2015 NISSAN GT-R NISMO

NISSAN ANNOUNCES U.S. PRICING FOR 2015 GT-R NISMO

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan today announced a $149,990 USD starting price* for the limited production 2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO**, the fastest Nissan GT-R ever built and holder of the volume production car lap record (7:08.679) at the famed Nurburgring racetrack in Germany. The GT-R NISMO is scheduled to go on sale at select Nissan dealers in the U.S. beginning July 31, 2014.

The new Nissan GT-R NISMO features an advanced 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 engine rated at 600 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque** – increases of 55 horsepower and 18 lb-ft of torque versus standard 2015 GT-R models – along with enhanced aerodynamics, body reinforcement and ultra-precise handling thanks to a variety of suspension refinements.

Also set for sale on July 31 is the 2015 Nissan GT-R Track Edition***, which is priced at $115,710. The Track Edition includes a specially tuned suspension, special brake cooling guides, front spoiler with carbon fiber air ducts, special blue-trimmed high-grip seats, heated front seats, a lightweight carbon fiber trunklid and spoiler.

Two other models, the 2015 Nissan GT-R Premium and GT-R Black Edition are available now.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices* (MSRP) for the complete line of 2015 Nissan GT-R models:

GT-R Premium	$101,770 USD
GT-R Black Edition	$111,510 USD
GT-R Track Edition (7/31 availability)	$115,710 USD
GT-R NISMO (7/31 availability)	$149,990 USD

Destination and handling $1,595

About the 2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO

Drawing on decades of racing experience gathered by NISMO, the brand’s motorsport specialists, the race-oriented 2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO delivers “factory tuned” supercar dynamics with revolutionary enhanced aerodynamics and ultra-precise handling.

Available in limited numbers, the GT-R NISMO features exclusive styling that embraces the longstanding racing philosophy of form following function. It has numerous motorsports-inspired technologies to enhance the car’s performance through optimized aerodynamics, suspension and powertrain, creating a well-balanced machine that is at home on both the road and track***.

The GT-R NISMO features a VR38DETT 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 rated at 600 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque**. Its high-flow, high-capacity turbochargers are similar to those used for GT3 racing and offer improved breathing. Optimized individual ignition timing control for each cylinder and upgraded fuel pump (versus standard models) help improve combustion. Each engine is hand-assembled from beginning to end in a special clean room by specially trained technicians, a process similar to racing powerplant construction.

The VR38DETT V6 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 quick shifts. High performance differential oil, used in GT-R motorsports competition, is standard.

The GT-R NISMO, like all 2015 GT-Rs, is built on an exclusive Premium Midship platform, which enables the use of the unique independent rear transaxle ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system. This system places the transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle, optimizing weight distribution and maximizing handling capability. Total vehicle adjustability is provided by set-up switches located in the center of the instrument panel, enabling the driver to adjust transmission, shock absorbers and the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC-R) among three settings – Normal, Special or R.

The 4-wheel independent suspension receives unique NISMO tuning, with reduced weight and additional roll stiffness. Additional adhesive bonding (in addition to spot welding) helps increase body shell rigidity.

The GT-R NISMO also features a special aerodynamic body treatment designed to enhance rod holding and minimize the negative impact of drag while adding to the GT-R’s muscular appearance. The unique front bumper, engine undercover and carbon rear spoiler increase downforce, lowering the center of gravity and generating an additional 220 pounds of downforce (at 185 mph) compared to the standard 2015 GT-R models. The car’s aerodynamic characteristics are tuned to ensure the downforce is equally spread front to rear at all speeds for progressive handling characteristics. A widened front bumper configuration and elongated yet tapered rear bumper design keep the drag to Cd 0.26, same with that of standard Nissan GT-R.

