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Nismo Breathe On The GT-R

Topics: Nissan GT-R

Nismo Breathe On The GT-R

Geoff Maxted
DriveWrite
February 10, 2014

There is a guy who lives near to me who owns a Nissan GT-R. He resolutely refuses to let me drive it despite my journalistic credentials. When I pressed him he responded that he would not let me drive his car because of my journalistic credentials. “I know you motoring types”, he muttered darkly.

So for now, we’ll have to make do with Nissan’s own comments on the new GT-R Nismo which will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. With DNA from the Nismo global racing team, the ultimate GT-R is a race-oriented model delivering "factory tuned" supercar dynamics with revolutionary enhanced aerodynamics and ultra-precise handling, they say.

The Nissan GT-R is already established as one of the best performing supercars … in the world, and now Nissan has drawn on decades of racing experience gathered by Nismo - the brand's motorsport specialists - who have breathed their fiery Wasabi breath upon it to develop the ultimate GT-R.

The new car has numerous motorsport inspired technologies to enhance the car's performance through optimised aerodynamics, suspension and powertrain, creating, Nissan say, a well-balanced machine that is at home on both the road and track. It has been developed and tested at Germany's famous Nürburgring Nordschleife, widely considered to be one of the most challenging circuits … in the world. It lapped the legendary circuit in a cracking 7:08:679 and Nissan state that this is the volume production car lap record.

The GT-R Nismo is powered by the 3.8-litre V6 VR38DETT engine that benefits from the know-how that Nismo has gained from participating in such events as the world-renowned Nürburgring 24 hour race. Engine power has risen and is now rated at 600PS (441kw) and 481 lb/ft (652 Nm) of torque. New high-flow, large capacity turbochargers, which are used for GT3 racing, improve breathing, while optimised individual ignition timing control for each cylinder and upgraded fuel pump improve combustion.

The springs and custom-developed Bilstein DampTronic dampers in the front and rear suspension are specially tuned to deliver exceptional grip levels and progressive handling response at the limit. Three suspension modes can be selected: Comfort, Normal and R, for circuit applications. The car runs on exclusive Nismo tyres - developed by Dunlop which, the company says, exhibit outstanding grip and handling characteristics. Front: 255/40 ZRF20; rear 285/35 ZRF20.

Using the latest Computational Fluid Dynamic simulation techniques to analyse airflow, Nismo has developed an aero package that improves road-holding, minimises the negative impact of drag, while giving the car a menacing and muscular appearance as can be seen in the official photos.

The Nissan GT-R Nismo will be available in five body colours: Brilliant White Pearl, Meteor Flake Pearl Black, Ultimate Metallic Silver and Vibrant Red. And, unique to the GT-R Nismo model, a Dark Matte Grey accentuates the car's imposing exterior muscularity. The GT-R Nismo's black 6-spoke wheels are inspired by Nissan's GT-R race car which races in the GT500 class in SUPER GT.

Inside, the GT-R Nismo’s cockpit inspires driver confidence through both its craftsmanship and optimised driving position. Featuring ergonomically sculpted carbon-fibre-backed reclining RECARO seats comfortably, yet firmly, support the driver and front-seat passenger. Nismo racers influenced the design of the steering wheel which is in Alcantara®, with three spokes, red centre mark and red stitching to give the best combination of grip, feedback and comfort.

DriveWrite is looking forward to seeing this new advancement of the GT-R story. In the meantime I shall continue to work on the chap up the road and try to get into his good books. Perhaps if I offer to mow his lawn or something…