At the motor
industry annual showcase of new models to the motoring and business media, the
SMMT 2009 Test at the Millbrook Proving Ground attracted numerous headline new
models, the brilliant Audi R8 V10, the highly favoured new VW Golf GTI and the
long awaited and sought after Nissan GT-R 3.8 supercar.
Only 1,250
Nissan GT-Rs will be available to the UK in the first full year of sales, and
all are sold. The first cars were delivered to UK customers on the 9 April at
exactly 7.28am, the time equates to the lap time achieved by the GT-R on the
demanding Nordschleife (Nürburgring), one of the fastest times ever recorded by
a production car around the German circuit.
This was the car
that all journalists attending the SMMT event wanted to drive and with only two
ever likely to be available in the UK for media use it was perhaps the only
opportunity most of us will get the drive this 193mph 2+2 coupe.
In stark
performance terms, 60 mph from a standing start appears in 3.5193mph. But it is the GT-R's astonishing ground
covering capabilities that mark out the new Nissan flagship, ably demonstrated by
the Nürburgring lap time.
Even allowing for Millbrook's excellent driving
facilities, driving the GT-R on their high speed bowl or the daunting twisting
and steep hill route, I never got close to finding the car's extremities of
performance - it is just so capable.
As a point and shoot missile it just goes
and as a well balanced high speed cornering car the all wheel drive system
provides ample traction for most drivers. As a long-legged cruiser it can be an
everyday car, no temperamentals, just refinement.
Behind the
statistics lies a technologically advanced specification, and the Nissan GT-R's
unique driveline comprises a 485PS, 588Nm-rated twin turbo 3.8-litre V6 engine,
a world-first rear transaxle with a sequential dual-clutch, paddle shift, very
fast changing, six-speed transmission and full time four-wheel drive.
Underpinning them are sophisticated electronic controls designed to make best
use of engine output in all conditions without diluting either driver enjoyment
or involvement.
As one of the
world's fastest production vehicles, the GT-R is also probably the world's
easiest and most secure high-speed car to drive quickly.
Key elements behind
its immense flexibility and accessible performance are the tractable nature of
the engine - even on moderate throttle openings it typically generates about
390 Nm of torque - perfect weight distribution across all four wheels which
allows for stable, predictable and readily-intuitive handling characteristics
and the reassurance of four-wheel drive.
So while the Nissan GT-R has a clear
advantage over most rival supercars on a racing circuit or at high-speed on the
public roads, its superiority in difficult conditions - ice, rain, slush, snow
- will be far more noticeable.
And while many
supercars can feel like caged animals in the city - ill-tempered and frustrated
by traffic and poor road surfaces - adaptability is central to the everyday
nature of the GT-R. Set-up switches in the centre panel allow gear shift
characteristics, damper settings and stability control settings to be adjusted
to suit the driver's mood and driving conditions.
This extraordinarily fast
vehicle can be turned instantly into a supple, comfortable coupe, with the
choice of fully automated gear changing for an even more relaxing experience.
The efficiency
of the engine and the car's aerodynamic qualities means the GT-R is also one of
the world's most effective supercars in balancing performance and fuel
consumption, recording 22.8mpg on the Combined cycle, and a CO2
emissions figure of 298g/km.
The automatic gear shift mode is also programmed
to offer optimal fuel economy, so the car cruises in as high a gear as
possible, helped by the flexibility of the engine.
Despite
delivering race car thrills, every GT-R comes laden with luxuries, including
power adjustable front seats, eight way on the driver's and four-way on the front
passenger's, trimmed in leather and perforated suede inserts, dual zone
automatic climate control and cruise control reflecting the GT-R's softer side.
There are also
special wide-beam xenon headlamps, a tyre pressure monitoring system,
Intelligent Key, 20-inch RAYS forged alloy wheels finished in gun metal and a
Thatcham-approved anti-theft system.
Need I say
more? A memorable drive, be it only a
short but fast one, and perhaps my only one given the shortage of these cars.
MILESTONES.
Nissan GT-R 3.8
Black Edition £59,400.
Engine/transmission:
3.8-litre, V6, DOHC with variable valve intake timing, petrol with twin
turbochargers, 485PS, 588Nm from 3,200rpm, 6-speed dual clutch sequential, rear
transaxle layout with all wheel drive.
Performance:
0-60mph 3.5 seconds, top speed 193mph, combined cycle fuel economy 22.8mpg, CO2298g/km, VED £405.
Insurance group:
20. For:
Everything, supreme technology for power supply, delivery and traction, overall
handling balance and control, good looks and a bargain at this price for what
the GT-R offers and gives. Against: Nissan not considered a premium sports car
brand - yet.
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