Nissan Skyline GTR R35
The Nissan GT-R is a sports car created by Nissan, released in Japan on 6 December 2007, United States July 7, 2008, and in the rest of the world in March 2009.
History of the Nissan Skyline
Between 1969 and 1974, and again between 1989 and 2002, Nissan produced a high performance version of its Skyline range called the Nissan Skyline GT-R. This car proved to be iconic for Nissan and achieved much fame and success on road and track. The Nissan GT-R, although no longer carrying the “Skyline” badge, has heritage in the Nissan Skyline GT-R. Like the Skyline GT-Rs R32 through R34, the Nissan GT-R is all-wheel drive with a twin-turbo 6 cylinder engine; however, the evolutionary, incremental changes between Skyline models R32 through R34 have been done away with. The four-wheel-steering HICAS system has been removed, and the former straight-6 RB26DETT engine has been replaced with a new V6 VR38DETT. Because of the GT-R’s heritage, the chassis code for the all-new version has been called CBA-R35, or ‘R35′ for short, carrying on the naming trend from previous Skyline GT-R generations. The GT-R has also retained its Skyline predecessor’s nickname Godzilla.
Nissan GT-R Concepts
GT-R Proto at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show
Two concept vehicles were displayed at motor shows prior to the unveiling of the production model. The first concept was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2001 to preview what a 21st century GT-R would look like.[12] At the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan unveiled a redesigned concept, the GT-R Proto, stating that the production GT-R would be 80-90% based on this concept.
Nissan GT-R 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 7 months later on July 07, 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 a.m., on July 7, 2008. The Canadian launch was also in July 2008. Europe became the third consumer market, where it launched late in the year. 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. Also the engine and rear-mounted dual-clutch gearbox are built by hand, thus limiting production to around 1000 cars a month.
Nissan GT-R Specifications
The Nissan GT-R is powered by the VR38DETT engine, a 3,799 cc (3.8 L; 231.8 cu in) DOHC V6. Two parallel Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) turbochargers provide forced induction. Production vehicles produce a manufacturer-claimed engine output of 480 bhp (360 kW) at 6400 rpm and 434 lb·ft (588 N·m) at 3200-5200 rpm. According to independent dynamometer tests, the GT-R produces 416 hp (310 kW) to 475 hp (354 kW) and 414 lb·ft (561 N·m) to 457 lb·ft (620 N·m) at the wheels. The engine also meets California Air Resources Board Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards. A curb weight of 1,730 kg (3,800 lb) or 1,736 kg (3,830 lb) with side curtain airbags is achieved using a jig welded steel chassis with aluminum used for the hood, trunk, and doors. A rear mounted 6 speed dual clutch semi-automatic transmission 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) aids in stability. Three shift modes can also be selected for various conditions. The drag coefficient is 0.27.
Displacement: V6 3,799 cc (3.8 L; 231.8 cu in)
Horsepower: 480 bhp (360 kW) at 6400 rpm*
Torque: 430 lb·ft (580 N·m)*
Twin Turbo maximum boost: 17.8 psi (123 kPa)*
Redline: 7000 rpm
Drivetrain: Premium Midship AWD
Curb weight: estimated 3,800 lb (1,700 kg)*
Production: 2500 units per year (US)
Price: US$76,840 to US$79,090[22]
Top Speed: 193 mph (311 km/h)*
manufacturer claimed
Nissan GT-R Performance
Nissan claims the GT-R can reach a top speed of 192 mph (309 km/h), Motor Trend recorded a top speed of 195.0 mph (313.8 km/h). It has been tested to achieve 0-60 mph (97 km/h) times as low as 3.2 seconds with “launch control” and 3.9 seconds without (improved to 3.5 seconds in models produced since March 2009). Nissan’s chief vehicle engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno has indicated that he has never used the term “launch control”, which refers to the act of turning off vehicle dynamic control (VDC) and launch the car at around 4500 rpm. The GT-R user’s manual states that turning off the VDC is only meant for escaping low-traction situations such as mud or snow, and that damage to the transmission is not covered under warranty if the VDC is used in other ways. It reportedly costs $20,000 USD to replace a damaged transmission outside of warranty. Nissan has re-programmed the 2010 model year GT-R to reduce the engine speed at launch to around 3,000 to 3,500 rpm with VDC enabled, which is meant to improve acceleration times. The new programming was also installed on old 2009 vehicles still in Nissan’s inventory, and is available for existing 2009 vehicles.
