Nissan GT-R

The Nissan GT-R is a high-performance sports car produced by Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan, unveiled in 2007. It is the successor to the Nissan Skyline GT-R, although no longer part of the Skyline range itself, that name now being used for Nissan's luxury-sport market.

History

Between 1969 and 1974, and again between 1989 and 2002, Nissan produced a high performance version of its Skyline coupe called the Nissan Skyline GT-R. This car proved to be iconic for Nissan and achieved much fame and success on both road and track.

The GT-R is an entirely new model, sharing little with the Skyline GT-R save its signature four round tail lights. Like some later generations of the Skyline GT-R, the GT-R has all-wheel drive with a twin-turbocharged 6-cylinder engine. But the four-wheel-steering HICAS system has been removed and the former straight-6 RB26DETT engine has been replaced with a new VR38DETT V6 engine. Because of the GT-R's heritage, the chassis code for the all-new version has been called CBA-R35, or 'R35' for short (where CBA is the prefix for emissions standard), carrying on the naming trend from previous Skyline GT-R generations. The GT-R has also retained its Skyline predecessor's nickname, Godzilla, originally given to it by the Australian motoring publication Wheels in its July 1989 edition.

Concepts

Nissan showed two GT-R concept cars at motor shows before it unveiled the production model: one at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2001, to preview a 21st-century GT-R; and a redesigned one, dubbed GT-R Proto, at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. Officials said the production GT-R would be 80 to 90% based on the second concept.

Production

Production model

The production version of the GT-R debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, launching in the Japanese market on December 6, 2007. The U.S. official launch was seven months later on July 7, 2008. Universal Nissan in Los Angeles provided a customer with the delivery of a new GT-R, fresh from the production line at 12:01 am, on July 7, 2008. The Canadian launch was also in July 2008. Europe became the third consumer market, where it launched in March 2009. The large disparity in initial marketing between these regional releases is due to Nissan having to build GT-R performance centers where the car is serviced.

The engines are built on a special line at Nissan's Yokohama plant. The cars are built at their Tochigi plant on a shared production line.

Design

Nissan chief creative officer, Shirō Nakamura, has likened the new GT-R to the giant robots of the Gundam series. Nakamura stated: "The GT-R is unique because it is not simply a copy of a European-designed Sports car; it had to really reflect Japanese culture."

Nissan's American designers sculpted the rear three quarters of the vehicle, while their European designers sculpted the roofline.

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

Nissan PM platform

As of 2014 the GT-R was the only model built on Nissan's Premium Midship (PM) platform, an evolution of the Front Midship (FM) architecture introduced on the 2001 (V35) Skyline. It is a hybrid unibody assembled on ultra-low-tolerance jigs similar to those used in racecar construction. Alcoa aluminium is used for the hood, trunk lid and outer door skins, with die-cast aluminum front shock towers and inner door structures. Outer body panels are stamped using multiple-strike coining process for added rigidity and precision. The chassis is stiffened with a carbon-composite front crossmember/radiator support.

Exterior

Nissan developed a 6-stage paint process with double clear coat and chip-resistant paint for use in critical areas of the GT-R chassis. An optional liquid-effect finish employs a hand-polished 8-stage process with product-specific Super Silver metallic paint and three layers of clearcoat.

Optional features

The Premium trim for the GT-R has a body-colored rear spoiler whereas the Black Edition has a dry carbon-fibre rear spoiler. Both the Premium and Black Edition models are fitted with (LED) headlights, automatic on/off headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights and brake lights, dual heated body-colour power wing mirrors, power folding wing mirrors, flush-mounted aluminium door handles, four 5-inch exhaust outlets with polished tips and UV-reducing solar glass.

Specifications

The Nissan GT-R is powered by the VR38DETT V6 engine, a 3,799 cc (3.8 L; 231.8 cu in) DOHC V6 with plasma transferred wire arc sprayed cylinder bores. Two parallel Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) turbochargers provide forced induction. Models manufactured between 2007 and 2010 are rated at a manufacturer-claimed engine output of 357 kW (485 PS; 479 hp) at 6,400 rpm and 434 lb⋅ft (588 N⋅m) at 3200–5,200 rpm. The engine also meets California Air Resources Board Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards. The standard GT-R and the NISMO GT-R has a drag coefficient of Cd=0.26.

A curb weight of 1,730 or 1,736 kg (3,814 or 3,827 lb) with side curtain airbags is achieved using a jig welded steel chassis with aluminium used for the hood, trunk, and doors. A rear mounted six-speed BorgWarner designed dual clutch semi-automatic transmission built by Aichi Machine Industry 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) to aid in stability. Three shift modes can also be selected for various conditions. Beginning in 2010, engine power and torque were upgraded to 390 kW (530 PS; 523 hp) at 6,400 rpm and 612 N⋅m (451 lbf⋅ft) at 3,200–6,000 rpm respectively. Models produced in 2012 again featured improved engine output (406.5 kW (553 PS; 545 hp) at 6,400 rpm and 628 N⋅m (463 lbf⋅ft) at 3,200–5,800 rpm).

2011 Face-lift

The revised GT-R features an engine with revised mapping, changes to valve timing, larger inlets and a revised exhaust system which boosts rated power to 406 kW (552 PS; 544 hp) and 612 N⋅m (451 lb⋅ft) of torque from 3,200 to 6,000 rpm. Changes also include a new more rigid front strut bar made from carbon composite, larger front brake rotors, new lighter and stiffer wheels, and revised Dunlop tires. Cosmetic changes include a new front bumper with integrated LEDs. The front bumper improves cooling to the radiator and front brakes while reducing drag. A new rear diffuser improves downforce and also includes additional rear cooling ducts. The interior was revised to improve the quality. The new model is offered with a new HDD CARWINGS navigation system with enhanced entertainment features and USB port with iPod connectivity. The revised GT-R went on sale in Japan from mid November 2010 and February 2011 in Europe, North America and other regions.