RE: Nissan GT-R MY13: Review

RE: Nissan GT-R MY13: Review

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Discussion

crazy about cars

4,454 posts

170 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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Ex Boy Racer said:
I test drove one. Admittedly it was around Bristol (why do car dealers do tests of cars like these in built up areas?) but it just didn't feel that much faster than my R8. At less than 3 seconds to 60 it should be chalk and cheese, but it really didn't subjectively seem to have that much more performance.

And that clunking from the transmission - it reminded me of the noises I used to hear when I helped on the milk round as a kid!
Depending on the age of the car (mine is a MY09) I'd agree stock could feel a bit slow for what it is around town. However once warmed up and hitting open roads I find it very quick! Well, quick enough for me on a public road anyway. Haven't been in an R8 so cannot comment.

Curious about the comment on suspension in the review. I find the normal/off setting better compared to the Comfort setting on uneven/bad roads. Car just feels more planted that way. Keen to test drive a MY13 but I don't think I will be able to afford one for some time...

samoht

5,736 posts

147 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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Jellyfish said:
Nissan shold start thinking about a subtle weight loss for every time they update the car. 20kgs each revision would be a good start...
Agree, it seems like the GT-R's only Achilles heel is its weight, so this would be the best way to improve it. However the chief engineer apparently believes in the old 'road-hugging weight' theory, so this may be less likely to happen.

Better still, bring out an Infiniti-badged, carbon-chassis model with the same basic mechanicals for ~£200k.

BRMMA

1,846 posts

173 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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The GTR is a car i'd really love to have a go in but i have next to no desire to own one, maybe a drive in one would change that though

Carnnoisseur

531 posts

155 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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New stats regarding out performing an Aventador (0-60) cannot be sniffed at, especially since its only a third of the price. But whilst they seem to have achieved the impossible by combining hyper-car performance, reliability, strong mpg and a bargain entry level price (relatively speaking), the interior, in my opinion, needs urgent revision.


Ex Boy Racer

Original Poster:

1,151 posts

193 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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samoht said:
Jellyfish said:
Nissan shold start thinking about a subtle weight loss for every time they update the car. 20kgs each revision would be a good start...
Agree, it seems like the GT-R's only Achilles heel is its weight, so this would be the best way to improve it. However the chief engineer apparently believes in the old 'road-hugging weight' theory, so this may be less likely to happen.

Better still, bring out an Infiniti-badged, carbon-chassis model with the same basic mechanicals for ~£200k.
Really? Even though it goes like stink, and EVERY review comments on how nimble and light it feels, you still think weight is a problem?

Weight; manual gearboxes; FWD - all elicit kneejerk responses on PH. Surely if the car feels light and pointy weight shouldn't be complained about...

elementad

625 posts

151 months

Monday 29th April 2013
quotequote all
Ex Boy Racer said:
I test drove one. Admittedly it was around Bristol (why do car dealers do tests of cars like these in built up areas?) but it just didn't feel that much faster than my R8. At less than 3 seconds to 60 it should be chalk and cheese, but it really didn't subjectively seem to have that much more performance.

And that clunking from the transmission - it reminded me of the noises I used to hear when I helped on the milk round as a kid!
I presume you didn't get to try the launch system (seeing as you were in a built up area on test drive)? Hence you wouldn't have felt the cars stated 2.7 or 2.8 to 60.

redroadster

1,746 posts

233 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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Having drove a couple i would say they are very quick but fun ?????? not as much fun as slower cars crazy but true.

davidcharles

400 posts

195 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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no one else think its getting a little crazy that you can walk into a Nissan dealer and buy a car that will do 0-60 in 2.7secs.....2.7secs....really quite frightening.

GTR's have never gone down the route of lightness, its more about big powered, brutal power...in a fairly nice coupe.

Jakdaw

291 posts

211 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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Ex Boy Racer said:
Really? Even though it goes like stink, and EVERY review comments on how nimble and light it feels, you still think weight is a problem?

Weight; manual gearboxes; FWD - all elicit kneejerk responses on PH. Surely if the car feels light and pointy weight shouldn't be complained about...
Completely agree - weight isn't a problem at all. It's size has much more of a tenancy to lead to brown trouser moments!

RedTrident

8,290 posts

236 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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Carnnoisseur said:
New stats regarding out performing an Aventador (0-60) cannot be sniffed at, especially since its only a third of the price. But whilst they seem to have achieved the impossible by combining hyper-car performance, reliability, strong mpg and a bargain entry level price (relatively speaking), the interior, in my opinion, needs urgent revision.
This.

Bit of leather and some nice recaros. Maybe some metal toggle switches. Would make a huge difference.

redroadster

1,746 posts

233 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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RedTrident said:
This.

Bit of leather and some nice recaros. Maybe some metal toggle switches. Would make a huge difference.
Lets not forget also that this is a 2 plus 2 everybody has to compare it with 2 seater super cars but its actually practical you can do school run in with a couple of kids it is an amazing feat to do it all for the price they charge,but still say would rather have a more fun car.

JREwing

17,540 posts

180 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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samoht said:
Agree, it seems like the GT-R's only Achilles heel is its weight,
If it manages to have this level of performance and agility despite it then it's not really a problem at all, is it?
Unless your parking space is on a frozen lake or something.

Nedzilla

2,439 posts

175 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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Its a big car,loaded with tech with weapons grade components.I can't really see how they can start shedding weight unless they go back to the drawing board and design a new car.

Maybe shed a few kg's by stripping out the interior but thats about it.

And as others have said and as everyone knows,the car 'works' at that weight so whats the issue.Better fuel consumption maybe??
The weight helps to give it maximum traction and that weight is split evenly over all four wheels to maximise grip and handling.If you started shedding weight here and there it would probably lose performance unless it was re-designed.

Unfortunately its a car thats always going to have its haters and most of them are the people who have never driven one,think its ugly and say its too heavy.

Its a great car that keeps getting better.

kambites

67,593 posts

222 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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Unless you screw up the weight distribution, I can't see how shedding weight could slow a car down.

Having said that, I agree that there is little point in making it light - it's just not that sort of car.

crazy about cars

4,454 posts

170 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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swerni said:
I went out with Mr Yu in his the other day.
Jesus Christ that car is quick, the acceleration is just relentless and the handling........
It certainly didn't feel bloated.

I have a new found respect for these things.
Indeed. Mine is "only" a Stage 1 tune but when pushed it really thrills me, although I must add the GTR is the most expensive performance car I've owned thus far.


hairykrishna

13,184 posts

204 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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They hide their weight very well - I was surprised when I had a go in one. Awesome machines.

It's a shame that there's not some racing series that requires Nissan to make a bonkers homologation version.

Nedzilla

2,439 posts

175 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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swerni said:
I went out with Mr Yu in his the other day.
Jesus Christ that car is quick, the acceleration is just relentless and the handling........
It certainly didn't feel bloated.

I have a new found respect for these things.
Last I heard on the GTR forum his car is now around 720bhp! yikes

y2blade

56,127 posts

216 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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ohtari said:
V6GTA said:
Pretty poor editing on this piece.

Wrong pic of dash and apparently its a V8 twin turbo V6....
But it does 44mpg, and has a v8 twin turbo v6! Who wouldn't want that combination hehe
Bring back Riggers!

y2blade

56,127 posts

216 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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Too add:

I absolutely love GT-Rs earscloud9driving

craste

1,222 posts

208 months

Monday 29th April 2013
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I would love a go in a GTR, if ever my lottery numbers come up......