New Nissan GT-R review

At the motor industry annual showcase of new models to the motoring and business media, the SMMT 2009 Test at the Millbrook Proving Ground attracted numerous headline new models, the brilliant Audi R8 V10, the highly favoured new VW Golf GTI and the long awaited and sought after Nissan GT-R 3.8 supercar.

Only 1,250 Nissan GT-Rs will be available to the UK in the first full year of sales and all are sold. The first cars were delivered to UK customers on the 9 April at exactly 7.28am, the time equates to the lap time achieved by the GT-R on the demanding Nordschleife (Nürburgring), one of the fastest times ever recorded by a production car around the German circuit.

This was the car that all journalists attending the SMMT event wanted to drive and with only two ever likely to be available in the UK for media use it was perhaps the only opportunity most of us will get the drive this 193mph 2+2 coupe.

The brief headlines for this supercar are; Nissan’s technological flagship, blistering, accessible performance underpinned by confidence-inspiring handling enabling it to be driven fast and skilfully by just about anybody, unrivalled performance and price combination, prices from £56,795, the GT-R has a hand-built 485PS/588Nm 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 petrol engine with a world-first paddle-shift sequential 6-speed dual clutch rear transaxle (engine at the front, gearbox and axle at the rear for optimum balance), with an advanced all-wheel drive system.

The GT-R is no temperamental sports car, it offers everyday practicality with four seat layout and driveability suitable for the daily commute through to high speed motorway cruising or for track-day use by enthusiasts. There is very comprehensive standard specification and should you wish to place an order for delivery next year the GT-R is available from a network of 11 UK Nissan High Performance Centres.

A further £100,000 GT-R high performance lightweight version will also join the line-up and this variant is even more biased towards motorsport and track-day use.

Because Nissan is changing its headline image from small, medium everyday cars and 4x4s to a sporting pedigree with the arrival of the GT-Rs and the new rear wheel drive 370Z coupe, the number of UK Performance Centres is set to increase to 20.

At this point I very briefly divert my comments to the lightweight two-door, two-seat 370Z which replaces the 350Z and around 600 units are available until April next year. A soft-top roadster 370Z will also join the new Nissan sporting line-up early next year.

Prices start from £26,895. The 3.7-litre petrol engine produces 331PS and 366Nm of torque, both increases over the previous 350Z and for the first time there is an automatic transmission option.

Performance

Back to the fabulous GT-R. Nissan say this is a global car so the specification remains constant worldwide, only the steering wheel and controls differ for left and right hand drive markets. From September UK versions gain a very advanced navigation system as standard.

In stark performance terms, 60 mph from a standing start appears in 3.5 seconds, while its potential top speed is 193mph. But it is the GT-R’s astonishing ground covering capabilities that mark out the new Nissan flagship, ably demonstrated by the Nürburgring lap time.

Behind the statistics lies a technologically advanced specification, and the Nissan GT-R’s unique driveline comprises a 485PS, 588Nm-rated twin turbo 3.8-litre V6 engine, a world-first rear transaxle with a sequential dual-clutch, paddle shift, very fast changing, six-speed transmission and full time four-wheel drive.

Underpinning them are sophisticated electronic controls designed to make best use of engine output in all conditions without diluting either driver enjoyment or involvement.

Driving

Even allowing for Millbrook’s excellent driving facilities, driving the GT-R on their high speed bowl or the daunting twisting and steep hill route, I never got close to finding the car’s extremities of performance – it is just so capable.

As a point and shoot missile it just goes and as a well balanced high speed cornering car the all wheel drive system provides ample traction for most drivers. As a long-legged cruiser it can be an everyday car, no temperamentals, just refinement.

As one of the world’s fastest production vehicles, the GT-R is also probably the world’s easiest and most secure high-speed car to drive quickly. Key elements behind its immense flexibility and accessible performance are the tractable nature of the engine – even on moderate throttle openings it typically generates about 390 Nm of torque – perfect weight distribution across all four wheels which allows for stable, predictable and readily-intuitive handling characteristics and the reassurance of four-wheel drive.

So while the Nissan GT-R has a clear advantage over most rival supercars on a racing circuit or at high-speed on the public roads, its superiority in difficult conditions – ice, rain, slush, snow – will be far more noticeable.

And while many supercars can feel like caged animals in the city – ill-tempered and frustrated by traffic and poor road surfaces – adaptability is central to the everyday nature of the GT-R. Set-up switches in the centre panel allow gear shift characteristics, damper settings and stability control settings to be adjusted to suit the driver’s mood and driving conditions.

This extraordinarily fast vehicle can be turned instantly into a supple, comfortable coupe, with the choice of fully automated gear changing for an even more relaxing experience.

The efficiency of the engine and the car’s aerodynamic qualities means the GT-R is also one of the world’s most effective supercars in balancing performance and fuel consumption, recording 22.8mpg on the Combined cycle, and a CO2 emissions figure of 298g/km.

The automatic gear shift mode is also programmed to offer optimal fuel economy, so the car cruises in as high a gear as possible, helped by the flexibility of the engine.

Specification

Despite delivering race car thrills, every GT-R comes laden with luxuries, including power adjustable front seats (eight way on the driver’s, four-way on the front passenger’s) trimmed in leather and perforated suede inserts, dual zone automatic climate control and cruise control reflecting the GT-R’s softer side.

The standard AM/FM/CD audio system comes with six speakers, RDS and MP3/WMA CD playback capability, and features an HDD Music Box system capable of storing 9.4 GB of your favourite sounds.

A unique multi-function LCD screen developed with the designers of Sony PlayStation’s Gran Turismo game provides an instant indication of a range of vehicle dynamics such as lateral g-forces which, if you prefer, can be stored for later analysis.

There are also special wide-beam xenon headlamps, a tyre pressure monitoring system, Intelligent Key, 20-inch RAYS forged alloy wheels finished in gun metal and a Thatcham-approved anti-theft system.

Move up from the standard car to the GT-R Premium Edition and you get automatic headlamps and wipers, auto dimming mirror and a specially designed digital Bose audio package (optional on the standard model), matched to the acoustic requirements of the cabin.

The 11-speaker system features two tweeters, two squawkers and four woofers including two in the rear centre armrest directed forward. These plus the door speakers are mounted in rigid aluminium diecast panels, which improve sound quality, especially with tight bass sounds.

Completing the model line-up is the GT-R Black Edition with an exclusive Kuro black paint job, a striking black leather interior with red highlights and black RAYS alloys.

Need I say more? A memorable drive, be it only a short but fast one, and perhaps my only one given the shortage of these cars.

Nissan GT-R MILESTONES

Nissan GT-R 3.8 Black Edition

Price: £59,400

Engine/transmission: 3.8-litre, V6, DOHC with variable valve intake timing, petrol with twin turbochargers, 485PS, 588Nm from 3,200rpm, 6-speed dual clutch sequential, rear transaxle layout with all wheel drive

Performance: 0-60mph 3.5 seconds, top speed 193mph, combined cycle fuel economy 22.8mpg, CO2 298g/km, VED £405

Insurance group: 20

For: Everything, supreme technology for power supply, delivery and traction, overall handling balance and control, good looks and a bargain at this price for what the GT-R offers and gives

Against: Nissan not considered a premium sports car brand – yet.

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