Tuesday 19th November 2013

Nissan GT-R NISMO: Official

600hp, overhauled suspension, more aero and one very fast 'ring time

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You've been waiting for this one haven't you? The 370Z NISMO showed some promise, the Juke NISMO err, didn't really, but here's the NISMO to show what Nissan's motorsport bods can really do; the GT-R NISMO.

Note the NISMO-inspired paint job too

Where to begin? Power from the 3.8-litre V6 is up by 50hp to 600hp and torque by 16 points to 481lb ft. This is achieved through bigger turbos with improved air flow, an upgraded fuel pump and 'optimised individual ignition timing for each cylinder'. There are no official performance claims as yet.

The GT-R's three-mode Bilstein Damptronic dampers have been recalibrated to deliver 'exceptional grip levels and progressive handling response'. Expect an even more uncompromising attitude than the standard GT-R then, with everything good and bad that that entails. NISMO has also developed new tyres for mega Godzilla; they're 255/40 ZRF20s at the front, 285/35 ZRF20s at the rear, made by Dunlop. They are fitted to new six-spoke rims inspired by the GT500 racer.

Alcantara wheel ready for some race gloves

And there's more, a lot more. The front suspension features links that increase the castor trail, improving wheel position during hard cornering and boosting stability. A hollow 17.3mm rear anti-roll bar reduces weight and, erm, roll as well. New high-rigidity bolts (yes really) are used also to increase the stiffness of the wheel-hub attachment area. The bodyshell is more rigid thanks to new welds and bonds.

The inside is largely standard GT-R, albeit with the addition of some gorgeous carbon-backed Recaros plus an Alcantara wheel.

It won't have escaped your attention that the NISMO looks even more aggressive and imposing than the standard GT-R. The new body addenda including a front bumper, an 'engine undercover strake' and the carbon wing, has been integrated thanks to extensive work on the car's airflow. NISMO claims an additional 100kg of downforce at 186mph compared to the 2014MY GT-R whilst retaining the same 0.26Cd.

For 'aero tuning', see 'gigantic rear wing'

And the result? An astonishing Nordschleife lap time of 7:08.679 seconds. Very, very fast then. However, there's a caveat (or three) to that time. The GT-R NISMO that registered that time was fitted with 'track options', specifically some aerodynamics tuning (see that massive rear wing), suspension tuning and weight reduction. In theory, these will be offered on the production NISMO GT-Rs also, but there aren't yet firm details on exactly what the track options will comprise or their cost.

Speaking of cost, we can only speculate on the list price right now. Many are suggesting a figure in excess of £100,000 when the NISMO arrives in Britain next September.

[dlockhart]

This is the first of the 370 GT-Rs which has evoked the same emotional response as the skyline gtr did 15 years go.

You have to admire the acheivement, even though its not my cup of tea

[David87]

So then, when's the 991 GT2 RS due?

[toppstuff]

It seems that the GT-R is not everyones cup of tea, but it remains a towering achievement.

The team behind the GT-R defined much of the modern narrative for performance cars that we now see from other manufacturers.

4 wheel drive with a stack of short gears via a double clutch box, torque vectoring, slip control and a big-ass computer to control it all. The result is a car that is epic in its speed and makes the driver feel like a Hero.

Nissan did this in 2008. Years before anyone else. And they did it with a car that, frankly, is cheap ( at least in standard form it is ) .

I find it interesting that even now, in 2013, the very latest and greatest 911 turbo only really plays "me too" with the GT-R, does not really advance the game in terms of engineering, yet costs twice the price of a standard GT-R.

Mizuno san, the engineer and father of the GT-R , deserves his legendary status. This was the first truly technological super car at an affordable price.

The NIsmo is all good. I can't blame Nissan for milking the car in its final years. Not many will buy one ( certainly in the UK they won't) but this will do fine until the R36 comes along.

The next GT-R is going to be a hybrid with KERS. It will probably do 90% of what a Porsche 918 can do, for about 15% of the price.

[loudlashadjuster]

Yes, yes, N-ring lap times blah blah blah, but to get within touching distance of a SR8/918/P1 with 'only' 600hp and about an extra 400kg or so (over the hybrids) to lug around is seriously impressive.

[DanBMW]

No denying its technically impressive and no doubt F'in fast. But then they go and claim a lap time that isn't for the car you can buy, unless you spec it up further if they bring out the additional upgrades.
Thats like me claiming my M3 CS is as fast as a CSL round the 'ring.

[k-ink]

So it is only a few seconds slower than the latest Porsche 918 supercar. Who needs batteries and eco crap!

[Axel350Z]

DanBMW said:

No denying its technically impressive and no doubt F'in fast. But then they go and claim a lap time that isn't for the car you can buy, unless you spec it up further if they bring out the additional upgrades.
Thats like me claiming my M3 CS is as fast as a CSL round the 'ring.

err, you can buy the car - but the laptime is with all the extra goodies. I dont see a problem with that?

[Krikkit]

DanBMW said:

No denying its technically impressive and no doubt F'in fast. But then they go and claim a lap time that isn't for the car you can buy, unless you spec it up further if they bring out the additional upgrades.
Thats like me claiming my M3 CS is as fast as a CSL round the 'ring.

