Wednesday 7th May 2008

GT-R Secrets Revealed

New GT-R 'Ring record blamed on tweaks for European market

---

GT-R recently lapped 'Ring in 7.29

The secrets behind why a Nissan GT-R knocked 9 seconds of its previous lap record of the Nurburgring have been revealed.

It is reported that although the car was said to be unmodified it had a number of tweaks that are intended for its European launch.

The car has already gone on sale in Japan but Nissan is understood to be including three harder engine mounts and a stiffer transaxle mount for the US version, resulting in an even finer tuned suspension and powertrain.

The European GT-R will be enhanced further with a recalibrated rear diff and slightly revised steering, although this will be signed off in September.

To those who thought it sounds a little strange that Nissan would tweak the car after it had been launched in Japan to vast critical acclaim, chief engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno had the answer.

‘The GT-R is my son,' he said.

'A son grows up and it's my duty as father to keep improving it.'

[robm3]

Yippeee, it's my daily GTR news update (I was getting worried).

[Tony*T3]

Is it true that the Japanese speced car lapped the 'Ring in one continuous drift.....?

Could explain the time differences.....

[chunkymonkey71]

To those who thought it sounds a little strange that Nissan would tweak the car after it had been launched in Japan to vast critical acclaim, chief engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno had the answer.

‘The GT-R is my son,' he said.


That guy should stop sleeping with cars...

[Mr Whippy]

Engine mounts and steering make up 9 seconds.

Might go get my tracking done

Dave

[Titan Simba]

chunkymonkey71 said:

That guy should stop sleeping with cars...

Indeed. I find the exhaust gets too hot...

[vz-r_dave]

This must invalidate the times then, dont worry europe the GTR is a farce

So the harder engine mounts and suspension tweaks are worth the extra 15K we pay for it here in the UK lol

Gold plated suspension components and some kind of new uber rubber bushings

Edited by vz-r_dave on Wednesday 7th May 13:12

[BUG4LIFE]

The new GT-R absolutely kicks ass - I will have one [in about 10 years time]!!!

[E4UAN]

I don't see why this is a problem, all it means is the GTR we get is even better than it is abroad. All I need to do now is find a way to get one...

[AngryS3Owner]

vz-r_dave said:

this must invalidate the times then, dont worry europe the GTR is a farce

Why should it invalidate the time, if that's the spec of car they will be selling in Europe who cares?

It's very fast and very cool, further than that I'm not actually that fussed anymore.

[NobleLord]

I sooooooo want one of these!!! Does anyone know if UK dealers are taking orders yet? My 2009 I'll have the cash to buy one

NL

[vz-r_dave]

AngryS3Owner said:

vz-r_dave said:

this must invalidate the times then, dont worry europe the GTR is a farce

Why should it invalidate the time, if that's the spec of car they will be selling in Europe who cares?

It's very fast and very cool, further than that I'm not actually that fussed anymore.

sarcasm my freind

[AngryS3Owner]

vz-r_dave said:

sarcasm my freind

[Jont999]

Nice to know that the one we get here is faster than the Japanese version, for a change!

[turbobungle]

NobleLord said:

I sooooooo want one of these!!! Does anyone know if UK dealers are taking orders yet? My 2009 I'll have the cash to buy one

NL

Over a thousand orders taken (with a £3500 deposit), only 500 cars available for 2009! You can place your order now and would probably get your car towards the end of 2010.

[john_r]

Well I for one am very relieved... I nearly didn't order my car when I saw one at Geneva - the engine mounts just looked far too soft - even from a distance, and as for the steering, well what can I say; it was just crying out for a slight revision!

Personally I think the 9 seconds had more to do with the European Spec Tyres, the track being approx 10-15 degrees warmer and the track also being 100% dry compared to the first timed laps a few months ago!

Only 10 months to go...

[Mr Whippy]

john_r said:

Well I for one am very relieved... I nearly didn't order my car when I saw one at Geneva - the engine mounts just looked far too soft - even from a distance, and as for the steering, well what can I say; it was just crying out for a slight revision!

Personally I think the 9 seconds had more to do with the European Spec Tyres, the track being approx 10-15 degrees warmer and the track also being 100% dry compared to the first timed laps a few months ago!

Exactly

Why the revisions are suggested to have been significant contributors to that new time is beyond me.

Proof will be in the pudding when they can run a UK spec and JDM spec side by side on the same day with same driver. I bet there is nothing in it.

Dave

[daveco]

'Tweaks' eh?
'Modified' eh?
'Son' eh?

If anyone manages to stick a GTR up on a rolling road and get close to 75 million horsepower I won't be surprised. I think they should come clean and tell us the official weight they've got for it is with four donkeys carrying gold bars on board, and horsepower figures are 'completely made up to piss off the competition'

[clarencegi77]

yes! haha, just goes to show how the japanese go about building their cars...

[flattotheboards]

daveco said:

'Tweaks' eh?
'Modified' eh?
'Son' eh?

If anyone manages to stick a GTR up on a rolling road and get close to 75 million horsepower I won't be surprised. I think they should come clean and tell us the official weight they've got for it is with four donkeys carrying gold bars on board, and horsepower figures are 'completely made up to piss off the competition'

Isnt the quoted 480bhp at the wheels? Therefore the actual flywheel horsepower will be higher around 550bhp ish.

[chris_w666]

Personally id rather take longer to get round the ring and soak up the history and atmosphere of the great circuit.