Looking forward to 2011. In the beginning part of the year, we will be seeing the 2012 US DBA R35.
The new blue for 2012. We are also going to be getting a Black Edition in the US.
Fast Lane Daily- snowed in edition – is reporting that there will be a super light edition of the Nissan GT-R at the end of its life cycle in two years.
Are they talking about a GT-R Evolution? I don't think its likely that the Nissan GT-R will be at the end of its life cycle in two years. The DBA is getting set to release in 2012. The CBA was sold as a 2009-2011 model. The previous cars, the R32, R33, R34 GT-R were sold from 1989-2002, with a similar driveline. I would expect to maybe see something along the lines of the Z34-370Z. Maybe a little smaller car, a little more displacement. Maybe direct injection? If they went to direct injection, could we expect to see 560-575 hp? The 2012 car is going to be rated at 530 hp. Maybe a 7 speed transmission?
The Nissan GT-R has piqued your interest, and now you are looking for a used example. Should you pick a 2009, 2010, 2011,2012,2013, 2014? What are the differences? What is it that I hear about the transmission? Does it have launch control? What are some of the problem areas with the car? Which year is fastest? This guide is going to be based around US models first sold in July 2008. Worldwide models are similar but not exactly the same as US models. Stock the Nissan GT-R is fast, however with a strong aftermarket behind it, modified it is nearly unbelievable.
First Look
Titanium(KAC), the rarest color
The Nissan GT-R or R35 was first sold in the US as a 2009 model starting in July 2008. Why is it called an R35? The chassis code for the 2009-2011(US) GT-R is CBA-R35. The 2012 up(US) GT-R has undergone several minor updates and is referred to as a DBA-R35. In Japan and other parts of the world, there has been a Nissan Skyline GT-R sold from 1969 to 1973, a 16 year break, and then from 1989 to 2002. From 1989-1994 the chassis code was BNR32, 1995-1998 was BCNR33, and 1999-2002 was BNR34. Even though the "Skyline" name is no longer used officially by Nissan, there are still many journalists and enthusiasts that refer to the R35 GT-R as a Skyline GT-R.
In 2009, from July though December there were 667 cars sold in the US. In the first year of sales from July 2008 though June 2009 there were 2597 sales though the 691 certified GT-R dealers. July 2009- June 2010 there were 1171 cars. Total sales from July 2008 though October 2012 were 6489 cars. Breakdown by year, and some other countries is listed below.
Two models of the GT-R were first offered in 2009 and 2010, the Base, and Premium, in 2011 the only model was the Premium,. In 2009 and 2010, there were a few options available on each model, ipod connector($400) in the glovebox, GT-R labeled floor mats($280), and a cold weather package(NC). In 2011, the GT-R floor mats($280) and the cold weather package(NC) were options. Super Silver(KAB) paint was a $3000 option in each year. There were 3 runflat tire options, the Bridgestone(Premium), the Dunlop(Base), and the Dunlop all season(cold weather package).Six exterior colors were available in 2009. In 2010 and 2011 there were five exterior colors(Titanium was dropped). The interior had two color options, black and gray from 2009-2011.
For 2012, there were a few changes to the color, and model options. A Premium and a Black Edition were available. The Black Edition sports unique wheels, red and black trimmed Recaro seats, and a black headliner. All performance aspects are the same for the Premium and the Black Edition, both now running a new version of the Dunlop Sport Maxx tires, or the Dunlop all season tire, the Bridgestone was dropped. For 2012 a backup camera became a $600 option for the first time officially in the US. The Black paint was changed to Jet Black(GAG), and Deep Blue Pearl was introduced (RAY).
For 2013 Nissan GT-R the Nissan GT-R gets a world wide increase to 550PS (545hp). Torque has been
increased to 463 lb-ft from 448 lb-ft. In addition, the suspension has been retuned and a handmade dry carbon
rear spoiler has also been added to the Nissan GT-R Black Edition model. A RearView Monitor is now standard on all models. There is also a model called a Track Pack, that is built of a "other than the US" market Pure model. Information on the Track Edition was released in February 2013. Look for it to hit the streets in May 2013.