Like the standard GT-R models, the GT-R NISMO offers efficient multi-LED headlights that create a distinctive GT-R “lightning” motif, generating a bold exterior visual signature. At the rear, the GT-R’s distinctive four-ring taillight signature forms coherent circles of illumination, giving the GT-R an equally distinctive rear appearance. Five exterior colors are available for the GT-R NISMO: Solid Red, Jet Black, Super Silver, Pearl White and a low-gloss Matte Gray.

Inside, the Nissan GT-R NISMO cockpit inspires driver confidence through both its craftsmanship and optimized driving position. Racing-style RECARO® seats offer comfortable yet firm support for the driver and front passenger. The cockpit-style instrument panel includes with a large red-accented center-mounted tachometer and multi-function display – which includes mechanical and driving information, as well as an on-board driving recorder. A specially designed 11-speaker Bose® sound system with speakers mounted in rigid aluminum die cast panels, which provides sound quality suitable for a supercar.

2015 NISSAN GT-R NISMO AT HOME IN N.C.

WINSTOM-SALEM, North Carolina – It was a momentous day for Winston-Salem, North Carolina, resident Matt McCulloh, and a historic day for Nissan. McCulloh took delivery of the first 2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO made for the U.S. market.

“It is just exciting, because you see how happy he is. And whatever it is in life that makes you happy, you just well up in tears thinking that he has worked so hard for this day. And, although it is just a car, to him it is something he has been very passionate about. And it is just a great day – just a fun day,” said Sherry McCulloh, Matt’s mom.

This legendary car made its debut in 2013 concurrently with introductions at the Tokyo and Los Angeles auto shows. With 600-horsepower*, it is the most powerful Nissan GT-R ever. This 2015 model year version is sold out in the U.S. market.

“It was like a surreal moment for me. I saw it, and it just took a second to register that this was finally my car. And that I was going to have the privilege to own the very first GT-R NISMO for the United States and be a part of the great 30-year history of the NISMO brand,” said Matt McCulloh, GT-R NISMO owner.

McCulloh knows this history well. He co-founded NAGTROC, the North American GT-R Owners Club in 2006, and he enjoys connections to many in this enthusiast community.

“The GT-R NISMO has more than fulfilled my wildest expectations. Just looking at this car – it to me is the quintessential version of the GT-R that I have always longed for,” said McCulloh. “It is an honor to have been along with the ride the entire way from having an ’09, a ’12. Having that history with the GT-R is going to allow me to have a deeper appreciation of this car. I can see where it started to where it is now.”

Nissan realized this historic first car had a unique owner. The company made certain to show their appreciation for McCulloh on delivery day.

“When we realized his passion for the car, his involvement with the GT-R community, and his involvement with the brand, we wanted to do something a little extra special. First we wanted to be here, to shake his hand, see the smile on his face and just take pride in that moment with him,” said Jeff Simmons, Nissan Marketing. “Additionally we have a little something special for him. We have a crew at his house and they are giving his garage a makeover. That is going to be the home of his new NISMO, so we are giving it a little NISMO touch.”

The Nissan GT-R is assembled at Nissan’s Tochigi plant, located about 60 miles north of Tokyo; its potent engine is carefully hand-assembled by a single craftsman at NISMO’s Yokohama engine factory. A limited number of GT-R NISMOs are made each year. The amount of those that reach U.S. shores is even more limited.

This car, the first delivered in the U.S. and the one that McCulloh has been waiting for, now is at home in North Carolina. He says his new baby will see some time on the road … and plenty of time on the track.

“This car to me is like a brute-force tool. To me it is so purpose-built that I am going to do a lot of track,” said McCulloh. “I’m going to really use this car as far as track, autocross, a little drag-strip – so, you know, track and getting to spend some time in this great garage that I have here now.”

