This is the new Nissan GT-R Nismo, a fettled and powered-up version of Japan’s giant-killing super-coupe. Like Porsche’s GT3 and Ferrari’s 458 Speciale, the recipe for the GT-R Nismo has been to add power, strip weight and improve aerodynamics.
The price has been tweaked too: from £76,610 to over £120,000. What does your extra £45k buy you? Read on for the full story.
How much more power does the Nissan GT-R Nismo have?
The car’s 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 runs higher boost pressure, a high-pressure fuel pump, and larger diameter turbochargers from Nissan’s GT500 GT-R racing car. The alterations hike power from the standard car’s 542bhp up to 592bhp. Torque rises by 20lb ft, to 480lb ft.
Confirmed performance figures have not been announced, but the Nismo GT-R is expected to hit 62mph in around 2.5sec. Despite the aero bodykit, Nissan claims the car’s drag coefficient is the same as the standard car, so the top speed of 197mph should be safe.
Is the Nismo GT-R the fastest car around the Nurburgring?
Not quite. The standard GT-R has been locked in a ’Ring supremacy battle with Porsche’s 911 since 2009, but the hardcore Nismo version can’t quite knock the record-holding 918 Spyder off its 6min 57sec perch.
The Nismo GT-R has lapped a personal best of 7min 8sec around the Nordschliefe – that’s 17sec faster than a 691bhp Lamborghini Aventador, and 10sec faster than a stock GT-R.
>> Click here to watch Gavin Green lap the Nurburgring in the Nismo GT-R
Gavin Green has ridden in the new Nismo GT-R around the Nurburgring: read his full feature in the December issue of CAR magazine. Gavin says the car’s speed ‘reminds me of doing aerobatics with the Red Arrows 25 years ago’.
Talk me through the other hardware changes
Red pinstripes are standard Nismo uniform: we’ve seen the treatment already applied to the entertaining Juke Nismo. The massive carbonfibre rear wing and new front splitter and skirts help generate a claimed 100kg of downforce at 186mph.
The car rides on new Bilstein dampers, again a bespoke set-up for this car. Drivers can choose between comfort, sport and ‘R’ modes, the latter strictly for high-speed racetrack antics. The six-spoke alloy wheels wear sticky Dunlop tyres developed specifically for the Nismo GT-R – the wheels themselves are another nod to Nismo’s racing exploits, and gain heavy-duty hubs and bolts to withstand the extreme forces generated when pushing the handling limits.
The Nismo retains its six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and adaptive all-wheel drive system. The brakes are still steel rather than carbon-ceramic discs.
What about inside?
It’s standard GT-R, lifted by Nismo badging and carbon-backed Recaro bucket seats. An Alcantara steering wheel and red stitching add racey ambience – it’s safe to say the GT-R’s cockpit is still more an acquired taste than the sober purposeful environment of a Porsche 911 GT3.
When can I buy one of these £120,000 GT-Rs?
The Nismo GT-R starts rolling off the Japan production line in early 2014. Hinting at how serious a weapon Nissan reckons it’s built, customers have to personally register for the vehicle upon delivery, rather than simply having it delivered.
Still want one? You’ve got white, black, silver, red and matte black finishes to choose from.
>> Is £120,000 too much for a Nissan even with this much performance? Add your comments below