Nissan GT-R gets refreshed look, more comfort… and more power, again

Biggest changes since launch

Nissan says the changes for the upcoming 2017 Nissan GT-R are the most significant yet.  Since its introduction to South Africa in 2009, the various upgrades and facelifts to the GT-R R35 (i.e. the current generation) have seen power and/or visual changes occur every year.

V-motion grille

Now, the GT-R is made more comportable than before, with a new sense of elegance, they say.

Its exterior changes to get a new V-motion grille with matt chrome finish, and the grille itself is of increased size for increased airflow to cool the engine without causing extra drag. 

The original simplistic design got busier, like the LED daytime lights added in 2011, with accompanying ribs in the front bumper and rear side bumper, apparently to improve airflow.

Rather than those ribs in the bumper, the updated GT-R gets mesh inserts, with smaller LEDs, up higher.  The bonnet is newly-shaped.  The front spoiler lip has been extended, while sill spoiler lips along the sides were reshaped.  C-pillars were redesigned, preventing generating a smaller vortex.  Exterior changes were to maximize aerodynamic efficiency for downforce generation, drag reduction and improved cooling of vital systems.

The GT-R ID’ing stove-plate 4-circle taillights stay, with changes to the rear visible in a silver finish rear diffuser, and new side air vents.  The rear bumper gets the same design as the GT-R Nismo.  New Y-spoke alloy wheels by RAYS are new for 2017.

More comfortable

The interior has been upgraded, adopting a new “horizontal flow” layout, and the centre dashboard layout has been markedly simplified from a busy 27 switches down to 11.  The touch-screen is bigger and with improved functionality.  A new Display command monitor on the carbon-fibre centre console allows operation without needing to touch the touch-screen, which comes in safely/handily at high-speed driving.

The front seatbacks on Premium and Pure models now have more padding foam within bolsters for better torso support, for a more premium ride experience.

Active Noise Cancellation and more sound dampening have made the Nissan GT-R more quiet and thus more comfortable.

The dual-clutch automated gearbox has been made to shift smoother from 1st to 2nd gear.  The transmission which sounded very mechanical (good or bad, depending on your preference) has also been subdued.  The gearshift paddles have moved from the stationary steering column position to now move with the steering wheel as it rotates.

Importantly, the vuvuzela-loud exhaust noise of the preceding Nissan GT-R (which quickly gets tired for most occupants and those forced to hear it from outside) have been toned down, for a “noticably quieter and more pleasant experience”.

Power up, again

Originally 350kW (in 2009) became 390kW barely 2 years later (from 2011) and then upped to 397kW at 6400 revs from 2012.  Now, the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 is boosted from 397 to 419kW at a higher 6800r/min, in part contributable to an ignition-timing system controlled at each cylinder, carried across from the GT-R Nismo.

 

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