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2012 Nissan GT-R Preview

2012 Nissan GT-R Preview

Viknesh Vijayenthiran

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Vik is an Editor at High Gear Media and contributor for a number of sites within the High Gear Media network. He was a co-founder of... More

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2012 Nissan GT-R

HI-RES GALLERY: 2012 Nissan GT-R

After a surprise showing at last month’s 2010 Paris Auto Show--where no specs were divulged--Nissan has finally released official details and images for its facelifted GT-R supercar. Scheduled to go on sale in February next year the 2012 Nissan GT-R comes with a host of upgrades, including the introduction of two new models.

The upgrades include more power and torque, greater fuel efficiency, revised handling, a refreshed exterior with improved aerodynamics, revised interior treatment and new wheels and tires. The large number of enhancements for the new model year is part of the continuous advancement of the GT-R design, technology and performance since its debut in late 2007--a practice that has worked wonders for the Porsche 911 over the decades.

2012 Nissan GT-R Club Track Edition

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The big news for 2012 is the introduction of two new models: a racing circuit dedicated "Club Track" edition and an ultra-exclusive "EGOIST" version that can be fully tailored to a customer's every whim.

More Power And Torque
For the drivetrain, modifications to the boost pressure of the turbocharger, valve timing and air mixture ratio, plus reduced air resistance in the intake and exhaust has seen fuel economy improve slightly while output increase to 523 horsepower and 451 pound-feet of torque. A new red color engine cover is used to demonstrate its greater performance.

Cleaner emissions are realized through adopting an ultra-low precious metal catalyst and minor ECU mods, and Nissan has also added a new “SAVE” mode that optimizes driving torque and modifies the shift schedule of the GT-R’s dual clutch gearbox to improve actual fuel economy when driving on highways or open roads.

Nissan has also implemented a temporary two-wheel drive mode to help with cornering, and launches should be even smoother thanks to improvements to the gearbox’s Launch Control system.

For handling, a highly rigid, lightweight strut supporting bar, made of carbon composite with aluminum honeycomb material, is installed in the partition wall of the engine compartment. By linking the right and left struts to quickly receive suspension input, the vehicle body's responsiveness to driving operation is enhanced. Nissan has also installed an additional support member in the passenger side of the instrument panel.

For the front suspension, the lever ratio of the springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bar is modified to improve the vertical load response of the tires. For the rear suspension, toe performance is modified by changing the roll center height to a lower position in order to improve tire grip while cornering.

Sharper Handling, Improved Aerodynamics And Better Brakes
The brake discs of the GT-R have also been redesigned to last longer and be more resistant to fade and are complimented by lighter and more rigid forged aluminum wheels made by Rays. Stock tires are Dunlop SP Sport MAXX GT 600s, measuring 20 inches all ‘round.

Setting apart the 2012 Nissan GT-R from the outgoing model, visually, are several new exterior modifications that help to improve aerodynamics. Believe it or not but downforce is increased by about 10 percent, while the coefficient of drag is further reduced from 0.27 to 0.26.

This is thanks mostly to the enlarged bumper and grille openings, a redesigned rear bumper with a lower center of gravity, an extended rear diffuser and additional air outlets. To finish off the new look is a set of LED daytime running lights and six different paint options including the new Meteo Flake Black Pearl and Aurora Flare Blue Pearl.

Inside, there’s a newly shaped instrument panel pad, real carbon fiber trim, and chrome-plated rings in the console.