NISSAN GT-R PERFORMANCE
DESIGNED TO EXPLORE THE UPPER LIMITS OF PERFORMANCE
MASTER CRAFTED
PETROL ENGINE
Nissan challenged convention at every point of the Nissan GT-R’s development. Instead of a large, heavy engine thirsty for fuel, the Nissan GT-R is powered by an ideally sized, twin-turbocharged 3.8-L V6 that produces a prodigious 550 ps and equally immense 632 NM of torque. Just as important as the engineering is the actual assembly, which is done by hand by a single master craftsman, whose signature you’ll find on a small but prominent plaque.
VR38 Twin turbo engine
An engine designed to answer the demands of a supercar for the 21st century, the VR38 is high-performance, while still being fuel-efficient and conscious of the environment.
IHI Integrated turbocharger
An IHI turbocharger is mounted on each bank of the engine. By combining the exhaust manifold and turbocharger into a single unit, the intake and exhaust gas flow is optimized. A larger intercooler is installed for more efficient cooling. To ensure there is no turbo lag as torque rises, high-precision electronic controls are employed.
The perfect blend of size and power
545 HP
Closed Deck and Ladder Frame Structure
The cylinder block features a closed deck for strength. For increased strength, a ladder frame structure was also adopted to give the crankshaft added support, important with the engine’s massive torque. Magnesium alloy was selected for the oil pan and rocker cover for its light weight and strength.
Independent Intake and Exhaust System
For higher horsepower and better response than a naturally aspirated engine, each side of the VR38 features its own turbocharger, intercooler, and catalyst. By employing an independent intake and exhaust system for each side of the V6, intake air flow is increased and exhaust back-pressure is decreased.
Plasma Coating Bore
Innovative plasma-sprayed bores are used in each cylinder instead of traditional cast-iron liners. This enhances cooling, reduces friction and weight while maximizing horsepower and increasing fuel-efficiency. Compared to the castiron liner, the overall weight decreased by approximately 6.6 pounds (3 kg).
Oil Cooler with Thermostat
For optimal control of engine cooling, the VR38 features a thermostatically controlled oil cooler system. A scavenger pump is employed to help keep oil flowing to the turbochargers, even during the strong lateral Gs experienced on a racecourse.
BREAKING THE RULES
PREMIUM MIDSHIP PLATFORM
In another break with convention, Nissan GT-R’s Premium Midship Platform places the engine further back in the chassis for better handling. This unique layout also mounts the transmission with the transfer case in the rear of the Nissan GT-R, creating the world’s first independent rear transaxle for an all wheel drive vehicle.
IT SHIFTS THE WORLD OF TRANSMISSIONS IN JUST 0.15 SECONDS
The longer a shift takes, the less time power is being put to the ground. So for maximum acceleration, the GT-R’s paddle-shifted 6-speed sequential dual-clutch transmission can snap off lightning-quick gear changes in just 0.15 seconds when in R-Mode – almost as quickly as you can blink.
Dry sump lubrication system
To ensure stable lubrication for the transmission even when cornering at high Gs, a dry sump lubrication system is employed. The system sprays transmission oil directly onto the gears, reducing friction and increasing reliability.
Two clutches. No clutch pedal.
The Nissan GT-R’s 6-speed dual-clutch transmission shifts incredibly quickly. How? Inside the transmission, there are separate clutches for the odd (1st, 3rd, 5th) and even (2nd, 4th, 6th) gears. When the car is in an odd-numbered gear, the adjacent even numbered gear is “pre-selected” – ready to make the shift immediately. The transmission is so smart, it even “blips” the throttle on downshifts to match rpm. So even though your left leg may not get much exercise, you’ll have tremendous fun shifting the GT-R.
TRADITION AND PASSION
TAKUMI DEVELOPMENT
Carefully crafting each part, thinking of the mind, body and spirit of the customers who will use their products – that is the spirit of the Takumi, a part of Japanese tradition. And that is the human soul in the Nissan GT-R, a supercar that could never be created in a factory that only pursues rationality.
ONE MAN ONE ENGINE
Each Nissan GT-R engine is hand-assembled by a single technician - and proudly bears a plaque carrying their signature - in a dustand temperature-controlled clean room much like those used for Formula One racing engines.
EXPERT DRIVER
We knew Nissan GT-R was going to redefine the breed in terms of performance, refinement and capabilities. So we brought together the AS Class drivers—the top development drivers at Nissan—to create a vehicle that would excel at any racetrack, in any kind of weather, in the hands of any level of driver.
