-turbocharged 3.8 L; 231.8 cu in (3,799 cc) V6 VR38DETT engine with 608 PS; 600 hp (447.5 kW) at 6,800 rpm and 652 N⋅m (481 lb⋅ft) at 3,200-5,800 rpm and gets a 20% of increase in acceleration reaction time compared to the previous model year GT-R Track Editions. Other updates includes a Nismo tuned independent suspension system, new carbon fibre roof reducing weight, Nismo front fenders which is more wider than the standard GT-R, new RAYS 20-inch Nismo forged aluminium alloy wheels with Dunlop 255/40RF-20 run-flat SP Sport Maxx GT 600 DSST Nismo-spec tires, Nismo carbon ceramic brakes and dry carbon-fibre rear spoiler. The Track Edition includes new re-designed red and black colour treatment for interior with high-grip Recaro bucket seats.[74][75]
Nissan introduced the GT-R Gentleman Edition in 2012 for sale only in France and Belgium. Nissan planned to build only 10 units of this model. Based on the 2014 model year GT-R Black Edition, the Gentleman Edition was exclusively in Grey Squale body color and featured "Gentleman Edition" badges next to the front fender vents.
Other upgrades included amber red leather upholstery, individually numbered titanium plaque, hand-stitched leather accents and a bespoke sunglass case.[76]
In July 2013, Nissan introduced the Midnight Opal Special Edition. The production planned to produce 100 units but 115 units were built.[77]
The new model's upgrades include new Midnight Opal special paint colour (which is painted for Nissan Skyline GT-R's special editions), Carbon rear spoiler (with LED high-mount brake light), increased the antifreeze concentration, new RAYS aluminum lightweight forged wheels with a unique hyper titanium colour, Gold aluminum model number plate in engine bay and new SRS curtain airbag system.
Nissan sold 48 units for Japan, 50 for the United States, 3 for Europe, 9 for the Middle East, 1 for Korea and 1 for Taiwan.[78]
Nissan introduced the track focused, GT-R Nismo at 2013 Tokyo Motor Show,[79] as the world's fastest volume production vehicle around the Nürburgring Nordschleife with a lap time of 7:08.679 minutes driven by Nissan test driver Michael Krumm.[80][81]
In the new model, power increases to 447.5 kW (608 PS; 600 hp) at 6,800 rpm and 652 N⋅m (481 lb⋅ft) of torque at 3,200-5,800 rpm. The 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) time changed to 2.5 seconds.[82] The gear-ratios did not change in the dual-clutch transmission. The fuel tank capacity is 74 L (19.5 US gal; 16.3 imp gal). Additional front and rear brake cooling ducts are added, and a full Nismo tuned suspension and brakes are installed, including a hollow 17.3 mm (0.68 in) rear stabilizer bar from the Nismo performance division.
Special edition forged alloys by RAYS in 20-inch size wheels with Nismo-spec Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600 DSST CTT run-flat tires are included. The standard GT-R's aluminum trunk lid is swapped out for a full carbon fibre panel and additional spot welds and adhesive help strengthen the chassis. A front splitter with carbon fibre air ducts up front add to the special Nismo full aerodynamic package, while a large racing-style carbon-fibre wing completes the rear.
Inside, the Nismo edition has special Recaro bucket seats with a black and red colour treatment made with synthetic suede. The instrument binnacle and steering wheel are also covered in Alcantara synthetic suede. The Bose stereo system does not have active noise control. The gauges have some red colour treatment as well. Nismo-specific options are low-gloss matte gray paint and a full titanium exhaust with additional heatsinks. These changes, in aggregate, reduced weight to 1,720 kg (3,792 lb), which is 17 kg (38 lb) lighter than the Standard GT-R, which is the reason that the Nismo GT-R accelerates even faster than before.
At the 2019 New York Auto Show, Nissan unveiled the 2020 model year GT-R Nismo and the 50th anniversary GT-R for the GT-R's 50th anniversary. Updates to the Nismo GT-R include a new "R mode" gear shifting the setting to shift gears more quickly, new turbochargers from the GT3 race car to improve acceleration, lighter RAYS 20-inch forged alloy wheels with specifically developed Dunlop tires for the 2020 model year, GT3-inspired fender vents, lightweight carbon-ceramic brakes which is the biggest brake rotors ever fitted to a Japanese production car, new re-tuned suspension, and the roof, hood and fenders are made with carbon fibre to reduce weight. Nissan says the new GT-R Nismo is faster and more track-focused than previous models, with all new upgrades weight has been reduced to 1,703 kg (3,754 lb), which is 20 kg (44 lb) lighter compared to the 2017 model year GT-R Nismo.[83][84]
Motor Trend interviewed Nissan's Chief Product Specialist (CPS) Hiroshi Tamura. He stated the acceleration from 0 to 80 km/h (0 to 50 mph) is quicker by 2.4 m (8 ft) because of improvement on acceleration and the lap time of the Nurburgring Nordschleife will be quicker by 5 seconds compared to the previous model year GT-R Nismo, because of a 5% improvement in cornering force and better braking performance than them.[85]
Nissan claimed the car can accelerate 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) in 2.5 seconds, and achieve a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph).[86] However in a test conducted by Top Speed magazine, the 2020 Nissan GT-R Nismo accelerated from 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) in 2.48 seconds.[87] According to Nissan, the upgraded GT-R Nismo is 2.5 seconds quicker than the previous model year around Nissan's test track.[88]
A special package for the GT-R Nismo which is outfitted after the purchase of the Nismo model. This package includes the parts which the original GT-R Nismo used to set it's lap time on the Nürburgring. The upgrades include, re-programed ECU, retuned suspension springs and shock absorbers, new anti-roll bars, new front brake pads, a new carbon-fibre front fender with aerodynamic flic, a new carbon-fibre front splitter, and a larger carbon-fibre rear wing with two height and 12 angle adjustment options, new carbon-fibre intercooler pipes, new front and rear limited-slip differentials, new Recaro full-carbon bucket seats and a carbon-fibre bulkhead in place of the back seats. According to Nissan, this package removes 64 kg (143 lb) of weight from the standard GT-R Nismo, and is also available for the 2017 model year GT-R Nismo. This package available as A kit and B kit. These all upgrades includes in the A kit, but in B kit only includes, the suspension system, brake system, stabilizer bars, all carbon-fibre rear wing, front fenders and front splitter, both ESM and TCM and a driver only bucket seat.[89]
For Japan, installation is handled by Nismo Omori factory. For North America and United Kingdom, the conversion is handled by STILLEN and JRM Motorsports respectively.[90]
Nissan introduced a limited production 45th Anniversary Gold Edition GT-R based on the premium package. Ride quality was improved compared to the previous model. It went on sale at the beginning of February 2015.[91]
The car has the twin-turbocharged 3,799 cc (231.8 cu in) V6 VR38DETT engine with 406 kW (545 hp; 553 PS) at 6,800 rpm and 652 N⋅m (481 lb⋅ft) of torque at 3,200-5,800 rpm.
