RE: 2013 Nissan GT-R: now even more so

RE: 2013 Nissan GT-R: now even more so

Friday 2nd November 2012

2013 Nissan GT-R: now even more so

Godzilla's been to the gym and come back even fitter than before



Given the relentless tweaking and pace of upgrades to the GT-R you might expect it now to boast 2,000hp and be lapping the 'ring in less than five minutes. Mizuno-san isn't quite there yet but the announcement of a package of upgrades for the 2013 Nissan GT-R tallies with our chat earlier in the year with the man known as Mr GT-R.

Mizuno-san: better at engineering than drawing
Mizuno-san: better at engineering than drawing
Via his preferred method of Rolf Harris-style whiteboard doodlings, he outlined to us a step-by-step programme of updates for the GT-R after we drove out to the 'ring 24-hour race in the Track Pack equipped car to watch its racing brethren take on the world's toughest endurance race. They competed in that race as the 'GT-R Development Team' and the fruits of that labour have now been confirmed in a package of upgrades that'll feature on customer cars from spring next year.

There's no headline grabbing power boost or, indeed, another few seconds off the GT-R's 'ring lap to further annoy Porsche. Yet. What the lessons learned from the 'ring mean are, in Nissan's words, subtle - and that's not a word you often hear associated with the GT-R - enhancements to improve responsiveness in the drivetrain and composure in the chassis. The exact changes are listed below verbatim from the Nissan press release but it's clear that in the face of freshened up competition from Porsche and Audi the GT-R isn't standing still.

There aren't any numbers yet in terms of performance or indeed price alterations, Nissan promising more information in due course. Probably once they've bagged that all-important 'ring lap, at a guess...


Lessons learned racing now applied
Lessons learned racing now applied
2013 Nissan GT-R upgrades, as described in the press release:

Engine

  • New high-output injectors more concisely control fuel injection to improve mid-range and high-rpm response.
  • A new relief valve for the turbocharger bypass suppresses the rapid decrease of forced injection pressure, again helping to sustain response.
  • A new oil pan baffle helps maintain more stable oil pressure and reduces rotational friction especially during high-performance driving.

Chassis

  • After measuring the roll centre of the GT-R when cornering and taking deflection of the bushes and tyres into account, engineers have updated the suspension set-up with revisions to the dampers, springs and front anti-roll bar to lower the centre of gravity.
  • New cam bolts have been installed on the front suspension to improve camber accuracy and stability when cornering.
  • The torque carrying capacity of the driveshafts to the hub bearings has been increased to improve reliability in high-stress situations, such as track driving.

Body

  • Reinforcements have been added to the dash panel bar and instrument panel member resulting in increased body rigidity and better suspension control.

 

Author
Discussion

Richie200

Original Poster:

2,011 posts

208 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
Good to hear the GTR is not relenting on its mission!

First info released suggests:
2013MY: 0-62 in 2.7, 7.18.6 Ring laptimeeek

Video of the 2013 below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8twx9ksiCo&fea...

Edited by Richie200 on Friday 2nd November 17:22

stew-S160

8,006 posts

237 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
Staggering times. I know this has been said a million times before, but just imagine if it was about 100kg lighter...

R66STU

273 posts

175 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
did i read that right ? 0-62 in 2.7

Uncle John

4,271 posts

190 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
Awesome exercise in the annihilation of any strip of Tarmac that sits in its path.

Relentless in their pursuit of perfection.

Papa Hotel

12,760 posts

181 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
R66STU said:
did i read that right ? 0-62 in 2.7
Piffle. My mate in his Veyron would smoke that.

Nonetheless, that's ridiculously fast for anything, never mind something of the GT-R's practicalities.

Dale Lomas

218 posts

154 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
These improvements (x) can be represented by a simple equation: x=√fk-all

Car was awesome against all competition, car remains relatively against all competition.

I want to see that 7m18s lap though... and if it exists there WILL be video footage somewhere!

y2blade

56,029 posts

214 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
Uncle John said:
Awesome exercise in the annihilation of any strip of Tarmac that sits in its path.

Relentless in their pursuit of perfection.
yes

Dave Hedgehog

14,541 posts

203 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
the colour of the interior plastics have been changed from ocean grey to the more visually pleasing military grey


Pentoman

4,814 posts

262 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
Disappointing... Surely even PH can see this thinly veiled advertising piffle?! Every car has updates of this (very minor) sort every year. I'm just not sure why it's news in this case.

Nevertheless, I wonder how many GT-Rs have sold world wide each year since launch, and how long it will last. 7-8 years I guess.

Oddball RS

1,757 posts

217 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
Dave Hedgehog said:
the colour of the interior plastics have been changed from ocean grey to the more visually pleasing military grey
But Dave, don't forget they are very light weight dynamically intergrated, roll retarded thrust inducing sympathetically adjusted plastics -

TKH

395 posts

188 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
Great engineering effort

In English the 2013 car will have

Bigger injectors
Baffled sump
Bigger dump valve
Lowered suspension
Harder roll bar rubbers

Oh and a big scaffolding bar welded in behind dash

Bring on the ring

Edited by TKH on Friday 2nd November 08:48

stuckmojo

2,955 posts

187 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
I loved the GTR when it first came out. Then I got bored of it. Now I'm back thinking it's awesome and what Nissan did for the price they charge is somewhat of a game changer - even now.

The thing is, how much of all that can you actually enjoy on the road? 10%. My 996 is basically a snail compared to that and I feel it's already too fast for the road (in the UK)

StottyZr

6,860 posts

162 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
Pentoman said:
Disappointing... Surely even PH can see this thinly veiled advertising piffle?! Every car has updates of this (very minor) sort every year. I'm just not sure why it's news in this case.
I was thinkin this. I'd expect we'll have another topic when it sets a ring time, then another when the price is released.

GranCab

2,902 posts

145 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
thumbup

jason61c

5,978 posts

173 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
stew-S160 said:
Staggering times. I know this has been said a million times before, but just imagine if it was about 100kg lighter...
Not much better than it is now i'd imagine. Even at 300kg lighter badge snobs and Ferrari/porsche/r8/r10 owners will still be saying its rubbish.

I'm just pleased it doesn't carry an Audi badge. Not all cars go through this testing and development every year, just think where this car will be in 5 years time.

bqf

2,226 posts

170 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
It's an amazing vehicle, a true engineering evolution, at a frankly astonishing price. a 4-seat hypercar for less than £80,000? Incredible. 0-60 in 2.7 secs?? yikes

GroundEffect

13,819 posts

155 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
Still haven't driven one of these. Need to.

Papa Hotel

12,760 posts

181 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
Pentoman said:
Disappointing... Surely even PH can see this thinly veiled advertising piffle?! Every car has updates of this (very minor) sort every year. I'm just not sure why it's news in this case.

Nevertheless, I wonder how many GT-Rs have sold world wide each year since launch, and how long it will last. 7-8 years I guess.
It's news because we're not really interested in the Chevy Matiz or Hyundai i10. This car does have a lot of interest here.

Do you often get upset by car reviews on motoring websites or magazines?

toasty

7,441 posts

219 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
Just want a slightly stretched version with usable rear seats.

MrTickle

1,825 posts

238 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
That's a fast Sunny smile