Revealed: 2008 Nissan GT-R

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: Naustica
Looks aside (which I think looks fine), I'm glad Nissan is bring this car to the US. It means more competition and more choices. Modders are going to have a field day with this car and you're going to see some nice numbers playing with the stock turbos.

Rumor is that the GTR did 7:38 at Nurburgring which would put it faster than the 7:42 Z06 and 7:40 997 Turbo.

I doubt this car will see serious gains like the RB did... I say that because it is not iron block and the turbos are already running a lofty 22psi...

I believe Nissan projected the engine to be good for 600hp in its stock form.

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: mariok2006

Originally posted by: Naustica
Looks aside (which I think looks fine), I'm glad Nissan is bring this car to the US. It means more competition and more choices. Modders are going to have a field day with this car and you're going to see some nice numbers playing with the stock turbos.

Rumor is that the GTR did 7:38 at Nurburgring which would put it faster than the 7:42 Z06 and 7:40 997 Turbo.

I doubt this car will see serious gains like the RB did... I say that because it is not iron block and the turbos are already running a lofty 22psi...

I believe Nissan projected the engine to be good for 600hp in its stock form.

Your point about the non-iron block does have some validity...about the turbos, though...that depends on what turbos the VQ38DETT are running stock. If they are relatively small turbos (GT25 equivalent) running at high boost, then some pretty big gains could be made by swapping out the turbos and reinforcing the internals if necessary to handle the bigger turbos.

 

[sniperruff]

comparing it to a corvette is like comparing a G35c with a 350Z. this has 4 seats and a decent trunk, much like the 911.

and i'd also assume this rides much much better than a spartan ZO6.

with that said, i'd much rather have the 2008 M3.

 

[RKS]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
One of the most hideous cars I have seen, both inside and out.

...and if I were Porsche, I would be laughing my ass off.

Ricer's wet dream meets the understated, yet sophisticated German powerhouse. No contest.

What would humor Porsche? One of these days I will have a 911TT but subjective looks aside I believe the GT-R has a rather advanced AWD system, nice powerplant, and speculative performance numbers that rival the Porsche all at a much lower price.

If I spend $75K or more on a sports car, dash-strokability will be one of the last items on my checklist. Like I stated earlier one may view the Porsche design as classic or 'understated' while other think it to be stale and dated.

There are die-hards like my brother who will continue to believe there is no substitute; but I'm glad to see other performance choices on the market.

 

[alkemyst]

more godzookie than godzilla though.

When one can beat a hayabusa in the 1/4, pull 1+ g's on the track, and be a daily driver, I'd be more impressed.

edit: above means when I see it I will believe it. I do hope the car comes out like it's listed.

I have seen to many promises never delivered in the auto market.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
One of the most hideous cars I have seen, both inside and out.

...and if I were Porsche, I would be laughing my ass off.

Ricer's wet dream meets the understated, yet sophisticated German powerhouse. No contest.

hmmm a lot of the Porshce guys would love an R32 GTR.

The Porsche guys have a hard time with Z06's on the track too.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: mwmorph
2. No Manual Transmission. Seriously how do you expect to compete, even BMW realized that no manual = no go in the M5.

couldn't be more wrong. there has been nothing but complaints about the manual shifter in the M5. they're not even offering a manual in europe. :thumbsdown:

 

[GTaudiophile]

I would also like to add that most people will see this thing as just an expensive Nissan. Its value will plummet the second it's driven off the lot.

The Porsche on the other hand is a luxury car that rightfully demands a luxury price...not to mention the company's racing history...a heritage, a breeding if you will...something Nissan can't buy.

 

[Hyperlite]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: mwmorph
2. No Manual Transmission. Seriously how do you expect to compete, even BMW realized that no manual = no go in the M5.

couldn't be more wrong. there has been nothing but complaints about the manual shifter in the M5. they're not even offering a manual in europe. :thumbsdown:

QFT. That tranny came straight out of the 540i, and quickly overheats under aggressive driving. Its a great transmission in the 540i, modulating 325lb ft (i speak from experience), but it can't run with the M5's output numbers. IIRC, when car and driver reviewed the 6MT M5, they managed to have the redline down to something like 4k in less than a half an hour. maybe they can't drive, but of this i am somewhat doubtful.