2014 US - 2013 Nissan GT-R Japan information. What we see on the Japanese 2013 Nissan GT-R, will probably show up on the US cars. However we only have a Premium GT-R, and a Black Edition. Some items will not find their way onto US cars as an option, like the carbon fiber Recaro seats. 0-62 (0-100 km/hr) time for the 2013 Japan drops to 2.7 seconds, with a 7:18.6 Nurburgring time. Just a second faster than the Corvette ZR1. The US Market will get 150 Track Edition (Track Pack) GT-R's starting in May 2013.
From all the current rumors, we are expecting the current R35 GT-R chassis to continue for several years.
Best Motoring, the Japanese video car magazine pits some of the heavy hitters in the automotive world against each other at Sugo Racetrack in Japan.
2011 (Japan) Nissan GT-R (530 hp)
Ferrari F430
Mercedes SLS AMG
Audi R8 5.2 FSI
Porsche 911 turbo S (530 hp)
The GT-R managed the quickest time with a 1:33.808 fast lap time. The 997 Turbo S was more than 3 seconds slower with a 1:37.004. There will be lots of people saying that Best Motoring will have a Japanese bias, which is nearly to be expected. We will see how the 2012 (US)/2011 (Japan) DBA-R35 stacks up in magazine tests here in the US and world wide.
Ice-T is in someones garage, shooting video, but he won't say who's garage it is. Couple of Ferrari F430's, T-Rex, Rolls Royce, Maserrati , GT-R. Its a nice stable of cars. They look almost all like newer drivers cars vs museum pieces.
205 mph. Have you ever gone 205 mph in a car? AMS took one of their modified Alpha-9 Nissan GT-R's to the Texas Mile, and managed to hit 205.3 mph in a standing mile. That is from a standing start, to 205.3 mph in 5280 feet.
This is the current GT-R record. There are a few new gearsets, and gear ratio changes to be released by the aftermarket this next year, so don't expect this record for R35 Nissan GTR's to stand for long.
Updated with Video
SP Engineering has been fairly quiet as of late. Hiding out at their workshop, cooking up new combination's with 3.8 liter, and 4.0 liter, Greddy TD06 turboed VR38DETT's.
Boost = horsepower. The more boost you run, the more power you make. Well, at least until a point. If you aren't heating the air up too much, you will keep making power, until you run out of octanes. In the two dyno charts, above and below you can see how there is better response with the 4.0 stroker engine. The 4.3 liter stroker, should pick up even more power in the low end.
These runs were done back in October. They say they have made more power since then, but they are not letting anyone know, until the next time they run at the track. Based on what the 3.8 liter does at 33 psi, the 4.0 should be around 1200 AWHP at similar boost levels. Who thought that 1100 AWHP was enough?
I am not so sure about conversions, trying to make one car, look like another car. Some people have to have the latest and greatest model. A company in the Philippines took an R33 drift car, and gave it the R35 GT-R look. It makes it unique looking, but an R33 is fairly unique looking too.
The numbers keep getting pushed higher and higher. AMS has just released a dyno chart from a Alpha-12 GT-R, and its impressive. At 1118WHP and 884 ft/lbs of torque, it raises the bar for GT-R horsepower. Can't wait to see it on the drag strip. Stay tuned for some more updates.
GReddy has just released some information on VR38DETT engines they are supplying to customers. From short blocks to complete 4.3 liter strokers, GReddy is going to have what you are looking for.
Each engine comes with WPC coated Nissan rod and main bearings. 3.8 liter, 4.0 liter, and 4.3 liters are available. If you are looking to build your engine, and looking for some options, Greddy is providing some very good ones here.
The first 9 second R35 GT-R pass in the middle east was by a member of NAGTROC with a 9.85@150 mph pass on 20 inch wheels. The car built in conjunction with SubZero Motors and SP Engineering sports a 4.0 liter stroker engine, SP ugraded Greddy TD06 turbo kit, Kelford 276 degree camshafts, a Haltech ECU, and other supporting modifications to support the build.
