2017 Nissan GT-R

Godzilla was never known for his manners. Loud, insistent, and violently quick, the Nissan GT-R's fundamental appeal stemmed from its ability to slaughter the six-figure competition with its relentlessly focused forward motion. But as icons age, they sometimes evolve. Case in point: the 2017 Nissan GT-R. Haters bemoan the GT-R's clinical and uninvolving quality, but their high-minded critiques should be taken with a grain of salt. Nissan's flagship sports car has been both heavy-fisted and enthralling, with an appetite for asphalt only matched by its unrepentantly harsh ride and acoustics. For 2017, Nissan made what it claims are the biggest changes to the GT-R since its introduction nine years ago. Power is boosted from 545 to 565 horsepower, and torque gains four clicks to 467 lb-ft, thanks to increased boost and an ignition timing system inherited from the previous Nismo version – but don't let its slightly tweaked numbers fool you. The torque spread is more linear and combines with refinements to the 6-speed dual-clutch transmission to deliver power more smoothly. A new titanium exhaust system helps dissipate heat more efficiently (along with a 20-percent larger grille, whose increased drag is counteracted by various aerodynamic tweaks throughout the body). But here's where the GT-R really matures: the cabin is a much quieter place. Nissan capitalized on the active noise canceling technology introduced to the 2015 model, and then added insulation, an acoustic windshield, and various noise deadening techniques. Aiding the racket-reduction effort is an exhaust valve that works with active noise cancellation to eliminate booming engine sounds. Hate to wake the neighbors? A discreetly positioned button below the dash enables engine startups that are 10 decibels quieter. And speaking of controls, the center stack has been cleaned up with a reduction in buttons from 27 to 11. The instrument panel drops for greater outward visibility, and the formerly fixed paddle shifters are now mounted to the steering wheel, thanks to feedback from current GT-R owners. The clicking action has also been improved for more positive feel. Ride and handling were enhanced thanks to a stiffer windshield frame and lighter RAYS wheels, which work with the revised shocks to enhance compliance. Though damping rates remain the same, reduced frictional losses and softer settings allow the Bilstein shocks to offer a smoother ride quality in R and Comfort modes. Nissan says the chassis mods not only soften ride, but increase grip as well, yielding four-percent faster slalom times. In all, the new GT-R's changes lead to a net gain of 11 pounds (for a curb weight of 3,933 lbs), a respectable delta considering the newfound upgrades. The zero to 60 mph sprint remains unchanged at 2.7 seconds, but commensurate with the tech improvements is a price hike, from $103,365 to $109,990. Flip the switchblade door handle and climb inside, and the new GT-R's leather-lined interior feels appreciably more premium than its predecessor. Between the cleaned-up center stack and the larger 8-inch multimedia touchscreen, the GT-R's controls are incrementally more sophisticated and balanced. …
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