The 2012 Nissan GT-R’s advanced VR38DETT 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 now produces 530 horsepower (versus the previous 485 horsepower) and 448 lb-ft of torque (versus the previous 434 lb-ft) – a result of modifying the boost pressure of the turbocharger, valve timing and air fuel ratio, and through reducing intake air resistance by enlarging the inlet pipe diameter. In addition, exhaust air resistance was reduced through use of an enlarged section of exhaust pipe. GT-R’s already impressive aerodynamic performance has been improved for 2012 with downforce increased by about 10% and the coefficient of drag reduced to 0.26 (from 0.27). Enlarged fascia and grille openings also help reduce air resistance inside the engine compartment. The volume of air that passes through the radiator and cools the front brakes is also increased. These aerodynamic and engine improvements have also resulted in improved fuel economy estimates 16 city and 23 highway (verses 15/21 in previous years).

The newly refreshed front fascia features aggressive double aerodynamic fins and new integrated high intensity LED running lights. Additional plated parts are used for the headlight inner panels, enhancing the car’s strong visual presence. The redesigned rear fascia features new venting and incorporates a sculpted lower section and extended length. Únderfloor cooling performance is also enhanced and air resistance reduced by extending the rear diffuser. In addition, cooling performance for the muffler is improved and rear downforce is increased by about 10% through use of a new rear fascia outlet and new vents on the lower rear fenders that help remove air from the rear wheel wells. Newly designed larger diameter tailpipe finishers are also adopted. Six exterior colors are available, including two new colors: Deep Blue Pearl and Jet Black which replaces Obsidian Black. Other available colors are Solid Red, Gun Metallic, Pearl White and a limited production 4-stage metallic Super Silver.

GT-R’s newly designed, lighter weight and more rigid forged aluminum 20-inch wheels, once again manufactured by RAYS®, help improve suspension response. Knurling inside the wheels helps keep the tires from slipping around the wheels under heavy acceleration or braking. The wheels feature a premium dark (near black) finish, which provides a high quality, high-performance look. The Black Edition features special metallic black six-spoke RAYS® lightweight wheels in place of the Premium model’s 10-spoke design.

Inside, the revisions for 2012 include new carbon fiber trim and upgraded materials. The Black Edition adds custom red and black Recaro® leather-appointed seats, red and black interior trim and a dark headliner. ‘With the enhancements for 2012, including its 530-horsepower twin turbo V6 and revised styling, the GT-R legend continues to grow,’ said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. ‘And, the new Black Edition adds an extra level of exclusivity with its unique wheel and interior color treatments.’

Price: $89,950.

Packaging and Driveline

The 2012 Nissan GT-R continues as a multi-dimensional performance machine that lives up to the concept of ‘the ultimate supercar that can be driven by anyone, anytime, anywhere.’ Its Premium Midship platform was created expressly for use with the GT-R. The Premium Midship platform enables the use of a world’s first independent rear transaxle ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system, which optimizes weight distribution and handling capability. This layout places the transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle, without the use of traditional torque tubes, allowing the suspension to operate independently and optimizing tire grip at each corner.

Únder the hood, the Nissan GT-R again features its advanced VR38DETT 3.8-liter twin turbo V6, now producing 530 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 448 lb-ft of torque from 3,200 to 6,000 rpm, while meeting ultra-low emission vehicle (ÚLEV) standards.The engine features innovative plasma-sprayed bores replacing cast iron liners for reduced friction, lighter weight, enhanced cooling, power output and fuel efficiency; a symmetrical independent intake and exhaust manifold system featuring twin high-performance IHI turbochargers; a secondary air management system for improved cold-start emissions performance; a thermostatically controlled oil-cooling system; an oil scavenger pump to maintain oil flowing to the turbochargers; and a lateral wet and dry sump oiling system. All GT-R engines are hand-assembled in a clean room environment at the Nissan Yokohama engine plant.

The VR38DETT is backed by an advanced paddle-shifted sequential 6-speed dual clutch transmission, which can be driver selected to shift at race car-like speeds. The sequential-shifting transaxle features separate wet clutches for the odd (1,3,5) and even (2,4,6) gears and pre-selects the next highest and next lowest gear for immediate shifts. It also features Hill Start Assist for easy starts on uphill inclines. Contributing to overall vehicle balance and low center of gravity, the unique offset input and reaction shaft design of the rear transaxle enables a shorter design profile versus a typical manual transmission, moving the concentration of powertrain weight lower in the vehicle. Putting the power to the ground is an electronically controlled ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system specifically developed for GT-R. The rear drive-biased system can vary torque split from 0:100 to 50:50 depending on speed, lateral acceleration, §teering angles, tire slip, road surface and yaw rate. Of note is a special GT-R-specific yaw-rate feedback control, which measures the differences between the target yaw rate calculated from §teering angle and actual yaw rate detected by the yaw-rate sensor and G sensor to adjust torque bias.

GT-R’s handling duties are managed by a sophisticated 4-wheel independent suspension system mounted to high-precision six-point front and rear subframes. The front suspension geometry has also been modified for 2012 to provide more balanced handling. A special Bilstein DampTronic driver adjustable shock absorber system utilizes multiple vehicle information systems to provide appropriate damping forces and high level of control for a variety of driving situations. The DampTronic system features three driver selectable settings – Normal; Comfort, for maximum suspension compliance; or ‘R,’ for ultimate handling. The same three-stage adjustability is also available for the VDC system and transmission shift operation.

