The much anticipated Nismo version of the supercar slayer GTR has broken cover. Headlines are 600hp, 100kg of additional downforce (at 186mph) and a Nurburgring time of 7 minutes 8 seconds.
Just 12 minutes before the close of the testing session at the Nurburgring on 30 September 2013 a ground breaking lap time was set for the GTR. Nissan entrusted the new Nismo GTR to four drivers (Sébastien Buemi, Armin Hahne, Tetsuya Tanaka, Michael Krumm), each given the challenge of driving the car faster than any other road version GTR before.
Krumm went last, his first lap was 7:10. On his next lap, Krumm crossed the finish line at 7:08.679 – posting the record for the fastest-ever time for a factory GT-R on the Nürburgring. Krumm credits the Nissan GT-R NISMO’s prowess in handling as its strength on the race track and the road.
“For a car to be fun you need a good ratio between the power and the grip in the corners,” he says. “The Nissan GT-R Nismo can be really fast with respect to its power because its balance is superb. That balance is a very important factor in the driving enjoyment.” In the end, Krumm’s run in the Nissan GT-R Nismo* lapped the Nürburgring 10 seconds faster than the previous Nissan GT-R best – 7:18 recorded in October 2012. A full video of Krumm’s run is below.
Engine – now rated at 600hp and 481 lb ft. Changes include upgraded fuel pump, individual cylinder ignition timing control and turbos borrowed from the Nissan GTR GT3 racers.
Chassis – tuned for agility, road-holding and handling finesse, without compromising refinement. Changes include custom-developed Bilstein DampTronic dampers, unique Dunlop tyres (Front: 255/40R20; rear 285/35R20), uprated front wishbone links and a hollow rear anti-roll bar that raises roll stiffness while reducing weight.
The Nismo GTR will be available in Japan in February 2014, US and Europe will have to wait till later in the year.
The 2014 model GTR has also been announced, no major changes, it is getting difficult to improve on such a complete package. On the mechanical side, it features revised suspension geometry for better road holding, fine tuned brake setup and enhanced steering assistance at low speeds. In terms of styling the changes include, interior upgrades to fit and finish, a new trim option called pale ivory, revised front and rear LED lights. There is also an optional carbon rear spoiler that is half the weight of the standard item.
