The ultimate Nissan GT-R has been shown in Japan – the GT-R Nismo.
With 441kW of power and an additional 100kgs of downforce, this is the hardcore version of one of the world’s most hardcore high-performance coupes.
Nismo is Nissan’s motorsport division and Nissan has previously announced an expanded role for Nismo in developing high-performance – and highly desirable – road cars. The GT-R Nismo is a prime example.
Nissan-Renault boss Carlos Ghosn put it succinctly: “With a 7:08.679 lap time, we can authoritatively say that the Nissan GT-R Nismo holds the volume production car lap record at the Nurburgring Nordschliefe, which is the gold standard or high performance achievement.”
Under the bonnet, Nissan’s hand-built VR38DETT twin-turbocharged V6 engine benefits from new high-flow, large diameter turbochargers (from the GT3 race program), optimized individual ignition timing control and a new fuel pump to deliver 441kW/652Nm (404kW/628Nm for the standard GT-R).
Underneath Nismo has fitted custom Bilstein DampTronic dampers front and rear, new front suspension links to increase camber during cornering, large high-rigidity bolts to increase the stiffness of the wheel hub attachment area and exclusively-developed Dunlop tyres (255/40 ZRF20 for the front and 285/35 ZRF20 for the rear). All this is topped-off spectacularly by new, black six-spoke alloy wheels inspired by Nissan’s GT500 race car.
The bodyshell is stiffened by using adhesive bonding in addition to spot welding and on the outside is a new aero package developed using Computational Fluid Dynamics – noticeable via a widened front bumper and elongated/tapered rear bumper. There’s also an engine undercover strake and carbon fibre rear spoiler.
That combo reduces drag to Cd 0.26, lowers the centre of gravity at speed and delivers an additional 100kgs of downforce at 300km/h.
Inside are carbon-fibre backed Recaro front seats, a new alcantara-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel and enhanced instrumentation.
The Nissan GT-R Nismo goes on-sale in Japan in late February and will then be rolled-out to international markets.
