The Nissan GT-R is a sports car created by Nissan, released in Japan on 6 December 2007, and expected to be released internationally by late 2008.

Nissan Skyline GT-R

Between 1969 and 1974, and again between 1989 and 2002, Nissan produced a high performance version of its Skyline range, called the Nissan Skyline GT-R. This car proved to be iconic for Nissan and achieved much fame and success on road and track. The Nissan GT-R, although no longer carrying the “Skyline” badge, has heritage in the Nissan Skyline GT-R. Like the Skyline GT-Rs R32 through R34, the Nissan GT-R is All-Wheel Drive with a twin-turbo 6 cylinder engine; however, the evolutionary, incremental changes between Skyline models R32 through R34 have been done away with. The four-wheel-steering HICAS system has been removed, and the traditional straight-6 RB26DETT engine has been replaced with a new V6 VR38DETT. Because of the GT-R’s heritage, the chassis code for the all-new version has been called CBA-R35,or ‘R35′ for short, carrying on the naming trend from previous Skyline GT-R generations. The GT-R has also retained its Skyline predecessor’s nickname Godzilla.

Concepts

Two concept vehicles were displayed at motor shows prior to the unveiling of the production model. The first concept was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2001 to preview what a 21st century GT-R would look like.[10] At the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan unveiled a redesigned concept, the GT-R Proto, stating that the production GT-R would be 80-90% based on this concept.

Production

The production version of the GT-R has debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, its launch in the Japanese market was 6 December 2007. The U.S. Official launch was July 07, 2008. Universal Nissan in Los Angeles provided a customer with delivery at 12:01 am, on July 07, 2008. Canadian launch will follow in July 2008, respectively. Europe will be the third market, where it is expected to be launched late in the same year. The large time distance between these releases is due to Nissan having to build GT-R performance centres where the car is serviced. Also the engine and rear-mounted dual-clutch gearbox are built by hand, limiting production to around 1000 cars a month.

Higher performance model

Nissan will introduce a lighter and more powerful GT-R called the GT-R V-Spec or possibly Spec V.Nissan has said that this model will be available in the United States in 2010. It is expected to have around 520 bhp (390 kW), be 200 lb (91 kg) lighter, and come with carbon ceramic brakes.Nissan aims to break the Nürburgring lap record for a stock production vehicle with the V-Spec.

Specifications

The Nissan GT-R is powered by the VR38DETT engine, a 3.8 L (230 cu in) DOHC V6. Two parallel Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) turbochargers provide forced induction.Production vehicles produce 480 PS (473 hp/353 kW) at 6,400 RPM and 60 kg·m (588 N·m/434 ft·lbf) at 3,200-5,200 RPM. According to independent dynanometer tests, the GT-R produces 416 hp (310 kW) to 475 hp (354 kW) and 414 to 457 lb·ft (620 N·m) of torque at the wheels. The engine also meets California ULEV (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) standards.A curb weight of 1,730 kg (3,800 lb) or 1,736 kg (3,830 lb) with side curtain airbags is achieved using a jig welded steel chassis with aluminum used for the hood (bonnet), trunk (boot) and doors.A rear mounted 6 speed dual clutch semi-automatic transmission is used in conjunction with the ATTESA E-TS system to provide power to all four wheels and along with Nissan’s Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC-R) aids in handling and stability. Three shift modes can also be selected for various conditions. The drag coefficient is 0.27.

* Displacement: V6 3.8 L (231.9 cu in)
* Horsepower: 480 PS (473 hp/353 kW) at 6,400 RPM
* Torque: 60 kg·m (588 N·m/434 ft·lbf) at 3,200-5,200 RPM
* Turbocharger maximum boost: 17.8 psi (123 kPa)
* Red line: 7000 rpm
* Drivetrain: AWD
* Curb weight: estimated 3,800 lb (1,700 kg)
* Production: 2500 units per year (US)
* Price: US$76,840 to US$79,090[28]

Performance

Nissan claims the GT-R can reach a top speed of 195 mph (314 km/h), and it has been tested to achieve 0-60 mph (97 km/h) times as low as 3.2 seconds. Edmunds.com achieved a standing 1/4-mile time of 11.6 s at 190 km/h (118 mph) using the GT-R’s launch control system. Car and Driver achieved a standing 1/4-mile time of 11.5 s at 200 km/h (124 mph).Evo magazine achieved a 0-100-0 mph time of 13.9 seconds. AutoCar achieved a 0-100 MPH time of 8.5 seconds.[34] With a manufacturer claimed lap time of 7:29 sec on standard Japanese market tires, the standard-spec GT-R is currently one of the fastest production cars ever to lap the Nurburgring circuit.

