2016 New York Motor Show: Nissan GT-R revealed

THE 2016 Nissan GT-R is even faster, better equipped and more brutal than ever – and Australian customers won’t miss out with a “Track Edition” engineered by Nismo offered here for the first time.

That’s not all that’s new for the latest Godzilla, which Nissan calls its best GT-R yet – in a nod to the legendary R32 Godzilla Skyline GT-R and its 1969 predecessor, Nissan filled its New York show stand with historic GT-Rs.

The MY 2017 gets slightly more power, now 419kW, giving it 15kW more than the current car and 62kW more than the original incarnation of the R35 that arrived here in 2008. The 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 backs this up with 632Nm, up from 628Nm. The extra grunt comes from changes to ignition timing and an increase in turbo boost pressure. Nissan hasn’t given away any performance figures, but it’ll be difficult to top the 2.7sec 0-100km/h claim of the existing version.

Outside, changes are minimal, but include a mesh-patterned ‘V-motion’ grille in line with rest of Nissan’s range, as well as a new bonnet and front bumper. The supercar’s side-sills have been pushed out to improve aero, while the rear also has a revised bumper and new vents next to the large fist-sized exhaust pipes.

Nissan says that the R35’s body is now more rigid, and that it has fettled the suspension tune so that the 20-inch Pirelli-shod forged aluminium alloys not only offer a better ride, but can be pushed even harder around corners. A new “active sound enhancement” and titanium exhaust set-up will let you know if your mind is not yet blown away by the Nissan’s physics-defying pace.

Nissan’s New York show presentation repeatedly called the GT-R a grand tourer. Yet the R stands for Race, not refinement. Still, in what seems a response to German rivals such as the ubiquitous Porsche 911 – which offers supreme liveability in contrast to the Nissan’s race-ready character – the MY16 R35 has been luxed up for a quieter, more refined cabin experience.

The most obvious changes are an instrument panel and dash that are now covered in hand-stitched leather. Integrated controls for the sat-nav and stereo have lowered the button count from 27 to 11, but – finally – the previously column-mounted paddle-shifters are now mounted directly on the steering wheel. That means you’ll be able to more easily exploit the GT-R’s stupendous traction out of corners for an even faster point-to-point experience.

The GT-R will be offered in Australia in Premium trim grades and, for the first time, a Track Edition engineered by Nismo. It’s expected in local showrooms in September 2016.