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?

[PhantomPH]

Not so sure I would agree with this being aimed squarely at the Turbo S, tho. Apples and oranges, surely? The Turbo S isn't supposed to be a track special, is it? I thought it was just the ultimate version of Porsche's road going daily missile of choice.


Unless, of course, I'm misunderstanding what the Nismo is these days.

[Aaron_W]

I liked the old interior more; for half that price Litchfield would do a much better GTR with a sleeper appeal to it.

[WCZ]

looks like they've barely even made any effort into making this NISMO special at all and are kind of admitting it too. makes the £150k price look like a joke

[Vee12V]

Surely this goes against a GT3 (RS)? I'd take a regular GT3 over one of these any day of the week.

[DBRacingGod]

Windshield?

[s2000db]

Apparently it's 2% quicker through a slalom!!!!

[Dave Hedgehog]

s2000db said:

Apparently it's 2% quicker through a slalom!!!!

1.897346% quicker actually

[anonymous-user]

I went to a private nissan owners event hosted by nissan in dorset, and one of these was there, apart from looking slightly cooler, it has the same running gear, and still not any lighter.

Think I'd prefer a honda nsx, unfortunately.

Shame cos the nismo gtr looks the st!

[RamboLambo]

£150k for a Datsun.
Give me a proper supercar McLaren any day

[GranCab]

RamboLambo said:

£150k for a Datsun.
Give me a proper supercar McLaren any day

Yes Jeremy ....

[s2000db]

RamboLambo said:

£150k for a Datsun.
Give me a proper supercar McLaren any day

When are Mac doing a self assembly version btw?

[big_rob_sydney]

Speaking as a massive GTR fan, my £150k would be going to... a second hand Litchfield GTR, with the not inconsiderable balance stuffed into a house renovation project.

[Löyly]

The GTR is still a ferocious machine, and it's testament to the quality of the design that it has remained a top-tier performer for so long and still looks great. However, I suspect I'd be after a Honda NSX at that price range. £150,000 should get a great spec with some change left over!

[leglessAlex]

I like the GTR and I don't agree with the snobbish "It's just a Datsun" comments, but I think if I had the money I'd either get a an NSX or a brand new normal GTR and take it to Litchfield.

Also, the Turbo S is pretty good these days. It would be interesting to see a comparison and see which is faster in a straight line and around a track, I don't think the GTR would win the straight line battle that's for sure.

[roland82]

I question this price, I think Nissan are trying to get a piece of the over priced car market.

[Crouchydc]

Sorry but £150k for a Nissan is just stupid, especially when it's basically the same as the standard model. If it was loads lighter and had 800hp i could understand but for me it would be Mac 570s, turbo s, or even throw in a few more quid and get the lambo 580-2

[BoostedStig]

Sold but rarely seen....

I saw one in the wild the other day in Aberdeen. What a mean looking thing!

[dvs_dave]

I like GT-R's a lot and almost bought one back in the day. But with this I think they've lost the plot. 150 grand for a car that's 97% the same as the day it was released a decade ago for a third of the price....piss take.

[Löyly]

leglessAlex said:

I like the GTR and I don't agree with the snobbish "It's just a Datsun" comments

They always make me chuckle. Like it's main competitor, Porsche, didn't grow from the Beetle. Nissan were quite right to throw the GTR on the field and watch it carve up the competition. They've been hoying it up Porsche for years. Not that the R34 GTR and it's like weren't monsters in their own right...