INTRODUCTION
Making its global debut at the New York International Auto Show this past March, the 2017 Nissan GT-R has been updated with an exciting new look both inside and out, as well as receiving major driving performance enhancements in key areas, which include a significantly reinforced chassis and more power from its twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter 24-valve V-6. The new GT-R is also more comfortable than ever before, with a new sense of elegance and civility that one would rarely find in such a high-performance super sports car. In all, these revisions represent the most significant changes made to the model since it was introduced in 2007.
DESIGN
Exterior
The new GT-R boasts a thoroughly refreshed exterior look that adds a high sense of style to what is already considered one of the most distinctive-looking sports cars in the marketplace. Highlighting the front of the car are a redesigned hood, front bumpers, Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and a new matte chrome finish "V-motion" grille, which represents one of Nissan's latest design signatures. This distinctive grille has been enlarged to increase airflow to cool the engine without causing any additional drag, and the refined shape blends smoothly with a new hood, whose structural rigidity has been increased. By essentially eliminating hood deformation, testing has shown that the new hood design greatly improves aerodynamic performance at the front of the vehicle at high speed (200 km/h or more).
In fact, nearly all of the visual changes made to the GT-R's exterior were intended to improve aerodynamic performance; more specifically, enhanced aerodynamic efficiency in three key areas: downforce generation, drag reduction and improved cooling of vital vehicle systems. The goal was to maximize cooling airflow, while at the same time keeping aerodynamic drag in check (i.e. not increase drag in one area of the vehicle as a result of improving cooling performance/airflow in another).
In addition to the new grille and hood, the curving profile of the front under spoiler has been slightly extended and lowered by a few millimeters to improve airflow at the its lower edge. (The ground clearance of the previous model has been maintained.) Also, by reshaping the sill lip along the lower portions of the sides of the car, the amount of air being drawn underneath has been reduced, countering vehicle lift and improving stability. The C-pillars have also been redesigned, with the upper portion now shaped to deliver better airflow management by preventing the generation of a smaller vortex.
The rear of the new GT-R continues to be defined by its iconic round taillights, but look closely and you'll notice a silver-finish diffuser and new side air vents that have been incorporated next to the quad titanium exhaust tips to improve the car's aerodynamics. Also, the belt line that separates the lower black section from the body panel has been heightened to make the car look wider and more aggressive. The rear bumper section now incorporates the same design featured on the GT-R NISMO for better routing of air at the lower portion of the rear of the vehicle. This has also led to less interference between the exhaust gases exiting the tailpipes and airflow along the rear side portions of the bumper for improved heat evacuation.
Stylish new Y-spoke forged alloy wheels by RAYS have been redesigned for the 2017 GT-R.
Interior
Featuring superbly crafted materials, the Nissan GT-R's new interior delivers an unparalleled degree of comfort, luxury and everyday usability unlike any iteration before it. It's obvious at first glance that the new cabin is more luxurious and upscale. Seamlessly wrapped in one continuous sheet of the highest quality optional Nappa leather, the new dashboard adopts a "horizontal flow" that delivers a sense of high stability for the car's front-seat occupants, while the line from the instrument cluster to the center console provides a distinct driver-oriented environment for those behind the steering wheel. In keeping with the all-out performance benchmarks for the GT-R, the layer of cushioned material found beneath the leather is a new thinner material to help keep overall weight down, while still providing the highest quality of texture. Also, the leather is artfully stitched together throughout the cabin by a master craftsman.
The center dashboard layout has been improved and simplified, with the number of integrated navigation and audio controls reduced from 27 switches in the previous model to only 11 in the 2017 version. The navigation system controls and display have been placed slightly lower on the instrument panel for easier use and better forward visibility for both the driver and front passenger. Also, the redesigned navigation system layout has been improved, with the dials now machined from real aluminum alloy for better feel and operation. An enlarged 8-inch touch panel monitor features large icons on the display screen that allow the user to easily manage the audio system, navigation system, telephone controls and other infotainment. For the U.S., Canada and China market, a telematics services is also available. The icon layout can be fully customized by the user's preferences, and a new Display command control on the carbon-fiber center console allows easy operation without having to touch the monitor; a feature that comes in handy when traveling at high speed.
Other convenient information features include the popular multi-function meter that allows the driver to customize the layout of important vehicle-specific performance parameters/information (including coolant temperature, engine oil temperature, engine oil pressure, transmission oil temperature, transmission oil pressure, turbocharger boost pressure, etc.).
Also, the paddle shifters have now been mounted directly to the newly designed steering wheel (as opposed to the steering column), which allows the driver to select gears of the 6-speed dual clutch transmission without having to take his hands off the wheel during mid-turn.
Reengineered to provide a more premium ride experience through improved comfort and support, the driver and front passenger seatbacks for the Premium and Pure models now feature reconfigured urethane foam within their bolsters for better torso support. This results in less slippage during spirited driving and reduced fatigue on long commutes. And, by reconfiguring the support wires within the seatback frame, the engineering team was able to reduce the weight of each seatback while simultaneously reducing pressure points upon the torso of both the driver and front passenger for a more relaxed seating position.
TECHNICAL
Twin-Turbocharged Engine
Output for the GT-R's award-winning 3.8-liter V-6 24-valve twin-turbocharged engine has been increased by 20 hp compared to last year's model. It now delivers 419kW at 6800 rpm, thanks in part to an increase in boost pressure and an ignition-timing system that's controlled at each individual cylinder—technology previously reserved for the GT-R NISMO. The new changes result in improved acceleration in the mid-range (3200 rpm and above) with maximum torque output available across a wider range of the powerband. Also like the GT-R NISMO, by more precisely controlling ignition-timing at each cylinder, engine knock (imprecise detonation) has been significantly reduced while concurrently enhancing environmental performance through a cleaner, more efficient fuel burn.
Dubbed the "VR38DETT," the engine features plasma-sprayed bores (versus cast iron liners) for reduced friction, lighter weight, enhanced cooling, superior power output and fuel efficiency. It also boasts a symmetrical independent intake and exhaust manifold system with twin high-performance turbochargers; a secondary air management system for improved cold-start emissions performance; a thermostatically controlled oil-cooling system; an oil scavenger pump to maintain oil flowing to the turbochargers; and a lateral wet and dry sump oiling system. Each engine is hand-assembled from beginning to end in a special clean room by meticulously trained technicians. An aluminum plate is added to the front of each engine showing the name of the TAKUMI engine craftsman.
Also new is a titanium exhaust system that better manages the high temperatures of the exhaust gas from the engine. The system includes a NACA duct on the vehicle's undertray just forward of the muffler, which guides air into the rear diffuser section to help cool the muffler and evacuate hot air from within this section of the vehicle.
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