Stopping power is again provided by Brembo® monoblock six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers with enlarged 15.4-inch front (verses the previous 15.0) and 15.0-inch rear Brembo full-floating cross-drilled two-piece rotors and low-steel high-stiffness brake pads that minimize fade and provide intense stopping performance. The calipers utilize race car-style radial mounting to minimize caliper flex during extreme braking. GT-R-specific lightweight forged 20-inch wheels, with special knurling to assist with securing the tires during hard acceleration or braking, are wrapped with new Dunlop® SP Sport Maxx GT 600 DSST CTT ultra high performance run-flat tires filled with nitrogen, sized 255/40ZRF20 front and 285/35ZRF20 rear. Optional Dunlop® SP 7010 all-season run-flat tires are offered as part of the Cold Weather Package.

Interior

Key to the Nissan GT-R’s usability as both a daily driver and a high-performance machine is its interior, which is designed to balance functionality and comfort. It provides comfortable four-passenger seating and trunk capacity of two golf bags or suitcases. Sculpted performance bucket seats give the driver and passenger a comfortable driving experience, and soft pads are utilized on the dash in front of the passenger and both doors to give an extra level of comfort. The rear transaxle layout of GT-R, with a flat floor and narrow center tunnel, allows GT-R to have an optimal driving position. The new GT-R Black Edition adds a unique red and black interior color treatment and Recaro® leather-appointed seats. Also added for 2012 is new carbon fiber interior trim for all models.

The GT-R’s cockpit-style instrument panel surrounds the driver, with all meters and multi-function meter at a uniform height to minimize the driver’s head movement. A large center-mounted tachometer, with gear display on its upper right, as well as the easy-to-read graphics of the display, gives the driver instant detailed information, essential for the performance nature of the GT-R. Functional style is also evident in GT-R’s interior – each meter features a dial plate design that evokes the idea of engaged gears, as well as a three-dimensional metal-like ring, suggesting the multi-dimensional performance of GT-R. A large, metallic-framed center console features an ergonomically designed shift lever and a red ‘engine start’ button.

The centerpiece of the instrument panel is a video game-inspired multi-function display. Eleven pages of information are available on this system, including mechanical and driving information, acceleration, brake pedal pressure, §teering angle and a recording function with playback. Additional on-screen information includes a Navigation system, an entertainment system with a 9.3 GB Music Box® Hard Drive and DVD video playback capability and Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System. The navigation system includes XM NavTraffic® with Real-Time Traffic Information and NavWeather™ capabilities (XM® subscription required, sold separately).

All 2012 GT-R models include a specially designed 11-speaker Bose® audio system features two forward-facing woofers in the rear center armrest area. Rigid aluminum die cast panel-mounting of all speakers allowed Bose® engineers to perfect the acoustical performance of the GT-R sound system. Streaming Audio via Bluetooth® is standard. The Nissan GT-R offers a long list of safety features, including, for enhanced visibility inside and out of the vehicle, high-mounted LED stoplights, bright LED rear combination taillights, ‘super wide beam’ headlights, heated door mirrors and flat-blade windshield wipers. Standard safety equipment includes a Nissan Advanced Air Bag System for driver and front passenger, front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags for driver and front-passenger and standard roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front seat occupant head protection – along with front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and tension reducers, and three-point ELR/ALR rear seat belts.

Functional, Performance, Aerodynamics and Style

The Nissan GT-R’s dramatic styling – refreshed for 2012 – again follows the ‘function over form’ theory. Every styling aspect, from the overall design to the smallest details, is created to maximize the vehicle’s driving experience – as well as suggest GT-R’s ‘supercar’ level of performance. The new front fascia is highlighted by double aerodynamic fins and integrated high intensity LED running lights. The GT-R’s hybrid body construction is created with a combination of steel, carbon fiber and die-cast aluminum, providing a unique combination of stiffness, precision and lightness. The body features a lowered coefficient of drag of 0.26 for 2012 (verses 0.27 for 2011), again achieving high front and rear downforce, providing stability and handling performance in a wide range of driving conditions.

GT-R’s front fenders express power and stability, while the ‘aero-blades’ on the fenders’ edges provide optimum airflow around the tires and along the body. The vents in the fenders’ trailing edges assist in providing front downforce and optimizing side air flow. The aggressive front end, with a large hood bulge and enlarged central air intake for 2012, provide a sophisticated style as well as undisturbed airflow for power and cooling. The ‘super wide beam’ headlights feature three additional sub-reflectors (compared to conventional lights) to give a wide illumination spread. The speed-sensitive windshield wipers include an auto on/off feature.

The Nissan GT-R’s four-passenger cabin features a sloping ‘aero blade canopy’ roofline and a curved C-pillar ‘sword edge,’ which expresses the distinctive GT-R identity, as well as facilitating air flow around the rear of the vehicle. The signature rear view of the GT-R is provided by its hallmark four-ring taillights, while air flow above and below the vehicle is managed by the functional rear carbon fiber underbody diffuser (extended for 2012), new rear venting, rear spoiler and large, integrated quad exhaust tips. GT-R’s advanced technology is present even in the vehicle’s paint, which utilizes a durable anti-chip paint and ‘double clear coat’ process. The 2012 color palette includes two new colors, Deep Blue Pearl and Jet Black, along with Solid Red, Gun Metallic, Pearl White and a limited production 4-stage metallic Super Silver.

Models and Options

The 2012 Nissan GT-R is available in two models: GT-R Premium, which comes fully equipped with a 530-horsepower engine, dual clutch rear transmission, Nissan Navigation System, custom-designed 11-speaker Bose® audio system, premium near-black finish wheels, and heated front seats; and the new GT-R Black Edition, with special lightweight metallic black aluminum-alloy forged RAYS® wheels, unique red and black interior, Recaro® leather-appointed seats and a dark headliner. Just one option is available – a Cold Weather Package, which includes Dunlop® all-season tires and unique coolant/water ratio.