 

[Hyperlite]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I would also like to add that most people will see this thing as just an expensive Nissan. Its value will plummet the second it's driven off the lot.

The Porsche on the other hand is a luxury car that rightfully demands a luxury price...not to mention the company's racing history...a heritage, a breeding if you will...something Nissan can't buy.

goodness, were you abused by a nissan as a small child?

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: Hyperlite

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I would also like to add that most people will see this thing as just an expensive Nissan. Its value will plummet the second it's driven off the lot.

The Porsche on the other hand is a luxury car that rightfully demands a luxury price...not to mention the company's racing history...a heritage, a breeding if you will...something Nissan can't buy.

goodness, were you abused by a nissan as a small child?

apparently.

while i don't think the GTR is a godly machine, its worshippers clearly guarantee it will maintain a solid value, much like supras and all.

 

[GTaudiophile]

No, I have nothing really against Nissan.

I just find it laughable that they think they can compete with Porsche. Sure, maybe in terms of numbers, but that's it. Buying a Porsche is not just about numbers. It's about a lot more. And I bet 90% or more of prospective Porsche buyers won't give this new Nissan a passing glance.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I would also like to add that most people will see this thing as just an expensive Nissan. Its value will plummet the second it's driven off the lot.

The Porsche on the other hand is a luxury car that rightfully demands a luxury price...not to mention the company's racing history...a heritage, a breeding if you will...something Nissan can't buy.

Porsches are pretty cheap used compared to new you realize right?

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: mwmorph
2. No Manual Transmission. Seriously how do you expect to compete, even BMW realized that no manual = no go in the M5.

couldn't be more wrong. there has been nothing but complaints about the manual shifter in the M5. they're not even offering a manual in europe. :thumbsdown:

Yeah most high end machines are offering automatics, but most are thinking the auto in their fvking buick.

Modern automatics are proving far more performance oriented than manuals for 99% of the population.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
No, I have nothing really against Nissan.

I just find it laughable that they think they can compete with Porsche. Sure, maybe in terms of numbers, but that's it. Buying a Porsche is not just about numbers. It's about a lot more. And I bet 90% or more of prospective Porsche buyers won't give this new Nissan a passing glance.

:laugh: ^^ Wannabe Porsche owner in training.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: mwmorph
2. No Manual Transmission. Seriously how do you expect to compete, even BMW realized that no manual = no go in the M5.

couldn't be more wrong. there has been nothing but complaints about the manual shifter in the M5. they're not even offering a manual in europe. :thumbsdown:

Yeah most high end machines are offering automatics, but most are thinking the auto in their fvking buick.

Modern automatics are proving far more performance oriented than manuals for 99% of the population.

for me, DSG/SMG takes away what makes a manual a manual - shifting yourself.

it's like customizing an alienware computer. sure, you built it in some sense, but not like a DIY rig that many (most?) ATers build.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
the excellent 300ZX ate too many cheeseburgers and became a porky, slow (Relative to it's heritage) 350Z, and 5 years later, STILL no ZX version.

Why would you need a 350ZX? According to Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/300ZX

The "X" was added to the model name by its predecessor signifying "luxury".

Do you want a more luxurious 350Z? 😕

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: Arkaign
the excellent 300ZX ate too many cheeseburgers and became a porky, slow (Relative to it's heritage) 350Z, and 5 years later, STILL no ZX version.

Why would you need a 350ZX? According to Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/300ZX

The "X" was added to the model name by its predecessor signifying "luxury".

Do you want a more luxurious 350Z? 😕

They already have it, it's called the G37

 

[RKS]

Autoweek review (as posted on TCL)

looks like the reviewed the 'base' model with only 473 horses.

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: RKS
Autoweek review (as posted on TCL)

looks like the reviewed the 'base' model with only 473 horses.