They expect a lot more from this build when it can get the power to the ground with less wheelspin. They ran as fast as 154 mph on a 10.6 pass.
Dino Dalle Carbonare from Speedhunters attended the Nismo Festival at Fuji Speedway. Held since 1997, it gives Nissan aficionados a chance to see tons of Nissan race cars up close, and on the track. Head over to the website for all 3 parts of the coverage.
Creating horsepower in an engine, creates heat. The heat needs to be transported away from the engine by the cooling system. An upgraded radiator allows for more heat to be transferred from the engine to the atmosphere. According to Koyo, this is the same radiator that the Cobb Tuning R35 GT-R uses in time attack. Check out the press release below.
Koyorad | Koyo is proud to introduce a direct replacement all aluminum performance radiator for the 2009-Current Nissan GT-R. This brand new application features Koyorad's new 48mm “HH” Series radiator core with an ultra high fin density to maximize heat transfer. Koyo designs and manufactures each radiator with precision; therefore this is a direct-fit performance replacement for the stock OE plastic/aluminum radiator for a quick and simple installation with no modifications. Koyo has also integrated a 1/8” NPT female accessory fitting (supplied with a threaded plug) to accept temperature sensors typically included with aftermarket temperature gauges.
Koyorad quality is a direct result of their privately owned factories which allow Koyorad Japan to oversee each stage of radiator production. This ensures that quality is never sacrificed for quantity. Each Koyo all aluminum radiator core is hand assembled, Nocolok brazed, then TIG welded by hand with the finest aluminum available. These are just a few characteristics that have earned Koyorad Radiators their excellent reputation in performance radiators worldwide.
Application: 2009-Current Nissan GT-R 3.8L Twin Turbo
Koyorad | Koyo Part Number #: HH022360
Available: December 2010
Features
• Koyorad “HH” Series 48mm Hyper Core
• OE Specific mounting and direct fit
• Mirror polished finish
• Nocolok-R Brazing
• Precise Tube and Fin alignment
• Billet aluminum filler neck
• 1/8” NPT female accessory fitting
Sleepdoc over at the NAGTROC forums is at it again, improving his 1/4 mile time each and every track event. He has it down to a 10.011@ 136.90 mph on stock turbos, with a stock engine, and a stock transmission. So close to a 9 second pass, which is just about unbelievable for the amount of modifications done to the car.
The mods to the car are fairly normal for what we expect to see on a modified Nissan GT-R,but the combination of the right parts and good driving puts this car so close to the 9's. . Cobb AccessPORT controlling the ECM and the TCM(transmission control module) tuned by Jack Cecil. The car picks up E85 fuel though an HKS upgraded fuel system, ID 1000 cc injectors.On the intake side of the turbos, the car sports a Cobb intake. Exhaust is expelled though Kreissieg downpipes, an HKS midpipe, and an HKS legamax exhaust.
November was another slow month for GT-R sales. The 2012 Nissan GT-R, the DBA was shown at the LA Auto Show with 530 hp, front bumper and rear diffuser changes, and a host of other minor changes. Total sales were 50 cars. Current year to date sales for the GT-R are 839 cars. To put that in another perspective, Nissan sold 18,372 Altimas in November, for a year to date total of 206,247 cars.
US GT-R Sales Figures
147 - July 08
484 - August 08
421 - September 08
321 - October 08
208 - November 08
149 - December 08
94 - January 09
169 - February 09
137 - March 09
171 - April 09
146 - May 09
150 - June 09
128 - July 09
100-August 09
111- September 09
117- October 09
92- November 09
119 - December 09
67 - January 10
71 - February 10
87 - March 10
106 - April 10
89- May 2010
84 - June 2010
86 - July 2010
90 - August 2010
63- Sept 2010
46 - October 2010
50 - November 2010
-----------------
4,103 Total