A Nissan that’s more expensive than a 911 GT3 RS? Enter the refreshed GT-R Nismo
If you ever wondered what Nismo means, it stands for Nissan Motorsports, and a motorsport edition of Nissan’s flagship supercar will always be something special. Enter the refreshed Nissan GT-R Nismo, that’s available from November.
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As with the rest of the GT-R line-up, the latest iteration of the GT-R gets a new-look front bumper and grille, but it isn’t really about the looks with the Nismo. Unlike lesser GT-Rs, this range-topping track-focused model’s exterior trim is made of carbon fibre to make everything as light as possible.
Elsewhere, the shock absorbers and suspension springs have been significantly upgraded to increase downforce too. Nissan therefore claims that, in the right hands, it’ll be 2% better than the already hyper-speedy predecessor.
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If you’re wondering if there’s any creature comfort upgrades you won’t be disappointed either. The Nismo gets a full Alcantara interior and a bigger 8in display than the standard car, but a simplified dash layout reminds you this is a car designed with track times in mind.
It may be better in the bends, but the engine hasn’t seen any changes – not that it really needed upgrading. The 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 produces 592bhp – around 30 more than any other GT-R in the range.
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A six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox is used, but the driver gets paddleshifts too. The result is a mind-blowing 0-62mph time of just 2.5 seconds, while it can go on to over 200mph.
Price and release date?
When the Nismo hits UK roads at the end of the year, it’ll carry a hefty list price of £149,995. That’s more than a Porsche 911 GT3 RS (£131,296), and even a Mclaren 570S supercar (£143,250). If you’re after the ultimate track machine though, the Nismo might be worth considering.