The new Nissan GT-R may well be the most accomplished andrntechnologically advanced high performance car ever made. One of thernworld's fastest vehicles, it is also probably the world's easiest andrnmost secure high-speed car to drive fast. The multi-performancernsupercar Nissan GT-R raced through the Nürburgring circuit - where therncondition of the fearsome high-speed corner, "Kesselchen" was wet -rnwith a time of 7m38s. The new Nissan GT-R is also striking value,rnoffering much better performance - in acceleration, cornering power andrnbraking - than all equivalently priced sports coupes.

Likernprevious versions of the legendary race-winning GT-R, the latest modelrnis a showcase for Nissan's engineering talents. Features include anrnadvanced full-time four-wheel drive system that improves traction andrncornering power. This four-wheel drive system uses an independentrntransaxle 4WD (a world first) for greater agility. There is a brand newrn480 PS (353 kW) V6 twin-turbo engine that combines exhilarating powerrnwith an ultra-low emission exhaust (Japanese regulation) and the bestrnfuel economy in its sector. The lightweight body, which uses a newrnpackage (Nissan's 'Premium Midship'), features diecast aluminium,rncarbon fibre and advanced steel plus a class-leading aerodynamic Cd ofrnjust 0.27. There's a new dual-clutch paddle shift transmission thatrnoffers exceptionally fast gear shifts and the facility to drive in fullrnautomatic mode, improving ease of driving. The big ventilated Bremborndisc brakes offer immense stopping performance.

'Thernnew Nissan GT-R is an extraordinary car, a technological flagship forrnNissan that demonstrates our passion for cars,' says Carlos Tavares,rnexecutive vice president for corporate and product planning. 'It isrndesigned for optimal high-speed performance in all road conditions. Norncar combines such speed, ease of driving, ability to excel in all roadrnconditions, such exhilaration, value-for-money and distinctive style.rnAs with its predecessors that have worn the famous GT-R badge, it is arntechnological wonder car, with an extraordinary breadth of ability.rnThat's why we say it's for anyone, anywhere, at anytime.'

Forrnanyone - because drivers of all abilities can enjoy its extraordinaryrnperformance, from professional racing drivers to those who simply wantrna stylish and exciting car for weekend driving.

For anywhere -rnbecause here is a supercar that's been developed around the world, fromrnthe twists and turns and dips and crests of the famous Nürburgringrnracing circuit in Germany, to Nissan's high-speed hot weather circuitrnin Arizona, to the snowy roads of Michigan. It is the world's onlyrnsupercar that's just at home on dry Tarmac, snow and on wet rainyrnroads, helped by its advanced four-wheel drive system that offersrnsuperb traction and safety. Unlike previous versions of the GT-R, thisrnone will be sold in both right- and left-hand drive forms around thernworld, including the North American and mainland European markets.

At anytime - because it is just as capable on hot summer days as snowy winter ones, by day or at night.

Technological highlights include:

• Anrnindependent transaxle and advanced four-wheel drive system thatrncontinuously adjusts torque front-to-rear (and vice versa) depending onrndynamic needs
• New six-speed paddle shift dual-clutch gearbox featuring an exceedingly quick gearshift or fully automatic for ease-of-driving
• Newrnhigh-efficient 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 engine, mating great horsepowerrn(480 PS / 353 kW), a wide torque spread (maximum torque 60kgm / 588rnNm), good fuel economy and low emissions (conforming to ULEVrnregulations in Japan ). New technology includes plasma coated bores tornimprove cooling efficiency and boost both power and economy
• Aerodynamicrnbody of just 0.27 Cd - so it's one of the world's slickest cars. Thisrnis specially unusual on a supercar that offers high downforce front andrnrear
• New body using lightweight steel, carbon fibre and diecast aluminium construction
• Brembo drilled ventilated disc brakes and Brembo opposed monoblock callipers that offer immense stopping power
• Dampers,rngear shift and VDC-R are all manually adjustable, by simple switches onrnthe dashboard, offering maximum comfort with ease of driving, orrnmaximum performance
• Multi-functional instrument display, designed by the people who created the graphics of the Sony PlayStation Gran-Turismo game
• A g-force meter in the instrument display, showing both lateral (acceleration and braking) and transverse (cornering) forces.

