The GT-R Nismo Special Edition isn’t shy about displaying its carbon fiber.
Nissan North America
Even as we all eagerly await the arrival of the next-generation Z-car, Nissan hasn’t forgotten that its true performance flagship is still the GT-R. To remind the rest of us that Godzilla — as it’s sometimes affectionately known — is still king of the monsters, the automaker has announced a new limited-run special edition of the track-focused GT-R Nismo.
Most of the Special Edition’s body is coated with Nismo Stealth Gray paint, save the carbon fiber hood, which now proudly displays its weave beneath a clear gloss coat. The contrasting dark hood is a nice complement to the GT-R Nismo’s already exposed carbon fiber roof. Exclusive 20-inch Rays forged-aluminum alloy wheels fill the arches with red accents, echoing the Nismo Red pinstriping along the lower aero bits. This will also be the first GT-R to wear Nissan’s new minimalist logo on its trunk lid and on the center caps.
Climb in the driver’s seat
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For the most part, the GT-R Nismo is mechanically unchanged. It’s still powered by Nissan’s 3.8-liter VR38DETT twin-turbo V6 making 600-horsepower and 481 pound-feet of torque — 35 ponies and 14 pound-feet more than the non-Nismo model. That power is still transformed into forward thrust by a sophisticated ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system and six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Handling is still enhanced by the Nismo-tuned adaptive-damper suspension.
However, the Special Edition’s VR38DETT will be assembled with “high-precision, weight-balanced parts for the piston rings, connecting rods, crankshaft and valve gear components.” The tighter tolerances allow the GT-R’s engine builders — special Nissan master technicians called takumi who hand-assemble each powerplant in a special clean room — to dial in quicker turbo spooling, snappier revs and sharper performance. And since tighter internal tolerances aren’t something you can easily see, GT-R Nismo Special Edition’s engine will feature an aluminum takumi certification plate in an exclusive color.
Nissan will build a limited number of Special Editions, some of which will be available in North America this fall. Exactly how many is still unclear and pricing is an even bigger question mark, but the automaker promises that those details will be announced before it opens the order books later this year.