Nissan GT-R: Godzilla Returns

Motoring Channel Staff - 25/October/2007

Tokyo, Japan — The 'official' Tokyo Motor Show launch of the Nissan GT-R has come to pass, after more leaks than the Titanic. 

Though the leaked images and engine specs did take some of the pomp away from the official unveiling in Tokyo, it was still a sight to behold. According to Nissan the new GT-R is a multi-dimensional performance machine that lives up to the concept of "an ultimate supercar for anyone, anywhere, at anytime". 

Here's a brief look at the cars main features:

Engine: Hugely powerful twin turbo V6: 353kW of power.
Suspension: Continually adjustable Bilstein DampTronic system.
Brakes: Large Brembo discs and 6-piston front calipers.
AWD: Independent Transaxle 4WD System.
Transmission: High torque GR6 dual clutch transmission.
Interior: Multi-function meter, adjustable suspension set ups, twin sub woofers.

No you know the basics, let's get into the details, direct from Tokyo!

Powered by a 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 (codenamed the VR38), which features plasma-sprayed bores and a special twin-turbo exhaust manifold system, it generates a searing amount of power and torque. Here's the specs:

Power: 353kW (480hp) @ 6400rpm
Torque: 588Nm @ 3200 - 5200rpm

With so much top end power and a mid-range turbo kick, the Nissan GT-R - and despite AWD - will be able to get sideways without too much provocation. We can only imagine what it would have been like fine-tuning the engine power on Nissan's test track in Japan and on the Nürburgring in Germany.

Coupled to a new GR6-type dual clutch transmission, with paddle shifting and a Borg Warner six-plate dual clutch for direct control, power is transferred to all four wheels. Nissan talks about "the world's first application of an independent transaxle 4WD system" which places the dual-clutch transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle rather than the at the front. 

The reason for this is balance, and getting the vehicles weight evenly distributed throughout the car.

With its 6-speed dual clutch semi-automatic gearbox, hugely powerful 350kW+ biturbo engine and advanced AWD system, the Nissan GT-R is terrifically quick. So quick is this new Nissan that it will be able to outpace some Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Lamborghini models, cars which cost a lot more money to buy and maintain.

The Nissan GT-R will dispatch the zero to 100km/h dash in 3.7 seconds and has a quarter mile time of just 11.7 seconds. This is arguably the most powerful mass-market Japanese sports car ever built and will surely live up to the famed Godzilla nameplate. And yes, it's coming to Australia. Just don't ask how much.

Nissan has treated every aspect of the car's performance with respect, and even the suspension sounds amazing. A special Bilstein DampTronic system continually adjusts the damping rates to "provide appropriate damping forces for all situations" which Nissan says "helps maintain a high level of control for straight-line driving, cornering, and braking."

Braking duties are taken care of by Italian brake specialist Brembo. Nissan's "daily-driven supercar" gets large Brembo full-floating drilled rotors, low steel high stiffness brake pads and Brembo mono block 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers. The huge brakes are claimed to "minimise fade and provide stable braking". 

Interestingly, and in what could be one of the only negatives for this affordable supercar, the Nissan GT-R will feature run-flat tires. We are talking about the Japanese-spec GT-R here, so this could change from country to country, but as it stands the car gets run-flat tyre that "balance high grip and all-weather capabilities and a comfortable ride in all driving situations". From our experience, run-flat tyres are average at best, reducing grip and performance, so we'll reserve judgement on that issue.

The overall design didn't sit well initially, but it's starting to grow on us and the general consensus within this office is that Nissan has done a decent job with the design.

But according to Nissan, the GT-R's styling follows the function over form theory. "Every styling aspect, from the overall design to the smallest details, is created to maximise the vehicle's driving experience – as well as suggesting GT-R's supercar level of performance," explains Nissan. 

With a drag coefficient of 0.27, the Nissan GT-R is very slippery and with high front and rear downforce, high speed stability and grip should be excellent. It was benchmarked and tested and German Nürburgring, which features a number of high speed straights and corners.

Nissan calls the GT-R's large, four-passenger cabin design a sloping "aero blade canopy" roofline that improves air flow around the rear of the vehicle, and the new 'Ultimate Silver' paint job is apparently "painstakingly hand-polished by craftsman". 

Not unlike exotic sports cars, the Nissan GT-R gets special attention during the manufacturing process. The aluminium, carbon fibre, and steel components are assembled with a special high-precision process claims Nissan, which includes a series of vibration tests. Engines and transmissions are assembled by a single craftsman in a "clean room" environment and upon completion, every GT-R undergoes a battery of comprehensive tests to ensure the proper operation of all vehicle components.

Nissan has also spent a few hundred million dollars making sure the interior lives up to expectations. Though it doesn't have the exotic, bespoke feel of a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, it's more than a match for Porsche's often dull and boring cabins.

Featuring sports bucket seats, driver and passenger benefit from good lateral support, but the most impressive feature of the interior has to be the instrument panel, complete with multi-function displays. The steering wheel is also peppered with buttons and dials, giving the car a real motor sports edge.

Nissan talks about adjustability being "central to the daily-driver nature of the Nissan GT-R". As such it features a 'set-up switch' located in the center of the instrument panel. According to the Japanese car maker, this switch enables the driver to adjust transmission shifts, shock absorbers and the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC-R) in three settings (Normal, Comfort or Race).

There's even the high-performance setting designed for the Nissan GT-R "supercar" application. As far as car gadgets go, the simplicity of this system, as it adjusts everything from gear change speeds to suspension stiffness, is impressive.

One of the coolest aspects is the Nissan GT-R's multi-function meter. This LCD display shows driver mechanical and driving information including parameters such as acceleration opening, brake pedal pressure, and steering angle. It also includes an "optimal gearshift map," to emphasize economical vehicle operation.

Nissan also included a stereo, designed by BOSE. It includes two forward-facing sub woofers in the rear center armrest area combined with traditional door satellites. When the GT-R's a-rockin, don't come a [That's enough - Ed].

In summary, here's the best bits from the GT-R:

Engine: Hugely powerful 353kW 3.8-litre twin turbo V6.
Suspension: Continually adjustable Bilstein DampTronic system.
Brakes: Huge Brembo rotors and calipers.
AWD: Independent Transaxle 4WD System.
Transmission: High torque GR6 dual clutch transmission.
Interior: Multi-function meter, adjustable suspension set ups, twin sub woofers.

Nissan's new supercar will probably go down in history for its ability to obliterate far more expensive machinery. Currently there is no official release date for the vehicle in Australia, but we're expected late 2008, or early 2009, which a price tag of at $150,000.

Related articles:
- Nissan 350Z (Road Test)
- Nissan 350Z (2007)
- Nissan X-Trail (2007)
- Nissan GT-R (2007)
- Nissan Maxima (Road Test)
- Nissan Tiida (Road Test)