In its base guise, Nissan's GT-R spins out a very healthy 545 horsepower, and a track-oriented NISMO model cranks that up to 600 hp.
The 2016 GT-R ranks as one of the world's top-performing production cars. With a seemingly brutish character that hides a surprising level of capability and accessible performance, it's pretty much a class of one.
New for 2016 is a 45th Anniversary Gold Edition model. It comes with the same "Silica Brass" paint color used on the 2001 Skyline GT-R M-Spec, as well as a gold-toned VIN plate in the engine compartment, and a commemorative plaque on the interior center console. Nissan says fewer than 30 of these cars will make it to the United States.
In addition to the new model, Nissan has dropped last year's Track Edition, which didn't have a rear seat, and outfitted the base car with 20-spoke RAYS aluminum-alloy forged wheels in a near-black finish.
Objectively, few cars come close to the GT-R's 0-60 mph times of less than 3.0 seconds, or its brilliant all-wheel-drive handling. Every model delivers blistering acceleration, hooking up perfectly with awe-inspiring traction from the GT-R's brainy all-wheel-drive system. But this isn't a car just meant to go in a straight line. A rigid body structure, special springs, and custom-developed Bilstein DampTronic dampers in front help balance ride with track-ready handling. The all-wheel-drive system aids handling, too; rear-biased, it can send all the power to the rear wheels, or up to 50 percent of it to the fronts. Nissan also provides several drive modes, including an "R," or Race, mode to tune the driving character to the conditions.
On the road, the GT-R isn't the same raw beast it once was. While Nissan engineers have raised the power on an almost annual basis, they've also dialed in more refinement, improving steering, ride, and interior quality along the way. That makes the current GT-R fairly easy to live with given its supercar capabilities.
Its jagged outline is perhaps the only non-sequitur; it reads more tuner car, more body kit, than instant classic. The components cut interesting swaths across its luxury-coupe outline: a tomahawk cut at the roofline chops into the rear end, and carbon fiber trim gives the plain interior just a dab of intrigue.
The GT-R's looks have indeed always been controversial—part edgy performance car, part exotic, part race-influenced. The 2016 GT-R NISMO adds to the race-influenced theme by using aero components inherited from GT3 racing. Thanks to a new rear spoiler, tapered rear bumper, and various front-end improvements—mostly in carbon fiber—the NISMO has a reduced coefficient of drag and extra downforce for high-speed stability. It rolls on black six-spoke wheels inspired by Nissan's GT500 race car.
With four seats, the Nissan GT-R makes rare concessions to practicality. It's almost impossible to name another supercar with a pair of rear seats, other than the Porsche 911 Turbo—and the GT-R's will actually accommodate a pair of kids. There's great, usable space in the GT-R's front seats, as well as a useful trunk. While engineers have tuned some of the road noise and "mechanical charm" out of the GT-R's cabin in recent years, it's still not optimal for long-distance hauls.
Inside, the 2016 GT-R NISMO gets a number of improvements, including Alcantara trim, carbon-fiber-backed Recaros, and a three-spoke steering wheel with Alcantara inserts. Through a connected services advanced performance telemetry system, drivers can download and see their on-track performance.
Every model in the GT-R lineup comes with a great 3-D navigation system, Bose audio, and Bluetooth. An inexpensive-looking cockpit is the GT-R's most visible flaw, but if you opt for the Premium Interior package, it provides Infiniti-grade luxury in a car with NASA-grade acceleration.
Value is the other rather surprising side of the GT-R's appeal. You'd have to spend a lot more than the Nissan GT-R's $103,365 base price to sling yourself to 60 mph any faster on four wheels.
As it stands, the GT-R commands respect from a cadre of cars straight out of the exotic section—cars like the 911 Turbo, Corvette Z06, and practically the entire AMG and M lineups. Key it to life, and your attention needs to be laser-focused, even though it's one of the most predictable supercars ever. You'll roll up into triple-digits speeds—even in sweeping corners—before you can catch your breath.
According to the EPA, the GT-R is rated at 16 mpg city, 22 highway, 19 combined. Those figures aren't quite as good as a standard Porsche 911 or Chevrolet Corvette, both of which reach the upper 20s on the highway. But if you can keep your enthusiasm under control, the GT-R's turbo V-6 can be more efficient than V-8 or V-12 engines that make comparable power.
Likes
- Incredible all-wheel-drive grip and composure
- Rapid-fire dual-clutch shifts
- Rocket-ship acceleration
- A supercar, but the look still says 'supertuner'
- Expensive for its brand
- Big price hikes every year
Engine
Displacement3.8 L/232
Engine Order CodeNA
SAE Net Torque @ RPM463 @ 3200
Fuel SystemSequential MPI
Engine TypeTwin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM545 @ 6400
Transmission
Trans Type6
Third Gear Ratio (:1)1.60
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)3.70
DrivetrainAll Wheel Drive
First Gear Ratio (:1)4.06
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)0.80
Trans Description Cont.Auto-Shift Manual w/OD
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)1.25
Trans Order CodeNA
Second Gear Ratio (:1)2.30
Reverse Ratio (:1)3.38
Trans Description Cont. AgainNA
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)1.00
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