'Thernchallenge is to build a car that is stable and quiet at that speed, arncar that is comfortable and easy to drive at that speed, a car that hasrnexcellent straight-line stability at over 300 km/h (186mph), a car thatrncan handle snow and ice and rain at high speed, a car that is alsornenvironmentally sound and has a very high safety standards. It is myrnbelief that no car mixes these abilities like the new Nissan GT-R,'rnsays Kazutoshi Mizuno, chief vehicle engineer and chief productrnspecialist for the Nissan GT-R, and former Nissan racing team directorrnand chief engineer.

Mizuno describes the Nissan GT-R as a 'multi-performance supercar for the 21st century.'

'Irnbelieve it creates a completely new car genre. It inherits the DNA ofrnpast great GT-Rs and packs it with the very latest technology. The keyrnfactors are the utilisation of the earth's natural forces and the highrntechnology for human-machine interface, developed to control thernultimate performance. Our objective was to create a flagship model tornpromote our technology but also to develop a new type of supercar.rnSupercars have traditionally been aimed at drivers with advancedrnskills. But our new "multi-performance supercar" can be driven fast andrnskilfully by just about anybody in just about any road condition.'

Despiternthe extraordinarily high level of technology, the GT-R has somernold-fashioned sports car features, not least that much of the assemblyrnof the car, made at Nissan's Tochigi plant. Each engine is handrnassembled by a single engineer (at Nissan's Yokohama factory) and so isrneach transmission.

Exterior Design

The design bears a close resemblance to the Nissan GT-R Proto shown at the 2005 Tokyo Show and, in turn, has much in common stylistically with the 2001 Nissan GT-R Concept.

'We wanted to design a car that looked uniquely Japanese - it is very definitely not a European or American fast car,' says Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President, & Chief Creative Officer, Design and Brand Management, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. 'We also wanted to highlight the functionality of the car - it is a car that is easy to use and easy to drive - and continues the proud heritage of the GT-R.'

The new Nissan GT-R is a muscular, distinctive looking car. Chunky, edgy, wide shouldered, ground-hugging and flat-sided, it is also one of the most aerodynamic cars in the world (Cd 0.27) as well as being one of the most distinctive.

The style is based closely on the GT-R Proto shown at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show to great critical acclaim. The only significant styling difference - apart from small details - is to the front styling, changed mostly to allow for superior crash test protection.

This is the first GT-R not based on a mass-volume Nissan vehicle (the last GT-R was based on the Skyline). That gave design director Shiro Nakamura, Product chief designer Hiroshi Hasegawa and their team a great deal of freedom to create Japan 's ultimate supercar.

'The mission was to achieve a distinctive car, a supercar, but not a normal fast car - it's chunkier, more practical and more muscular,' says Nakamura. 'The element of functionality is core to the GT-R. It's not too low; it's easy to get in and out of, has good visibility and is easy to drive. That functionality is reflected in the design. It is clearly not an Italian, German or American car - it is unmistakably Japanese. It is very mechanical, almost like an animated robot - it is obviously made from metal, has big shoulders and looks strong and muscular. The previous R34 GT-R had the same image. It's like you could be playing this car on a video game.

'We didn't want a nice elegant shape - we wanted an original shape. Some people who buy this car will also have a Ferrari and a Porsche. This car must be different from all others. I see it as a car influenced not by feminine beauty, like Italian cars, but by masculine beauty - it is strong, well toned, well muscled. It has big deep flanks and is very toned - that's part of the muscled stance.'

Overt functional touches include the kink in the rear pillar - 'it is highly distinctive and helps rear airflow,' says Nakamura, 'and it also gives the GT-R a really unusual roof line, which I like.' The side front fender air scoops also improve the car's aero performance by improving airflow around the tyres, are highly distinctive and almost animalistic. They also help cool the big chested twin-turbo V6. Nakamura also feels those deep flat sides are highly functional. 'They're flat like a well toned stomach but they also help when judging the car's width plus they're very aerodynamic.'

Good aerodynamics was a key requirement for the high-speed Nissan GT-R. 'Designing a car is always a balance between engineering and aesthetics. But with the Nissan GT-R we had very little conflict. We knew this car had to be Nissan's technological showcase. Our designers worked very closely with the aerodynamicists to ensure excellent air flow and good downforce essential for a car that has such a high top speed and such excellent high speed stability.'

