GT-R ‘Born Bad’ muscle supercar reloaded

This year’s maiden edition of the overhauled South Africa Festival of Motoring (SAFM) may have come and gone, but events that made it outstanding will still be remembered for a long time.

One of the highlights of the event was the unveiling of the new Nissan 2017 GT-R muscle car at the weeklong South Africa Festival of Motoring that flaunts exciting new look both inside and out with significant driving-performance enhancements and key new features ever witnessed since the super sport car was introduced in 2007.

The new GT-R features fresh, more aggressive front fascia and an enlarged grille to cool the hand-built potent engine, along with carbon fibre material additions to the front bumper and a reshaped hood to help the car better endure extreme speeds.

Nissan says the new chrome matte finish “V-motion” grille represents one of the automaker’s latest design signatures. It has been enlarged to provide better engine cooling and now features and updated mesh pattern.

A new hood, which flows flawlessly from the grille, has also been significantly reinforced, contributing to stability during high-speed driving. This is in addition to a freshly-designed front spoiler lip and front bumpers with finishers situated immediately below the headlamps. This gives the new GT-R the look of a pure-bred race car, while generating high levels of front down-force.

The GT-R’s familiar wind-cutting shape defines its profile, but the side sills have been pushed out for improved air flow. The rear of the car also received a thorough makeover. While the hallmark four-ring taillights remain; Nissan has enhanced the bodywork to help improve air flow, as well as side air vents next to the quad exhaust tips.

Also, the belt line that separates the lower black section from the body panel has been heightened to give the car a wider and more aggressive look from the rear.

These exterior changes don’t result just in a sportier-looking car; they create an aerodynamically efficient vehicle, with less drag but retaining the same amount of down-force as the current GT-R to keep the car stable at high speeds.

Speaking at the presentation of the car to an enthusiastic crowd during SAFM event at the Kyalami Grand Circuit in Midrand, , Xavier Gobille, managing director, sales, explained that the shift paddles are now mounted to the new steering wheel to allow drivers to change gears in mid-turn.

This can be achieved without having to take their hands off the wheel. The paddles themselves, along with the ventilation controls, have improved feel and better sound when engaged or adjusted.

GT-R’s engines are the definition of Takumi expertise in which the improved output, which are the result of individual ignition-timing control of the cylinders and extra boost from the turbochargers, allow the new GT-R to possess superior acceleration in the mid- to high-ranges (3200rpm and above).

The resonance of the new lightweight titanium exhaust system and Active Sound Enhancement (ASE) enhance the driving experience, especially during acceleration. With a thoroughly refined six-speed dual-clutch transmission that features smoother shifts and less noise, that familiar GT-R tone has now been substituted with an engine that has never sounded better.

Such increases, which are the result of individual ignition-timing control of the cylinders and extra boost from the turbochargers, allow the new GT-R to possess superior acceleration in the mid- to high-ranges (3200 rpm and above).

Nissan GT-R has always been regarded as one of the world’s best handling machines, and for 2017, its cornering abilities have become even better.

The cabin now dons a redesigned, premium interior, befitting a high-performance super sports car. The entire dashboard is new, including an instrument panel wrapped in a single, seamless piece of hand-selected Nappa leather artfully stitched with Takumi-style precision.

The shape of the dashboard adopts a “horizontal flow” to deliver a sense of high stability for front seat occupants, while the line from the instrument cluster to the centre console provides a distinct driver-oriented environment for the driver.

“As the icon of Nissan’s driving performance, the GT-R continues to evolve. With the signature V-motion grille, the GT-R now possesses the latest Nissan design language. Its exceptional aerodynamic performance and upgraded interior have given the GT-R a more mature character, which will continue into the future,” Nissan assured.

MIKE OCHONMA