That's some crazy ass AWD system. the GTR is ~700 lbs heavier than the Z06 and matches it's performance with less HP. That 21 mpg combined figure is a bit pushing it as well.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: mwmorph
2. No Manual Transmission. Seriously how do you expect to compete, even BMW realized that no manual = no go in the M5.

couldn't be more wrong. there has been nothing but complaints about the manual shifter in the M5. they're not even offering a manual in europe. :thumbsdown:

Yeah most high end machines are offering automatics, but most are thinking the auto in their fvking buick.

Modern automatics are proving far more performance oriented than manuals for 99% of the population.

for me, DSG/SMG takes away what makes a manual a manual - shifting yourself.

it's like customizing an alienware computer. sure, you built it in some sense, but not like a DIY rig that many (most?) ATers build.

Unfortunately most haven't driven the best systems out there, with electronic AI clutches and the like they hands down drive better.

I like the physicalness of a car myself, but if I was dropping serious coin I'd want the best system...I'd get a gutted, in your face car as a weekend warrior.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Naustica

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
No, I have nothing really against Nissan.

I just find it laughable that they think they can compete with Porsche. Sure, maybe in terms of numbers, but that's it. Buying a Porsche is not just about numbers. It's about a lot more. And I bet 90% or more of prospective Porsche buyers won't give this new Nissan a passing glance.

:laugh: ^^ Wannabe Porsche owner in training.

You may bet 90% wouldn't but you'd be wrong. It's usually the guys with the Porsche Member's Only jackets and keychains that don't even own a Porsche or own one that is so beat into the ground a Ford Escort would smoke it in all areas including luxury.

My brother has a 996 and there is a lot of Porsche events down here with Sebring and Homestead, etc all around us. In the Porsche Corrals many talk about other cars and many own other makes as well. Infinity G series and 350Z's are pretty popular. Z06's are popular.

 

[overst33r]

Whole Article from Autoweek

U.S. buyers will get the 2009 Nissan GT-R late next spring.
By MARK VAUGH
Yes, it lives up to all the hype!

The coming Nissan GT-R is a world-class supercar: Top speed of 193 mph, 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, a 473 hp, 433 lb ft twin-turbo V6 mounted in the front and driving all four wheels through a rear-mounted transaxle. Take a breath. Okay, continue. And a dual-clutch six-speed automatic you can operate via paddles on the steering wheel.

After a full day driving it on the Nurburgring, the Autobahn and up and over numerous little German country roads we can easily say this is one car that was not over hyped. It is truly a world-class supercar on par with, if not just ahead of, the iconic Porsche Turbo. (They had a Porsche Turbo on hand, too, and we thought the GT-R felt better tied down.)

But it's one thing to put a license plate on a race car and call it streetable. Chief engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno said the new GT-R was designed and engineered as an all-around, all-season, all-weather car that is comfortable to drive every day, even at normal speeds on a normal day.

During the few minutes we drove at what could be called a "normal pace" that day we'd have to say we agree with him. But given only a few hours at the wheel of this, the most highly anticipated supercar in years, we were only in "normal" mode for very brief spurts. The rest of the time we were at some level between "pushing it" and "hammering on the mutha'."

Our first time behind the wheel was on the A48 autobahn in Germany somewhere out around Koblenz or Koln or some other K-town where the German socialist government had not yet succeeded in adding those awful 120-km-hr speed limits. It was like Bonneville with elevation changes and guardrails. The only limitation out here was aerodynamic. Hence, we were obliged to go all-out whompin' fast the whole time.

Rolling right out of the autobahn rest stop where we rendezvoused with the Japanese engineering support crew, we nailed the throttle to the floor and man did the throttle respond. The 3.8-liter VR38 V6 is "an evolution" of the award-winning VQ engine family. It sits up front, with two of its six cylinders forward of the front axle and four aft. Two bagel-sized IHI turbos sit right at the exhaust manifold for quick response. The 433 lb ft of torque rails across the tach from 3200 to 5200 rpm. Peak 473 hp comes at 6400 revs.

