Nissan GT-R 2009 News

In the world of supercars, there are battles and then there are “battles.” This is one of the latter. In this rather dry and yet superficial look at the Nissan GT-R's snow-driving capabilities, Nissan sets up one heck of a straw man--or snow man, as it were. Testing slalom, acceleration, and braking ability in the snow (skip to 3:50)--on a common set of Dunlop tires, to make it fair--Nissan pits the GT-R against an Infiniti FX and a Nissan 370Z. Yeah, that makes sense... It seems Nissan is trying to show how practical the GT-R is with this video, even in the hands of a young staffer. The woman tasked with driving the GT-R to provide a “normal driver's” perspective owns a Cube, but only drives once or twice per year. Total. Yeah, that makes even more sense... The video gets even funnier when snowy hill starts are attempted on a 20% grade. As you might expect, the GT-R annihilates the competition. The poor 370Z rolls back down the hill, front and rear wheels spinning in opposite directions. To be fair to Nissan and the GT-R, the twin-turbo supercoupe proves its snow-driving mettle. The GT-R's balanced weight, low centre of gravity, and all-wheel drive system make for a capable snow car. Of course, the Audi R8, Lamborghini Gallardo (but maybe not the Aventador), and Ferrari FF--even the Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible--are, too. Not to mention the Subaru WRX STI, E63 AMG all-wheel drive, and a horde of other all-wheel drive performance cars that might have made a better comparison point. Or, say, attempting a top-speed record for a stock production car on an icy lake. That would have made sense. www.motorauthority.com

Bentley's exploits in high-speed ice driving are well-known--and officially recognized. But for Nissan of Europe, the official Guinness certification apparently wasn't as important as going flat-out on Lake Baikal in a bone-stock GT-R. You see, the claim made with this video is for the unmodified production car ice speed record. Bentley's ice speed record runs were made in a specially-modified "ISR," (Ice Speed Record) Continental Supersports model, in the hands of Finnish rally champ Juha Kankkunen. Top speed: 330 km/h. Not long after, another Finn, Janne Laitninen, piloted an Audi RS6 to a top speed of 331.7 km/h on ice. Now, the Nissan GT-R, in the hands of Roman Rusinov, has crossed Lake Baikal's gorgeous crust of ice at a speed of... 295 km/h. That's not nearly as impressive as the cars modified to hit top speed on ice, but on the other hand, it looked like one hair-rising ride in a showroom-stock street car.  

A new generation of the Nissan GT-R sports car is due around 2017 or 2018, as hinted at by the car’s chief engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno who said earlier this year that the current R35 model would continue to evolve over the next five years. This would give the R35 a 10-year lifespan, which may be long by modern product cycle standards but apparently necessary due to the extensive engineering work going into the car’s successor, the R36. A strong possibility is that the R36 GT-R will feature a hybrid powertrain, something we’ve already seen happen in Formula One racing and about to experience in the world of supercars with the Porsche 918 Spyder, Ferrari Enzo replacement and possibly the McLaren P1. After all, with governments in most major markets pressuring automakers to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy of their fleets, even performance models like the GT-R are being put under the spotlight. Of course, hybrid technology can also be beneficial to the world of performance, particularly when it comes to all-wheel-drive cars. Some of the benefits include instantaneous torque from electric motors, improved traction control via negative torque and increased range through reduced fuel consumption.   According to Motor Trend, Nissan’s engineers are looking at two different options. The first is a hybrid setup where one or more electric motors help boost performance and rely on recovered brake energy for power. Such a system was previewed in the Infiniti Essence concept of 2009 and was claimed to deliver around 440 kW. The additional weight of the batteries required for the system is said to be disappointing for the engineers.   The second option is a simpler system where an electric motor is used to power ancillary features, helping reduce the load on the engine. By being mounted to the gearbox, it can also help boost performance when required. To further reduce fuel consumption, the R36 GT-R may also feature engine stop-start and cylinder deactivation technologies. As for its styling, this is expected to be more evolutionary rather than revolutionary. The size and shape of the R36 should remain much the same as the current model, though the car's look will be modernized. Aerodynamic enhancements will ensure downforce and overall balance are improved. www.motorauthority.com  

