Overview
You know its legendary name. The ‘Godzilla’ is back, with a meaner engine, refreshed styling, and more detailed interior.
Exterior
The design bears a close resemblance to the GT-R Proto shown at the 2005 Tokyo Show and, in turn, has much in common stylistically with the 2001 GT-R Concept.
'We wanted to design a car that looked uniquely Japanese - it is very definitely not a European or American sports car,' says senior vice president of design Shiro Nakamura. 'We also wanted to highlight the functionality of the car - it is a car that is easy to use and easy to drive - and continue the proud heritage of the GT-R.'
The new Nissan GT-R is a muscular, distinctive looking car. Chunky, edgy, wide shouldered, ground-hugging and flat-sided, it is also one of the most aerodynamic cars in the world (Cd 0.27) as well as being one of the most distinctive.
Interior
Like the exterior, the Nissan GT-R's interior is stylish but highly functional. The cabin is unique, sharing no major components or design features with any other Nissan model. The Nissan GT-R is a bespoke supercar, new from the ground up.
Instruments are large, clear and simple, all directly in front of the driver for maximum legibility. The circular analog instruments are ringed in chunky bezels and there is a tachometer in pride of place, red-lined at 7000rpm. Within the tachometer is an easy-to-see gearshift position display.
More unusual is a multi-function display, in the center of the dash, that not only gives you a detailed log of your driving behavior - speed, g-force, fuel economy etc - but also gives details of the car's mechanical information (turbo boost, water and engine oil pressure, transmission oil, front/rear drive distribution etc) plus steering angles, braking and acceleration pressure, and also optimal gearshift mapping for best fuel economy.
In the center of the dashboard, below the multi-function display, is a cluster angled towards the driver. It contains switches for the air conditioning, audio and set-up switches, used to change the tuning of components including dampers, gear shift and VDC.
The center console, which sweeps through the middle of the cabin, contains the red start button, the leather shift lever (the same leather used for the steering wheel, to help tactility) and parking brake, which aligns with the center armrest when off, functioning as an extended arm rest. The shift lever selector chooses Park, Reverse, Neutral, Automatic or Manual, and manual gear shifts are done by paddles directly behind the steering wheel. There is a full automatic gear change provision, useful in heavy traffic or when relaxing rather than sporty driving is desired.
The steering wheel is small, comfortable to hold and trimmed in soft hand-stitched leather. Switches have been placed on spokes in an orderly, logical manner.
Seats are especially designed for the Nissan GT-R. They're heavily side bolstered for maximum lateral support and comfort. It has a particularly better for supporting the body and reduce slipping. To relax the lower legs during longer drives, the front edge of the seat is unusually flat; it also makes getting into and out of the seat easier.
Under the hood
Nissan's VR38DETT is a brand new engine specially developed for the Nissan GT-R. The 3.8-liter unit uses twin IHI turbochargers. Its maximum power is 480 PS (353 kW) at 6400rpm. This makes the Nissan GT-R one of the world's most powerful road cars and the most powerful production car ever built by Nissan. Maximum torque of 60kg/m (588 Nm) is delivered seamlessly from 3200-5200rpm.
The Nissan GT-R uses an all-new GR6-type transmission, exclusively developed for the car. The paddle shift six-speed twin clutch gearbox is highly efficient - unlike an automatic transmission with conventional torque converter, there is minimum power loss so response and fuel economy is improved. In M range (for manual transmission mode), the paddle shift gives exceedingly quick changes. Such quick gear changing maintains the turbo boost, so acceleration is one strong powerful seamless burst.
The twin clutches make a significant contribution to shift speed. There are separate clutches for the odd (1,3,5) and even (2,4,6) gears. When the car is running in an odd number gear, the adjacent even numbered gears are pre-selected and are ready to make the shift immediately in the sequential-shifting gearbox. When downshifting, a synchronized rev control 'blips' the throttle precisely to synchronize engine speed for extra-fast downshifts. Borg-Warner triple cone synchronizers are used. When R range - the sportiest setting - is chosen on the set-up switch, a computerized control predicts the driver's next gear change, based on throttle opening, vehicle speed, braking and other information.
Safety
The new Nissan GT-R uses probably the most advanced four-wheel drive system on a road car ever used. The all-wheel drive (ATTESA E-TS) optimally distributes power to the front wheels when and if necessary. Though naturally rear-drive biased, up to 50 percent of torque can be fed forwards improving traction in difficult conditions - such as rain, frost, ice or snow. Front drive is also utilized to improve cornering performance on tarmac, improving traction and stability.
In primary safety, the Nissan GT-R has a whole suite of features. The super wide beam headlamps give drivers superb visibility at night, helping them to spot hazards. The LED (light emitting diode) high-mounted stop lamp react faster than normal brake light bulbs, while the LED taillights illuminate up the rear of the Nissan GT-R more effectively - thanks to their extra brightness - compared to conventional lighting.
Electronic controls include ABS anti-lock brakes, preventing wheel lock-up in an emergency, and VDC-R (Vehicle Dynamic Control) - the four-wheel drive electronic stability control system that improves traction and grip and helps prevent skids and slides. Electronic traction control stops wheelspin while Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) helping optimize braking power. The brakes are drilled ventilated Brembo discs which offer the best level stopping power of any production car - another advantage for primary safety.
The Nissan GT-R handling performance is excellent at helping to avoid accidents, but sometimes accidents cannot be avoided. So the Nissan GT-R has extraordinary body construction, and safety features designed to help minimize injury both to occupants and pedestrians.
The body is a mix of racing car-like carbonfiber, extra strong diecast aluminum and advanced steels, all designed for rigidity and strength. Yet, in an accident, certain compliance is designed in, to help manage the crash energy in impacts.
Three-point ELR (emergency locking retractor) seat belts are fitted to all four seats. Driver and front passenger SRS airbags are standard. Driver and front passenger SRS Side Air Bag System and SRS Curtain Air Bag System are offered as options.
price - $283,000
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Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:41 pm
