Nissan GT-R Makes North American Debut
The GT-R has landed. For the first time in the model's history, Nissan's sensational GT-R sportscar will be sold on US soil. And clearly for some - namely friend and industry colleague Ray Wert from Jalopnik - that news is just too hot to handle. Rear-ending aside, the GT-R is a 'multi-dimensional' performance vehicle - 'for anyone, at anytime, and anywhere' - debuted to North America at Los Angeles, post its Tokyo unveiling and ahead of the car's showroom debut in June next year.
Styled to perform, the functional design employs advanced aerodynamics which ooze what Nissan call the athleticism of a well-trained sportsman. Its aerodynamics produce a low drag coefficient of 0.27 but maintain high downforce across the car. The body is a hybrid of steel, carbon fibre and die-cast aluminium, with the new GT-R's platform utilising a world-first: independent rear transaxle all-wheel-drive coupled with a rear-mounted transmission and final drive for optimum weight distribution and handling abilities.
Having achieved a famed Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 7:38, one of the fastest laps by a production vehicle to date, the GT-R is a performance machine whose spec sheet statistics add up on the track. The new Nissan pumps out 480 horsepower and an estimated 430 lb-ft of torque from its all-new 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 engine and is mated to an all-new paddle-shift sequential 6-speed gearbox. And yet it still manages to meet ultra low emission vehicle standards.
In the cabin, optimal driving position is provided by the specially-sculpted performance bucket seats while a cockpit-style instrument panel and centre-mounted tachometer and muti-function display provide driving feedback. A 'set-up switch' allows for control over transmission shifts, shock absorbers and the car's Vehicle Dynamic Control system. With three settings - Normal, Comfort or R for ultimate handling - settings can be optimised according to driver requirements.
Pricing for the North American-marketed GT-R was also unveiled, with prices starting from $69,850 for the base model and $71,900 for the Premium model, which includes heated seats, side air bags and an 11-speaker Bose sound system.
bye bye to the corvette as the king of american roads for under 80k. although the time of 7:38 on the nurburing was on the base 480hp. i think it was done on the Evo.
The Nissan Gt-R sounds like a nice car with some pretty cool features but in terms of looks, my vote would go to the Nissan 350z.
Agreed, I was quite surprised they didn't give this a V8
on some other sites it says this car is 1750kg isn't that quite a bit of weight?? or is it just me i'm surprized this car does what it does lol lap times at the nurburgring and a damn fast 0-60 loving this ride
it was not done on the evo version...and although it is 1750 kg, it has an advanced all wheel drive system, and twin clucth, located in the rear wheels...
i think that they should've put this drive train in the 350z so they could have a really high perfomance 350z model and in this they should've put a twin turbo v8 pushing say 550-580bhp. what do you think guys?
You are missing Key points!! 1. 350z is more of a touring GT car than a race car, the GTR name plate has been associated with racing from the get goo! The history of the GTR and Z are very different!
2. The reason for lack of V8 is because of ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standards!! and also to improve MPG and lastly to SAVE weight! why?? because AWD is already weighing the car down.. also considering the whole global warming issue a V6 sounds less threatening to global warming than a V8.
I think the car looks spectacular! it doesnt look like anything else on the street and every single person will know what car that is just by looks!
As for performance, the 1750kg is very troubling! it might not be able to compete in straight line performances ... and the AWD most likely hides the weight issue through the twisties.
But bottom line Nissan has done everything right EXCEPT! that weight is very unhealthy n could possibly hold the GTR from being a truly great car :(
The rumor has it that the EVO version is even more track oriented, with more power and LESS weight. Just wonder how much weight will Nissan manage to shave off this car.
To tackle the Porsche 911 Turbo is not really easy.
ok at first i really did'nt like the new GTR but now i think that i like it. i bet that in person it's pretty damn awesome. i don't know about the performance figures (we'll have to wait for that) but at least it looks pretty different. and thats cool.