Sunday, December 1, 2013

GT-R Fanboy

Nissan, one of the world’s leading car manufacturers, has always a pulse on the racing market.  For years, the GT-R has been a name that is both admired and feared in the racing scene.  The name evokes a sense of speed and power; GT-R representing Gran Turismo Racer.

Beginning it’s production in 1969, the first appearance of the namesake appeared next to the Nissan Skyline.  The first Skyline GTR represented Nissan’s ability to produce a production racecar at a modest price.  As generations went on, the technology of the vehicles increased.  The engine went from a 2.0 liter to a 2.6L engine in the third generation.  The third generation also introduced the ‘Nismo’ brand, a higher trim with even more race capabilities.  Many people who tune their cars are very familiar with the fourth and fifth generations, due to their fantastic engines and unique body styling.  The fifth and final generation introduced a multitude of features that carried over to the current iteration of the GT-R, such as an LCD screen displaying the outputs of various gauges, carbon fiber body accents and a racing suspension.  The Skyline GT-R ended in 2002, being replaced by the Nissan GT-R.


With its iconic round taillights, four pipe exhaust and gorgeous lines, the new Nissan GT-R has become an icon in the racing and performance world.  The production GT-R is commonly referred to as “Godzilla”, because it is truly the best ‘bang for your buck’ in the supercar realm.  With its 3.5 liter twin turbo engine, Godzilla rooms across any track with ease.  The GT-R has been raced against Lamborghinis and Ferraris, almost always coming out on top. Nissan has also capitalized on this car by transforming it into a world championship racing vehicle, entering it in the Silverstone Circuit as a part of the FIA GT1 World Championship, where it brought home the gold in 2010. 


Recently, Nissan has revived the namesake of the Nismo GT-R, making it into much more of a technological feat than ever before.  Nissan has promised the production version will complete 0 – 62 mph in 2.5 seconds, a feat never seen by a production vehicle.  The Nismo has also completed the Nurburgring in 7:18.60; taking the crown from vehicles such as the Lexus LFA and the new Porsche 918 Spyder.

What makes this car so beautiful it its ability to dominate the vehicles around it.  Nissan shoehorned its best technology into the realm of performance giants such as Lamborghini, Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz.  Nissan has recently said that the 2014 Nismo will be the last version of this current generation of GT-R.  The next one will support hybrid technology, allowing electronic turbo, as well as the normal twin turbos.  Using this, Nissan continues to show how their technology can hold a candle to the giants of the industry.

Just for fun, this is a video of two different after-market GT-Rs, the Alpha 12+ and the Switzer Goliath.  (If this doesn't make you wanna drive like a madman, I don't know what else could) :



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