Car and Driver achieved a standing quarter-mile time of 11.5 s at 200 km/h (120 mph). Evo magazine achieved a 0-100-0 mph time of 13.9 seconds. Autocar achieved a 0-100 mph (160 km/h) time of 8.5 seconds.
With a manufacturer claimed lap time of 7:26.7 on the base model’s Dunlop tires and previously 7:29 min on standard Japanese market tires, the GT-R is currently one of the fastest production cars to lap the Nürburgring circuit, although Porsche accused Nissan of falsifying those claims in September 2008.[38][39] Porsche claims to have conducted their own test of the GT-R using no modifications and stock tires and achieved a best time of 7:54. Nissan officially disputed Porsche’s claim in October 2008. The German magazine sport auto achieved a time of 7:50 on the Nürburgring- with a car supplied to them by Nissan, while independent testing by Drivers Republic of a GT-R and GT2 in stock form resulted in times of 7:55 for the GT-R and 7:49 for the GT2 respectively. Both tests were conducted in partially damp conditions and by automotive journalists rather than professional track drivers.
Autocar released a video comparison of the GT-R with the Porsche 911 GT3 and BMW M3. Driven by test driver Chris Harris the GT-R was the fastest of the three. Evo tested the GT-R alongside the 911 GT3 at the Bedford Autodrome circuit, the GT-R ran a 1:21.7 lap time compared to GT3’s 1:22.6 time. Car and Driver compared the GT-R on Reno-Fernley Raceway with the Porsche 911 Turbo and BMW M3, the GT-R’s lap time of 1:26.7 made it the fastest on the track. Road & Track was able to achieve quick lap times with the car on Buttonwillow Raceway, clocking in at 1:56.9 just over 5 seconds faster than the Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 and Porsche 911 Turbo. On Willow Springs International Motorsports Park, Edmunds was able to achieve lap times of 1:25.09 compared to the Corvette ZR1’s time of 1:23.87. In an earlier Edmunds 6-way test which included the Audi R8 on both the Streets of Willow and an improvised mountain road, the GT-R was quickest. On the Las Vegas Motor Speedway infield road course, Motor Trend were able to achieve lap times with the GT-R that were almost as fast as the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano and Porsche 911 GT2 and 3 seconds slower than a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. The GT-R currently holds a lap time of 1:19.7 around the Top Gear Test Track, equaling that of the Ferrari 430 Scuderia. On Top Gear Australia’s test track the GT-R posted a lap time of 1:07.06, putting it in second place 0.14 seconds behind the Porsche 997 GT2. Top Gear laps are conducted from a standing start.
Nissan GT-R Design
Nissan chief creative officer, Shir? Nakamura, has likened the new GT-R to the eponymous giant robots of the Gundam series. Nakamura states: “The GT-R is unique because it is not simply a copy of a European-designed supercar, it had to really reflect Japanese culture.”
Nakamura noted that the GT-R’s square lines and vents were influenced by Gundam robots. 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 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 GT-R SpecV
Nissan introduced the GT-R SpecV on January 7, 2009 at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon. Exterior changes from the base GT-R consist of a carbon fiber rear spoiler, grille, and brake ducts, along with an exclusive Ultimate Black Opal paint job. Interior changes include a set of carbon fiber Recaro front seats with the rear seats being completely removed. Carbon fiber covers the center storage box, instrument panel, and replaces the majority of the interior trim.
The GT-R SpecV is powered by the standard twin-turbo 3,799 cc (3.8 L; 231.8 cu in) V6 with no increase in (peak) horsepower, but a new high gear boost controller that temporarily increases boost pressure should deliver more torque in mid to high-range revs. Other mechanical changes include a titanium exhaust, reworked suspension, carbon ceramic brakes, and 20-inch (510 mm) NISMO wheels. Overall weight is decreased by 132 lb (60 kg) over the standard GT-R.
Japan sales begin on February 2, 2009 at seven pre-selected dealers who are staffed by mechanics with special GT-R SpecV training and are knowledgeable of racing circuit driving. Pricing is set at ¥15,750,000 (over US$160,000). Nissan has not announced any plans to sell the SpecV outside of Japan.
Motorsport
Super GT
Nismo, the motorsport arm of Nissan will be entering the Nissan GT-R in the Super GT race series in the GT500 class for the 2008 season, replacing the Nissan 350Z.