*93 octane gasoline required

• World premiere of race-inspired version of Nissan’s legendary GT-R
• 600hp (441kw) for blistering performance
• Advanced aerodynamics generating additional 100kg of downforce at 300km/h (186mph)  for exceptional road-holding

YOKOHAMA, Japan (November 19, 2013) – Records fall and dreams come true with the debut of the Nissan GT-R Nismo. This race-oriented model delivers “factory tuned” supercar dynamics with revolutionary enhanced aerodynamics and ultra-precise handling. The Nissan GT-R is already established as one of the best performing supercars in the automotive sphere, and now Nissan has drawn on decades of racing experience gathered by Nismo, the brand’s motorsport specialists, to develop the ultimate Nissan GT-R.

The Nissan GT-R Nismo features exclusive styling that embraces the longstanding racing philosophy of form following function. It has numerous motorsports-inspired technologies to enhance the car’s performance through optimised aerodynamics, suspension and powertrain, creating a well-balanced machine that is at home on both the road and track.

The Nissan GT-R Nismo will be available in Japan in late February 2014, U.S. and Europe later in 2014.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn says this is the fastest Nissan GT-R ever. “With a 7:08.679 lap time, we can authoritatively say that the Nissan GT-R Nismo* holds the volume production car lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschliefe, which is the gold standard of high performance achievement.”

Nissan GT-R Nismo Overview – Flagship of the Nismo lineup

1. Mechanical Features

Nissan GT-R Nismo employs innovation, uncompromising engineering and motorsports-inspired technologies to achieve new levels of power, speed and handling.

Engine

• Under the hood, the 3.8-litre V6 VR38DETT engine benefits from the know-how that Nismo has gained from participating in such events as the world-renowned Nürburgring 24 hour race. Engine power has risen and is now rated at 600hp (441kw) and 481 lb ft (652 Nm) of torque.
• New high-flow, large diameter turbochargers, which are used for GT3 racing, improve breathing, while optimised individual ignition timing control for each cylinder and upgraded fuel pump improve combustion.

Chassis

• The suspension setup,is inspired by that of the Nismo racing GT-R and tuned for stunning agility, road-holding and handling finesse, without compromising refinement.
• The springs and custom-developed Bilstein DampTronic dampers in the front and rear suspension are specially tuned to deliver exceptional grip levels and progressive handling response at the limit. Three suspension modes can be selected: Comfort, Normal and R, for circuit applications.
• Exclusive Nismo tyres – developed by Dunlop – exhibit outstanding grip and handling characteristics. Front: 255/40 ZRF20; rear 285/35 ZRF20.
• Specially-developed links fitted to the front double wishbone suspension increase castor trail to optimise wheel position during high-G cornering and improve straight-line and cornering stability. Additionally, large high-rigidity bolts are used to increase stiffness of the wheel-hub attachment area.
• To minimize body-roll during cornering and changes of direction, the Nissan GT-R Nismo features a 17.3 mm hollow rear anti-roll bar which raises roll stiffness while reducing weight.

Body construction

• Increased rigidity in the bodyshell is achieved using adhesive bonding in addition to spot welding leading to precise suspension response under extreme load, the Nismo “factory tuned” enhancement.

2. Exterior design – Exclusive styling with improved aerodynamics

• Using the latest Computational Fluid Dynamic simulation techniques to analyse airflow, Nismo has developed an aero package that improves road-holding, minimises the negative impact of drag, while giving the car a menacing and muscular appearance.
• Together, the front bumper, engine undercover strake and carbon rear spoiler increase downforce, lowering the centre of gravity and generating an additional 100kg (at 300km/h) compared to the freshly updated 2014 GT-R model. The car’s aerodynamic characteristics are tuned to ensure the downforce is equally spread front to rear at all speeds for progressive handling characteristics. A widened front bumper configuration and elongated yet tapered rear bumper design keep the drag to Cd 0.26, the same as that of 2014 Nissan GT-R.
• The Nissan GT-R Nismo will be available in five body colors: Brilliant White Pearl, Meteor Flake Pearl Black, Ultimate Metallic Silver and Vibrant Red. And unique to the GT-R Nismo model, a Dark Matte Grey accentuates the car’s imposing exterior muscularity.
• The GT-R Nismo’s black 6-spoke wheels are inspired by Nissan’s legendary GT500 race car.

