With just three letters, few vehicles in the world can be recognized instantly. But “GT-R” has become synonymous with excitement, high performance and unparalleled refinement for motoring enthusiasts everywhere.
The 2020 Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition brings the nameplate to a point that when it was first launched 50 years ago was unthinkable. To mark the GT-R’s half-century, engineers have challenged themselves to find undiscovered potential for success while still ensuring drivers can experience the car at any point.
“A GT-R is about total balance management,” said Hiroshi Tamura, chief product specialist for the GT-R. “It is not about chasing a power figures, but creating a new GT-R, where no aspect has been overlooked. This is appropriate to celebrate the GT-R 50th anniversary.”
The 2020 Nissan GT-R will be delivered in five trim levels: GT-R Premium, GT-R Black Edition, GT-R Track Edition, GT-R NISMO and a special 50th Anniversary Edition to celebrate the rich heritage of the GT-R.
The special edition car will come in three combinations of heritage-era, two-tone exterior color designed to represent the liveries of the GT-R from the Japan GP series–where the original GT-R was born to dominate. Bayside (Wangan) Blue, removed from the GT-R “R34” version, makes a return, complete with white racing stripes. A four-coat, double-heat treatment system with bright highlights and dark shadows provides a vibrant blue color. One of several fine touches made to mark the anniversary of the GT-R is the blue accents on the wheel spokes. Pearl White with red stripes and Super Silver with white stripes complete the liveries for the 50th Anniversary.
There is a special gray interior color scheme inside the 50th Anniversary Edition, which gives the cabin a sense of comfort, reminiscent of the atmosphere of the night sky after the twilight hour (the color is also available on select other 2020 GT-R models). Other features of the 50th anniversary include unique steering wheel and shift knob trim, special seat embossing, an Alcantara ® headliner with unique stitching, and more.
“The Nissan GT-R has been the icon of our company’s driving performance for the past half century,” said Shinichiro Irie, program design director for the GT-R. “We were highly motivated to ensure that the GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition stands out. While the exterior and interior changes may seem subtle at first glance, they’re still impactful, especially with the new paint schemes, keeping the car’s lines and overall presence modern and edgy.”
While many assumed that the quality and performance of the GT-R’s twin-turbocharged 565-horsepower V6 24-valve twin-turbocharged engine–each designed by its own takumi technician–was so strong that there was no room for improvement, the designers of the car had a few tricks up their sleeves. Among them were the incorporation of new turbochargers that help to increase the low rpm response of the engine due to an abradable seal, providing tighter clearances and an increase in efficiency of 5 percent. They provide even sharper engine response in and out of corners overall, making driving experience more rewarding and richer than ever before.
Inspired by racing technology, the exhaust manifolds have optimized turbo flange attachment points that enable easier service and possible tuning without touching the exhaust manifold.
GT-R features a revamped dual-clutch 6-speed transmission with a streamlined “R-mode” for both road and track. This features more powerful downshifts to help predict fast cornering exits, with gear selection taking place during ABS action, resulting in less understeer and a more driver-intuitive feeling. The adaptive shift control is programmed to change shift schedules to fit the driving style of the user, enabling driving with full brute force in accordance with the law on public roads.
The exhaust note of the GT-R is the result of a new titanium muffler with titanium finishers with burnished blue tips.
The electronically controlled suspension was tuned to provide better stability at the corner and a smoother ride. The steering is more linear and reliable than ever before, requiring limited corrections at speeds up to 300 km / h. By engaging with less pedal stroke, a new brake booster increases the initial braking response, resulting in increased stopping power and feel.
The interior of the GT-R is the ideal combination of comfort and competition. There are comfortable yet supportive seats for both front and rear passengers in the distinct driver-oriented cockpit. The dashboard was designed to convey a “horizontal flow,” which gives the front seat occupants a sense of high stability. It is wrapped in a single, seamless piece of hand-selected Nappa leather, stitched with precision in the takumi style. Navigation and audio controls and an 8-inch capacitive touch-panel screen are built into the central dashboard. The wide icons on the display screen notify without disrupting the driving experience.
There are shift paddles mounted on the sporty steering wheel that allow drivers to change gears in mid-turn without taking their hands off the wheel.
Nissan presents the revamped and very strong 2020 Track Edition, which comes with an optional carbon fiber roof that sports a dry, tight weave made possible by a new construction method for those who are inclined to take their GT-R to a race track.
The engine is borrowed from the popular GT-R NISMO with the current GT3 series GT-R race car’s newly redesigned turbochargers. It results in a 20 percent increase in reaction time and 600 horsepower for pedal-down acceleration.
“With the 2020 GT-R, we kept to the car’s concept – pursuing ultimate driving pleasure,” said Tamura. “Once you take hold of the steering wheel, you will immediately know that no other car in the world delivers as much satisfaction to the driver, both physically and spiritually.”
To read more on Nissan India, Click here
Also see: Nissan Showcases the GTR GT-500 & reveals the Friend-ME concept
GALLERY: Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition
