Nissan GT-R rises
Nissan's iconic GT-R has come to be defined by big numbers, but at the unveiling of the GT-R Proto, the company refused to be drawn on any figures
We know that the production version of the car will be launched at Tokyo in 2007, and that the Skyline name will be dropped (the Skyline family of saloons and coupes will continue in Japan), but engine configuration, horsepower and price are all as yet unconfirmed.
However, there's good reason for Nissan's coyness. Carlos Tavares, vice president of product strategy and product planning, is determined that the GT-R will be the absolute pinnacle of both Nissan's know-how, and of the sports coupe division that is currently dominated by the Porsche 911. He won't mention any figures because he says he wants to give his engineers time to deliver their very best: 'I don't want to ask for a commitment in terms of horsepower now, because anybody who is asked to commit such a long time in advance will give a safe estimate. I don't want that estimate to become the target. The target should be the ultimate, and for the ultimate you need time and freedom.' Despite Tavares' tight-lipped approach, it's an open secret that the new GT-R will look very much like this 'Proto' - aesthetically it's said to be around 90 per cent accurate. And as Japan's self-imposed 276bhp limit has been forgotten, the GT-R will have at least 400bhp (probably closer to 450bhp). A twin-turbo V6 and a turbo V8 have been considered (Nissan has a normally aspirated V8 in its domestic 5-series rivalling Futa saloon that could be adapted) and it looks likely that the latter option will make it to production; that would break the in-line six-cylinder tradition that runs all the way back to the original 1969 Skyline GT-R, but boost showroom appeal. The chassis will be more consistent to the GT-R legacy. Nissan feel that it's crucial to retain the GT-R's reputation for advanced technology, so expect to see an even more sophisticated version of the R34 GT-R's electronically controlled ATTESA ET-S PRO four-wheel-drive system working in combination with Super-HICAS four-wheel steering. Rumours suggest that Nissan may even be working on active ride. The chassis is already being tested extensively on the N�rburgring, the spiritual home of the GT-R since the R32 GT-R was developed there in 1989. With the extreme versions of the 911 as a performance benchmark, a lap time of around 7:45 will be the minimum requirement. Interestingly, neither top speed nor standing-start acceleration figures are considered priorities, but the N�rburgring lap time is at the very centre of the GT-R's development. The GT-R will be sold worldwide in both right- and left-hand drive. In the US it will be badged Infiniti, but in Europe and the UK (where the Infiniti brand will be launched in around 2008) it will remain under the Nissan banner. Whether this will hamper sales remains to be seen; the company feels the GT-R badge is so strong that customers will look past the Nissan logo and £70K price tag.
