The performance of the all-wheel-drive GT-R NISMO has also been upgraded, thanks in part to the standard model’s significantly reinforced body. The stiffened body structure allowed the engineers to further refine the GT-R NISMO’s shock absorbers, springs and stabilizers, all of which, when combined with the car’s added downforce, result in a better handling car than the previous model. This is evidenced by the car’s improved slalom times and superior cornering performance (both up by nearly 2% from the previous model). The GT-R’s special Bilstein® DampTronic driver-adjustable system – which utilizes multiple vehicle inputs to provide appropriate damping forces and high level of control for a variety of driving situations – features a special NISMO-tuned shock absorber that more effectively transfers the power of the twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6, which still produces 600 horsepower, to the road surface.
Dubbed the “VR38DETT,” the GT-R NISMO’s engine is the result of the expertise that NISMO has gained from competing in motorsports events around the globe. Mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox, it features a pair of high-flow, large diameter turbochargers used in GT3 competition. As with the standard model, each GT-R NISMO engine is hand-assembled from beginning to end in a special clean room by meticulously trained technicians, with an aluminum plate added to the front of each engine showing the name of the Takumi engine craftsman.
Despite its more potent nature, the new GT-R NISMO boasts better overall balance than before, evolving into a car that can be enjoyed on a winding mountain road, as well as on the local race circuit.
“The GT-R NISMO emphasizes the ‘R’ in its nomenclature. Its direct ties with racing make it at home on any racetrack, providing the highest levels of excitement and exhilaration for the driver. With the 2017 GT-R as a starting point, the new NISMO version has become a more well-balanced machine, with not just increased performance, but a heightened premium feel overall. It is the result of our ongoing pursuit of ultimate driving pleasure,” said Hiroshi Tamura, Chief Product Specialist, GT-R.
The 2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO will be available in four exterior colors. It is assembled in Tochigi, Japan, with the engines hand-assembled in Yokohama, Japan.
