Monday 10th October 2016

Nissan GT-R NISMO: £150,000

Facelifted version of the ultimate GT-R pitches it squarely at the 911 Turbo S

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The Nissan GT-R NISMO was something of an enigmatic car, sold but very rarely seen and perhaps not as raw as expected from the combination of two legendary nameplates. But that was the first generation car; with the latest GT-R having softened off (all things being relative), there's scope for the NISMO to be more aggressive again.

Yes, this is the new interior

Nissan will only say that the performance has been "upgraded" though, the GT-R's stiffer structure (with engineering updates around the windshield and the boot) permitting recalibration of the dampers, springs and stabilisers. The net result is an improvement in slalom and cornering time of nearly two per cent, plus better overall balance apparently. Best be familiar with the outgoing car then!

Other changes include the revised front grille to improve cooling, airflow tweaks that see it have the most downforce of any production Nissan and the standard GT-R's updated interior. The seats are unique to the NISMO though.

It's mechanically unchanged from before, with the same 600hp and GT3-spec turbos, which arguably makes the £25K leap to £149,995 seem even more significant. That being said those secondhand first-gen cars that are for sale are being offered with chunky premiums, which rather closes the gap. There's plenty that could tempt buyers from a NISMO at this money as well, from the inevitable Porsche to track specials like the Aston Vantage GT8 and a Japanese rival in the Honda NSX. Where would your £150K be going?

[cib24]

No weight saving measures to reduce the weight from 4,000lbs down to something a bit more athletic?