Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it will launch the new 2017 Nissan GT-R, which goes on sale on July 27, 2016, at Nissan dealers throughout Japan. The car was unveiled on April 1 in Japan ahead of the official launch. The new GT-R features an exciting fresh look both inside and out, as well as major driving-performance enhancements and key new features – all of which represent the most significant changes made to the model since it was introduced in 2007.
The GT-R’s legacy continues as the ultimate “GT” (Grand Tourer), armed with a comfortable ride, a high level of refinement and benchmark fit and finish; while its world-class high performance embodies the “R” in its name (Racing technology). Thus, its “multi performance” character allows the driver to enjoy the full depths of the GT-R’s capabilities, whether navigating corners of a winding mountain road, simply cruising on the open highway or even running errands on neighborhood streets.
1. Design
Aggressive-exterior with enhanced aerodynamic performance
The new GT-R’s exterior gets a complete makeover across the front end. The new chrome matte finish “V-motion” grille, with an updated mesh pattern, representing one of Nissan’s latest design signatures – has been enlarged to provide better engine cooling, while the bumper sides were optimally reshaped to retain the car’s air drag and downforce. A new hood, which flows flawlessly from the grille, has been significantly reinforced, contributing to stability during high-speed 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-bredracecar, 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 help improve air flow. The rear of the car also received a thorough makeover. While the GT-R’s hallmark four-ring taillights remain, new bodywork helps 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 stance from the rear. These exterior changes don’t result just in a sportier-looking car, they create an aerodynamically efficient vehicle, but retaining the same amount of downforce and air drag as the current GT-R to keep the car stable at high speeds.
Premium interior with better operability
The entire dashboard and instrument panel are new and covered with high-quality 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. An 8-inch touch-panel monitor features large icons on the display screen to make it easy to operate, while a new Display Command control located on the carbon-fiber center console also 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. Dial controls of audio and heater machined from an aluminium block deliver craftsmanship and quality clicking feel. Pursuing better operation based on ergonomics, the air conditioner outlets adopt a more iconic and exquisite design suited for Nissan GT-R.
Colour design that embodies the car’s sophisticated character
New for the 2017 GT-R are fresh colours inside and out that complement the car’s sophisticated character. An Ultimate Shiny Orange has been added to the exterior paint palette. Four-layer top coat and semi-translucent colour applied to the upper base highlight the high intensity and depth of the new body colour. In addition, vapor-deposited coloured aluminium used for the lower base makes the car more radiant. The semi-aniline leather-appointed interior includes four different options: the newly added Tan and Urban Black, as well as Amber Red and Ivory.
2. Mechanism
Driving Performance
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 570 PS at 6800 rpm and 637 Nm of torque at 3300-5800 rpm without compromising fuel economy. The improved output, which is the result of individual ignition-timing control of the cylinders developed for the GT-R NISMO and extra boost from the turbochargers, allows the new GT-R to possess superior acceleration in the mid- to high-ranges. The revised engine comes mated to a thoroughly refined 6-speed dual-clutch transmission that features smoother shifts and reduced noise levels.
The GT-R has always been regarded as one of the world’s best handling machines and, for 2017, its cornering abilities have been enhanced. A more rigid body structure enables better settings of shock absorber, spring and stabilizer rates, and improved road-holding capability, agility and precision of the suspension. All these result in better grip of the tires and responsiveness even when driving at high speeds. The new GT-R’s enhanced straight-line stability which reduces steering corrections and fluctuations of the yaw rate by about 30 percent and about 20 percent, respectively, compared to those of the 2015 Nissan GT-R, gives drivers a more poised and confident ride.
Riding Comfort
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 due to new sound absorption materials. And thanks to Exhaust Sound Control that can reduce the exhaust noise when starting the engine or driving at low speed, drivers can begin to drive without concern for time or location.
That familiar GT-R tone also has been upgraded with an engine that has never sounded better. The resonance of the new titanium mufflers with electric control valves were fitted to reduce weight, while Active Sound Enhancement strengthens the driving experience.
3. Track edition engineered by nismo
“Track edition engineered by nismo” is a special grade that was added to in the car’s grade portfolio in November 2014. It is designed as, a fusion of NISSAN GT-R NISMO’s rigid body structure and suspension, with the specifications and form of the GT-R standard model. The grade continues in the 2017 model, installed with NISSAN GT-R NISMO’s suspension and wheels. Further details including release date and, price will be announced later this summer.
