I was privileged to be be invited to a VIP customer sneak preview of the 2011 Nissan GT-R.
The icing on the cake was that it took place at the GT-R's spiritual birthplace, the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit.
Having just been there for a fantastic track day with
www.trackdays.de not two weeks before, I was quite glad that Nissan offered to fly us out on the Saturday.
We were based at the outstanding Lindner hotel in the new Ring village complex (I was actually in the same room I had been in two weeks before!).
It was great fun getting to meet lots of GT-R owners from widely differing backgrounds over an excellent meal and drinks.
Then on Sunday morning we walked the 100 metres to the Nissan High Performance Brand Centre showroom in the Ring Boulevard building.
After a short intro by Nissan Sports Europe Manager Simon Croft, Kazutoshi Mizuno the R35 GT-R's Chief Engineer gave us a detailed presentation with some very interesting insights into the design and ethos of the GT-R.
It was obvious from his passion and excitement, that he truly considers the GT-R his child in all but name.
He also clearly has unprecedented autonomy over the GT-R project, probably more than any other Chief Engineer in the industry, particularly within a corporation as large as Nissan.
Hence he was given the budget to roll out a comprehensive revamp of the already expensive-to-produce GT-R at a time when Nissan is trying to establish its green credentials with its commitment to electric vehicles, lead by the Leaf.
Highlights are:
- Power output will be increased "by more than 40hp", so at least a claimed 530hp or so
- Aero performance has been improved, Cd factor reduced to below 0.27, whilst increasing downforce by 10%
- Gearbox and rear diff cooling improved by aero changes and increasing the volume of gearbox oil in the system
- Bodyshell has been further stiffened torsionally with a carbon strut brace and reinforced bulkhead
- Revised suspension with wider range dampers
- New design and lighter wheels
- Mizuno designed brake discs that are 10mm larger and more crack resistant
- Substantially improved interior materials
- Black Edition cars get electric Recaro seats that offer much greater lateral support
After his fascinating presentation, the covers were whipped off the three 2011 cars in the showroom. Unfortunately, photography was forbidden, but take it from me, the new Aurora Flare Blue Pearl colour (replacing the unpopular Titanium) is simply stunning in the metal.
The interiors are a big leap upwards in quality, with plenty of tasteful gunmetal trim, softer plastics and real carbon fibre trim (including around the HVAC/stereo controls that I was so keen to cover with carbon in my car).
The new Black Edition Recaros are superbly comfortable and very supportive, making the current (already very good) standard seats feel like director's chairs.
Potential buyers coming over from BMW or Porsche will not be able to cite the interior as being a reason not to defect.
I was honoured to be able to ask Mizuno-san some questions about the new car and he was gracious and forthcoming. However, it is clear he is not in favour of tuning his precious progeny! Oops...
After getting both Mizuno-san's and Toshio Suzuki's autographs, I eventually wrenched myself away and headed over to the afternoon's activities, including an exhausting indoor karting session.
That evening was spent enjoying GT-R banter over an obligatory hot rock steak at the world-famous Pistenklause restaurant, and a relatively early night because Monday morning promised to be unforgiving to those with hangovers...
We all had no problem waking up in time to head over to the old pits at the Nordschleife and, despite the fog, could clearly hear some VR38 V6s and screeching Dunlops.
The sight of the four DBA R35 GT-Rs - to give them their full new monikers - was spine-tingling, especially as I knew the blue one was going to be my ride with lap record setting Suzuki-san at the wheel.
Having seen his record lap video, I was expecting his trademark "double feint" approach to most of the corners to be quite violent from the passenger seat.
However, I was pleasantly surprised to find he was supremely smooth despite the rapid and precise steering inputs.
The car impressed with its increased composure, with the ride feeling remarkably unflustered, considering the constant 1g+ cornering, braking and acceleration forces.
The revised brakes seemed utterly unflappable and even the gearchanges seemed smoother.
The most flattering comment I can make about the revised engine is that it did not feel slow at all compared to Purple Zilla's 612hp output, and exhaust sound, which was originally regrettably absent from my April 09 model, was pleasingly more vocal.
Above all, I was stunned by Suzuki-san's unwavering speed and commitment into corners, with precious little concession being made to the fact that parts of the 14 mile circuit were patchily damp.
7 minutes 48 seconds later, we blasted back into the pits and after my profuse thanks had been given, I had to enviously watch as another lucky passenger was strapped in for the ride of his life...
A remarkable car developed by a remarkable team with a remarkable leader. It looks like the "new benchmark" (as Jeremy Clarkson coined it) has been moved several notches further up.
So, will Purple Zilla be making way for Blue Zilla next March? Stay tuned to find out...
loving this color