A carbon fiber prop shaft ("Good damping and stiffness") runs back to the transaxle, incorporating the clutch, transmission and transaxle altogether. The shifting is done via a direct, twin-clutch system. One clutch handles the odd gears and another clutch handles the even ones. Shifts take 0.2 seconds. There are BorgWarner triple-cone synchronizers for all gears. Another shaft runs forward from that transaxle to send power to the front wheels. Below 25 mph the torque split is 50/50, above that, under normal driving, the split is 40/60. But it can split up to 2/98 under hard acceleration, which was what we were giving it.

Our car rode on 20-inch wheels wrapped by Bridgestone Potenza RE070s, 255/40 in front and 285/35 rears. Front suspension was upper and lower A-arms and the rear was a five-link.

It's always fun to go from zero to warp factor in a right hand-drive car using a jet-lagged left hand-drive brain, trying not to turn on the windshield wipers when you think you're hitting the turn signal.

The GT-R lists quarter-mile time at 11.7 seconds and entering the Autobahn we had no reason to doubt that. The turbo boost was, as promised, very progressive, with little or no discernable lag, just smooth, even power delivery.

Despite the late-morning hour and the mid-week day, there were still a few cars in the way. When we eased onto the 15.2-inch ventilated cross-drilled Brembo brakes from well into triple-digit speeds the car slowed without drama. But then traffic would clear out and the GT-R resumed its high velocity chase with ease.

There are three settings for the Bilstein Damptronic shocks: R, Sports and Comfort. We went out in Sports.

Top speed is listed at 193 mph but with traffic the best we could do was 176. You wouldn't try that in any country but Germany, where you can usually assume everyone else is paying attention. There was a Japanese engineer riding shotgun over on the left whom we dubbed "Bushido engineer-o" or brave engineer. He thought that was pretty funny.

While the coefficient of drag is an impressive 0.27, more than almost any production car, the GT-R also produces downforce at each axle, something very few production cars can claim.

"Cd is more important than downforce on a G35," said chief designer Hiroshi Hasegawa. "But in the case of the GT-R we have to make downforce."

At 193 mph you might appreciate that philosophy.

The first time we went out, the right front wheel felt just a little out of balance, so we came back in and they changed all four wheels. They're efficient, these guys. After that the car was smooth as well as stable and safe, due in equal parts to the German roadway and the Japanese engineering.

The whole car sits on the new PM platform, PM meaning Prime Midship. It's an evolution of the ubiquitous FM platform that sits underneath everything from 350Zs to crossover SUVs. The PM incorporates what Mizuno-san called a "hybrid superstructure body." There is carbon-injected material in the front end and carbon composite material underneath for aerodynamic downforce. There's even some polypropylene in the body, too. In any case, it's not just another FM variant.

We truly enjoyed the Autobahn experience. This is the perfect car for such a top-speed run-it gives such a sense of control at those speeds that you feel like you could do anything.

Next on our agenda of "anything" were some miles of country road. We were able to drive the GT-R back-to-back with a Porsche Turbo.

"Okay now, please enjoy," said the Nissan technician as we exited the company compound down the street from the Nurburgring.

After "much spirited driving," we can say the Turbo had a good deal more lag and more dive and squat than the GT-R. But once the Porsche got spooled up, achtung, baby. It felt lighter and the steering felt quicker, too. The biggest difference between the two was that the Turbo demanded more of its driver while the GT-R was easier to handle, flatter and more stable. We'd be happy with either one, if you're considering a birthday present or anything.

Next up on this Disneyland of a day was Der Nurburgring. This is what all those teenagers whose parents have not taken away their Playstation access really want to do: drive an actual GT-R around the actual Nurburgring as fast as grip, guts and gasoline allow.

Man-oh-flippin'-man. The real deal is about 100 times more thrilling than any computer simulation, even those with the little plastic steering wheel and feet pedals attached.