The car painted in a unique gold-coloured paint called Silica Brass, which was earlier used for the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 M-Spec. Other updates include a gold-tone VIN plate in the engine compartment, a commemorative plaque on the interior center console, new LED headlights, taillights, and brake lights, new fully black coloured interior, new 20-spoke RAYS wheels finished in black colour and the limited production vehicle number plate under the hood.
Nissan built 80 units of this edition, sold 25 for Japan, 27 for United States, 5 for United Kingdom, 2 for Mainland Europe, 16 for Middle East, 4 for Australia and one additional car for testing and press use.[92]
To celebrate the GT-R's 50th anniversary, Nissan has announced that, in 2019, they will introduce a limited-production GT-R called the GT-R50. Only fifty of these cars will be produced. The GT-R50 shares its powertrain with the GT-R Nismo but is rated at 530 kW (721 PS; 711 hp) and 780 N⋅m (575 lb⋅ft) of torque.[93][94]
Upgrades to the engine include large diameter turbochargers shared with the GT3 specification GT-R, a heavy-duty crankshaft, pistons and connecting rods, a modified intake system, a new exhaust system, a recalibrated gearbox, and a reinforced differential. The rear suspension system uses Bilstein continuously variable dampers and the car uses carbon-ceramic brakes. The GT-R50 comes standard in 21-inch carbon-fibre wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.
The design of the bodywork is a result of a collaboration between Italdesign and Nissan, with the former celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018. Construction of the bodywork is mainly of aluminum and carbon-fibre.
It was originally shown as a concept car not intended for production. Nissan decided to produce fifty of them to celebrate Nissan's 50th anniversary but it was delayed 2 years to 2020 due to modifications required to make it road legal.
The design was developed by a team of Nissan's European and American designers and has been described as a "car within a car". The front and back sections are designed so they appear to be emerging from the bodywork. Key design elements include a redesigned rear section, stretched LED headlamps at the front, a power bulge on the hood, a lowered roofline, and "Samurai blade" cooling ducts behind the front wheels.[95]
The first production model of the GT-R50 was revealed in May 2020 in Italy. It retains all the design elements of the prototype such as the new headlamps, the bumper designs, splitters, rocker panels, active rear wing, hollow taillamps, and dual tailpipes.[96]
Nissan introduced the GT-R Naomi Osaka Edition for 2019 in September 2018. Nissan described that they made this car to celebrate the partnership with Nissan brand ambassador Naomi Osaka. Nissan planned to build 50 units of this model with the specifications of the GT-R Premium model.[97]
The car came with three body colours including Midnight Opal, Brilliant White Pearl, and Meteor Flake Black Pearl. Both exterior and interior colours matched her. Other upgrades include new Ivory, Amber Red or Tan interior with Urban Black coloured seats, Carbon rear spoiler (with LED high-mount brake light), Gold aluminum model number plate in the engine compartment, SRS curtain airbag system, Privacy glass, increased the Antifreeze concentration and Dark grey front fender outlet ducts.[98]
Nissan introduced the 50th Anniversary Edition for 2019 at the 2019 New York Auto Show. The car has the 3,799 cc (3.8 L; 231.8 cu in) V6 VR38DETT engine with 421 kW (572 PS; 565 hp) at 6,800 rpm and 633 N⋅m (467 lb⋅ft) at 3,200-5,800 rpm.[99]
Nissan introduced two-tone exterior colours – bayside (wangan) blue, with white racing stripes, blue accents on the wheel spokes, and pearl white with red stripes and super silver with white stripes also available for the 50th Anniversary Edition GT-R.
The 50th Anniversary Edition GT-R includes unique steering wheel and shift knob trim, special embossed seats, an Alcantara headliner with unique stitching and Alcantara-wrapped sun visors.[100]
On April 15, 2021, for the 2022 model year, Nissan unveiled a new, built-to-order, special edition of the Nissan GT-R Nismo along with the standard GT-R Nismo and both models are limited to 300 units. It is planned to be launched in Japan in October 2021.[101]
It will be offered in the new, Nismo-exclusive, Nismo Stealth Gray body colour, which was inspired by track tarmacs that the GT-R has set records on and competed on.
The special edition features a Nismo-exclusive clear-coated carbon-fibre hood, which reduces 100 grams of weight compared to the standard GT-R Nismo. The edition-exclusive 20-inch RAYS aluminum forged wheels have a red accent that matches existing accents around the body. The new Nissan logo unveiled on the Nissan Ariya adorns the rear trunk lid and wheel center caps.
The built-to-order special edition uses new, high-precision weight-balanced parts including the piston rings, connecting rods, flywheel, crank pulley and valve springs dialed in with tighter tolerances, delivering snappier revs and quicker turbo spooling.
Each engine is handcrafted by its own takumi technician. The takumi certification plate on the engine is also in an exclusive red colour.[102][103]
On August 6, 2021, Nissan announced, all 300 units were sold out and stopped accepting orders for the GT-R Nismo and Special Edition from customers. According to Nissan, 99% of customers chose to buy the GT-R Nismo Special Edition.[104]
On September 14, 2021, Nissan introduced the T-spec model of the GT-R via the official YouTube channel. T-spec was inspired by words "Trend Maker" and "Traction Master", which were used to represent the first GT-R concept back in 2001. This model will be available only for the Japanese domestic market as a 100 unit limited production model. The T-spec has some exclusive upgrades and changes over the standard GT-R Premium.
Features include Millennium Jade and Midnight Purple exterior colors which were used in Skyline GT-R R34's special editions, exclusive gold and black engine cover, even wider front fenders, carbon-fibre rear spoiler, RAYS forged wheels finished in bronze color, Nismo carbon ceramic brakes, GT-R Nismo air ducts, suspension weight reduction below the springs, T-spec badging in both interior and exterior, new interior with plenty of leather, suede and Alcantara finished in a new color named Mori Green, increased wheel-rim width for better tire rigidity and smooth, sensitive handling, and exclusive carbon-fibre roof and trunk lid for Track Edition T-spec.
The T-spec trim will be available for both Premium and Track Edition GT-Rs. Nissan to begin taking orders from September 15–29, 2021. Sales to begin in the second half of October along with the GT-R Nismo Special Edition for the 2022 model year.[105][106][107]
In 2012, a "Usain Bolt" special edition GT-R was built by Nissan and auctioned off to raise funds for charity along with a display model held in Tokyo, Japan.[108] In 2013, another one was built and delivered to Usain Bolt.[109] Bolt's car has gray wheels, a "Spec Bolt" badge and "white egoist" colour style interior. Its licence plate is 7300GJ, corresponding to Jamaica.
The displayed car has grey chrome wheels but no Bolt Spec badge and a black interior with red accents along the edge of the seat. It has a license plate with the words "MR BOLT" on them. After being displayed, it was moved to the Nissan Heritage Museum, Zama where it is exhibited.
