Nissan’s mighty GT-R comes of age
It’s always had speed to match any supercar – now Nissan’s mighty GT-R has style too
Surely after last weekend, both idiotic Black Friday and Cyber Monday are doomed. At least, let’s hope so. Just as these ludicrous US imports looked set to establish a permanent foothold on this side of the Atlantic, their whole raison d’être began to unravel. On Black Friday, the unofficial rules state, we are duty-bound to wrestle as many of our fellow men to the ground as is necessary, preferably in front of a Sky News camera crew, in the name of securing a so-called bargain. Then, on the following (Cyber) Monday, we are supposed do the same thing all over again, only virtually this time.
This year, however, there was a virtual fly in the ointment: more people spent online on Friday than they did in person, signalling the beginning of the end for the Black Friday free-for-all while simultaneously hijacking Cyber Monday’s USP.
This is the problem with gimmicks: they are by definition a flash in the pan; here one day, gone the next.
Talking of gimmicks, how about we get back to a perennial favourite of this column, the eternally gimmicky Nissan GT-R. Here we have the third incarnation of this giant-slaying upstart to test in as many years. But with a twist – it is the least gimmicky and by far the most attractive GT-R to date.
There has never been any doubt about the GT-R’s ability to deliver supercar performance at a price tag that comes in below that of a Ferrari, say. However, if comfort, quiet and smoothness were on your list of requirements, the Nissan was left critically wanting. Well, not any more. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, allow me to introduce you to Nissan’s new baby, the ‘subtle GT-R’. Also known as the GT-R MY17.
No longer does one have to possess the nervous system of a Neanderthal man to enjoy owning this legendary wild beast. For sure, it remains satisfyingly wild and with more power than ever, but it is much more palatable now as well as having grown into its looks – from scraggy workhouse kid to handsome prince.
A car renowned for unapologetically putting function before form has finally allowed the latter to creep out of the shadows and into the spotlight. Although by no means purely for the sake of it. In fact, precisely the opposite – the GT-R’s new shape is all about the engineering, baby! The imposing larger grille now catches more air to cool ever hotter key components. The front bumper and splitter have been redesigned to divert airflow around the front wheels, thus reducing drag.
More new kicks and flicks can be spotted towards the rear, this time fashioned to accelerate air away from the signature quartet of tailpipe cans, helping to prevent the whole exhaust system from going into meltdown.
Inside, the new vibe now conveys a more refined air. There are even four colours of handstitched leather available for the prestige touring seats, and dashboard hide that has been picked for its flawless quality. This more luxuriant decor has the bonus of extra soundproofing. There’s more: to further reduce cabin rumble, Nissan has introduced Active Noise Cancellation.
When it comes to driving, as on previous models, the ‘R’ mode lets the driver select
between quicker gear
A SCRAGGY KID WHO’S GROWN INTO HIS LOOKS
changes, stiffer damping and variable traction control to the point of turning it off completely. A new addition is the quiet button to stifle the sexy growl from the exotic titanium exhaust so as not to annoy the neighbours mid Sunday-morning burnout.
Each year, because of this column, I am lucky enough to get behind the wheel of at least one car that taps into my inner Jenson Button and makes me want to drive like a loon. Up until now, 2016 was the first fallow year. Thank God, then, for the 570hp and 637Nm of torque available underneath the bonnet of this maniac-mobile, all of which comes from a hand-built, 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V6 assembled by one of only five pairs of hands in the world capable of such wizardry. And let’s not forget the final tinsel on Nissan’s GT-R Christmas tree, the VDC system, a series of micro-computers that monitor steering, power and braking, thus predicting oversteer and understeer before they happen and doing whatever is required to keep you out of the ditch and on the road.
I have always admired the GTR but could never have imagined living with one on a daily basis. Until now, that is. Until its metamorphosis from a bone-shaker wolf in boy racer’s shell suit to a sophisticated motor car, brimming with poise. And shhh – how about 0-60 in 2.8 seconds.
Oh what the heck: that’s 0-60 IN TWO POINT EIGHT SECONDS. Come on you beauty! The hero car of the
year.