This was the new Nurburgring, too. Nissan wasn't foolish enough to turn this small squadron of car writer hacks loose on the narrow, blind, crazy-dangerous Nordschliefe. At the time of our drive there were only three prototype GT-Rs extant in the world, and all the apologizing on Earth wouldn't bring one back if you crunched it.

The new Nurburgring is faster, with wide, sweeping turns bordered by runoff areas so huge that even the most no-talent buffoon could likely stay on the pavement. So we did.

All the Japanese engineers and executives had been telling everyone that there was a 35-mph speed limit in the pits, but in all the excitement we kind of forgot about it and nailed the throttle right out of the parking spot right there in pit lane. The wide, low, squealing run-flat tires laid down long patches of black rubber as we launched past the closed garages, pulling back on the right paddle to shift the rear-mounted dual-clutch six-speed transaxle every time the engine got close to its 7000-rpm redline.

In no time at all we were roaring onto pit-out near the end of the straight and directly into the low, evening sun. By the time we got fully out on the front straight and were shifting up from four to five or so, the sun was directly in front of the GT-R and streaming into the windshield; we were trying to remember if that first right-hander came at this rise or just past it. It was just past it, but we'd already started braking and downshifting, the GR6's "synchro-rev control," which perfectly matched each downshift with a throttle blip much better than we'd ever have been able to match it.

Tiptoeing through the first couple turns to avoid the infamy of the run-off gravel, the car felt perfectly safe and willing. So we hammered it up through the gears down the hill and to the far 180-degree turn and started to feel more confident. By the end of the first lap we were flat out on the front straight, roaring up through all six gears for all it was worth.

Nissan lists lateral g's at 0.99, and we certainly bumped up against that in many a Nurburgring corner.

We only got three full laps and no one was timing us, so you'll just have to assume we set the lap record. Earlier, Mizuno-san had offered some lap times from the Nordschliefe for various cars driven by the German magazine SportAuto. Those times are driver-dependent, track-knowledge-dependent, weather-, traffic- and bunny-crossing-the-track dependent. But Mizuno suggested the GT-R could get anywhere from 7:44 on up, with most laps coming in between 7:55 and 7:58. So he suggested the GT-R's strong suit was that it offered "the best cost per lap time." For whatever that's worth.

The GT-R will be worth somewhere in the low-$70,000 range, which does make it perhaps the best cost per lap. We'll know for sure when it enters U.S. showrooms in May or June. Japan will get first crack at it, we get second and the Europeans, who did such a great job of getting out of our way during our Autobahn drive, will have to get it third.


SPECS: 2009 Nissan GT-R
On Sale: May/June

Base Price: Low 70s

Drivetrain: 3.8-liter, 473-hp, 433-lb-ft twin turbocharged V6; awd, six-speed automatic

Curb Weight: 3792 pounds

0-60: 3.5 seconds

Fuel Economy (EPA Combined): 21 mpg (mfg. target)

Yet in Edmunds article they clearly state that it ran a 7:38 on a partially wet track... wow... and this is the base model as they have it phrased.

http://www.edmunds.com/insidel...tures/articleId=123066

The record lap would be set by Nissan's top shoe, Suzuki-san, who ultimately turned in a lap in 7 minutes, 38 seconds on a partially wet circuit. Those ominous clouds looming in the sky earlier in the day left their mark on two areas of the track, Kesselchen and Wehrsiefen, and required Suzuki-san to rein his speed in a bit.

Beating a 911 Turbo around the Nordschleife is an accomplishment at any price, but pipping it by 2 seconds, on a partly damp circuit, at an estimated price point of $80,000 is something else entirely.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

^^^ absolutely insane!

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
No, I have nothing really against Nissan.

I just find it laughable that they think they can compete with Porsche. Sure, maybe in terms of numbers, but that's it. Buying a Porsche is not just about numbers. It's about a lot more. And I bet 90% or more of prospective Porsche buyers won't give this new Nissan a passing glance.

they weren't competing with porsche for buyers. they're competing with them in performance terms, lofty goals that they met AND surpassed.
seriously, what do you have against nissan? :roll:

anyway, can't wait for the new supra and nsx coming around the corner.