The new car also continues the proud GT-R design lineage. 'It's quite square and edgy at first glance although full of interesting curvatures and subtle shapes when you look closer. Like all great designs, the closer you look, the more you see.'

The pillars are quite upright, emphasising that this is not an impractical low-slung supercar. There are the four round tail lamps mirrored in the four chunky round exhausts directly below. Specific styling cues, borrowed from great Nissans of the past, include the edgy boxy shape of the PGC10 GT-R of 1969, the four round tail lamps of the KPGC110 GT-R of 1973 and the long thin slit grille opening of the R34 GT-R of 1999.

Interior design

Like the exterior, the NissanrnGT-R's interior is stylish but highly functional. The cabin is unique,rnsharing no major components or design features with any other Nissanrnmodel. The Nissan GT-R is a bespoke supercar, new from the ground up.

Instrumentsrnare large, clear and simple, all directly in front of the driver forrnmaximum legibility. The circular analogue instruments are ringed inrnchunky bezels and there is a tachometer in pride of place, red-lined atrn7000rpm. Within the tachometer is an easy-to-see gearshift positionrndisplay.

More unusual is a multi-function display in the centrernof the dash, that not only gives you a detailed log of your drivingrnbehaviour - speed, g-force, fuel economy etc - but also gives detailsrnof the car's mechanical information - turbo boost, water and engine oilrnpressure, transmission oil, front/rear drive distribution plus steeringrnangles, braking and acceleration pressure, and also optimal gearshiftrnmapping for best fuel economy. The design of the multi-functionrndisplay, which also includes the satellite navigation and audiorncontrols, was done in conjunction with Polyphony Digital Inc, designerrnof the Gran-Turismo video game series for Sony PlayStation.

Inrnthe centre of the dashboard, below the multi-function display, is arncluster angled towards the driver. It contains switches for the airrnconditioning, audio and set-up switches, used to change the tuning ofrncomponents including dampers, gear shift and VDC.

The centrernconsole, which sweeps through the middle of the cabin, contains a redrnstart button, leather shift lever (the same leather used for thernsteering wheel, to help tactility) and parking brake, which aligns withrnthe centre armrest. The shift lever selector chooses Park, Reverse,rnNeutral, Automatic or Manual, and manual gear shifts are via paddlesrndirectly behind the steering wheel. There is a full automatic gearrnchange provision, useful in heavy traffic or when relaxing rather thanrnsporty driving is desired.

The steering wheel is small,rncomfortable to hold and trimmed in soft hand-stitched leather. Switchesrnhave been placed on spokes in an orderly, logical manner.

Seatsrnare especially designed for the Nissan GT-R. They're heavily sidernbolstered for maximum lateral support and comfort. It is particularlyrnbetter for supporting the body and reduces any slip. To relax the lowerrnlegs during longer drives, the front edge of the seat is unusuallyrnflat; it also makes getting into and out of the seat easier.

Accessrnto front or rear seats is easy and visibility is excellent. Though therncar fully engenders a special 'sense of occasion' once behind the wheelrn- thanks to the sporty cabin, dynamic performance and handling - it isrna also a very 'normal' car in many ways, not so different from anrneveryday sedan. It's roomy, comfortable, light and airy. It is muchrnmore practical and user friendly than other cars in this performancernbracket.

The Nissan GT-R has the greatest range of seatrnadjustment of any supercar, to ensure that virtually all drivers canrnget comfortable behind the wheel. The driver's seat is designed so thatrnanyone from 144cm-190cm will feel comfortable behind the wheel. Thernseat slide is long (228mm), the seat is height and rake-adjustable andrnthe steering wheel also has a wide range of adjustments (60mm tilt,rn60mm telescopic), the better to allow almost all drivers to find thernperfect driving position. The fulcrum for the tilt mechanism is at thernbottom of the steering shaft, to keep the steering wheel anglernoptimised.

Like many high-performance four-seat coupes, the rearrnseats are more 'occasional' seats than full-size chairs. Thoughrnperfectly comfortable for most adults on short journeys, they arernbetter for children or for carrying bags, jackets and other goods. Therncentre console sweeps through the middle of the cabin, dividing leftrnand right rear seats. Between the seats there is the provision forrnoptional two BOSE sound system woofers.