3. Interior

• The Nissan GT-R Nismo cockpit inspires driver confidence through both its craftsmanship and optimised driving position.
• Ergonomically sculpted carbon-fibre-backed reclining RECARO seats (Europe/Japan) comfortably, yet firmly, support the driver and front-seat passenger.
• Nismo racers influenced the design of the steering wheel which is dressed in Alcantara®, with three spokes, red centre mark and red stitching to give the best combination of grip, feedback and comfort.
• The combi meter has carbon-like finish, and tachometer features a red design. The meter hood is also dressed with Alcantara®.
• Interior trim features include discreet red stitching on the seats, centre console, door trim and steering wheel.

NISSAN GT-R NISMO – WORLD’S FASTEST VOLUME PRODUCTION CAR AROUND THE “GREEN HELL”

• 7 minutes 8.679 seconds to lap the Nürburgring

YOKOHAMA, Japan(November 19, 2013) – Demonstrating Nissan’s commitment to the constant refinement and improvement of its iconic performance flagship, the newly upgraded Nissan GT-R has lapped the fearsome Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany, in just 7 minutes 8.679 seconds¹.

The lap time was recorded by Michael Krumm, a Nissan racing pilot and test-driver, behind the wheel of a 2014 Nissan GT-R Nismo*. The record time for a volume production car clearly moves the Nissan GT-R even deeper into the territory of Nordschliefe lap times achieved by other ultra high-performance cars.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn says this is the fastest Nissan GT-R ever: “With this lap time, we can authoritatively say that the 2014 Nissan GT-R Nismo* holds the volume production car lap record at the Nordschliefe, which is the gold standard of high performance achievement.”

Michael Krumm said: “We had a fantastic time attacking the Nürburgring. I had so much fun out there. The car gave me so much confidence, but also it is really enjoyable. The Nissan GT-R Nismo* is a really engaging, rewarding car and, of course, super-super-fast.”  

Date of time attack:  September 30th, 2013

Tested vehicle:  Nissan GT-R Nismo with track options

Specifications of the track options: Aerodynamics tuning, weight reduction, and suspension tuning

The updated Nissan GT-R will be available in Japan from December, and in the US and Europe in early 2014. The GT-R Nismo will go on sale in Japan from February 2014 and later in the same year in Europe and the US.
IN DEPTH: NISSAN GT-R NISMO EARNS ITS WING AT THE ‘RING

TOKYO, Nov. 19, 2013 – On a stage, under lights and before the flash of cameras, the new Nissan GT-R NISMO bows on the eve of the Tokyo International Motor Show. But it was on a damp Monday afternoon in September that the car set out to make its mark at the most challenging and renowned racing circuit in the world – the Nürburgring.

Four experienced drivers took turns at the controls of the Nissan GT-R NISMO fitted with track options at the famous track on September 30, two laps of the Nordschleife (North Loop) each.  The goal: set the Nürburgring record for the fastest lap by a volume production car.

At 4:48 p.m., 12 minutes before the Nordschleife was scheduled to close, and five minutes before rain began to fall, the last of the four drivers on his last run of the day posted the record time of 7:08.679. 

Why the ‘Ring?

In some ways, this epic lap was the culmination of 24 years of GT-R testing at the ‘Ring, which began in 1989 with the R32 Skyline GT-R.  Since then, all cars wearing the legendary GT-R badge have been proven on the track and gone on to critical acclaim in the market.

When the new Nissan GT-R NISMO edition was conceived as the flagship of the NISMO brand, the team agreed the car would first have to earn its place atop the range before the world would see the final design in an auto show setting. So as show-cars were being readied for debut on stage on two continents on the same day, at the Tokyo International Motor Show and the Los Angeles International Auto Show, NISMO engineers built a prototype to confirm on the tarmac of the Nürburgring.