I imagine they'll offer all the bits as optional extras so that the PR battle can't be won by Porsche saying "Yeah, well our road cars are nearly as quick, and you can actually buy them!"

Unbelievable speed from this car, we should dig out the PH interviews from a few years ago, they were very impressive.

[Hellbound]

Track Options:

[J4CKO]

I suspect that this will accelerate that hard it will turn you into a woman if you arent careful.

[k-ink]

No different to BMW charging an extra £5000 for fairly basic options in their sector. You tick a box or two and pay your money. Job done.

[bagseye]

[kayzee]

Not sure on the black bits and the exhaust but the wheels look awesome and it's a very tough looking motor. I still think it's kinda crazy these are likely to cost more than £75,000 but maybe I'm stuck in the dark ages.

[k-ink]

What is crazy is the Porsche 918 is $845k and is hardly faster. The GTR is a bargain, get over it!

[ecs0set]

toppstuff said:

It seems that the GT-R is not everyones cup of tea, but it remains a towering achievement.

The team behind the GT-R defined much of the modern narrative for performance cars that we now see from other manufacturers.

4 wheel drive with a stack of short gears via a double clutch box, torque vectoring, slip control and a big-ass computer to control it all. The result is a car that is epic in its speed and makes the driver feel like a Hero.

Nissan did this in 2008. Years before anyone else. And they did it with a car that, frankly, is cheap ( at least in standard form it is ) .

I find it interesting that even now, in 2013, the very latest and greatest 911 turbo only really plays "me too" with the GT-R, does not really advance the game in terms of engineering, yet costs twice the price of a standard GT-R.

Mizuno san, the engineer and father of the GT-R , deserves his legendary status. This was the first truly technological super car at an affordable price.

The NIsmo is all good. I can't blame Nissan for milking the car in its final years. Not many will buy one ( certainly in the UK they won't) but this will do fine until the R36 comes along.

The next GT-R is going to be a hybrid with KERS. It will probably do 90% of what a Porsche 918 can do, for about 15% of the price.

Excellence is not a guarantee of desirability. It the GT-R an excellent car? No doubt. Is it desirable? Subjective. Also speed and cost are not the only factors in determining the best supercar.

Sure, the Nismo ONLY costs £100k. It's probably quicker round the 'Ring than the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento. However to be within 10 feet of the latter would be sensational. The former... meh.

[Nickworld]

There's something wrong with me. I REALLY want to have a go in one of these, but I have absolutely no desire to own one. Can't really decide why, there is no objective reason I can think of not to lust after a GT-R, but somehow I don't.

[Daniel1]

Nickworld said:

There's something wrong with me. I REALLY want to have a go in one of these, but I have absolutely no desire to own one. Can't really decide why, there is no objective reason I can think of not to lust after a GT-R, but somehow I don't.

i get that. I wouldnt mind having a go in one occasionally, but only one or two weekends a year, but no desire to own one, either to look at, drive or brag about.

[Nickworld]

Daniel1 said:

i get that. I wouldnt mind having a go in one occasionally, but only one or two weekends a year, but no desire to own one, either to look at, drive or brag about.

Glad they exist though, fearsome bit of engineering. I occasionally see one outside my office and think "oh yeah, GT-R. I'd forgotten about them. Good choice." Get the impression that I'd get on well with the driver purely based on that, because they'd have to be into their motors have plumped for that over more obvious/common choices.

Weird one.

[PHMatt]

ecs0set said:

toppstuff said:

It seems that the GT-R is not everyones cup of tea, but it remains a towering achievement.

The team behind the GT-R defined much of the modern narrative for performance cars that we now see from other manufacturers.

4 wheel drive with a stack of short gears via a double clutch box, torque vectoring, slip control and a big-ass computer to control it all. The result is a car that is epic in its speed and makes the driver feel like a Hero.

Nissan did this in 2008. Years before anyone else. And they did it with a car that, frankly, is cheap ( at least in standard form it is ) .

I find it interesting that even now, in 2013, the very latest and greatest 911 turbo only really plays "me too" with the GT-R, does not really advance the game in terms of engineering, yet costs twice the price of a standard GT-R.

Mizuno san, the engineer and father of the GT-R , deserves his legendary status. This was the first truly technological super car at an affordable price.

The NIsmo is all good. I can't blame Nissan for milking the car in its final years. Not many will buy one ( certainly in the UK they won't) but this will do fine until the R36 comes along.

The next GT-R is going to be a hybrid with KERS. It will probably do 90% of what a Porsche 918 can do, for about 15% of the price.

Excellence is not a guarantee of desirability. It the GT-R an excellent car? No doubt. Is it desirable? Subjective. Also speed and cost are not the only factors in determining the best supercar.

Sure, the Nismo ONLY costs £100k. It's probably quicker round the 'Ring than the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento. However to be within 10 feet of the latter would be sensational. The former... meh.

This!

I love Godzilla but I would rather go slower in a £1m hypercar than a £100k Ricer.

There's more to being in the supercar elite than just speed.

[OldBob]

No prices released yet for basics or options.
Amazing performance and a great headline time. In practice probably mostly achievable with a std GTR and some not overly expensive quality after market fettling ;-) Once we know the prices it will be interesting to see how many they sell.