Minor tweaks are the name of the game for Nissan. Taking a leaf out of Porsche’s book the latest updates for the Nissan GT-R are evolutionary rather than revolutionary. There’s been subtle styling changes here, stiffer body there, and a more track focused setup. As if the previous GT-R Nismo wasn’t track focused enough.
The track-focused ethos has resulted in a 2% to 6% increase in torsional rigidity thanks to stiffened coil springs, adaptive Bilstein dampers, and weapons-grade anti-roll bars. Nissan claim the new Nismo is 2% quicker around a slalom than the outgoing Nismo. It’s all about the small changes where possible.
Where there aren’t any changes are weight and power output. Not that the GT-R Nismo needed any more power. Its 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 pumps out 592hp/435kW and 650NM of torque, more than enough for most people’s needs. 0-100 km/h is still done in 2.7 seconds and top speed remains a smidgen under 320 km/h.
Even with the use of carbon fibre on some of the body panels, the Nismo weighs in at 1720kg. The bumpers, spoiler, and sills are made of carbon-fibre while the back of the bucket seats are also made from carbon fibre. Also inside, the updated GT-R Nismo benefits from the same interior upgrade as the standard 2017 GT-R. That means a new centre console complete with an updated infotainment system. As you’d expect there’s much alcantara and carbon inside too.
Nissan have yet to take the new GT-R Nismo on the Nurburgring but they expect it to set a faster lap time over the outgoing car’s 7:08.68 time. Maybe once they’ve done that Nissan can bring a couple over here. I’m sure there’d be a few people who’d want one.
In Japan, the GT-R Nismo retails for the equivalent of $280,000.