Rod Maher of Australia won the auctioned vehicle at the charity eBay auction. This car delivered as an Australian specification GT-R and has gold wheels, a black interior but no red accents or Bolt Spec badge.[110]
Nissan builds the fastest drift vehicle with support of Nismo by using a 2016 model year GT-R which was specifically tuned for the Guinness World Record for Fastest Drift.
The modifications included power output is increased to 1,029 kW (1,399 PS; 1,380 hp), a racecar spec interior, Greddy Trust's tuning setup, new aerodynamic parts, specially tuned TOYO tyres, new Recaro seats and new RAYS lightweight wheels. Tests began at Fuji Speedway in Japan with a professional drifting driver Masato Kawabata. At the end of the tests the Nissan GT-R broke the record at Fujairah International Airport, UAE.
Three attempts were undertaken by the Nissan Middle East's organization. There were three attempts with driver Masato Kawabata for the record and on the third attempt car broke the record with a trap speed of 304.96 km/h at a 30-degree angle drift.[111]
The Predzilla GT-R was specially built by a 2017 model year Nissan GT-R Premium Edition and donated to the Nashville Predators Foundation. This Nissan GT-R was the main attraction in the Predators Foundation fundraising auction.
This GT-R Premium model is custom-painted in Preds' official colours and graphics and features a carbon fibre rear spoiler, especially blue colour painted RAYS wheels and a black coloured interior.[112]
Nissan built this car to celebrate the release of Gran Turismo Sport and to mark 20 years of Nissan involvement in the Gran Turismo gaming series. This car was extensively modified to be driven entirely by a DualShock 4 controller.
The GT-R/C controlled by Nismo athlete and GT Academy winner Jann Mardenborough around in a cockpit of a helicopter at the Silverstone National Circuit. On Mardenborough's fastest lap which took 1:17.47 minutes, the car averaged 122 km/h and reached a top speed of 211 km/h.
The GT-R/C is fitted with four robots that operate the steering, transmission, brakes, and throttle. Six computers mounted in the rear of the car update the controls at up to 100 times a second.
The unmodified Dual-Shock 4 connects to a micro-computer that interprets the joystick and button signals and transmits them to the cars' onboard systems. The wireless operation has a primary control range of one kilometre.
To help Mardenborough judge the vehicle's speed through the corners, a Racelogic VBOX Motorsport sensor was installed to relay speed data to an LCD display in the helicopter cockpit.
The GT-R/C is also fitted with two independent safety systems operating on different radio frequencies in order to allow two additional operators to apply full ABS braking and cut the engine in the event of the main operator losing control of the vehicle.
In 2018, the Nissan GT-R/C used in a tour of primary and secondary schools in the UK to promote future careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) subjects.[113]
On April 15, 2021, Nissan unveiled a one-Off special version of the Nissan GT-R Nismo. This vehicle is based on the 2022 model year Nissan GT-R Nismo Special Edition and painted gold. In collaboration with McDonald's in Japan, a miniature toy car Nissan GT-R Nismo will be available in the “Tomica Happy Set" (a popular McDonald's meal set for children). To promote this, Nissan and McDonald's held a joint event at Nissan's headquarters in Yokohama.
The Happy Set was on sale for a limited time in Japan, starting on April 30, 2021.[114]
Nissan states the GT-R can attain a top speed of 315 km/h (196 mph)[115] however Motor Trend recorded a top speed of 313.8 km/h (195.0 mph).[116] In tests the original production model was shown to be capable of achieving 0-97 km/h (60 mph) times as low as 3.2 seconds using "launch control".[116] Owners expressed concern that duplicating the times achieved in these tests would void their factory warranty. Nissan's chief engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno has indicated that he has never used the term "launch control", which refers to the act of turning off vehicle dynamic control (VDC) and launching the car at around 4,500 rpm.[117] However, Nissan's director of product planning officer, John Wiener stated in an interview with Jay Leno that "we (Nissan) actually offer a 'launch mode'".[118] The GT-R user's manual states that turning off the VDC is only meant for escaping low-traction situations such as mud or snow. However Nissan used to turn off the VDC during hot laps and time attacks. Nissan has re-programmed the 2010 model year GT-R to reduce the engine speed at launch to around 3,500–4,000 rpm with VDC enabled, which is meant to improve acceleration times. The new programming was also installed on old 2009 vehicles still in Nissan's inventory, and is available for existing 2009 vehicles.[119]
The updated GT-R now has a launch mode called "R-Mode Start". Pushing the three buttons up, includes the Transmission, Suspension and VDC the car gets to "R-Mode Start". The system allows a maximum of 4 consecutive hard launches before locking itself out, after which it can be unlocked by driving normally for 2.4 km (1.5 mi). The increased engine output of later models combined with the "R-Mode Start" has lowered the 0-97 km/h (60 mph) time to 3.2 seconds.[120]
Model Year | Power kW (hp) |
Torque Nm (lb⋅ft) |
0–97 km/h 0–60 mph (seconds) |
400 m 1⁄4 mile (seconds) |
Top speed | Nürburgring Lap Time (minutes) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | 358 (480) | 583 (430) | 3.2[120] | 11.6[121] | 315 km/h (196 mph) | 7:26.70[122] |
2010 | 362 (485) | 583 (430) | 3.2 | 11.3[123] | 318 km/h (197 mph)[124] | n/a |
2011–2012 | 395 (530) | 607 (448) | 2.8 | 11.0 | 320 km/h (199 mph)[125] | 7:24.22[a][126] |
2013–2016 | 406 (545) | 628 (463) | 2.7 | 10.7[127] | 320 km/h (199 mph) | 7:18.6[128][129] |
2015 Nismo | 447 (600) | 652 (481) | 2.5 | 10.8[130] | 330 km/h (205 mph) | 7:08.679[131] |
2017–present[132] | 421 (565) | 633 (467) | 2.7[133] | 10.7 | 328 km/h (204 mph) | n/a |
2020–present Nismo | 447 (600) | 652 (481) | 2.4[87] | 10.8[134] | 330 km/h (205 mph) | 7:03[b][85] |
Testing by Drivers Republic of a GT-R and 911 GT2 in stock form resulted in times of 7:56 minutes for the GT-R and 7:49 minutes for the GT2 respectively in partially damp conditions. While the tester had no doubt that the GT2 could achieve the factory time of 7:32 minutes, he couldn't imagine the customer GT-R going faster than 7:41 minutes in spite of the 7:29 minutes of factory claim.[135]
The German magazine Sport Auto achieved a time of 7:50 minutes on the Nürburgring with a car supplied to them by Nissan during an initial short test in 2007 in partially damp condition.[136] In 2009, in a full "supertest" sport auto achieved a time of 7:38 minutes on the Nürburgring with a standard GT-R driven by Horst von Saurma,[137] identical to a later "supertest" Corvette ZR1 time.[138] In a first test with the 2011 facelifted GT-R model, Sport Auto recorded a lap time of 7:34 minutes on the Nürburgring with a standard GT-R driven by Horst von Saurma.[139]
Note: these tests were done with customer specification vehicles with standard fuel, journalist driver, traffic and electronic stability control (ESC) switched on.
