What is a car? What is GT-R? 4 years have passed since the debut of GT-R, constantly progressing to the next level at top speed. During the process, we would always step back to where it all started, and would ask ourselves this question. The joy of driving cars, unlike trains and airplanes, comes from actually being able to steer the vehicle yourself. No matter how the times may change, the desire for the excitement of driving will never change. I want GT-R to be the car that most fulfills that desire in the world. To create a car that delivers the most emotion and passion; the only reason why we continue to take GT-R to the next level. In Japan, there has long been a culture of Omotenashi (hospitality), represented by the Way of tea. Only in Japan, is Omotenashi taken to a new level, turned into a form of pure art. We see 'NISSAN GT-R' as 'NIPPON GT-R.' The soul of Omotenashi in the Japanese DNA is embedded into GT-R in its ultimate form through our diligence and spirit of encouragement. We have been, and always will. This is us, our quest; taking GT-R to the next level.
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 removed, and the former 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 (where CBA is the prefix for emission standard), carrying on the naming trend from previous Skyline GT-R generations. The GT-R has also retained its Skyline predecessor's nickname Godzilla.
Concepts
Two concept vehicles were displayed at motor shows prior to the unveiling of the production model. The first concept was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2001 to preview what a 21st century GT-R would look like. 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
Design
Nissan chief creative officer, Shirō Nakamura, has likened the new GT-R to the eponymous 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."Nakamura noted that the GT-R's square lines and vents were influenced by Gundam robots. 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 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 is powered by the VR38DETT engine, a 3,799 cc (3.8 L; 231.8 cu in) DOHC V6 with plasma transferred wire arc sprayed bores. Two parallel Ishikawajima-Nek-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) turbochargers provide forced induction. Production vehicles produce a manufacturer-claimed engine output of 485 PS (357 kW; 478 hp) at 6400 rpm and 434 lb·ft (588 N·m) at 3200-5200 rpm. The engine also meets California Air Resources Board Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards. A curb weight of 1,730 kg (3,800 lb) or 1,736 kg (3,830 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 Industry is 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.
Displacement: V6 3,799 cc (3.8 L; 231.8 cu in)
Horsepower: 485 PS (357 kW; 478 hp) at 6400 rpm
Torque: 434 lb·ft (588 N·m)
Redline: 7000 rpm
Drivetrain: Premium Midship AWD
Curb weight: estimated 3,820 lb (1,730 kg)
Top Speed: 193 mph (311 km/h)
Drag coefficient: 0.27
MSRP: US$80,790 to $84,060
In present :
Horsepower: 30 PS (22 kW; 30 hp) at 6400 rpm
Torque: 612 N·m (451 ft·lbf) at 3200-6200 rpm, (632 N·m (466 ft·lbf) with high-gear 'boost' on SpecV only)
Drag coefficient: 0.26 (~10% improvement in downforce)
Top speed: 315 km/h (196 mph)
MSRP: US$89,000 (Premium) or $95,000 (Black Edition)
Three years. Those were the words Kazutoshi Mizuno kept saying when the original R35 GT-R was introduced in 2008 (as a 2009 model). He told us then that while he was happy with how the car turned out, we would see its real potential in three years. Well, three years have passed, and true to his word, Mizuno-san brought along a new revitalized 2012 GT-R to the States, one with a significant power increase and more refined manners.Under the new GT-R’s hood is the same VR38DETT 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 as before, but output has been increased from 485 bhp to a whopping 530 bhp, while torque gets raised from 434 lb.-ft. to 448. Mizuno attained these new figures by elevating boost pressure of the turbocharger from 0.75 bar to 0.90 bar, tweaking the engine’s valve-timing system and altering the air/fuel ratio. He also improved breathing by enlarging the inlet pipe diameter and a section of exhaust pipe.These changes are all evident upon flooring the throttle pedal for the first time. The first thing you notice is the sound: a decidedly more sinister growl emanates from within the engine compartment. Then you feel the g forces pressing you into the seat as the car snaps off the line. Part of the credit here goes to the gearbox’s VDC-R mode, which has been modified to provide ideal launches without putting unnecessary stress on the transmission. Depress both the brake pedal and throttle pedal simultaneously, then let off the brakes—the new 2012 GT-R snaps off the line at an ideal 4000 rpm. Once under way, you seem to enter warp speed, as the 3965-lb. car hits 60 mph in 2.85 seconds, a figure we round up to 2.9. The quarter-mile mark comes and goes in a phenomenal 11.1 seconds…this is drag-car country.The extra power isn’t the only thing responsible for the car’s enhanced acceleration; the new GT-R’s aerodynamics are also significantly improved. The coefficient of drag has been improved from 0.27 to 0.26, meaning the GT-R now slices through the air with less resistance. What’s more amazing is this: The car also has 10 percent more downforce. Mizuno-san worked this magic by cleverly routing more air to the sides of the car instead of over the top. Also, airflow has been increased to the radiator and front brakes via a larger grille and vents. The aerodynamic improvements, combined with those to the engine, have resulted in improved fuel economy figures of 16/23 city/highway. (The previous GT-R was rated at 15/21.)Improvements to the new GT-R’s chassis can be felt when simply cruising on the freeway. With the VDC in Comfort mode, the 2012 GT-R exhibits a smoother ride than its predecessor, noticeable especially when driving over harsh road irregularities. Mizuno made subtle changes to the suspension, which now features aluminum-piston shock absorbers and a carbon-composite strut bar in the engine bay. The special Bilstein DampTronic adjustable shocks monitor multiple vehicle information systems to provide appropriate damping forces for a variety