Several automotive journalists, including Chris Harris of Autocar,Jethro Bovingdon of Evo, and Jason Barlow of Top Gear (magazine) have compared the GT-R to the Bugatti Veyron. Harris and Bovingdon both labeled the GT-R a “baby Veyron” in their respective comparison tests of the car.

Design

Nissan chief creative officer, Shirō Nakamura, has likened the new GT-R to the eponymous giant robots of the Gundam series. Nakamura states: “The GT-R is unique because it is not simply a copy of a European-designed supercar, it had to really reflect Japanese culture.” Specifically, Nakamura noted that the GT-R’s square lines and vents were influenced by Gundam.

Polyphony Digital, creators of the Gran Turismo series of racing video games, were themselves involved in the development of the GT-R, having been contracted to design the GT-R’s multifunction display.

Motorsport

Nismo, the motorsport arm of Nissan will be entering the Nissan GT-R in the Super GT race series in the GT500 class for the 2008 season, replacing the Nissan 350Z.

Unlike the production car, the GT500 version has a completely different drivetrain. The race car has a 4.5 liter naturally-aspirated V8 with 6 speed sequential manual gearbox and a RWD layout from its predecessor, the 350Z race car.

A prototype was spotted testing around the Suzuka Circuit as well as Fuji Speedway in Japan. The car itself went on to win the opening race of the 2008 Super GT season at Suzuka scoring a one-two finish for Nissan. The dominant performances in the opening race has led to all GT-Rs being applied a 50kg weight penalty in addition to the race weight penalty under the Special Adjustment of Performance under the Super GT regulations. In race two, the GT-R repeated their 1-2 result in Suzuka despite the race winning car of team Nismo carrying a 100kg weight penalty making it only the 3rd team in JGTC/Super GT history to do so. The last time this feat was achieved was 10 years ago by Nismo Skyline GT-R racing under the same number 23.

A production-based Nissan GT-R made its world motorsport debut in Australia’s Targa Tasmania tarmac rally in April 2008, however it sustained damage early in the event and did not complete the rally.

Aftermarket tuning

Despite early concerns about the difficulty of modification of the Nissan GT-R, a number of modifications have been released. The previously reported “untuneable” ECU has since been hacked by several tuning houses.

MINE’S has decoded its ECU, and others (MCR, HKS, and Top Secret) have bypassed the unit. They have been seen testing modified GT-Rs with the former two having conducted tests at the Tsukuba Circuit. Sources from Mine’s and Nissan revealed that the reason for tight restrictions on the GT-R is because the gearbox is not rigid and durable enough to take an excess of 600 PS as cooling is not efficient enough. Since Nissan worries tuners might over tune them like its predecessors, which may result in the gear box wearing down too quick, they decided to tightly restrict the car all the way from engine to wheels. However Mine’s is working on gear changing calculations hoping smoother gear change (because the car experiences sudden lunges every gear change after being tuned) plus improved oil cooling of the gearbox could solve the problem.

In a review by Motor Trend editor Scott Kanemura, it was revealed that the GPS system fitted to the GT-R would remove the 180-kilometer per hour (112 mph) speed limiter when the car arrives at a race track, but only on tracks approved by Nissan. Aftermarket ECUs have been developed to bypass the speed limiter, in addition to stand-alone speed-limiter defeaters. However, Nissan confirmed that the GPS check will not be implemented in American models.

In August 2008, Nissan’s official motorsport and tuning arm Nismo announced its own tuning package for the GT-R, called Club Sport Package. This package will be fitted to the upcoming V-Spec GT-R. The package includes Bilstein Damptronic compatible dampers, 20″ forged aluminum wheels from Rays Engineering, Bridgestone run-flat tires, Recaro carbon fiber-shelled bucket seats, a titanium exhaust, and a revised rear diffuser with an added cooling duct. The package is supported by a warranty and saves over 20 kg of mass.