In 2009 Nissan claimed a lap time of 7:26.7 minutes with a 2009 model year GT-R on the base model's run-flat Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600 DSST CTT tires.[140] having previously set a time of 7:29 minutes on standard Bridgestone Potenza RE070R street tires.[141][142] Porsche has claimed Nissan overstated the GT-R's performance in September 2008.[143][144] Porsche claimed to have conducted a test of a factory stock, European market GT-R and achieved a slower time (of 7:54 minutes), apparently implying that the car isn't as fast around this public road as Nissan claims and/or that their driver isn't as talented as Nissan's. Nissan disputed the former and implied the latter claim in October 2008.[145][146]
In September 2010, Nissan's set a Nürburgring lap time using the 2011 model year GT-R with a new facelift. Driven by GT-R's development driver Toshio Suzuki on semi-wet (damp) conditions. and the car set a lap time of 7:24.22 minutes.[147][148]
According to Nissan, the GT-R improved its Nürburgring lap time in October 2012 to 7:19.1 minutes by due to the 2013 model year improvements. This made it the 9th fastest ever production car around the Nürburgring at the time. Nissan claimed that it lost half a second in traffic, making a potential lap time of 7:18.6 minutes possible.[149][128]
In February 2013, Nissan opened the new Nismo headquarters in Yokohama. Nissan's CEO Carlos Ghosn planned to introduce the GT-R Nismo within a year as the leading Nismo brand and attempt a production vehicle lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. On May 18 development began, with Nissan's chief vehicle engineer Noboru Kaneko leading the joint Nismo and Dunlop Tyres effort to set the production vehicle lap record at the Nürburgring.
On June 26, the team started testing with standard GT-R's at Sendai Hi-Land Raceway. On July 16, the team visited the Nürburgring and collected data to aid development, and the team builds the GT-R Nismo and its aerodynamic development was finalized after testing it at the Sendai Raceway on July 24.
On September 2, the team returned to the Nürburgring with three GT-R Nismo cars and four drivers with two laps for each driver. drivers included Infiniti Red Bull Racing third driver Sébastien Buemi, Nismo global brand ambassador and racer Michael Krumm, German touring car driver Armin Hahne, and a Japanese driver, Tetsuya Tanaka. team stopped all the tests of GT-R Nismo and on September 30, the team was aiming for a lap under 7:10 minutes, Armin Hahne and Tetsuya Tanaka didn't get close to the target record but Sébastien Buemi did a lap time of 7:12 minutes on his first lap, on his second lap he stopped to take some fuel out to reduce the weight. On the way to do a lap time under 7:10 minutes, the car ran out of fuel. Michael Krumm did his first lap time of 7:10 minutes.
At 4:48 p.m just twelve minutes before the Nordschleife was scheduled to close, and five minutes before the rain, Michael Krumm did his second lap time of 7:08.679 minutes and achieved a peak speed of 310 km/h (193 mph) on the Dottinger Hohe uphill climb, Nissan claimed it was the fastest road-legal volume/series production vehicle, Also, it was the second fastest road-legal production vehicle around the track at the time.
After setting the lap time, the Nismo team invited the Car and Driver journalist Tony Quiroga to attempt the fastest lap time with a passenger at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Michael Krumm drove the GT-R Nismo with the journalist and set a lap record for fastest production vehicle with recorded with a passenger around the track with a lap time of 7:19.46 minutes with a peak speed of 303 km/h (188 mph) on the Dottinger Hohe uphill climb.[150][151][152][153][154]
In November 2009, the GT-R set a lap time, at the Driving Center Groß Dölln circuit in 1:27.30 minutes, which was the fastest for a production vehicle at the time. And it was done by German car magazine Auto Bild in a comparison test, beating a Porsche 911 Turbo.[155]
In a Autocar magazine comparison test between a GT-R, Porsche 911 Turbo and Audi R8, the GT-R set a production car lap record at Castle Combe Circuit with a lap time of 1:14.60 minutes.[156]
By Best Motoring, the GT-R did a 2:07 minute lap time around the Twin Ring Motegi GP Circuit, making it the fastest production car around the track at the time.[157]
In September 2009, Car magazine conducted a test of the GT-R at the Zwartkops Raceway. The car set a 1:11.55 minute lap time, fastest time recorded in a production vehicle at the time.[158]
In January 2011, in a Best Motoring test, the GT-R ran a 1:34.65 minute lap time around the Sportsland Sugo Circuit, making it the fastest production car around the track at the time.[159]
In February 2012, Motor Trend conducted a comparison test between the GT-R, Corvette C6 Z06 and Mustang GT500. According to results from the test, Randy Pobst drove the GT-R around the Willow Springs-Street of Willow and set a lap time of 1:20.25 minutes.[160] This made it the fastest production car around the track at the time. Later in May 2013, the same magazine tested a GT-R Track Edition to break the lap record with a 1:19.55 minute lap time.[161]
In August 2015, Auto Bild tested the GT-R on the 3.8 km course of the Contidrom race track. They achieved a lap time of 1:30.73 minutes, making it the fastest production car around the track at the time.[162]
In August 2015, Auto Express conducted a comparison test between the GT-R and the Skyline GT-R R34 at the Llandow Circuit. The GT-R set a lap time of 45.70 around the track, fastest lap time recorded in a production. vehicle at the time.[163][164]
In June 2014, the Nissan GT-R Nismo was revealed at the Goodwood Festival. The car ran on the Goodwood Hill climb, driven by Jann Mardenborough, set a time of 49.27 seconds, making it the fastest road-legal production vehicle up the hill.[165]
On August 13, 2014, German car magazine Sport Auto tested the 2015 model year GT-R Nismo at the Nurburgring GP 5.15 km circuit, driven by Christian Gebhardt, set a new road-legal production vehicle lap record around the track with 2:13.80 minutes of lap time.[166]
In September 2014, Motor Trend conducted a test using the 2015 model year Nissan GT-R Nismo at Willow Springs - Street of Willow circuit. The test driver Randy Pobst set a lap time of 1:19.07 minutes and making it the fastest road-legal production vehicle around track. The 2014 model year GT-R Track Edition lapped in 1:19.55 minutes and took the second place, 2012 model year GT-R Premium lapped in 1:20.25 minutes and took the third place of the road-legal production vehicle lap records around track.[167][168]
In February 2015, Motor Trend tested a comparison with the GT-R Nismo and the Corvette C7 Z06, On the track test, test driver Randy Pobst drove the GT-R Nismo at Willow Springs Circuit set a new road-legal production vehicle lap record around the track at the time with a lap time of 1:25.70 minutes.[169]
On December 8, 2017, in a test conducted by Nissan for 50th anniversary of the GT-R, a 2018 model year Nissan GT-R Nismo, driven by Kazuo Shimizu, set a lap time of 1.00.293 minutes on the Tsukuba Circuit – making it the fastest road-legal production vehicle around the track at the time.[170][171] On December 9, 2019 Nissan again broke the own record of the fastest road-legal production vehicle around the track using a 2020 model year Nissan GT-R Nismo, driven by Tsugio Matsuda, set a lap time of 59.361 seconds. And the car became the first production car to lap the circuit under one minute.[172][173]
In 2018, Nissan conducted a test on the INTA Circuit in Spain, driven by Marc Gené with a 2017 model year GT-R Nismo, GT-R Track Edition, and a GT-R Premium. The GT-R Nismo set a new road-legal production vehicle lap record around the track with a lap time of 1:05.83 minutes. The GT-R Track Edition lapped in 1:06.39 minutes and took second place, GT-R Premium lapped in 1:06.93 minutes and took the third place of the road-legal production vehicle lap records around the track.[174]
The Nissan GT-R have been praised by various magazines, television series and automotive publications for its ultimate performance capabilities and practicality. Continuing its predecessors nicknames such as "Godzilla" and "Supercar Killer" since its debut in 2007.[175][176] By producing a performance same as or even more than its competitors within a half of their's price, aftermarket modification, tunability and reliability. Also, highly notable Nürburgring lap times and bringing new technologies to the automotive industry by being such as first rear mounted independent transaxle vehicle at the time, one of earliest vehicles to use a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and launch control.
