Remember the Nissan GT-R? Seems like it was everywhere in the buff books a decade ago, amazing everyone with its general prowess despite being saddled with two-tone girth. Well, it’s still around, marginally improved year by year. U.S. sales peaked in the 2008 calendar year at 1,730, with 228 sold for 2021 and only 56 being sold this year through September. Perhaps to consumers there are newer, more interesting vehicles crossing the $100,000 threshold these days, but let’s check out what Nissan has done to keep the GT-R interesting and relevant.
For 2023, the GT-R continues to be available in two levels: Premium and NISMO. The Premium features a 3.8-liter, 24-valve, twin-turbocharged V6 with 565 horsepower and 467 lb-ft of torque funneling emissions through a titanium exhaust system. A rear-mounted dual-clutch six-speed assists with the weight distribution, and ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive varies the front-to-rear torque split to suit any driving scenario save off-roading.
The NISMO version features turbochargers borrowed from the GT3 GT-R race car to achieve an even 600 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque. The suspension is also retuned, plus there is increased use of lightweight carbon fiber bodywork and components, larger Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers and more.
Both GT-Rs include Bilstein DampTronic driver-adjustable shocks with three driver-selected settings (Normal, Comfort and R) to work in harmony with the engine and transmission. Lightweight 20-inch 15-spoke forged alloy Rays wheels are wrapped up in Dunlop high-performance summer tires.
“The inside of GT-R welcomes occupants with a ‘horizontal-flow’ dashboard design swathed in Nappa leather appointments,” says Nissan. A multifunctional display featuring customizable data pages shows key vehicle data including coolant and oil temperature, transmission gear selection, g-forces, turbocharger boost and stopwatch for lap timing. Other features include NissanConnect eight-inch touchscreen display, Bose 11-speaker audio system, dual-sone automatic climate control and Active Noise Cancellation. Though the GT-R Premium’s seats are of a lightweight design, GT-R NISMO-spec cars feature Recaro seats with synthetic suede inserts, red stitching and a red-striped Alcantara-appointed steering wheel.
The price for the GT-R Premium rings up at $113,540, with the GT-R NISMO achieving a spectacular $210,740 MSRP. Certainly that’s not peanuts, but that’s the cost of having your cake and eating it too because few cars offer the size, space and capabilities of the Nissan GT-R.
