Nissan GT-R 2012 review

We all thought the new-generation Nissan GT-R that lobbed here a few years ago was brilliant.

Super quick and fast, bristling with clever stuff. Ugly but tough looking — something to aspire to for sure.

But then the bar has been raised by the R35-series GT-R, which offers more power, more down force, more grip and more excitement than its predecessors.

Nissan engineers have been able to make all of this more accessible to enthusiast drivers, fulfilling the promise of `anyone, any time, anywhere' for its most sporting model.

In a major evolution of the model, every aspect of the R35 has been enhanced and improved in its third iteration.

Value

Priced at $168,800 it is the most efficient yet. LED daytime running lights,  remodeled bumpers, extended diffuser, new tail-pipe finish and LED fog lamps proclaim the first major revision of the R35 model.

Inside, a number of refinements have been made to enhance the sports luxury feel. They include new Recaro-designed seats with heating, new higher-quality finishes for many interior surfaces and softer seat belt material.

Design

Subtle exterior revisions have given the GT-R a new look and improved the car's already slippery aerodynamic performance. The GT-R stands out from its predecessors with its 14 per cent larger front grille opening. Downforce has improved by about ten per cent while the car's drag co-efficient has been lowered from 0.27 to just 0.26 Cd a figure most small economy cars would be proud of.

Technology

Power from the 3.8-litre, twin-turbocharged, V6 engine has been boosted 33kW to 390kW, while maximum torque developed from 3200-6000 revs is now 24Nm more at 612Nm.

Optimising this increased power through the R35's six-speed dual clutch transmission and permanent four-wheel-drive system by selecting R-Mode and VDC-R allows the Nissan GT-R to accelerate from 0-100km/h in a blistering 3.0 seconds.

Meanwhile recalibrating the engine's control module, modifying the exhaust system and fitting a new catalyst have improved both fuel economy and emissions by 3.5 per cent.

Drive

A series of subtle, but significant chassis changes to the Nissan GT-R's chassis, including new lightweight aluminium shock absorbers, have sharpened the model's already-impressive handling without any sacrifice in riding comfort.

New tyres, lighter wheels and bigger brakes have also enhanced the car's unique supercar driving experience.