JDM Nissan GT-R benefits from U.S. market tweaks
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Nissan GT-R in action.
While sitting through what felt like the longest press conference ever before we got some seat time in the Nissan GT-R, one of the engineers on hand mentioned that Godzilla's suspension would be tweaked for the U.S. market. When asked why, the response wasn't entirely clear, so we assumed that the changes would be made to adapt the GT-R to our less-than-perfect road surface. Apparently, that's not the case.
The suspension revisions, which involved modifying the spring rate by 0.1kg/mm to make the GT-R's coils a bit stiffer, will be accompanied by three harder engine mounts and a firmer transaxle mount that limits movement of the engine and gearbox under cornering forces. However, these changes aren't just for vehicles bound for Stateside consumption. The tweaks have also been implemented on the latest batch of JDM vehicles and are going to be ported over to the UK models when they arrive next year. While the changes are minimal, it's proof that Nissan's engineers are dedicated to improving every facet of the GT-R to ensure that it remains on top. Or, to quote the GT-R's chief vehicle engineer, Kazutoshi Mizuno, who spoke with Car, "The GT-R is my son... a son grows up and it's my duty as father to keep improving it."
Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Nissan GT-R
[Source: Car]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Glenn 5:03PM (5/01/2008)
a great racecar is 30% engineering, 70% development. Sounds like they have this thing under a microscope.
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Franz 5:26PM (5/01/2008)
I agree. They fully intend to deliver on their promises, and live up to the hype. You gotta respect them for the level of commitment and engineering they put into this thing. You see, for most of the world, the GT-R's exploits were famous only in rumors and video games. With the GT-R nameplate going worldwide now, they can't really afford not to meet expectations. Especially since it would appear (especially from some of the posts in these blogs) that the notion of a proper Japanese supercar isn't even worth giving a second thought. Whether they like it or not, a lot of the nay sayers have to eat their words. We don't need them to admit it, and they know who they are.
IK47 5:04PM (5/01/2008)
because of 'less-than-perfect road conditions'?
my guess would have been the fatter population
hahaha
btw
I heard somewhere that the left-hand-drive GTR benefits from better balance. I'm not sure by how much though.
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Red 5:25PM (5/01/2008)
This is correct. Both, front differential and driveshaft are located just right of center. This is offset by the driver being on the left side.
The springs are too stiff in the rear and too soft in the front. I guess it has something to do with the car being tuned on the 'Ring, which I've read elsewhere is a similar issue with other 'Ring tested sports cars, but the Bilsteins suck.
nissanfreak87 5:08PM (5/01/2008)
I'm really glad to see their commitment to this car, shows you just how important the GT-R name is to Nissan
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Seoultrain 5:18PM (5/01/2008)
maybe some of those 9 seconds they found on the Nurburgring came from these changes.
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XeroK00L 5:30PM (5/01/2008)
Surely the 9-second improvement can't be simply because of the track being dry unlike the wet condition in their first published record lap?
Seoultrain 7:19PM (5/01/2008)
As far as I've read, there were 2 damp turns when they ran that first time. gaining a couple fractions of a second on 2 turns doesn't give you nine, so that's why I said _some_ of the 9 seconds _might_ have come from suspension tuning and stiffer mounts. Add in a couple things the driver learned about the track since the previous run, and there's your 7:29.
r33 5:30PM (5/01/2008)
NEW OFICIALtime lap for the standard gtr jspec on the nurburgring,7,29 seconds!
With the previous times of the vspec in already 7,25,I WONDER WHAT THE NAYSAYERS WILL COME WITH THIS TIME.
No wonder Jay Leno is already "calling"his wife to tell her he will buy a new car.
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ugg.tryptophan 5:48PM (5/01/2008)
it gets better?!!??!?!
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Glenn 5:53PM (5/01/2008)
Did they find a new driver for their second try at the nur. That could have a huge effect
nissanfreak87 6:02PM (5/01/2008)
nope, same driver
tekdemon 6:13PM (5/01/2008)
Well, the driver might be getting better at driving the GT-R round the 'ring too...I mean you keep driving it enough times and you can probably start shaving a few portions of a second off of a couple corners =p
Glenn 6:07PM (5/01/2008)
sounds like additional tuning then. Or they gave their driver performance enhancing drugs. I demand that man submit a piss cup.
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Franz 6:12PM (5/01/2008)
LMAO! Good one.
2004m3driver 6:47PM (5/01/2008)
Goddamn I love it when someone builds something with passion. He treats this entity as his son. I want to treat it as the new love of my life.
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Glenn 7:00PM (5/01/2008)
My love child would still be from an exige but thats just me.
steve-o 12:09PM (5/02/2008)
Kazutoshi Mizuno's quote brings a tear to my eye.
well said, old friend, well said!
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