What is it?
The longtime supercar-slaying Nissan GT-R – ‘Godzilla’ to those on the most familiar of terms – has just been renewed for a scarcely believable ninth year in the showroom. At this age, the ‘R35’-generation GT-R would likely, if it were a child, be showing desultory interest in Roman Britain or the 12-times table and instead operating a playground-wide reign of extortion and fear, the likes of which an aspiring gangland mobster of the future would be rightly proud.
If it were a Porsche or Ferrari, of course, the GT-R would have been replaced already. But instead of an all-new version, Nissan is giving us what it describes as the biggest and most transformative facelift the car has ever had.
The modification applies a wide-ranging cabin update with new seats, dashboard and infotainment system included. It also incorporates an exterior design refresh comprising new bumpers, a new grille and bonnet, deeper side sills and a new rear diffuser, along with an aerodynamic reappraisal that increases cooling and downforce without adding drag.
A structural redesign has stiffened the car’s bodyshell around the A and C-pillars in particular, and a suspension update includes stiffer mountings, lighter wheels and revalved Bilstein adaptive dampers. Meanwhile, an engine update adds extra boost pressure and new ignition and exhaust systems to the car’s big-bore, twin-turbo 3.8-litre V6, increasing power by 20bhp and delivering a more marginal increase in torque. An update for the transmission tweaks the control software of the car’s six-speed dual-clutch automatic transaxle gearbox.
The car arrives in the UK in August in three trim levels – the cheapest of which can be snapped up for a fiver less than £80,000. A Track Edition ‘Engineered by Nismo’ tops the regular model line-up, getting its own wheels, tyres and trick damper tune, while a separate limited-run ‘GT-R Nismo’ will be offered above even that, with the same 592bhp power output and chassis tune as the 2014 model year version.
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gets 5 stars in CAR magazine.
I get the fact that its getting on bit but that is the first 4 start 80 % review I gave ever read in any magazine globally. What a game changer this car was when it came out. Previous poster was right, Original car did 0-60 in 3.5s. This new one can only do it 0.2 seconds faster. Autocar, if you are going to do a scientific empirical test, do it properly or do not do it at all.
A salesmans perspective......
We took such cars as R8's, AMV8's, Diablo's and Scuderia's in part exchange and I can honestly say that with very very few exceptions, the R35 never failed to surprise, impress and ultimately bring a giggle to even the most sceptical customer!
Standing starts and point'n squirt demonstrations were always the most impressive.
Ok, it was just over £50k back then, but even today it gives almost everything else within £50k of it a bloody good run for its money!
Unfortunately, due to a change of jobs, I don't get to drive such exotica any more...boo hoo!
IMHO.. An owner's perspective.
I own 458 in 2013 n 911 turbo 2014.. Both sold after I pick up my 2014 GT-R.
I find the 458 too temperamental n edgy for everyday which I do use my car as a daily beater.
The 911 is very similar to the GT-R but lack of a proper boot space n the interior is very relax n bright n the sitting position is high for such a beast of a machine which makes everyday use a absolute breeze. I sold the 911 and pick up a land cruiser v8 as the other car to my GT-R.
The GTR is as good as the 911 but in bad weather, the 911 can be very scary since I am not an advance driver. The 911 interior can be a bit claustrophobic for long trips.
Just my 2c as a real owner using the car in the real world. Hope I share some insights for those potential owners who are lurking.