...developed together with its in-house tuner and motorsports partner Nismo. The first of these have already been revealed in the form of the Nismo 370Z sold in the U.S. and other select markets, and more recently the Juke Nismo, which goes on sale in Europe early next year, followed by the U.S. and Asian markets shortly after. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Nissan is also looking at more serious forms of tuning, particular for its performance models like the 370Z, GT-R supercar and a possible new front-wheel drive sports car. Using the ‘RS’ moniker, an abbreviation for Rennsport, the German word for motorsport, Nissan is thought to preparing a series of packages that will go a step beyond the suspension tune, mild power upgrades and aero aids of the standard Nismo kits. Speaking with Auto Express recently, Nissan’s product planning chief Andy Palmer hinted at RS versions of the GT-R and Juke, as well as the next-generation of the 370Z due in 2014. “The RS cars will be much more track-focused. You’ve seen the Juke-R, so maybe that would be a good place to start,” Palmer said. The latest comments tie in with those of GT-R chief engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno, who recently stated that Nissan’s participation in the 2012 Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race with a stock GT-R was to help further develop the car over the remainder of its life. Mizuno himself hinted at more capable version of the GT-R with his comment, “By changing it to a racing specification to be implemented in the future, no matter what kind of super high performance feature or a new version is developed in the next five years, the durability and reliability in varying conditions can be verified in this race. I would like to make a promise that all this will be reflected in future GT-Rs." Fortunately, we won’t have to wait too long to see the RS-spec GT-R as Nissan is expected to launch the model sometime next year. Stay tuned for an update. Pictured above (and below) is a GT-R fitted with some official tuner parts offered by Nismo. Released in 2008, the parts include adjustable dampers and stiffened springs, racing-style bucket seats, forged alloy wheels by Rays, and a titanium exhaust. www.motorauthority.com  

Priced at $170,800 and due here in March 2012, the new Nissan has more power (404kW), improved economy and lower emissions. It has unusual asymmetric suspension settings and enhanced transmission shift feel. Special race tuned oils are used in differential and the body is strengthened for even greater handling finesse. Inside are new Bose Precision Sound System woofers and a rear view camera now standard. Significant improvements have been made to the engine, chassis and transmission to accentuate the pure performance potential of the GT-R. The latest version is the most efficient yet. It offers even greater performance but this is allied to improved economy and lower emissions to provide further excitement to drivers and passengers. That asymmetric suspension compensates for greater weight on the driver's side in RHD models The engine is capable of 11.8L/100km, while output rises significantly from 390kW to 404kW from 6,400rpm with maximum torque of from 612 to 632Nm from 3,200 to 5,800 rpm. Engine response and torque at mid- and low-speeds, and power at high revolutions, has been significantly improved, mainly due to improved intake efficiency.

The updated Nissan adds 33kW/24Nm on the challenging all-wheel drive coupe that shook the European exotic car makers when launched in Australia 18 months ago. Expected to be priced at around the $170,000 mark, the 2011 model goes even further than its predecessor to put down 390kW/612Nm and pick up improved handling, fuel consumption and better after-sales support. Nissan Australia will market only one GT-R, chopping the previous base model GT-R and aligning price to the existing Premium model's $162,800 and its features with the European-spec GT-R Black. Nissan spokesman Jeff Fisher says pricing is yet to be fixed. He expects a premium on the existing model given added features and upgraded drivetrain specifications. "Japan has some variations on the GT-R theme but we won't do that. There will be one specification only and it will be closest in spec to the European 'Black' model." Mr Fisher says the 2011 GT-R is expected to sell at the rate of 150-200 a year, down on the 260 it did in its first full year. This year to September, Nissan has sold 66. The 2011 model's engine remains at 3.8 litres but gets 390kW at 6400rpm and 612Nm at 3200-6000rpm thanks to more turbo boost, some valve timing revisions and bigger intake and exhaust pipes. Power is up but emissions and fuel consumption are down. Nissan quotes a 12 litres/100km average, down from the current 12.5 l/100km. Externally the 2011 model is identified by a bigger bumper and intake openings that increase downforce by about 10 per cent and reduce the coefficient of drag to 0.26 from 0.27. Chassis changes - including a carbon strut brace under the bonnet and one behind the passenger-side dashboard - result in greater body stability and strength. Inside the GT-R gets a new instrument panel design and sat-nav display, some black-chrome trim to the console and air vents, and seats with more support.

It will be called the Egoist.

There is talk of an electric GT-R coupe sometime in the future but Nissan says it has no plans for a hybrid performance powerhouse to tackle Porsche’s upcoming 918 Spyder.  Andy Palmer says GT-R buyers want and expect their cars to be petrol performance machines. “It’s not really something we’d consider. In the GT-R our customers are looking for performance.”  Palmer says a hybrid would add too much weight. “The GT-R is aimed at one particularly type of customer.”

The Mercedes-Benz E Class is good, the Ford Fiesta is better, but the Golf is best of all from more than 100 new cars that landed in Australia over the past year.