Motor Trend called the GT-R as "Godzilla" in their reviews, tests and drag races, At the first acceleration test in 2009. They praised GT-R's launch control by stating "BAM! The GT-R leaves the line like an arrow from a cross-bow. From the outside, the rear tires spin for a little over a foot, the fronts never visibly slip. The acceleration screen on the center dash confirms the test equipment's assertion that longitudinal acceleration of at least 1.0 g persists for almost two seconds. No wonder the forged-aluminum rims have little knurled ridges to keep the tire beads from slipping."[177] Also, stating "GT-R appear to dodge the laws of physics" because of being faster than a any Porsche, Lamborghini or a Ferrari they have ever tested. While criticized it for not being offered with a manual transmission and interior quality. However they named it as the 2009 Motor Trend Automobile of the Year.[178]
At Car and Driver's first test, they gave the verdict for the GT-R as "Prejudged on its specs, the GT-R is winning on appeal." Because of it's acceleration, handling and practicality performance.[179] Edmunds also praised the GT-R by stating "The Nissan GT-R delivers true supercar performance in a user-friendly package for less coin than a base Porsche 911" also claiming "GT-R can get you to 60 mph faster than any Ferrari or Lamborghini currently in production".[180]
Top gear magazine praised the GT-R by stating "This car is the greatest performance bargain of this or any other century, and is one of the most incredible cars of any kind ever built. For the price of a BMW M3, you have a four-wheel-drive, super-high-tech, all-weather, 195mph supercar with tremendous ability on all roads and an almost impossibly cool image. And a boot".[181]
At the first test of Road & Track, they gave a positive verdict about the GT-R. Stating "The power from the GT-R's engine is phenomenal. Not because it has so much of it, but because it's delivered in such a smooth, naturally aspirated fashion. The smaller turbos of the GT-R spool up more quickly than the Porsche's, giving the effect of no lag. Its engine note, however, doesn't stir my sensibilities the way the Z06's and the 911 Turbo's do," and also "The GT-R responds best when thrown into corners with gusto. Under braking with a bit of turn to the steering wheel, the GT-R's back end will come into play to help you tighten the corner line a bit, but never so much as to make the car unstable. Steering effort is light, and the all-wheel-drive system takes much of the drama out of exiting corners," about the practicality of the car magazine states "There's plenty of room for a big guy and a back seat that can be used by shorter folks on the occasional run to lunch. The ride is on the harsh side, even with the suspension setting switched to full comfort. The various screens of the monitor are neat, though some of the materials here could be better. But could I spend all day in the car? You bet," at the end the magazine gave the GT-R a positive verdict by stating "fact it wears a Nissan badge — the GT-R might well be considered the most exotic car on the planet".[182]
Autocar magazine, Chris Harris criticized the GT-R for giving a harsh/uncomfortable ride, stating "With the three-way dampers set to hard it is undriveable". But praised its performance and drivetrain by stating "There is only one performance car with a better powertrain than the GT-R, and it is made by Bugatti at considerable cost. With the double-clutch gearbox set to automatic you only feel a slight judder from first to second and thereafter it is, for want of a less sickly phrase, seamless" and "there is real sophistication to the way it handles. And, unlike its predecessor, the R35 doesn’t just spit you in to oversteer. It simply catapults you away from slow turns". At the end motor journalist stated "I want one now! If you can’t wait for a UK car some time next year then you’ll need to personally import one. But believe me: if you're after the ultimate performance weapon of the moment, there is every reason to. This is the best value performance car on the planet".[183]
In an episode of Top gear television series, the show presenter Jeremy Clarkson praised the GT-R acceleration by stating "I think they've put a million horsepower engine, because the acceleration is blistering, its just savage!, God! face-ripping". Also, mentioned about its cornering performance, by stating "they (Nissan) haven't build a new car here, they built a new yardstick" and, "it corners faster than electricity". At the end the presenter ended up getting a neck injury because of driving the GT-R faster around the corners at Fuji Speedway.[184]
In another episode of Top gear, the show presenter James May took a GT-R to test its launch control. After his first run using launch control, he stated "that's tremendous, I've never gone off the line that well in a car". Jeremy Clarkson also stated "there's no car that accelerates when you look from 30 yards like this one does". Also, both of them said "I want it (a GT-R)".[185]
In an episode of the Fifth Gear, Jason Plato praised the GT-R after driving it around a racetrack. Praised its acceleration and cornering performance and stated "its (GT-R) a great car, its a fantastic fun, its great value for money, we like it, we like it a lot".[186]
Jay Leno, in his television show, praised the GT-R's performance and overall practicality for a sports car by stating "I'm starting to feel that I could get emotionally involved with this car... Let me drop it down a gear and see... Check the pull!... OK, I think I'm emotionally involved. Time to call my wife. Honey, I met something, another car. Not to take your place, just something different."[187]
The Nissan GT-R had various motorsport success in motor racing, drag racing, time attack, hill climbing and drifting. In motor racing the GT-R won championships and had success in Super GT Series, RAC Tourist Trophy, FIA GT1 World Championship, Pirelli World Challenge, Intercontinental GT Challenge, Dubai 24 hour, 24 hours of Nürburgring, Bathurst 12 Hour, 24 hours of Spa, Blancpain Endurance Series and Super Taikyu Series.