DEVELOPMENT
Each of the drivers is assigned to a unique aspect of Nissan GT-R’s development. There’s an Autobahn expert, a “Marketability” expert who tests Nissan GT-R’s real-world poise over bumps, potholes and the like, and the “Ringmeisters” who put the supercar through its paces on the unforgiving Nürburgring.
CHEATING THE WIND
AERODYNAMICS
Building on Nissan’s extensive racing experience, the Nissan GT-R spent two years at the rolling-road wind tunnel at Group Lotus in Europe and 1.5 years in Yoshitaka Suzuka in Japan fine-tuning its aerodynamics. The end result is a remarkable 0.26 coefficient of drag.
MAKING PERFORMANCE OUT OF THIN AIR
That big spoiler and all those scoops and vents aren’t just there to look cool— they’re all doing something. The spoiler is creating downforce. Those ridges on the air dam and vents on the back bumper are managing airflow towards the rear. The vents behind the front fenders are cooling the brakes and creating more downforce, and the scoops on the hood and the signature grille are cooling the engine.
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
Underbody Aerodynamics – The average car has exposed working gear under the car, where wind whips around, creating lift, and slowing you down. The Nissan GT-R, of course, isn’t an average car. Its underbody is virtually covered by composite panels, giving it a flat, aerodynamic surface.
UNDERBODY AIRFLOW
At the front of the car, the flat underbody is accelerating the air and channeling it over the brakes, cooling them down. At the back, a carbon fiber diffuser takes that accelerated air and slows it down, creating a vacuum effect that helps the Nissan GT-R stick to the road, or the track.
ANYWHERE. ANYTIME.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
When most supercars stay in the garage or make a hasty retreat, the Nissan GT-R powers through, with one of the most advanced All Wheel Drive and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) systems ever used in a road car.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
Instead of the traditional 50/50 torque split between front and rear axles, the electronically controlled All-Wheel Drive system provides up to 100% of available torque to the rear wheels, and can send up to 50% of torque to the front wheels. This provides the steering feel and response of a rear-wheel vehicle, while giving the added confidence that only AWD can offer. Additionally, VDC continuously monitors your steering and braking actions, senses any oversteer or understeer, and compensates by reducing engine speed and/or applying brake pressure to specific wheels.
ROAD SCHOLAR
SUSPENSION, BRAKING & WHEELS/TYRES
A true supercar is an extension of your will. That’s where Nissan GT-R’s refined suspension, massive brakes and road-hugging tyres all work together to make you feel as if this supercar can read your mind.
SHOCK ABSORBER
A special Bilstein DampTronic driver-adjustable shock absorber system utilizes multiple vehicle information systems to provide appropriate damping forces and a high level of control for a variety of driving situations.
MONOBLOCK CALIPERS
The brakes feature 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers for stronger, more equal clamping power – something you’d expect to see on an all-out competition machine. For extreme rigidity with light weight, the caliper is machined from a single one-piece “monoblock” of aluminium.
FLOATING DISC ROTORS
Heat is the enemy of any braking system – it’s not uncommon to see the rotors of racecars glowing bright red. Along with cross-drilled rotors to help keep the Nissan GT-R’s brakes cool, you’ll find ingenious diamond shaped ventilation ribs to pull away heat. The Nissan GT-R also benefits from a full-floating rotor – a racing technology originated by Brembo. By allowing the outer disc to expand away from the hub under extreme heat, it reduces the tendency of the rotor to warp.
WHEELS
The Nissan GT-R’s rigid forged aluminium 20-inch wheels, manufactured by RAYS, utilize knurling inside the wheels to help keep the tires from slipping around the wheels under heavy acceleration or braking. The wheels feature a premium dark (near black) finish, which provides a high-quality, high-performance look.
TYRES
The Nissan GT-R runs on Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600 DSST CTT high-performance run-flat nitrogen-filled tyres designed to match the suspension characteristics. Standard tyre sizes are 255/40ZRF20 front and 285/35ZRF20 rear.
RESPOND ON-THE-FLY
SETUP SWITCHES
Nissan GT-R’s easy-to-use 3-mode system is always ready. Three switches allow for on-the-fly adjustment of specific performance parameters for the transmission, suspension and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system.
R-MODE
R-Mode is for maximum performance. It sets the transmission for the quickest shifts and adjusts the suspension, shocks and Vehicle Dynamic Control for highperformance handling.
NORMAL MODE
For daily driving, choose Normal Mode, which sets the transmission, suspension and VDC for a smooth, refined ride.
SPECIAL MODES
Use Save Mode for long-distance driving and gentler torque delivery on slippery surfaces. In Comfort Mode, the damping force of the shock absorbers is variably adjusted for more comfort. Off Mode disengages the VDC system.