Since its launch in 2007, the Nissan GT-R has been at the cutting edge of the premium sports car sector – and now Nissan has decided to update it for 2017 to keep it right where it lives - at the forefront of sporting car lovers right across the world.
The new Nissan GT-R has an exciting new look both inside and out, with more comfort than ever before, and some exciting driving performance enhancements in key areas, including a revised chassis and more power from its twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre 24-valve V6 engine.
And the 2017 Nissan GT-R will be available in three grades – Pure, Recaro and Prestige - as well as a NISMO-engineered Track Edition.
DESIGN
Exterior
Nearly all of the visual changes to the new GT-R exterior look not only add a high sense of style to one of the most distinctive-looking sports cars in the marketplace, but also help to improve aerodynamic performance
At the front we see a redesigned bumper, daytime running lights, and a new matte chrome finish “V-motion” grille that has been enlarged to increase airflow to cool the engine without causing any additional drag - and it looks good too! The drag reduction spread isn't the only change implemented to increase the aerodynamic efficiency; the generation of downforce and increased cooling are just as important.
In addition to the new grille and bonnet, the curving profile of the front under spoiler has been slightly extended and lowered by a few millimetres to improve airflow at the its lower edge, and the C-pillars have also been redesigned, with both changes helping to deliver better airflow management by preventing the generation of a smaller vortex.
At the rear of the new GT-R, the iconic round taillights continue to help define the GT-R, but we must take time to notice also the silver-finish diffuser and new side air vents incorporated next to the quad titanium exhaust tips again to help improve the car’s aerodynamics. The rear bumper section also now incorporates the same design that we find on the GT-R NISMO with its increased re-routing of air at the lower portion of the rear of the vehicle that leads to less interference between the exhaust gases exiting the tailpipes and airflow along the rear side portions of the bumper for improved heat evacuation.
And to finish the look off, stylish new Y-spoke forged alloy wheels by RAYS have been added to the 2017 GT-R to offer better wheel balance, lighter weight, and more strength.
Interior
You would expect anything less than superbly crafted materials featuring in the cabin of the new Nissan GT-R, and you get nothing less as Nissan strain every sinew to deliver an unparalleled degree of comfort, luxury and everyday usability.
From first glance it is obvious that the new cabin is more luxurious. Seamlessly wrapped in one continuous sheet of the highest quality Nappa leather, the new dashboard exhibits a “horizontal flow” with a distinct driver-oriented environment for those behind the steering wheel.
The centre dashboard layout has been improved and simplified, with the number of integrated navigation and audio controls reduced from 27 switches in the previous model to only 11 in the 2017 version, as well as some re-positioning to aid usage for certain ones. There is an enlarged 8" touch panel monitor with large customisable icons on the display screen that allow the user to easily manage the audio system, navigation system, telephone controls and other infotainment, and a new Display command control on the carbon-fibre centre console to allow easy operation without having to touch the monitor; a feature that comes in handy when travelling at high speed.
Paddle shifters are now mounted directly to the newly designed steering wheel (as opposed to the steering column) to let the driver select gears of the 6-speed dual clutch transmission without having to take his hands off the wheel mid-turn.
TECHNICAL
The Twin-Turbocharged Engine
The GT-R’s award-winning 3.8-litre V6 24-valve twin-turbocharged engine has had a bit of a makeover, boosting it by 20 PS in comparison to the 2015 model so that it now delivers 570 PS at 6800 rpm by using (in part) an ignition-timing system that’s controlled at each individual cylinder— as previously seen in the GT-R NISMO.
The new changes result in improved acceleration in the mid-range (3200 rpm and above) with maximum torque output available across a wider range of the powerband.
Each engine is hand-assembled from beginning to end in a special clean room by meticulously trained technicians and boasts plasma-sprayed bores, a symmetrical independent intake and exhaust manifold system with twin high-performance turbochargers, a secondary air management system for improved cold-start emissions performance, a thermostatically controlled oil-cooling system, an oil scavenger pump to maintain oil flowing to the turbochargers; and a lateral wet and dry sump oiling system.
There is also a new titanium exhaust system that better manages the high temperatures of the exhaust gas from the engine and includes a NACA duct on the vehicle’s undertray to keep the silencer cool as well as the rest of this area of the car.
The new Nissan GT-R also features:
Dual Clutch Transmission
ATTESA E-TS All-Wheel Drive
A newly refined suspension system and a more rigid body structure
Bilstein® DampTronic driver-adjustable shock-absorber system with three driver selectable settings: Normal, Comfort and R
A speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion aluminium steering rack,
Brembo® monoblock six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers with 15.35" front and 15" rear Brembo® brake pads
"With its enhanced body/chassis structural rigidity, more efficient suspension system, and fitment of tyres with improved lateral stiffness, the 2017 Nissan GT-R rewards the driver with better handling capability, increased vehicle stability and a more comfortable ride than ever before."
SAFETY TECHNOLOGY
Along with the increased structural rigidity of the platform that aids with occupant protection, standard safety items on every new 2017 Nissan GT-R include:
Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS)
Advanced Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) stability control system with three driver-selectable modes (Normal, R-Mode, Off)
Electronic Traction Control System (TCS)
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD
RearView Monitor
TYre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Automatic on/off headlights.
Full UK specification is due later this year, and we will have those details to you as soon as we get them ourselves. In the meantime, if you wish to look at what Nationwide Vehicle Contracts have on offer when it comes to the existing Nissan GT-R, click here.
A late starter on the road (passing his test at the age of 31) Kevin drives. He gets into the car, starts it, and drives. No matter what car, it is being on the road that matters, and enjoying the feeling of being there. A passionate writer about many subjects, and author of an as-yet unpublished book based on his misspent youth in a pop band in the 80's, he works as a freelance copywriter in the North-West of England.
Away from his laptop keyboard, Kevin is a dedicated husband, dad, grandad and AFC Wimbledon football fan currently attempting to indoctrinate his 4 year old grandson into the music of his youth by playing The Jam on repeat throughout the house. He also performs stand-up comedy under the name of AFC Baggy and is the current Preston Comedian of the Year.