The trunk is largern(VDA: 315L), easily big enough for two sets of golf bags or forrnsubstantial holiday luggage. Luggage space is further improved by therncar's run-flat tyres which obviate the need for a spare tyre in therntrunk.

The seat has three colour schemes: black, black with red highlight or grey.

ShirornNakamura, Senior Vice President & Chief Creative Officer, Designrnand Brand Management, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd: 'An underlying philosophyrnof the Nissan GT-R is that it is a fast car that's easy to drive fast.rnSo there is nothing intimidating about the controls. Everything feelsrninstantly familiar, apart from the novel multi-function meter - whichrnis also highly intuitive and we believe will prove very popular withrnowners.'

Engine

Nissan's VR38DETT is arnbrand new engine specially developed for the Nissan GT-R. The 3.8-litrernunit uses twin IHI turbochargers. Its maximum power is 480 PS (353 kW)rnat 6400rpm. This makes the Nissan GT-R one of the most powerfulrnJapanese road cars and the most powerful production car ever built byrnNissan.

'More important than absolute power, is the manner inrnwhich it is delivered,' says chief vehicle engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno.rn'The engine's very tractable and that means it's very easy to drive, arnkey quality of the Nissan GT-R.' Maximum torque of 60kgm (588 Nm) isrndelivered seamlessly from 3200-5200rpm.

It is also a veryrnefficient engine, reducing emissions and fuel consumption. The NissanrnGT-R is the world's most efficient supercar in balancing speed,rnacceleration and fuel consumption. Environmental performance is furtherrnreinforced by its satisfying Japan 's U-LEV (ultra low emissionrnvehicle) standards.

The engine's high environmental standard isrnpartly due to the innovative plasma-coated bores, which improverncooling, boosting fuel efficiency and power. The plasma sprayedrncylinder liner bores are just 0.15mm thick, compared with conventionalrncast iron liners of 2.6mm. Not only are they much better at dissipatingrnheat, improving efficiency, they're also lighter - saving about 3 kg inrna V6 engine. To ensure sufficient lubrication of this sprayed-onrncylinder liner in the aluminium block, special synthetic engine oil isrnused (Mobil-1 RP OW-40).

In addition, the fully independentrnintake and exhaust systems produce a higher output and a fasterrnresponse. These fully symmetrical intake and exhaust systems increasernair intake and reduce exhaust resistance, producing a smooth and fastrngas flow. The twin IHI turbochargers are highly responsive.

Emissions are improved by a secondary air system, featuring an air pump, which promotes a faster catalyst reaction.

ThernNissan GT-R's advanced electronic controls respond quickly to climaternand altitude changes, ensuring maximum performance at all times.rnPrecise monitoring of the air-fuel ratio further improves fuelrnefficiency and emissions. This precise control improvesrnhigh-performance fuel consumption by five percent. During ordinaryrnlow-rev driving, the Nissan GT-R will typically generate about 40 kgmrn(392 Nm) of torque - sufficient for excellent pick-up and accelerationrn- and this high output allows for an optimum air-fuel ratio,rnsignificantly improving fuel efficiency and exhaust cleanliness. 'Whenrndriving on moderate throttle openings - in other words, in normalrneveryday driving - the Nissan GT-R proves to be especially ecologicallyrnfriendly,' says Mizuno. 'Its fuel economy advantage over rivals isrnmagnified in such normal everyday driving situations.' In automaticrnmode, the transmission quickly chooses high gear ratios, allowing thernengine to ride along on a wave of low-rev torque.

Other technicalrninnovations include a thermostatically controlled air-cooled oil coolerrnsystem, for greater cooling efficiency. The engine oil is cooled by anrnoil cooler system and in extreme cornering - of which the Nissan GT-Rrnis easily capable - a scavenger pump maintains turbocharger oil flow.rnThe oil collecting structure inside the engine is optimised by arnlateral wet and dry sump system, which helps secure stable oilrncollecting and oil pressure in various driving scenes.

A collector tank inside the fuel tank always stores enough fuel to maintain fuel flow even under strong g forces.

