The Nissan GT-R Nismo has been officially unveiled in Tokyo along with confirmation that it has set the fastest volume production car lap record at the Nurburgring.
Official specifications of the Nissan GT-R Nismo align closely with those leaked yesterday, with the “factory-tuned” supercar’s twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 engine uprated to 441kW of power and 652Nm of torque – up 37kW/24Nm over the regular GT-R.
Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn confirmed the Nismo’s record-breaking Nurburgring Nordschleife time of 7:08.679; more than 15 seconds quicker than Nissan’s most recent timed official lap in a GT-R in 2010, and six seconds faster than the Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package, the previous fastest Japanese car.
The Nissan GT-R Nismo’s engine gains new high-flow, large-capacity turbochargers used in GT3 racing for improved air flow, as well as optimised individual ignition timing control for each cylinder, and an upgraded fuel pump for improved combustion.
The springs and custom-developed Bilstein dampers have been specially tuned to deliver increased grip and handling response, and three selectable suspension modes are available: Comfort, Normal and R – the latter for circuit applications.
Black six-spoke wheels inspired by Nissan’s GT500 Super GT racecar are wrapped in exclusive 20-inch Dunlop-developed rubber measuring 255/40-profile at the front and 285/35-profile at the rear.
Further enhancing the GT-R Nismo are links fitted to the front double wishbone suspension increasing castor trail for optimised wheel position and improved stability; large, high-rigidity bolts to increase stiffness of the wheel hub attachment area; and a hollow rear anti-roll bar to minimise body roll during cornering.
Adhesive bonding in addition to spot welding leads to increased bodyshell rigidity and more precise suspension response under extreme load.
Revisions to the front bumper, engine undercover strake and rear spoiler increase downforce and lower the GT-R Nismo’s centre of gravity, while a widened front bumper and elongated rear bumper ensure its drag coefficient remains unchanged from the regular GT-R at 0.26.
Five body colours will be offered: Brilliant Pearl White, Meteor Flake Pearl Black, Ultimate Metallic Silver, Vibrant Red and the Nismo-exclusive Dark Matt Grey.
The cabin features carbonfibre-backed reclining Recaro seats, alcantara instrument cluster cover and steering wheel with red centre markings, carbon-look centre console finish, and discreet red stitching across the steering wheel, seats, centre console and door trim.
Nissan says the GT-R Nismo will launch in Japan in late February and the US and Europe later in 2014.
Officially, Nissan Australia says it “continues to evaluate both the Nismo brand and Nismo models such as GT-R Nismo for introduction into the Australian market”, but says at this time it has “no confirmed plans for the Nismo brand or any Nismo models, including GT-R Nismo”.
If confirmed for Australia, the Nissan GT-R Nismo would be unlikely to arrive before late 2014, when it would almost certainly wear a $200,00-plus price tag.