“A good lap time of the ‘Ring is part of the credibility of a top performance car,” says Andy Palmer, Nissan’s executive vice president of Product Planning and Brand Strategy. “Most of the cars that lap in the low seven minutes are hand-built, very expensive supercars. We have created something that does better than nearly all those cars, and I think that’s quite

an achievement. No one is anywhere near Nissan when you take value for money into account. And that’s what the brand stands for – innovation and excitement for everyone.”

Those Nissan GT-R initials, says Palmer, are special. “They stand for Gran Turismo Racing. The ‘GT’ is all about four seats and fast miles over a long distance in comfort. ‘R’ is the race breed, and the credibility of being able to go fast on a circuit. The four seats are very important to us – it’s a four-seater and a very fast supercar. That’s quite a combination.”

Nismo – Nissan’s motor sport specialists – brings years of track experience, especially in Super GT racing and in events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Nissan’s goal, Palmer says: “Combine the two and the result is the fastest factory Nissan GT-R to ever conquer the Nürburgring.”

The record run was set after months of testing and tuning that began at the Nürburgring early in the summer and continued on-and-off until the last day of September.

The cast, crew and drivers

Nissan brought four highly accomplished race drivers to exercise the car, each with a chance to drive the fastest lap. They included, Infiniti Red Bull third driver Sébastien Buemi, NISMO global brand ambassador and racer Michael Krumm, German touring car (and ‘Ring) veteran Armin Hahne, and a Japanese driver, Tetsuya Tanaka, an experienced ‘Ring hand, himself.

Preparing for the run

The crew arrived at the track to find ideal conditions as they began preparing the car.

“The weather was perfect,” says Krumm. “Cool. No rain. Not too windy. We had the afternoon to try for the record. The car was in road trim. The Nissan GT-R Nismo with track options was used.”

Others taking the wheel that day for preparation laps included Nissan’s most experienced Nürburgring test driver, 57-year old Hiroyoshi Kato.  Kato admits that he’s done “over 5000 laps of the ‘Ring – yet it never gets boring.” He first tested there in 1988. He’s driven all the different GT-R iterations, starting with the R32 Skyline launched in 1989.

Kato-san was on-hand as part of the crew. His technical and dynamic feedback were crucial to the development engineers, as they fine-tuned the Nissan GT-R Nismo at the ‘Ring over the summer and early autumn.

He also had an unusual task. He is normally the first driver to lap the track.

“It’s for safety reasons – to be sure of the road surface condition as it is a very long circuit,” he says with a smile.

A team effort

Each driver completed two laps. They took turns at the wheel, each with a strategy developed from what they learned from the previous driver. It was a team effort.

Sébastien Buemi went first.

“I did a 7:12 on my first lap,” he says. “I stopped to take some fuel out to reduce the weight. I was on the way to do a lap under 7:10 – it was a fast one – but on the back straight it started to run out of fuel. I got back to the paddock but the lap was ruined.”

Armin Hahne and Tetsuya Tanaka followed.

Michael Krumm went last. His first lap was 7:10.

On his next lap, Krumm crossed the finish line at 7:08.679 – posting the record for the fastest-ever time for a factory GT-R on the Nürburgring.

Krumm credits the Nissan GT-R NISMO’s* prowess in handling as its strength on the race track and the road.

“For a car to be fun you need a good ratio between the power and the grip in the corners,” he says. “The Nissan GT-R Nismo* can be really fast with respect to its power because its balance is superb. That balance is a very important factor in the driving enjoyment.”

In the end, Krumm’s run in the Nissan GT-R Nismo* lapped the Nürburgring 10 seconds faster than the previous Nissan GT-R best – 7:18 recorded in October 2012.

¹Damage resulting from racing, competitive driving, track and/or airstrip use not covered by warranty. See your New Vehicle Limited Warranty and Owner’s Manual for proper vehicle operation and complete warranty details.

*: Nissan GT-R Nismo with track options