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VIDEO: How Nissan builds the GT-R
For those of us who just can't get enough of the Nissan GT-R, Lou Ann Hammond of Carlist.com recently had a unique chance to learn more about the manufacturing process of the Z06 and 911 Turbo slayer from Nissan's North American product manager, Peter Bedrosian. The resulting video reveals fun facts about the GT-R that you might not have known otherwise. For instance, did you know each GT-R that goes down the line is fine tuned by hand? Or that each body is vibration tested? The last portion of the video also shows extensive footage of twin-turbocharged V6 being carefully assembled by hand. Click the image above to check out the video.
Gallery: Nissan GT-R (US-spec)
Gallery: 2008 Nissan GT-R in the wild
[Source: Carlist.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TyWright 6:23PM (4/02/2008)
Sooooo sexy in the flesh! Saw it at car show last night....
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rar 6:56PM (4/02/2008)
I still am not sold on the looks of the car, but it is growing on me. You have to respect the performance, but at $70,000, with all of the hand building and tuning, I wonder how much Nissan is making (or loosing) on each GTR it builds.
James 7:05PM (4/02/2008)
Knowing Nissan, they probably wouldn't have built the GT-R if the platform wouldn't have been planned for use as another model. Thus, I assume they are probably losing money, breaking even, or making no profit on the GT-R. The profits will roll in when they re-use the chassis with minor modifications on other models.
Aki 7:51PM (4/02/2008)
Wow the lame excuses never stop.
First it's that the performance figures are a lie.
Second, it's that Nissan loses money on the cars.
Keep spinning the story guys.
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Tourian 8:13PM (4/02/2008)
Ha ha.
Carlos Ghosn the chairman was quoted as saying the GT-R "wasn't allowed to lose money." Make what you will of that statement, but I don't think they are losing anything. Maybe some of the Japanese workers involved are taking a pay cut out of pride because it is such an important halo car for Nissan.
CarbonBlack 8:46PM (4/02/2008)
I also have seen this car at the car show.
The main thing I HATE about this car is how nissan tries to control your use (speed limits, GPS unlock @ tracks, mandatory inspections, no rim changing,etc.)
I dislike that the engine because it is basically a built g37 motor. Should of kept the RB series alive!!
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steve 11:48PM (4/02/2008)
the Jspec version is limited to a low top speed and limited to certain tracks.
the US version does have the low speed limiter like Japan, and all the aftermarket companies are coming out w/ parts that will work..like wheels, intake, ECU, exhaust..all the good stuff. its not a problem anymore
chris 2:41AM (4/03/2008)
It's actually closer to the old R390 supercar/racecar engine than what a G37 has. But in reality it is totally separate to both of them, a ZR1 engine is much closer to a Pontiac G8 engine than a GT-R is to a G37.
Tragedy 9:14PM (4/02/2008)
I rode (but didn't drive) in a Japanese version. Holy crap, even as a passenger it's a fun car.
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Eric Biran 11:14PM (4/02/2008)
Does anyone have another link to the video? It's barely larger than a postage stamp and not even that long, yet despite a T1 line, this thing will probably take an hour to load. They should just host it on YouTube.
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mit 8:13AM (4/03/2008)
My God, this car just grows on you no matter who you are.... check some latest videos including Orange GT-R / Amuse GT-R / Model of the year! - TAS 08 at http://carnoise.blogspot.com/2008/04/2009-nissan-gtr-latest-videos.html
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peter 9:13AM (4/03/2008)
If anyone thinks any car company is loosing money @ $70k per unit, you are not considering all the facts from both sides of the table.
How interesting that the auto industry as a whole has trained the consumer into thinking that speending over $100k on a car is what fast sport/lux cars should cost.
What you are not even considering is those cars that are above $70k have as a profit margin, and I am betting its a hell of a lot more then most industry standards. (Even the truck segment is creeping into the 30 to 50 K range, and time and again we hear about it being the most profitable segment for the big 3.)
After turning out large quantities of the same drive/engine/body/chassie components, the more you build the lower the cost. The more this and any top line cars share from the rest of the model line up, the more profit these companies make. I would bet dollars to donuts that the 911, the vette, all of the BMW Ms, the S line in the Audis, anywhere you look, they all share something with the lower level models each company puts out.
Loosing money? Lets not forget the cost to transport, market, and support in training and parts this and any model, all are well known costs and already factored into a final MSRP. No car company is in business to loose money.
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Jon B 9:46AM (4/03/2008)
Just as Toyota wasn't in the business of losing money in Prius sales. Not until recent times have they made money on that model. Comparing to the Z06, I also don't understand how they are able to offer it for so cheap. Expensive engine compared to an LS7 since it's a pushrod and no turbo, expensive drivetrain (AWD with carbon fiber driveshafts), expensive electronics galore, and I'm sure the transmission is more expensive then the Vettes. I'd be curious to see if they are really making money or just making a flagship to show off their engineering ability.
daz 5:08PM (4/03/2008)
Thanks for the great video. It just makes me appreciate the GTR even more.
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