Rosslyn, South Africa – Nissan will officially debut the new 2017 Nissan GT-R at the SA Festival of Motoring, where it is set to shine both on and off the track.
The SA Festival of Motoring is scheduled for 31 August to 4 September and it will be the first, and possibly the only public viewing of Nissan's highly acclaimed new supercar. The first shipment of GT-Rs is expected to arrive in South Africa mid-September and all vehicles in this shipment have already been sold.
"We cannot think of a more perfect setting to launch the new Nissan GT-R than at the refurbished Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. Visitors to the festival will not only have the opportunity to view the new model at our stand, but they can vie for a chance to go for a hot lap in a new GT-R around Kyalami!" says Xavier Gobille, Managing Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales at Nissan South Africa.
The new GT-R was officially launched at the New York International Auto Show earlier this year, and features a comprehensive redesign, upgraded engine and new interior – whilst keeping true to its GT-R roots.
Highlights of the new model include an uprated version of the legendary hand-built 3.8 litre V6 VR38DETT engine with 408 kW and 632 Nm. The engine features redesigned twin-turbos and fine-tuned individual ignition timing on each cylinder for a wider torque spread (which peaks from 3 300 rpm to 5 800 rpm) and more power at high revolutions.
The engine delivers power to all four wheels through a refined six-speed dual clutch transmission, which is controlled from new moving paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. The new GT-R still offers Nissan's brutal launch control for a 0-100 km/h acceleration run that has dropped even further to 2.6 seconds.
"Every dynamic element of this vehicle has been tweaked, improved or re-engineered. The front bonnet creases are deeper and ensures better airflow, the 20 inch wheels ride on lightweight forged alloys and the rear has been redesigned for even greater downforce. This makes for a faster and even more sure-footed supercar," says Gobille.
Gobille will soon assign a group of GT-R specialists to pilot the 2016 model around the track as part of a special event at the Festival of Motoring. Throughout the festival a host of supercars will set various lap times around Kyalami. Although not an official competition, it will certainly be a draw card and the new Nissan GT-R will be right there to show its steel.
"We are talking to several of our GT-R owner-drivers who have performed so well in the Knysna Hill Climb, where we came fourth overall and first in the supercar class. With so many skilled owners, we will have our hands full to select the drivers for the Festival of Motoring," says Gobille.
Visitors to the Nissan stand will have an opportunity to view the new GT-R both inside and out. Also on display will be a selection of previous generation GT-R. From the infamous 1971 2000 GT-R, the birth of Godzilla in 1988 with the R32 GT-R to the newly unveiled MY17 GT-R.
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