Nismo, the motorsport arm of Nissan, entered the Nissan GT-R in the Super GT race series in the GT500 class for the 2008 season, replacing the 350Z.[188]
The 2008 GT500 version of the car has a completely different drivetrain compared to the production car. The race car is upgraded to a VK45DE 4.5-litre naturally aspirated[189] V8 instead of the twin-turbocharged VR38DETT V6 engine. It uses a 6-speed sequential manual gearbox and a rear-wheel-drive layout from its predecessor, the 350Z race car.[190]
A prototype was spotted testing around the Suzuka Circuit as well as Fuji Speedway in Japan.[191][192] The car went on to win the opening race of the 2008 Super GT season at Suzuka scoring a one-two finish for Nissan.[193] In race two, the GT-Rs repeated their 1–2 result. It won the drivers' championship in the 2008 season through the Xanavi Nismo GT-R driven by Satoshi Motoyama and Benoît Tréluyer, although they only came third in the teams' championship. It also won 7 out of 9 races by 4 different teams using GT-Rs.
The GT500 version scored 4 victories in the 2009 Japanese SUPER GT Series GT 500 class.
In 2010, the VK45DE 4.5-litre engine was replaced by a newly developed 3.4-litre engine (VRH34A).[194]
In 2011 and 2012, Team Mola GT-R with drivers Ronnie Quintarelli and Masataka Yanagida got back to back championships in both teams' and drivers' classifications in the Super GT500 class.[195]
In 2014, the Super GT regulations were aligned with those of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, and so the V8 engine was replaced with a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine.[196]
The GT-R won championships of the GT500 class in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015 seasons. It also won championships of the GT300 class in the 2015 and 2020 seasons. After the 2021 season, Nissan announced that the GT-R will be retired from Super GT because regulation changes made the GT-R uncompetitive since the 2015 season. However, along with its 5 championships the GT-R has won 41 races and scored 55 podiums from 112 race starts, making it one of the most successful GT500 race cars. The GT-R will be replaced with the newly updated GT500-spec Z car in the 2022 season after the model's 15-year absence.[197]
On February 27, 2009, Nismo announced a partnership with British racing team Gigawave Motorsports to enter a GT-R in four races in the 2009 FIA GT Championship season. The entry did not compete for championship points but was used by Nismo to refine the performance of the GT-R for future customer teams to use the car in the planned FIA GT1 World Championship in 2010. Nismo driver Michael Krumm and Gigawave driver Darren Turner would co-drive the GT1 GT-R.[198]
The Sumo Power GT-R won the 2010 RAC Tourist Trophy at Silverstone Circuit as part of the FIA GT1 World Championship on May 2, 2010.
The 2011 season saw Swiss Racing Team switch to Lamborghini which left Sumo Power running four GT-Rs, two under the Sumo Power GT name and two under JR Motorsports.
JR Motorsports with the drivers Michael Krumm and Lucas Luhr won the Drivers Championship for the 2011 season, gaining 3 wins and 1 pole position in 10 races. The team got second place in the teams' championship because in the last race the No.23 car retired from a crash and the No.22 car had a penalty when leading in the first place of the race and finished at 8th. End of the race team behind by just 3 points by the team champions.
Designed and produced specifically to compete in the FIA GT1 World Championship, the GT-R GT1 is based on the road-going version of the Nissan GT-R. The GT-R GT1 is powered by a Nismo race-prepped VK56DE, a naturally aspirated V8 engine that displaces 5,552 cc. It measures 2,040 mm (80.3 in) in width, 4,730 mm (186.2 in) inches in length, and has a wheelbase of 2,780 mm (109.4 in).[199]
The GT-R Nismo GT3 is powered by the VR38DETT, a twin-turbocharged V6 engine that displaces 3,799 cc. It measures 80.15 inches in width, 188.19 inches in length, and has a wheelbase of 109.45 inches.[200]
For the 2018 model year, GT-R Nismo GT3 slightly had new upgrades, including, 5.9 inch (150 mm) lowered engine by using a thin oil pan by implementing a dry sump oil system, entire powertrain has been lowered, the engine slightly moved backwards, re-tuned suspension now with double-wishbone setup for rear, air flow inside the engine compartment has been optimized, modified radiator, air inlet, air outlet and a intercooler, lowered seating position, optional air conditioning system to keep driver in perfect condition, re-designed steering wheel and center console switch panel.
These upgrades led the GT-R Nismo GT3 to reduce weight by 15 kg (33 lb), which is now at 1285 kg (2832 lb), lowered center of gravity to improve driving stability and handling and downforce also have been increased while reducing drag.[201][202]
The GT-R Nismo GT3 won the 2015 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour driven by Katsumasa Chiyo, Wolfgang Reip, and Florian Strauss. The Nismo team returned to the Mount Panorama Circuit for the 2016 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour where after qualifying a disappointing 13th, Chiyo, Strauss and Nissan Australia's Rick Kelly finished in second place, only 1.2 seconds behind the race-winning McLaren 650S GT3 from Tekno Autosports. The Nismo Athlete Global Team led the most laps in the race having led for 107 of the 297 laps run.[203]
In addition, a GT-R Nismo GT3 won the Pro-Am cup championship at the 2013 Blancpain Endurance Series.[204] but in two years later Nissan GT Academy won the championship at the 2015 Blancpain Endurance Series which was the world's biggest GT championship at the time.[205][206] and also it won the Super Taikyu Series and Super GT for several times respectively. As well as the championship at the Blancpain Endurance Series, at the 2015 Dubai 24 hour, Nissan GT Academy RJN team finished 2nd at its class and became 5th at overall standings.
In Super Taikyu Series, the GT-R Nismo GT3 won several championships of seasons. Including 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019 season's championships.
In 2016, it won in all six races for the Super Endurance Series, easily winning the series championship. At the Total 24 Hours of Spa, the car finished all the races consecutively 4 years in a row between 2014 and 2017, as well as finishing 24 Hours Nurburgring consecutively between 2014 and 2016.[207]
In 2017, Nissan (Nismo) officially stopped competing on international GT3 racing to enter Formula E. But private racing teams continued in racing with customer spec GT-R Nismo GT3 race cars.[208]
A production-based GT-R made its world motorsport debut in Australia's Targa Tasmania tarmac rally in April 2008,[209] however it sustained damage early in the event and did not complete the rally.[210] Later in 2008 a GT-R won the Competition Modern class in the Targa West[211] before returning to Targa Tasmania in 2009 to take the outright win in the Modern class.[212] In 2009 Nissan's GT-R won the One Lap of America competition.[213] In 2010 the GT-R finished 2nd over all in the One Lap of America competition.
During the 2010 SCCA World Challenge season, a pair of GT class GT-Rs were campaigned by Brass Monkey Racing and driven by Steve Ott and Tony Rivera.[214]
On June 4, 2010, Nismo announced a Club Track Edition[215] GT-R available via its Nissan supported Omori aftermarket factory. This domestic market trim is a non-street legal, race-ready variant equipped with a 6-point roll cage and upgraded with the Nismo race package developed through its Tokachi endurance racer program.
