2009 Nissan GT-R (Source: Edmunds)
(Source: Edmunds)
2009 Nissan GT-R interior (Source: Edmunds)
Multi-function display (Source: Edmunds)
Nissan's GT-R looks to conquer all challengers
Nissan's 2009 GT-R has been labeled as the "second coming" ever since the original concept car was unveiled back in 2001. Gamers that have grown up racing previous generations in the Gran Turismo series eagerly awaited the official release of the new model -- even though not many can afford the nearly $80,000 USD asking price.
Those wishes came true last week when Motor Trend leaked the production GT-R to the public. As expected, the performance figures for the GT-R are nothing short of breath-taking (albeit quite similar to Chevrolet's Corvette Z06). The GT-R sports a 3.8 liter twin-turbo engine producing 473 HP and 434 lb-ft of torque. Sixty-miles-per-hour comes up in 3.5 seconds, the quarter-mile goes by in 11.7 seconds and the GT-R will race all the way up to 193 MPH.
An overabundance of electronic gizmos has always been a GT-R staple, so it should come as no surprise that the 3,800 lb monster features a computer-controlled AWD drivetrain which can send as much as 98 percent of power to the rear wheels, a paddle-shifted six-speed dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission and Bilstein Damptronic shocks.
One other piece of techno-gadgetry harkens back to the GT-R's PlayStation connection. The multi-function display (MFD) featured prominently on the GT-R's dash was developed in collaboration with none other than Polyphony Digital. Polyphony Digital is responsible for much-hyped Gran Turismo games for the PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3.
According to Edmunds, the MFD "can be used to monitor engine coolant temperature, oil temperature, oil pressure, transmission oil pressure, turbocharger boost pressure, torque split, throttle position, steering angle and longitudinal and lateral G-force."
All of the above information is stored and can be recalled to pin-point ways to improve a driver's skills be it finding optimum shift point among other things.
The arrival of the 2009 Nissan GT-R next year marks the first time that the company has officially marketed its high-end supercar to the American market. "Nissan" may not have the same ring as Ferrari, Lamborghini or Aston Martin, but we're all sure that the company will have no trouble selling every car that it imports to the States.
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