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."
[Source: Car]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Glenn @ May 1st 2008 5:03PM
a great racecar is 30% engineering, 70% development. Sounds like they have this thing under a microscope.
Franz @ May 1st 2008 5:26PM
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 @ May 1st 2008 5:04PM
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.
Red @ May 1st 2008 5:25PM
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 @ May 1st 2008 5:08PM
I'm really glad to see their commitment to this car, shows you just how important the GT-R name is to Nissan
Seoultrain @ May 1st 2008 5:18PM
maybe some of those 9 seconds they found on the Nurburgring came from these changes.
XeroK00L @ May 1st 2008 5:30PM
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 @ May 1st 2008 7:19PM
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 @ May 1st 2008 5:30PM
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.
ugg.tryptophan @ May 1st 2008 5:48PM
it gets better?!!??!?!
Glenn @ May 1st 2008 5:53PM
Did they find a new driver for their second try at the nur. That could have a huge effect
nissanfreak87 @ May 1st 2008 6:02PM
nope, same driver
tekdemon @ May 1st 2008 6:13PM
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 @ May 1st 2008 6:07PM
sounds like additional tuning then. Or they gave their driver performance enhancing drugs. I demand that man submit a piss cup.
Franz @ May 1st 2008 6:12PM
LMAO! Good one.
2004m3driver @ May 1st 2008 6:47PM
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.
Glenn @ May 1st 2008 7:00PM
My love child would still be from an exige but thats just me.
steve-o @ May 2nd 2008 12:09PM
Kazutoshi Mizuno's quote brings a tear to my eye.
well said, old friend, well said!