2017 Nissan GT-R makes Middle East debut Nissan’s flagship vehicle boasts a revised look and more power
Nissan yesterday launched the new 2017 GTR across the Middle East, the latest iteration of Nissan’s flagship performance vehicle, boasting a revised look both inside and out as well as major driving performance enhancements and more power. The 2017 models represent the most significant changes made to the GT-R since it was introduced in 2007, with Nissan also announcing the immediate availability of its GT-R NISMO in the region.
Samir Cherfan, Managing Director of Nissan Middle East, said: “The Nissan GT-R is one of the world’s most iconic supercars, and the Middle East is a key market for it. Motorists in this region love highperformance vehicles and the GT-R embodies every aspect of the word. Its multi-performance character allows the driver to be completely immersed in the GT-R’s capabilities, whether navigating corners on a twisting mountain road or simply running weekend errands in the neighborhood. We are very excited to be introducing the new 2017 model to its fans and customers in the region.”
The new GT-R’s exterior gets a complete makeover across the front end. The new chrome matte finish “V-motion” grille represents one of Nissan’s latest design signatures. It has been enlarged to provide better engine cooling and features an updated mesh pattern. A new hood, which flows flawlessly from the grille, has been significantly reinforced, contributing to stability during highspeed driving. A freshly-designed front spoiler lip and front bumpers with finishers situated immediately below the headlamps give the new GT-R the look of a pure-bred racecar, while generating high levels of front downforce.
The GT-R’s familiar wind-cutting shape defines its profile, but the side sills have been pushed out to improve air flow. The rear of the car also received a thorough makeover. While the GT-R’s hallmark fourring taillights remain, look closely and you’ll notice new bodywork to help improve air flow, as well as side air vents next to the quad exhaust tips. Also, the belt line that separates the lower black section from the body panel has been heightened to give the car a wider and more aggressive look from the rear. These exterior changes don’t result just in a sportierlooking car, they create an aerodynamically efficient vehicle, with less drag but retaining the same amount of downforce as the current GT-R to keep the car stable at high speeds.
Step into the cabin, and you’re greeted by a premium interior that is befitting a high-performance sports car of this caliber. The entire dashboard and instrument panel are new and covered with highquality leather artfully stitched together with TAKUMI precision. The shape of the dashboard adopts a “horizontal flow” that delivers a sense of increased stability for the car’s front-seat occupants, while the line from the instrument cluster to the center console provides a distinct driver-oriented environment for those behind the steering wheel.
The center dashboard layout has also been improved and simplified. Integrated navigation and audio controls reduce the number of switches from 27 in the previous model to only 11 in the 2017 model. An enlarged 8-inch touch-panel monitor features large icons on the display screen to make it easy to operate. A new Display command control on the carbon-fiber center console allows easy operation.
The shift paddles are now mounted to the new steering wheel, allowing drivers to change gears in mid-turn without having to take their hands off the wheel. The paddles themselves, along with the ventilation controls, have improved feel and better sound when engaged or adjusted.
The GT-R’s award-winning 3.8-liter V6 24-valve twin-turbocharged engine-each unit handcrafted by its own TAKUMI technician-now delivers 565 HP (EUR 570 PS) at 6800 rpm and 467 lb-ft of torque. The engines are the definition of TAKUMI expertise. The improved output, which are the result of individual ignition-timing control of the cylinders and extra boost from the turbochargers, allow the new GT-R to possess superior acceleration in the mid- to highranges (3200 rpm and above).
It comes mated to a thoroughly refined 6-speed dual-clutch transmission that features smoother shifts and less noise. That familiar GT-R tone also has been upgraded with an engine that has never sounded better. The resonance of the new titanium mufflers and Active Sound Enhancement (ASE) enhance the driving experience.
The GT-R has always been regarded as one of the world’s best handling machines, and for 2017, its cornering abilities have become even better. A more rigid body structure and new suspension result in better stability through quick lateral transitions and higher overall cornering speed. Providing the grip are sticky 20 inch tires, wrapped around new “Yspoke” machine-finished forged aluminum wheels.
Despite all the performance enhancements, the 2017 GT-R is the most comfortable model to date, with a new sense of elegance and civility that one would rarely find in such a high-performance supercar. The new GT-R exhibits a smoother ride quality than the outgoing model, and its cabin remains much quieter at all speeds and new sound absorption materials.
New for the 2017 GT-R are fresh colors inside and out that complement the car’s sophisticated character. A “Blaze Metallic” with multi layered painting has been added to the exterior paint palate, which the interior of the Premium Edition, which features semianiline leather, offers customers four different options: the newly added Black/Rakuda and Samurai Black, as well as the always popular Black/Amber Red and Black/Ivory.