Unlike the production car, the GT500 version has a completely different drivetrain. The race car has a 4.5 litre naturally-aspirated V8 with 6 speed sequential manual gearbox and a RWD layout from its predecessor, the 350Z race car.
A prototype was spotted testing around the Suzuka Circuit as well as Fuji Speedway in Japan. The car itself went on to win the opening race of the 2008 Super GT season at Suzuka scoring a one-two finish for Nissan. The dominant performances in the opening race has led to all GT-Rs being applied a 50 kg weight penalty in addition to the race weight penalty under the Special Adjustment of Performance under the Super GT regulations. In race two, the GT-R repeated their 1-2 result in Suzuka despite the race winning car of team Nismo carrying a 100 kg weight penalty making it only the 3rd team in JGTC/Super GT history to do so. The last time this feat was achieved was 10 years ago by Nismo Skyline GT-R racing under the same number 23. Despite the weight handicap, it did in fact become the champion in this 2008 season through the Xanavi Nismo GT-R driven by Satoshi Motoyama and Benoit Treluyer, as well as winning 7 out of 9 races driven by 4 different teams using GT-Rs.
FIA GT
On 27 February 2009, Nismo announced a partnership with British racing team Gigawave Motorsports to enter a GT-R in four races in the 2009 FIA GT Championship season. The entry will not be competing for championship points, but will be used by Nismo to refine the performance of the GT-R for future customer teams in the GT1 category. Nismo driver Michael Krumm and Gigawave driver Darren Turner will co-drive the GT1 GT-R.
Other categories
A production-based GT-R made its world motorsport debut in Australia’s Targa Tasmania tarmac rally in April 2008, however it sustained damage early in the event and did not complete the rally.[68] Later in 2008 a GT-R won the Competition Modern class in the Targa West before returning to Targa Tasmania in 2009 to take the outright win in the Modern class. In 2009 Nissan’s GTR won the One Lap of America competion.
Non-competitive appearances
The GT-R was used as the official safety car for the 2008 Japanese Super GT series, and as the official safety car of the 2009 Australian V8 Supercars series before a dispute over alcohol advertising led to the arrangement being discontinued after four rounds.
Nissan GT-R Aftermarket tuning
Despite early concerns about the difficulty of modification of the Nissan GT-R, a number of modifications have been released. The previously reported “untuneable” ECU has since been hacked by several tuning houses.
MINE’S has decoded its ECU, and others (MCR, HKS, and Top Secret) have bypassed the unit. They have been seen testing modified GT-Rs with the former two having conducted tests at the Tsukuba Circuit.
In a review by Motor Trend editor Scott Kanemura, it was revealed that the GPS system fitted to the GT-R would remove the 180-kilometer per hour (112 mph) speed limiter when the car arrives at a race track, but only on tracks approved by Nissan. Aftermarket ECUs have been developed to bypass the speed limiter, in addition to stand-alone speed-limiter defeaters. The GPS check will not be implemented in American models.
In August 2008, Nissan’s official motorsport and tuning arm Nismo announced the “Club Sport” tuning package for the GT-R . The package, which will also be fitted to the upcoming Spec V GT-R, includes Bilstein Damptronic compatible dampers, 20″ forged aluminum wheels from Rays Engineering, Bridgestone run-flat tires, Recaro carbon fiber-shelled bucket seats, a titanium exhaust, and a revised rear diffuser with an added cooling duct. The package is supported by a warranty and saves over 20 kg.
Hennessy Performance known for its custom Dodge Vipers has produced a GT-R that achieved 700 bhp using high octane race fuel and 21 psi of boost pressure. Road & Track Magazine recorded a 0-60 sprint in a 2.9 seconds and 0-100 mph in 6.5 seconds. The GT600 claims a top speed of around 217 mph. The GT600 is priced close to $118,090.
Nissan GT-R Awards
Top Gear Awards 2007 - Supercar of the Year 2007
Automobile Magazine - 2009 Automobile of the Year
Evo Magazine Car of the Year 2008
Edmunds - 2009 Edmunds’ Inside Line Editors’ Most Wanted Awards: Instant Classic
Motor Trend - 2009 Motor Trend Car of the Year
2008 Japan’s Most Advanced Technology Award
Popular Mechanics - Automotive Excellence Awards 2008 (Design)
2009 International Car of the Year
World Performance Car 2009