Godzilla returns. New Nissan GT-R arrives in SA

Nissan has been incredibly quiet these past few months, and now we know why. The wonderful ladies and gentlemen of Nissan were all working on evolving their resident supercar-killer – the Nissan GT-R, which they revealed at the New York Motor Show this week.

“As the icon of Nissan’s driving performance, the GT-R continues to evolve. With the signature V-Motion grille, the GT-R now possesses the latest Nissan design language. Its exceptional aerodynamic performance and upgraded interior have given the GT-R a more mature character, which will continue into the future,” said Nissan’s Executive Design Director, Mamoru Aoki.

Subtle alterations can be noticed all around the new Nissan GT-R while there are no drastic changes, although Nissan assures us that this is the most significant model since the GT-R was introduced in 2007. At the front of the new GT-R the signature chrome-matte “V-motion” grille has been enlarged to allow it to breathe more efficiently, while the new reinforced bonnet improves stability at high speeds. More downforce is created at the front of the GT-R courtesy of a freshly-designed front spoiler lip and front bumpers.

Peering down the side of the GT-R one can immediately notice the extended side sills, complementing the aesthetic of the vehicle while refining aerodynamics. The rear of the GT-R also receives a delicate transformation. New bodywork embraces the characteristic four-ring taillights and new side air-vents accompany the quad exhaust tips. Aside from a more aggressive look, these design improvements all work together to create an aerodynamically efficient vehicle.

One of the problems in the previous Nissan GT-R was that the cabin felt too ‘cheap’. That’s not a problem anymore after receiving a major interior overhaul for 2017. A new 8” infotainment screen adds a more premium feel to the car, while the center dashboard layout has been simplified with integrated navigation and audio controls reducing the number of switches from 27 in the previous model to only 11 in the 2017 model.

The GT-R’s illustrious 3.8-liter V6 twin-turbo engine is now good for 421kW at 6800 rpm and 633Nm of torque. The improved output strapped to a refined 6-speed dual-clutch transmission allows the new GT-R to accelerate like a bat out of hell in the mid to high ranges (3200rpm and above). Let’s not forget about that glorious GT-R soundtrack, which is now louder than ever thanks to the new titanium mufflers and Active Sound Enhancement (ASE) technology.

A more rigid body structure and improved suspension combined with a set of sticky 20” tyres wrapped around new “Y-spoke” machine-finished forged aluminium wheels result in better grip and stability through the corners, retaining the GT-Rs reputation as one of the best handling supercars of our century.

“The new GT-R delivers a heart-pounding driving experience at all times and on any road for whoever sits in the driver’s seat. We have continued to push its performance boundaries to the outer limits—it’s even more potent than before. At the same time, more refinement has been added to take the entire driving experience to an entirely new level. We’re proud to bring you what we feel is the ultimate GT that possesses amazing performance, newfound civility and a rich racing history,” Hiroshi Tamura, the Chief Product Specialist of the GT-R, said.

A fresh new set of colours are available to the GT-R to complement its refined character, including a new “Blaze Metallic” finish. The Premium Edition, which features semi-aniline leather, offers customers four different options: the newly added Black/Rakuda and Samurai Black combinations, as well as the always popular Black/Amber Red and Black/Ivory combinations.

The new Nissan GT-R will reach South African soil later this year with exact timing and specifications to be confirmed soon. “The Nissan GT-R is certainly one of our halo products and we are excited to welcome the new GT-R to South Africa. We will be announcing more details in the not so distant future”, says Graeme Birch, General Manager Marketing Communications