On June 25 and 26, 2011, the No. 71 Schulze Motorsport Nissan GT-R took part in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring 2011 driven by Michael Schulze, Tobias Schulze, Kazunori Yamauchi and Yasuyoshi Yamamoto. The car finished the race in 36th place overall, achieving a victory in the SP 8T class after overcoming several technical problems.[citation needed] It was the first time a Nissan GT-R took part in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. In 2013, Nissan participated the SP8T class with 2 Club Track Edition GT-Rs as a works team, which driven by Team Nissan and Team GT Academy, both cars completed a 1–2 finish in it's class and 30th and 99th in overall driven by Lucas Ordonez, Kazunori Yamauchi, Yasukichi Yamamoto and Tobias Schulze and Michael Krumm, Toshio Suzuki, Kazuki Hoshino, Tetsuya Tanaka respectively.[216]
Despite early concerns about the difficulty of modifying the Nissan GT-R, many aftermarket tuning parts have become available. The previously reported "untunable" ECU has since been hacked by several tuning houses.
COBB Tuning was the first company to access the GT-R's encrypted ECU.[217] With their AccessPORT anyone can reprogram both the engine and transmission control units with off the shelf or custom maps. Mine's also has limited control of the ECU, and others (MCR,[218] HKS, and Top Secret) have bypassed the unit. They have been seen testing modified GT-Rs with the former two having conducted tests at the Tsukuba Circuit.[219][220]
Ecutek tuning, on the other hand, was the first company to manipulate and change shift points on the GT-R in the TCM (Transmission Control Module) on automatic mode. This can be done at will by the driver. Ecutek also allows the driver to adjust launch control on the fly available with a wrap-around boost gauge that can read over 20 PSI.[221] Like COBB Tuning, Ecutek currently offers engine tuning on the ECU and TCM with different launch control software from LC1 up to LC5.[222] On January 16, 2013, Ecutek also became the first company to construct and offer Flex Fuel hardware and software capability for all Nissan GT-Rs. This fuel kit requires the Ecutek specific TCM. The kit provides changes in the cold start cranking compensation, changes to the maximum target boost, changes in the ignition timing, changes to target airflow, changes in cam timing, and changes in the fuel economy gauge reading all based solely on ethanol content in the gas tank.[223]
Japan based tuner Mine's has created the VR38DETT super response engine which uses lightened engine internals like titanium rods, lightened pistons and many other components that allow the engine to rev more quickly, it makes 588 kW; 789 hp; 800 PS.[224][225]
AMS Performance, Alpha Logic Performance, and Extreme Turbo Systems all build drag cars and aftermarket tuner parts for the Nissan GT-R.
In a review by Motor Trend editor Scott Kanemura, it was revealed that the GPS system fitted to the GT-R would remove the 180 km/h (112 mph) speed limiter when the car arrives at a race track, but only on tracks approved by Nissan. Aftermarket ECUs have been developed to bypass the speed limiter, in addition to stand-alone speed-limiter defeaters. The GPS check will not be implemented in American models.[226]
In August 2008, Nissan's official motorsport and tuning arm Nismo announced the "Club Sport" tuning package for the GT-R . The package, which is also fitted to the SpecV,[227] includes Bilstein Damptronic compatible dampers, 20" forged aluminum wheels from RAYS Engineering, Bridgestone run-flat tires, Recaro carbon fibre-shelled bucket seats, a titanium exhaust, and a revised rear diffuser with an added cooling duct.[228] The package is supported by a warranty and saves over 20 kg (44 lb).
AMS Performance, based in West Chicago, Illinois, has set record power levels and performance numbers for the GT-R. Their Alpha Omega GT-R as well as the first GT-R to reach the 9's, 8's, and 7's. In June 2013, OMEGA broke into the 7s when it ran a 7.98 at 299.56 km/h (186.14 mph). During the evening of the 7-second pass, Omega broke a couple of other records. Omega bested its previous 97–209 km/h (60–130 mph) time with 2.67 seconds. Omega also broke the 161–241 km/h (100–150 mph) record which was previously held by an Underground Racing TT Gallardo (2.58 seconds) with 2.45 seconds. But in June 2015, the Alpha Omega GT-R get generating over 2050 HP and boasts 0–60 mph time of 1.49 seconds. Omega set multiple world records at the WannaGoFast 1/2 Mile Shootout at Built Field Airport in Monee, Illinois which included: 361.8 km/h (224.91 mph) in a standing 1/2 mile; 97–209 km/h (60–130 mph) time in 2.28 seconds; 0–161 km/h (0–100 mph) in 2.78 seconds; 0–300 km/h (0–186 mph) in 7.07 seconds; 0–322 km/h (0–200 mph) in 10.49 seconds. the Alpha Omega GT-R did its best quarter-mile time in 7.49 seconds at 310 km/h (193 mph). making it the quickest and fastest GT-R and road-legal vehicle in the world. and the car won the King Of The Streets competition two times in a row. The AMS Performance Alpha Omega package functions more as a shop/research and development vehicle which is the reason why it is not available to the general public. However, anybody can purchase the Alpha 6, Alpha 9, Alpha 10, Alpha 12, Alpha 14, Alpha 16, and Alpha X packages; each respectively with approximately 600, 900, 1000, 1200, 1,400, 1,600, 2,200 wheel horsepower when installed and tuned.[229][230]
In 2017 AMS Performance build a GT-R calls Alpha-G GT-R and the car will be the first Nissan GT-R to do a quarter-mile in 6 seconds. The car ran it from 6.937 seconds driven by Gidi Chamdi with a trap speed of 315.36 km/h (196 mph) and held the fastest AWD record.[231] But Later ETS (Extreme Turbo Systems) GT-R broke the record with 6.88 seconds of quarter-mile pass at 358.80 km/h (223 mph). And it became the world's fastest car at a standing half-mile with a trap speed of 410.29 km/h (255 mph).[232]
In December 2018, the Alpha Logic Performance from Dubai set the quarter-mile record for fastest GT-R and fastest AWD using their "Panda" GT-R in 6.582 seconds at 373.82 km/h (232.28 mph).[233][234] But in 2019 Import vs Domestic finals the 3500 horsepower and 100 PSI of boost ETS-G GT-R broke the quickest and fastest GT-R, AWD and Stock Unibody world record. Car ran the 1/4 mile in 6.56 seconds and a trap speed of 362.02 km/h (225 mph). And won the competition by beating the Alpha Queen GT-R which is ran a 6.87 second quarter mile.[235]
At the Dragtimes Competition in Russia, the AMS Alpha 12 GT-R broke the fastest road-legal standing 1 mile record driven by Jury with a trap speed of 382 km/h (237 mph) but later the record broken by a 2500 whp Ford GT.[236] Later in the same competition, Switzer Goliath GT-R broke the quickest road-legal standing 1 mile record in 22.602 seconds with a trap speed of 402 km/h (250 mph).[237][238]
Modified Nissan GT-Rs have competed in time attack challenges, especially for WTAC (World Time Attack Challenge). Time attack GT-Rs have been fielded by HKS, Precision Automotive Racing and LYFE.
