Nissan Skyline GT-R Review
Nissan produced a high performance version of Skyline sedan called the Nissan Skyline GT-R. This car proved to be iconic for Nissan and achieved much fame and success on both road and track.
The production version of the GT-R debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show & launching in the Japanese market on 6th December 2007. The U.S. official launch was seven months later on 7th July 2008. Universal Nissan in Los Angeles provided a customer with the delivery of a new GT-R with fresh from the production line at on 7th July 2008. The Canadian launch was also in July 2008. Europe became the third consumer market & it launched in March 2009. The large disparity in initial marketing between these regional releases is due to Nissan having to build GT-R performance centers where the car is serviced.
The Premium Nissan GT-R has a body-colored rear spoiler as the Black Edition has a dry carbon-fiber rear spoiler. Both the Premium and Black Edition GT-R are fitted with high intensity discharge (HID) headlights, automatic on or off headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights and brake lights, dual heated body-color power outside mirrors, power folding outside mirrors, flush-mounted aluminum door handles & four 5″ exhaust outlets with polished tips and UV-reducing solar glass. For the 2014 model year, Nissan introduced a limited production Track Edition GT-R which deletes the rear seats & adds more aggressive suspension, carbon fiber air inlets, improved brake cooling, a unique front spoiler, and new black and gray leather Recaro front seats.
Nissan states the GT-R can reach a top speed of 193 mph (311 km/h). In tests the original production model was shown to be capable of achieving 0-60 mph (97 km/h) times as low as 3.2 seconds using launch control. The GT-R user’s manual states that turning off the VDC is only meant for escaping low-traction situations such as mud or snow. Nissan has re-programmed the 2010 model year GT-R to reduce the engine speed at launch to around 3,000 to 3,500 rpm with VDC enabled, which is meant to improve acceleration times. The new programming was also installed on old 2009 vehicles still in Nissan’s inventory, and is available for existing 2009 vehicles.
The new updated GT-R, however, now has a launch mode, which Nissan calls “R-Mode Start”, and is activated by setting the Transmission and VDC to “R” mode (the Suspension settings can be left in normal mode), holding the brakes, then the throttle, and finally releasing the brakes. The engine speed is now held at 4,000 rpm in this mode, and it no longer voids the warranty. However, the system allows a maximum of 4 consecutive hard launches before locking itself out, after which it can be unlocked by driving normally for 1.5 miles. The increased engine output of later models combined with the “R-Mode Start” has lowered the 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time to 2.7 seconds.
The Nissan GT-R is powered by the VR38DETT V6 engine which is 3,800 cc (3.8 L; 231.9 cu in) DOHC V6 with plasma transferred wire arc-sprayed cylinder bores. The GT-R has frequently featured in head to head track comparisons against competing vehicles conducted automotive press. Autocar performed several head to head comparisons involving the GT-R and competing vehicles. In the first, against the Porsche 911 GT3 & BMW M3, the GT-R was declared to be faster around the test track.