GT-R double
Nissan updates muscle car. Plus Track Edition blasts off
ONCE a year, Nissan subjects its GT-R supercar to a meticulous development process aimed at making it faster and more capable than ever before. This latest version – for the 2017 model year – is no different.
Its 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 now develops 562bhp (20bhp more than the outgoing car), while a reshaped front end has been added to improve cooling and aero efficiency.
However, Nissan wants you to think less about performance and more about practicality – as this GT-R has been developed to be easier to live with day to day.
Climb aboard, and you’ll notice it’s now a far nicer place to sit. Softer leather has been added to the dash and steering wheel, while a new infotainment system and redesigned centre console reduce the button count. Yet while the cabin is an improvement, it’s still some way off matching an Audi R8 for execution and appeal. Our Recaro model is the most popular in the range. It’s an extra £2,000 over the ‘entry-level’ car, but comes with a plush pair of leather bucket seats.
Nissan has also been at work refining the dual-clutch gearbox to deliver smoother shifts at lower speeds, plus acoustic glass and sound deadening have been added to keep things hushed at motorway speeds.
The improvements to the transmission are evident immediately. You can change between first and second without the usual thump in the back – making parking manoeuvres and town driving less laborious.
In its softest setting, the ride has a new level of suppleness, but again, an R8 is streets ahead when it comes to ride quality and comfort. Having said that, the Audi is the thick end of £50,000 more expensive and doesn’t deliver any more oomph. The softer side hasn’t done anything to upset performance, though. A 0-62mph estimate of 2.8 seconds is entirely believable.
The powertrain isn’t the most polished, but it’s effective. The four-wheel-drive system is vital, harnessing the GT-R’S brute force and allowing you to slingshot away from a standstill. You’re not so aware of the solid 1,752kg kerbweight in a straight line, but fast corners or rapid changes in direction show its portly side. The steering is fast, though, which helps it feel more agile.
A new titanium exhaust has been fitted for more character, but the soundtrack is still dominated by induction noise. There’s a lot of resonance from the engine, while tyre roar is noticeable at a cruise, too.