 | ||
| They're finally here, pictures of the “Godzilla” we’ve waited seven years for. In less than two decades, the Skyline GT-R has achieved cult status. The new GT-R, soon to be officially unveiled at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, will no doubt be a show-stopper and a worthy successor to the GT-R badge. |
The evolutionary changes to the exterior (R32 through to the R34) have been done away with, and the new car features its own aggressive coupé body style. The production vehicle is expected to share more that 80 per cent of the GT-R Proto concept’s styling cues, such as 20-inch wheels and blacked out A-pillars.
Inside the GT-R, Nissan has spent a great amount of time on the aesthetic details. Although the GT-R’s interior does look quite “busy” with all those buttons, switches and steering wheel-mounted controls, it is actually nice mix of black plastic, black leather and satin-finish metallic trim. Even with that sloping roofline, there appears to be adequate space for the rear-seated passengers and there is even a hint of previous Nissan design a la the fifth generation 200 SX aping rear bench, making this a genuine 2+2 seater.
The near-bullet-proof RB26 DETT straight-six engine found in the GT-R Skylines of yore had a reputation of being able to withstand hurricane forces of 700-plus kW, making the R32, R33 and R34 very popular with drag racers and tuners.
For the upcoming GT-R, Nissan has opted to ditch the legendary 2,6-litre engine, however. The new GT-R should gain some displacement courtesy of Nissan’s acclaimed VQ V6 engine (with a reported capacity of over 3,5-litres). What’s more, the new engine is assisted by twin-turbochargers, fine-tuned by Cosworth, and produces 353 kW and 588 N.m of torque.
Nissan’s electronically controlled, all wheel-drive system, known as Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All- Electronic Torque Split (there’s no acronym for that one, as far as we know), is also expected to receive a bit of tweaking. The GT-R may also be the recipient of an all-wheel steering system known as HICAS. What is known, is that Lotus has lent its expertise to the development of the GT-R’s suspension and handling characteristics, and given the enviable track record the Hethel-based firm has with sports cars, that can only be a good thing.
The new GT-R will not feature a seven-speed automatic transmission, as was speculated in a number of earlier reports. Instead, a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox dubbed the GR6 will undertake the shifting duties. An automatic version is likely to be offered as an option, but our guess is that most GT-R owners will choose to swap cogs manually via the centrally mounted shifter or leather and aluminium paddle shifters. With this transmission set up, the GT-R will sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 3,5 seconds, crosses out a quarter mile in just 11,7 seconds and runs out of steam at 309 km/h.
This Japanese supercar is highly anticipated in automotive circles and once again looks well set to take on the likes of its Western competitors, such as the Audi R8, Porsche 911 GT2, and Corvette Z06. The production version of the GT-R will officially break cover at the Tokyo Show next week - we can’t wait!