Thernengines, like the transmissions, are all hand made. One craftsmanrnhand-assembles the entire engine. The dedicated engine builders work inrna special Nissan GT-R 'clean room' area of Nissan's Yokohama plant.

Transmission

ThernNissan GT-R uses an all-new GR6-type transmission, exclusivelyrndeveloped for the car. The paddle shift six-speed twin clutch gearboxrnis highly efficient - unlike an automatic transmission withrnconventional torque converter, there is minimum power loss so responsernand fuel economy is improved.

In M range (for manualrntransmission mode), the paddle shift gives exceedingly quick changes.rnSuch quick gear changing maintains the turbo boost, so acceleration isrnone strong powerful seamless burst.

The twin clutches make arnsignificant contribution to shift speed. There are separate clutchesrnfor the odd (1,3,5) and even (2,4,6) gears. When the car is running inrnan odd number gear, the adjacent even numbered gears are pre-selectedrnand are ready to make the shift immediately in the sequential-shiftingrngearbox. When downshifting, a synchronised rev control 'blips' thernthrottle precisely to synchronise engine speed for extra-fastrndownshifts. Borg-Warner triple cone synchronisers are used.

WhenrnR range - the sportiest setting - is chosen on the set-up switch, arncomputerised control predicts the driver's next gear change, based onrnthrottle opening, vehicle speed, braking and other information.

ThernNissan GT-R uniquely offers exceedingly quick gear shift speeds andrnfull automatic transmission. In A (automatic transmission) range, therncar changes gear automatically, in the most fuel efficient manner.rnHigher gears are used whenever possible, benefiting from the car'srnmassive 588 Nm of torque, and its long and flat torque curve. The carrncan be driven in sixth gear for long periods at low speeds, and stillrnoffers good throttle response. Such docile behaviour is at odds withrnmost equivalently fast supercars and is one of the many unique aspectsrnof this technology flagship.

The E-TS electronic traction controlrnand rear final drive with limited slip differential (for better powerrndelivery) are both integrated into the surprisingly compact and lightrnrear transaxle. By placing the input/output shafts diagonally, therntransmission is flat and the car's centre of gravity can be lowered.

Onernhighly useful and unusual feature is the Nissan GT-R's Hill StartrnAssist. On an uphill gradient, which the car automatically recognises,rnthe system maintains brake pressure for about two seconds after thernrelease of the brake pedal, making hill starts easy.

Suspension

ThernNissan GT-R has a new type of suspension offering excellentrnstraight-line stability, even over 186 mph (300 km/h), plus top-classrnhandling and braking in all situations - from urban commutes, to snowyrnand slushy roads, to the racetrack. The suspension is designed aroundrnthe new 'Premium Mid-ship' package, and takes advantage of the perfectrnload balance of all four wheels.

A set-up switch allows therndriver to access three different suspension modes: R (highrnperformance), Sports (the normal setting) and Comfort (for city drivingrnto absorb road bumps). The set-up switch electronically changes thernsettings on the Bilstein DampTronic dampers, specially developed forrnthe Nissan GT-R.

In R mode, the Bilsteins ensure flat, hardrncornering for high-speed and maximum feedback. In the other two modes -rnSport and Comfort - the dampers are electronically controlled tornproduce the best possible handling/ride balance (depending on whichrnsetting is chosen). Special sensors measure 11 vehicle elementsrnincluding vehicle speed, lateral acceleration speed, steering anglernspeed, demand torque, estimate torque, engine rpm, brake fluidrnpressure, normal acceleration, ABS anti-lock braking behaviour andrnvehicle stop information.
Brakes

The Nissan GT-R has hugernfront and rear Brembo fully ventilated drilled steel disc brakesrn(φ380). They give superb pedal feel as well as immense stopping power.

Thernfull floating rotors stabilise braking while also preventing heatrndistortion. The inner parts of the rotors have diamond-shapedrnventilated ribs, to ease cooling, while the rotors are also crossrndrilled to run as cool as possible.

Brembo monoblock six-pistonrncallipers are used in front and rear four piston type. To generaternstrong braking force and prevent calliper distortion, racing-stylernthree bolt structures are used.

