Nissan goes aggressive with boisterous GT-R

The all new-Nissan GT-R has been unwrapped with fresh features ever witnessed since the sport car was introduced in 2007.

Launched at the South Africa Festival of Motoring recently, the car received a toss highlighted by an exciting new look both inside and out to enhance its driving performance.

According to Nissan, the new GT-R features fresh, more aggressive front fascia and an enlarged grille to cool the hand-built potent engine, along with carbon fibre material additions to the front bumper and a reshaped hood to help the car better endure extreme speeds.

Nissan said the new chrome matte finish “V-motion” grille represents one of Nissan’s latest design signatures. It has been enlarged to provide better engine cooling and now features an updated mesh pattern.

A new hood, which flows flawlessly from the grille, has also been significantly reinforced, contributing to stability during high-speed driving, this is in addition to a freshly-designed front spoiler lip and front bumpers with finishers situated immediately below the headlamps that gives the GT-R the look of a pure-bred racecar.

GT-R’s familiar wind-cutting shape defines its profile, but the side sills have been pushed out for improved airflow. The rear of the car also received a thorough makeover.

While the hallmark four-ring taillights remain, Nissan has enhanced the bodywork to help improve air flow, as well as side air vents next to the quad exhaust tips. Also, the belt line that separates the lower black section from the body panel has been heightened to give the car a wider and more aggressive look from the rear.

These exterior changes don’t result just in a sportier-looking car; they create an aerodynamically efficient vehicle, with less drag but retaining the same amount of downforce as the current GT-R to keep the car stable at high speeds.

Managing Director Sales and Marketing Xavier Gobille, Nissan South Africa who said this much at the presentation of the car explained that the shift paddles are now mounted to the new steering wheel to allow drivers to change gears in mid-turn without having to take their hands off the wheel. The paddles themselves, along with the ventilation controls, have improved feel and better sound when engaged or adjusted.

Mated to an award-winning 3.8-litre V6 24-valve twin-turbocharged engine – each unit handcrafted by its own Takumi technician, The GT-R now delivers 421kW at 6800rpm and 633Nm of torque that generates a hefty 600 horsepower.

The engines are the definition of Takumi expertise. The improved output, which are the result of individual ignition-timing control of the cylinders and extra boost from the turbochargers, allow the new GT-R to possess superior acceleration in the mid- to high-ranges (3200rpm and above).

The resonance of the new lightweight titanium exhaust system and Active Sound Enhancement (ASE) enhance the driving experience, especially during acceleration.

And with a thoroughly refined six-speed dual-clutch transmission that features smoother shifts and less noise, that familiar GT-R tone has now been substituted with an engine that has never sounded better.

The increases, which are the result of individual ignition timing control of the cylinders and extra boost from the turbochargers, allow the new GT-R to possess superior acceleration in the mid- to high-ranges (3200 rpm and above).