2020 Nissan GT-R : The secret to its timelessness
With Nissan’s latest release of their new all-electric SUV “Ariya,” our heads are filled with words such as “intelligent mobility,” “connectivity” and “e-Power.” The brand new Ariya joins the diverse Nissan family that ranges from small kei cars to kei trucks, without forgetting sedans, SUVs and vans. Yet in the midst of this harmonious and practical family is Nissan’s enfant terrible: the GT-R. Different from the others because of its sporty nature, it is the machine that made the equation of supercar level performance and affordable price possible. The GT-R has become the embodiment of the ultimate Japanese sports car and despite not having changed much since its initial release in 2007, it remains the aggressive looking Godzilla we all adore to drive and photograph. Years go by and the GT-R isn’t getting any younger, so how does it manage to keep its status to such high standards year after year?
The GT-R is as we know it:
large body, angular shapes, aggressive headlights and four iconic circular taillights inherited from the earlier Skyline GT-R. Since the rebirth of the GT-R in 2007, it benefited from a few facelifts and upgrades, along with some special editions over the years to keep the lineup exciting. This new 2020 Nissan GT-R Premium Edition in front of us was less of a new model, but rather the latest revision of the 2017 version. It is similarly just as lean and sharp, erasing the early years’ rounder lines. The silhouette is carved to make space for more air intakes both at the front and back. In short, it is more aerodynamic and more aesthetically pleasing than ever. To complete the look, this Premium Edition was dressed in Wangan Blue (Bayside Blue) like the R34, a perfect match for cruising along the Tokyo Wangan highway.
The interior is as we know it too.
While Nissan can deliver ultra sleek interiors with wide screens and minimal dashboards as we’ve been shown with the Ariya, the GT-R stays faithful to its bulky Recaro leather seats and metallic control knobs. For such a sporty and energetic car, it is a pleasant surprise to open the doors into an inviting and luminous light grey interior. The leather is trim and of good quality and the seats are meticulously hand-stitched. Considering how everything you need comes in as standard, your final bill will be much more pleasant to look at compared to an option-packed European sports car. Leather colour change being one of the rare available options, it’s worth spoiling yourself with this ¥550,000 (approx. $5,000; £4,000) upgrade. The quality and sturdiness of all the metallic buttons and the carbon fiber centre console do show that no details have been left aside. The interior holds such high standards that your eyes do not stumble upon undesired plastic bits that would normally bother you in another car.
Though not the most high-tech, the car comes with a few necessities such as Apple CarPlay, an 11-speaker Bose sound system and a rear camera that will assist your parking capabilities to a certain extent. To fulfil its “Grand Tourer” expectations, the GT-R comes with two rear seats and a reasonably large trunk. Though the rear seats do look spacious and will accommodate two adults, it remains a challenge to sit straight and neck pain will likely ensue. As for the trunk, it may have the depth of a water well but it will definitely fit quite a few bags. All of these features allow the GT-R interior to be a much more comfortable environment for you to enjoy your urban lifestyle.
When it comes to driving in the city,
the GT-R does its best to adapt. “Comfort” and “Save” modes are available, which allows the suspensions and transmission to be softer and therefore allowing fuel economy to be a little friendlier… but with an average of 5.5km/L, the engine still drinks gallons and despite the comfortable Recaro seats, the bumps and vibrations coming from the road will resonate all the way to your fingertips. Turned into the wrong road? You will need to carefully evaluate your surroundings and decide whether the large turning circle of the GT-R will allow you to make this U-turn or not. As Godzilla cruises down the highway at 100km/h, the engine revs at a minimum of 2,000 rpm on its highest gear of its 6-speed gearbox. More than cruising, the car seems to be running an exhausting marathon and we simply wish a 7th gear was available in order to make the fuel consumption more efficient and the overall ride easier on all of us. The city constrains the GT-R from expressing itself freely, but if you can win this game of patience, rewards are absolutely gratifying.
The true nature of the GT-R
reveals itself to you as you finally reach the open road. It’s been impatiently waiting for it. Push all the switches up to initiate “R” modes, put your foot down and the magic happens. The GT-R jumps off the line and does not bother waiting for you as it instantly releases all of its power. 2.9 seconds is only what it takes to go from 0-100km/h when launching it. Though it does go fast on a straight line, the GT-R knows one thing better than the others: how to handle curves.
This GT-R Premium Edition hosts a 3.8L twin-turbo V6 engine, meticulously hand built by 1 of 5 master craftsmen in the world. As for its power, it spits out 565 hp and 467 lb-ft to all 4 wheels. Because it is an electronically controlled AWD system, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) provides power to the wheels that need it the most in order to avoid over or understeering.
Gear shifting is beyond satisfying because the GT-R’s swiftness does not leave aside the mechanical feeling to the drive. The magnesium paddle shifters provide a gratifying “click” as you upshift and downshift. You can also hear the car going through the gears from inside the cabin, as you downshift. It feels mechanical and absolutely satisfying.
In R mode, suspensions are now much stier too. The steering wheel felt sensitive in the city but it is now enhanced and more responsive than ever. Every Inch of the road surface can be felt at the wheel, which creates a unique connection between you and the road. The hydraulic steering allows the wheel to steer more effortlessly and with more precision for impeccable cornering. With these 3 modes combined, the GT-R grips to the tarmac and helped with its curb weight of 1770 kg, the g-force can be felt through your bones.
The GT-R may have aged, but it does it so well.
From 479hp in 2007, this 2020 Premium Edition has grown to almost 100hp above it. While keeping all of the design and performance features that make a GT-R what it is, it also improved to make the overall ride more comfortable than it has ever been. The GT-R can adapt to your daily routine of commuting and shopping but it still has a long way to go to reach a proper level of comfort. That isn’t what the GT-R is truly aiming for anyway. As most cars turn into an electrified version of what they were, rare are those that still maintain their true “driving machine” spirit. It stays faithful to itself and to its sporty nature. It remains the representation of Japanese craftsmanship and a detail oriented machine that isn’t arrogant and overpriced. For the amount of detail and performance that you get, a price tag of ¥13,319,900 (approx. $125,000; £96,000) including options almost seems like a bargain.
The GT-R manages to create a real - almost intimate - connection between you, the car and the road. We can only imagine what it’d be like with the Nismo. The GT-R does not try to embellish the driving by overcoating your performance or road surface with an excessive amount of computer tricks. Instead, it gives it all to you in a sheer and intense manner. Because the GT-R keeps it so real, that attitude simply never goes out of style.
