Autoblog

Click the above image for 26 high-res photos of GT-R parts.

The new Nissan GT-R is an engineering playground. We hope to get our chance to play with it soon, but until then, we get pictures. Luckily, Nissan has released detailed images of the GT-R drivetrain and suspension. These reveal some of the alterations made in the GT-R design from prior models. One of the more significant changes is the placement of the transmission. The dual-clutch transmission and combination transfer case sit at the back of the car, coupled to the rear differential (that makes it a transfermissiondiffcase). It makes for more balanced weight distribution with the transmission, rear differential and transfer case counterbalancing the weight of the engine and front differential.

The turbochargers have also changed from Garrett units used in past GT-R models to IHI, a Japanese-owned company. The turbine housings (aka hot side) of the turbochargers are a combined casting with the engine exhaust manifolds. Most likely this is done to save space and for emissions reasons to ensure the catalytic converters are as close to the turbocharger outlets as possible. Each turbocharger is followed by two catalytic converters, making for a total of four. Two intercoolers are also installed, as opposed to one with two inlets, keeping the charged air for each bank of cylinders constantly separated. This is most likely done to ensure precise metering of air.

[Source: Nissan]


While staring at pictures can reveal a lot of information about the GT-R it does not provide much input into the control systems. The electronics integrated into the GT-R such as the drive-by-wire throttle bodies, dual-clutch automatic transmission and electronic controlled front differential have the potential for Nissan to create a traction control system beyond any other in existence. The potential is also there for the ATTESA all wheel drive system. In previous models it involved only feedback from wheel speed sensors, throttle position sensor and g-sensor, but this time around much more data is available to be fed into the computer controlling the torque split to the front wheels.

Check out the Nissan GT-R details gallery to view the technical shots. Also hit up the other GT-R galleries to see the complete package.