Four-wheel drive

Thernnew Nissan GT-R uses probably the most advanced four-wheel drive systemrnon a road car ever used. The all-wheel drive (ATTESA E-TS) optimallyrndistributes power to the front wheels when and if necessary. Thoughrnnaturally rear-drive biased, up to 50 percent of torque can be fedrnforwards improving traction in difficult conditions - such as rain,rnfrost, ice or snow. Front drive is also utilised to improve corneringrnperformance on Tarmac, improving traction and stability.

Specialrncomputerised control automatically alters the front/rear torque splitrnfrom zero torque at the front wheels, to 50 percent of total torque.rnThe control is varied continuously, as various sensors on the carrnmeasure speed; lateral and transverse acceleration, steering angles,rntyre slip and other road surface and yaw rate.

On the newrnNissan GT-R an additional sensor is the yaw-rate feedback control,rnwhich measures the difference between the target yaw rate calculatedrnfrom the steering angle, the actual yaw rate detected by the yaw-raternsensor and G sensor. Front and rear torque is automatically correctedrnaccordingly.

The four-wheel drive system includes a VehiclernDynamic Control (VDC-R), the Nissan GT-R's electronic stability controlrnsystem. This continually monitors the vehicle's behaviour. If offrnbalance behaviour is detected - such as sliding or skidding - torque tornthe wheels will be altered to help stabilise the car. Electronicrntraction control is also fitted to rear mechanical limited sliprndifferentials, preventing wheelspin and improving grip.

HillrnStart Assist Function is added for assisting starts gradients. (On anrnuphill grade, the system maintains brake pressure for about two secondsrnafter release of the brake pedal).

2005 Nissan GT-R PROTO Concept

Atrnthe 35th Tokyo Motor Show in 2001, Nissan unveiled the GT-R Concept,rnconfirming that the GT-R legend would be continued into the 21strncentury. Then, at the 37th Tokyo Motor Show in 2003, Nissan announcedrnthe next-generation GT-R would be rolled out in 2007. Now with thernlaunch of the production model just two years away, the development ofrnthe new GT-R has moved ahead again with the reveal of the GT-R PROTO.

Ultimate driving pleasure

Inrnessence, driving pleasure means that a car responds faithfully to therndriver's wishes and performs precisely as expected. Successiverngenerations of the GT-R have consistently pursued this vision ofrnultimate driving pleasure. Whether on the road or the racetrack, thernGT-R has always represented ultimate performance combined with handlingrnqualities that stay faithful to the driver's wishes, in all conditions.rnAs a result, the GT-R has built a reputation that extends far beyondrnjust its loyal owner base.

Exterior design: pure performance

Therndesign of the GT-R PROTO expresses pure GT-R heritage, coming from thernfirst model PGC10 (1969) through R34 (1999), in a new and expressivernform.
From its original roots as a pure-bred Japanese performancerncar, the new GT-R will now be a car sold globally, recognizing itsrnability to compete with the very best in the world. For the first timernin its history, the new GT-R will be designed as a specific body style,rnand not derived from a sedan.
The design language of the GT-R PROTOrnis expressed by a distinctive body-style that communicates purernperformance and functionality. The form of the GT-R PROTO instantlyrnexpresses its purpose and potential, but in a way that is unique tornthis iconic car.
At the front end, the single center air intake isrndesigned to optimize airflow and to strongly link the identity of thernGT-R from R34 to GT-R Concept (2001). Front fenders are uniquelyrndesigned through intensive analysis of the airflow around the tires,rnand the air vent behind the front fender also optimizes aerodynamics.rnThe sides of the body are sculptured towards the rear fender,rnexpressing the power and dynamic tension of the car.
The overallrnshape of the body combines solid and smooth surfaces to achieve thernlook of a well-trained athlete. The unique c-pillar crease is designedrnfor optimum aerodynamics, reflecting the racing DNA of the GT-R.
Thernrear of the GT-R PROTO is strong and well defined. The signature fourrnring-shaped tail lamps provide an immediate visual link to previousrnGT-R models. Four large-bore exhaust pipes complete the purposefulrnlook, which could only be that of a pure GT-R.
The GT-R PROTOrnprovides for the first time a clear indication of the final designrndirection for the production model to be launched in 2007, the firstrnall-new GT-R in eight years.