of driving situations. Changes were made to the front and rear caster settings for the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT tires, the only tires available for the new GT-R. The biggest change to the car’s drivability on the track was a considerable improvement in steering feel and precision.The GT-R’s electronically controlled ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system has been left alone for 2012. The rear-biased system varies the torque split from 0/100 to 50/50 depending on speed, lateral acceleration, steering angle, tire slip, road surface and yaw rate. Of note is a special GT-R-specific yaw-rate feedback control, which measures the differences between the target yaw rate (calculated from steering angle) and actual yaw rate (detected by the yaw-rate sensor and g sensor) to adjust torque bias. Around the skidpad, the new GT-R registered an even 1.00g while dancing through the slalom at 75.4 mph.Stopping power is again provided by Brembo monoblock 6-piston front and 4-piston rear brakes. Enlarged front rotors (15.4-in. versus last year’s 15.0s) team with 15.0-in. rears, both two-piece full-floating (and cross-drilled) designs with low-steel high-stiffness brake pads. The calipers utilize racing-style radial mounting to minimize caliper flex during extreme braking. The GT-R stops exceptionally well, coming to a complete halt from 60 mph and 80 mph in 114 ft. and 189 ft., respectively.The careful eye will noticed subtle changes to the 2012 GT-R’s exterior and interior. These include new lights on the front air dam and the aforementioned larger grille. The rear also has small vents in the bumper.In Japan, Nissan is introducing an interesting new program for GT-R customers where owners of 2009, 2010 and 2011 GT-Rs can get their cars upgraded to 2012 specs…sort of like upgrading the operating system of your PC from Vista to Windows 7. It’ll be interesting how many takers there are for this program, and if it will make it to the U.S.; prices vary depending on your car and which upgrades you choose.As for those who want to order a new 2012 GT-R, the car will reach dealer showrooms in February in two trim levels. The base Premium edition will be priced at $89,950, while the Black Edition, with unique seat trim, colors and wheels, will retail at $95,100. Get in line now if you consider value to be a priority for supercar performance…but then again, you can wait another three years to see what Mizuno-san will do next.
The production version of the GT-R debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, launching in the Japanese market on December 6, 2007. The U.S. official launch was 7 months later on July 7, 2008. Universal Nissan in Los Angeles provided a customer with the delivery of a new GT-R, fresh from the production line at 12:01 a.m., 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. Also the engine and rear-mounted dual-clutch gearbox are built by hand, thus limiting production to around 1000 cars a month.
Facelifted GT-R ::
The revised GT-R (2011 model year, 2012 model year for the US) features an engine with revised mapping, changes to valve timing, larger inlets and a revised exhaust system which boosts rated power to 530 bhp and 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 has been revised to improve the quality. The revised GT-R went on sale in Japan from mid November 2010 and February 2011 in North America, Europe and other regions.Nissan’s VP of global product planning Andy Palmer has confirmed that the current GT-R (R35) will be replaced by 2013
Awards
Top Gear Awards 2007 - Supercar of the Year 2007
Autocar - 2008 Drivers Car Of The Year.
Automobile Magazine - 2009 Automobile of the Year
Evo Magazine - Car of the Year 2008
Edmunds.com - 2009 Edmunds' Inside Line Editors' Most Wanted Awards: Instant Classic
Motor Trend - 2009 Motor Trend Car of the Year
2008 Japan's Most Advanced Technology Award
Popular Mechanics - Automotive Excellence Awards 2008 (Design)
Popular Science - Auto Tech Grand Award Winner
2009 International Car of the Year
2009 World Performance Car
2009 Targa Tasmania Modern Champion
2009 Targa West Challenge Modern Champion
2009 Targa West Competition Modern Champion
2010 Redline Time Attack Modified AWD Champion
2010 Targa West Challenge Modern Champion
2010 Targa West Competition Modern Champion
2011 Targa Tasmania Modern Champion
2011 Targa West Competition Modern Champion
2011 Motor Magazine Performance Car Cup Winner
Despite early concerns about the difficulty of modifying the Nissan GT-R, many aftermarket tuning parts are now available. The previously reported "untuneable" ECU has since been hacked by several tuning houses.COBB Tuning was the first company to access the GT-R's encrypted ECU. 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, 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. 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 allows the engine to rev-up fast. The Mine's R35 GT-R has always been one of the most sought after GT-Rs in the world for its highly responsive driving feel with the right amount of power at 800ps.Japan tuners like Mine's, HKS, Jun, Greddy, MCR, Top Secret, and more focus mainly on overall balanced performance for the GT-R that can perform at the circuit, mountain touge, short courses, and streets whereas US based tuners mainly focus only on high horsepower applications and straightline speeds.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-kilometer per hour (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. 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, includes Bilstein Damptronic compatible dampers, 20" forged aluminum wheels from Rays Engineering, Bridgestone run-flat tires, Recaro carbon fiber-shelled bucket seats, a titanium exhaust, and a revised rear diffuser with an added cooling duct. The package is supported by a warranty and saves over 20 kg. United States based tuner AMS Performance has pushed the R35's power levels and performance numbers. Their Alpha 12 performance package for the R35 boosts output to over 1500 horsepower and boasts 60-130 mph times of just 3.3 seconds. An AMS tuned R35 GT-R was the first in the world to post an 8 second quarter mile time at 169 mph. The Alpha 12 GT-R is also capable of doing a 0-60 MPH (0-100 KMPH) time of 2.1 seconds.