In 2015, the HKS GT-R became the fastest time attack GT-R, it has the same VR38DETT engine generating over 1200 horsepower. It became the fastest vehicle at Fontana, California, Fuji Speedway (with a peak speed of over 322 km/h (200 mph) and in Sydney Motorsport Park. the car competed at the 2015 WTAC and won the GT-R R35 class with the fastest lap record of 1:30.838 minutes.[239] But in 2017, LYFE's 1136 horsepower GT-R broke all HKS's records and won the title as fastest time attack GT-R at the WTAC.[240]
In 2017 WTAC, Precision Automotive Racing's GT-R, driven by Aaron McGranahan, set a peak speed of 269 km/h (167 mph) and won the Flying 500 class title.[241]
The Nissan GT-R has competed in both stock and modified forms in many hill climbing competitions, such as the Jaguar Simola Hill Climb in South Africa.
At the 2019 Jaguar Simola Hill Climb, the Nissan GT-R was named the most successful supercar. In the final Top 10 Shootout event, Kyle Mitchell won the event, setting a time of 40.862 seconds and becoming the fastest road-legal vehicle.[242][243]
In February 2016, using a modified 2016 model year GT-R, Masato Kawabata set a new world record for the fastest 30-degree drift at approximately 304 km/h at the Fujairah International Airport.[244]
On the August 13, 2014, Mike Newman broke the record for the "Fastest speed for a car driven blindfolded" in a Nissan GT-R modified by Litchfield Motors (UK).[245]
Year | Award and Title |
---|---|
2007 | Top Gear Awards – Sports Car of The Year[246] |
2008 | Autocar – Drivers Car of the Year[247] |
2008 | Evo Magazine – Car of the Year[248] |
2008 | Auto Express – Sports Car of The Year[249] |
2008 | Auto Express – Performance Car of The Year[249] |
2008 | Japan's Most Advanced Technology Award[250] |
2008 | Vehicle Dynamics International – Car of The Year[249] |
2008 | Japanese Performance – Car of The Year[249] |
2008 | Performance Car – Car of The Year[249] |
2008 | CAR Magazine – Best Car of The Year[249] |
2008 | Popular Mechanics – Automotive Excellence Awards 2008 (Design)[251] |
2009 | Automobile Magazine – Automobile of the Year[252] |
2009 | What Car? – Performance Car of The Year[249] |
2009 | MotorWeek – Driver's Choice Awards 2009– Best Performance Car |
2009 | Edmunds.com – Edmunds' Inside Line Editors' Most Wanted Awards: Instant Classic[253] |
2009 | Motor Trend – Motor Trend Car of the Year[254] |
2009 | Popular Science – Auto Tech Grand Award Winner[255] |
2009 | International Car of the Year[256] |
2009 | World Performance Car[257] |
2009 | Guinness World Records – Fastest 0–60 mph acceleration by a four-seater production car[258] |
2010 | Yahoo – Listed as having one of the best resale values of any sports car.[259] |
2010 | Top Speed – Sports Car of the Year[260] |
2011 | Motor Magazine – Performance Car Cup Winner[261] |
2011 | Motor Trend – Best Driver's Car 2nd place[262] |
2012 | Motor Authority – Best Car to Buy Nominee[263] |
2012 | Motor Trend – Best Driver's Car 3rd place (Black Edition)[264] |
2013 | Women's Car of The Year – Best Dream Drive[265] |
2014 | Robb Report – Best of The Best Honoree[266] |
2014 | Motor Trend – Best Driver's Car 4th Place (Nismo Edition)[267] |
2015 | Top Gear – one of the Top Five Sports Cars[268] |
2015 | Car Connection – one of the Best Performance Cars[269] |
2015 | Auto Express – one of the Best Sports Cars[270] |
2016 | Guinness World Records – Fastest Drift[271] |
2016 | Top Performance Dubai – Car of the Decade[272] |
2017 | Autobytel – Buyer's Choice Award[273] |
2017 | ALG Residual Value – Top Premium Sports Car of The Year[274] |
2017 | Dubai International Motor Show – Best Car Ever[275] |
2018 | Motor Magazine – Performance Car of The Year 4th place (Nismo Edition)[276] |
2019 | The Car Connection – one of the Best Performing Cars[277] |
2019 | Car Dealer Magazine – Used Sports Car of The Year[278] |
2020 | Bangkok International Motor Show – Best Riding Quality Sports Car of The Year (50th Anniversary Edition)[279] |
2021 | Auto Express – one of the Best Sports Cars[280] |
2021 | Autocar – one of the Best Super Sports Cars[281] |
2021 | Zutobi – The Most Talked About Car on the Internet[282] |
2022 | Auto Express – one of the Best Sports Cars[283] |
2022 | Autocar – one of the Best Sports Cars[284] |
2022 | Autocar – one of the Best Super Sports Cars (Nismo Edition)[285] |
Note – some Awards & recognitions may have not been added to the list.
From 2007 to 2017 Nissan produced over 37,495 GT-R units and sold for various different markets worldwide.[286] This makes it one of the highest sales for a standalone generation production sportscar.
Calendar Year |
US | Canada | Japan | Europe |
---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | — | — | 807[287] | — |
2008 | 1730[288] | 137[288] | 4871[287] | 1[289] |
2009 | 1534[288] | 133[288] | 531[287] | 1987[289] |
2010 | 877[288] | 62[288] | 395[290] | 1078[289] |
2011 | 1294[288] | 72[288] | 526[290] | 889[289] |
2012 | 1188[288] | 117[288] | 558[290] | 738[289] |
2013 | 1237[288] | 125[288] | 668[290] | 480[289] |
2014 | 1436[288] | 125[288] | n/a[c] | 503[289] |
2015 | 1105[288] | 130[288] | n/a[c] | 486[289] |
2016 | 698[288] | 156[288] | n/a[c] | 618[289] |
2017 | 578[288] | 134[288] | n/a[c] | 816[291] |
2018 | 538[288] | 72[292] | n/a[c] | 524[291] |
2019 | 331[292] | 53[292] | n/a[c] | 389[293] |
2020 | 303[292] | 39[292] | n/a[c] | n/a[c] |
2021 | 228[292] | 58[292] | n/a[c] | n/a[c] |
The Nissan GT-R was used as police vehicles by several police departments over the years. This includes the Tochigi Police Department Japan, Abu Dhabi Police U.A.E, Dubai Police Force U.A.E and a one-off police vehicle named "Copzilla" which is shown at the 2017 New York Auto Show. The Copzilla is not an in service police vehicle.[294][295][296]