2017 Nissan GT-R Nismo hits Australian shores

The Nissan GT-R Nismo has arrived in Australia as the pinnacle of the revered GT-R model range. Bearing the name of Nissan’s motorsports and performance group – Nismo, an abbreviation of NISsan MOtorports – the GT-R Nismo joins the recently updated 2017 GT-R Premium and GT-R Track Edition models.

Lobbing a significant $110,000 premium over the standard GT-R, the $299,000 plus on-roads GT-R Nismo draws on Nissan’s long standing motorsport heritage and was inspired by a Nismo-prepped GT-R racecar that competed successfully at the 2012 Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race in near-production form. Subsequently on 30 September 2013, a “time attack” GT-R Nismo lapped the Nurburgring circuit in 7 minutes, 8.679 seconds, which Nissan claimed was a new record for a volume production car.

While the extensively revised 2017 Nissan GT-R places an emphasis on balancing speed with everyday driveability, the GT-R Nismo’s main focus is on performance. Under the bonnet, the 3.8-litre V6 VR38DETT engine has been tweaked to produce 441kW at 6,800rpm and 652 Nm of torque from 3,600rpm-5,600rpm, an increase of 22kW and 20Nm compared to the standard GT-R. It’s paired to a six-speed dual clutch transmission and all-wheel drive.

High-flow, large diameter turbochargers, used in the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 racing car, improve breathing, while optimised individual ignition timing control for each cylinder and upgraded fuel pump improve combustion.

The engine features plasma-sprayed bores (versus cast iron liners) for reduced friction, lighter weight, enhanced cooling, power output and fuel efficiency. Other Nismo goodies include a symmetrical independent intake and exhaust manifold system featuring twin Nismo-specific 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.

Nissan stopped short of releasing 0-100km/h acceleration time but the increase in power should best the standard car’s 2.7-second dash. The GT-R Nismo’s rated fuel consumption is 11.7L/100km.

The springs and custom-developed Bilstein DampTronic dampers in the front and rear suspension are specially tuned to deliver improved grip levels and progressive handling response at the limit, says Nissan. Three suspension modes can be selected: Comfort, Normal and R, for circuit applications.

Specially developed links fitted to the front double wishbone suspension increase castor trail to optimise wheel position during high-G cornering and improve straight-line and cornering stability.

Additionally, large high-rigidity bolts are used to increase stiffness of the wheel-hub attachment area. To minimise body-roll during cornering and changes of direction, the GT-R Nismo features a 17.3 mm hollow rear anti-roll bar (15.9 mm in other GT-R models), which raises roll stiffness.

Stopping power is provided by Brembo monoblock six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers with 390mm diameter front and 380mm diameter rear cross-drilled two-piece rotors. The calipers use a race car-style radial mounting to minimise caliper flex during extreme braking. There are additional front and rear brake air ducts made from carbon fibre to aid brake cooling in extreme driving conditions.

The GT-R Nismo rolls on forged RAYS lightweight aluminum 20-inch wheels measuring 20 x 10 (front) and 20 x 10.5 (rear), 0.5-inches wider than the GT-R Premium Edition. They are wrapped in Dunlop NR1 tyres specially developed for Nismo measuring 255/40 ZRF20 at the front and 285/35 ZRF20 in the rear.

The Nismo supercar can be differentiated by new front and rear bumpers, side skirts and a large rear spoiler that contribute to increase downforce by more than 100kg at 300km/h. Inside, noticeable upgrades include an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with red centre mark and red stitching, instruments with carbon-like finish and the red tachometer.

Australian prices for the 2017 Nissan GT-R model range: