Nissan GT-R
File:Nissan GT-R exterior 018 low.jpg
Overview
ManufacturerNissan
Production2008
AssemblyUnknown
Body and chassis
ClassSports Car
Body style2-door coupé
LayoutAll-wheel drive, Front-engined
PlatformPremium Midship
Powertrain
EngineVR38DETT Bi-turbo V6
Chronology
PredecessorNissan Skyline GT-R

The Nissan GT-R is a sports car created by Nissan, expected to be released internationally by the beginning of 2008 as a 2009 model.

History

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Nissan Skyline GT-R

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Between 1989 and 2002, Nissan produced a high performance version of it's Skyline range, called the Nissan Skyline GT-R. This car proved to be iconic for Nissan and achieved much fame and success. The Nissan GT-R, although no longer carrying the "Skyline" badge, has heritage in the Nissan Skyline GT-R. Like the Nissan Skyline GT-R, the Nissan GT-R is AWD with a twin-turbo 6 cylinder engine. The evolutionary, incremental changes between Skyline models R32 through R34 have been done away with, with much more aggressive styling displayed on the concept model (see below). Underneath the body Nissan will also do away with the traditional straight-6 engine, and instead use a new V6[1]

GT-R Concept

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Nissan GT-R concept at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show

The Nissan GT-R Concept was initially unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2001.

GT-R Proto

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GT-R Proto, rear

At the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan unveiled a redesigned concept, the GT-R Proto (pictured right), stating that the production GT-R will be 80-90% based on this concept.

Production

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The production version of the GT-R has debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, with its launch in the Japanese market scheduled for Fall 2007. The U.S. launch will follow in May/June 2008. Europe will be the third market, where it is expected to be launched late 2008. The large time distance between these releases is due to Nissan having to build GT-R performance centres where the car is built and serviced. The engine and rear-mounted Dual Clutch gearbox are built by hand, limiting production to around 1000 cars a month.[2]


It has already been driven by Autoweek in Germany in the new Nürburgring, in the autobahn and in small roads [3]. Also, photos of the production vehicle have been published [4] since Motor Trend broke the embargo.


Performance and Specifications

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Performance:

  • Top speed: 193 mph (311 km/h)
  • Acceleration: 0-60 in 3.5 seconds
  • Standing ¼-mile: 11.7 sec

Specifications[5]:

  • 3.8L Twin-turbo DOHC V6 engine (VR38DETT)[6]
  • Power: 480 hp (360 kW) @ 6,800 RPM
  • Torque: 588 N⋅m (434 lb⋅ft) @ 3,200-5,200 RPM
  • ATTESA E-TS all wheel drive
  • 6-speed dual clutch automated manual transaxle with triple cone synchros and 3 shift modes[7]


Testing

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Two GT-R test mules being transported by truck in Japan

GT-R Test mules have been spotted on the Nürburgring, frequently alongside a 2006 Porsche 911 Turbo; speculated as being used by Nissan as a benchmark car. Sources have expressed that the car is capable of lapping the Nürburgring in the 7 minute range[8] [1] . Nissan has confirmed a Nurburgring lap time of 7 minutes 38.54 seconds, and have released a video of the lap[9][10]. Nissan is reportedly going after the lap record of the Porsche Carrera GT.[11]

The GT-R has undergone road testing around the southwest United States, with sightings in New Mexico[12] and California. As was the case in the Nurburgring, the car was followed by a 911 Turbo. The GT-R has also been sighted doing laps at Infineon Raceway and Laguna Seca. At Laguna Seca, the GT-R posted an unofficial lap time of 1 minute 39.62 seconds, a time marginally faster than the 911 Turbo following it which was timed at 1 minute 39.89 seconds[13]

File:08.nissan.skyline.int.1.500.jpg
Interior

Media Appearances

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Appearances in video games

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The GT-R Concept from the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show is featured in Project Gotham Racing 3, Gran Turismo Concept, Gran Turismo 4 Prologue and Gran Turismo 4. The 2005 GT-R Proto is currently set to appear in at least two video games:

  • Need for Speed: ProStreet - the GT-R Proto was revealed on the first car list, and is also the poster car for the game.
  • Gran Turismo 5 Prologue - the GT-R Proto '05 has been seen in a number of videos promoting the game. Gran Turismo creators Polyphony Digital were themselves involved in the development of the GT-R, having been contracted to design the GT-Rs multifunction display[14].

Additionally, both games are scheduled to debut the production GT-R in-game (via downloadable demos) on the same day the real vehicle debuts.[15][16]

Motorsport

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According to Nismo, the offical tuning company of Nissan, Nissan GT-R will be participating Super GT in the 2008 season, replacing Fairlady Z as the active car in the past seasons.[17]

References

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  1. ^ "Under the hood of the Nissan GT-R". Autoblog. 2007-9-11. Retrieved September 11, 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ 2009 "Nissan GT-R - AutoWeek". 2007-10-17. Retrieved 2007-10-24. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  3. ^ 2009 "Nissan GT-R - AutoWeek". 2007-10-17. Retrieved 2007-10-24. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  4. ^ Undisguised: 2009 Nissan GT-R (2007/10/16)
  5. ^ 2009 "Nissan GT-R Specs and Standard Features". {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  6. ^ "Nissan Press Release - Nissan Announces New Nissan GT-R". 2007-10-24. Retrieved 2007-10-24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "2009 Nissan GT-R Specs and Standard Features". Retrieved 2007-10-24.
  8. ^ "1?SPY SCOOP!?ALL NEW GT-R". Kodansha Ltd. and 2&4 Motoring Co.,Ltd. News. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2006-12-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/24/tokyo-motor-show-live-shots-of-the-nissan-gt-r/
  10. ^ http://youtube.com/watch?v=uGe_fyhQazg Onboard Video of the Lap
  11. ^ Nissan GT-R Japanese pricing announced; 'Ring runs continue
  12. ^ http://www.nagtroc.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19571
  13. ^ Edmunds - Nissan GT-R conquers the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca
  14. ^ Edmunds Inside Line: A Day in Germany With the GT-R Engineers
  15. ^ Need for Speed: ProStreet -- Xbox Live Demo Hands-On
  16. ^ Nissan Skyline GT-R To Debut on Gran Turismo 5
  17. ^ 「NISSAN GT-R」が SUPER GT に参戦
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