2012 Nissan GT-R Features More Horsepower, New "Black Edition," Revised
Fascias and Carbon Fiber Interior Trim
? Nissan's Multi-Dimensional Supercar
Offers 530-Horsepower, 448 Lb-Ft of Torque ?
Now in its fourth year of
availability in the North American market, the 2012 Nissan GT-R has a new look,
new colors, new wheel design and, most important to fans of pure power, more
horsepower under the hood. In addition, a new "Black Edition"- with unique seat
trim, interior colors and wheels - joins the GT-R Premium model. The latest
iteration of Nissan's legendary supercar will be available at official "GT-R
certified" Nissan dealers across the United States beginning in February
2011.
The 2012 Nissan GT-R's advanced VR38DETT 3.8-liter twin turbo V6
now produces 530 horsepower (versus the previous 485 horsepower) and 448 lb-ft
of torque (versus the previous 434 lb-ft) - a result of modifying the boost
pressure of the turbocharger, valve timing and air fuel ratio, and through
reducing intake air resistance by enlarging the inlet pipe diameter. In
addition, exhaust air resistance was reduced through use of an enlarged section
of exhaust pipe.
GT-R's already impressive aerodynamic performance has
been improved for 2012 with downforce increased by about 10% and the coefficient
of drag reduced to 0.26 (from 0.27). Enlarged fascia and grille openings also
help reduce air resistance inside the engine compartment. The volume of air that
passes through the radiator and cools the front brakes is also increased. These
aerodynamic and engine improvements have also resulted in improved fuel economy
estimates 16 city and 23 highway (verses 15/21 in previous years).
The
newly refreshed front fascia features aggressive double aerodynamic fins and new
integrated high intensity LED running lights. Additional plated parts are used
for the headlight inner panels, enhancing the car's strong visual presence.
The redesigned rear fascia features new venting and incorporates a
sculpted lower section and extended length. Underfloor cooling performance is
also enhanced and air resistance reduced by extending the rear diffuser.
In addition, cooling performance for the muffler is improved and rear
downforce is increased by about 10% through use of a new rear fascia outlet and
new vents on the lower rear fenders that help remove air from the rear wheel
wells. Newly designed larger diameter tailpipe finishers are also adopted. Six
exterior colors are available, including two new colors: Deep Blue Pearl and Jet
Black which replaces Obsidian Black. Other available colors are Solid Red, Gun
Metallic, Pearl White and a limited production 4-stage metallic Super
Silver.
GT-R's newly designed, lighter weight and more rigid forged
aluminum 20-inch wheels, once again manufactured by RAYS®, help improve
suspension response. Knurling inside the wheels helps keep the tires from
slipping around the wheels under heavy acceleration or braking. The wheels
feature a premium dark (near black) finish, which provides a high quality,
high-performance look. The Black Edition features special metallic black
six-spoke RAYS® lightweight wheels in place of the Premium model's 10-spoke
design.
Inside, the revisions for 2012 include new carbon fiber trim and
upgraded materials. The Black Edition adds custom red and black Recaro®
leather-appointed seats, red and black interior trim and a dark
headliner.
"With the enhancements for 2012, including its 530-horsepower
twin turbo V6 and revised styling, the GT-R legend continues to grow," said Al
Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North
America, Inc. "And, the new Black Edition adds an extra level of exclusivity
with its unique wheel and interior color treatments."
Supercar
Packaging and Driveline
The 2012 Nissan GT-R continues as a
multi-dimensional performance machine that lives up to the concept of "the
ultimate supercar that can be driven by anyone, anytime, anywhere." Its Premium
Midship platform was created expressly for use with the GT-R.
The Premium
Midship platform enables the use of a world's first independent rear transaxle
ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system, which optimizes weight distribution and
handling capability. This layout places the transmission, transfer case and
final drive at the rear of the vehicle, without the use of traditional torque
tubes, allowing the suspension to operate independently and optimizing tire grip
at each corner.
Under the hood, the Nissan GT-R again features its
advanced VR38DETT 3.8-liter twin turbo V6, now producing 530 horsepower at 6,400
rpm and 448 lb-ft of torque from 3,200 to 6,000 rpm, while meeting ultra-low
emission vehicle (ULEV) standards. The engine features innovative plasma-sprayed
bores replacing cast iron liners for reduced friction, lighter weight, enhanced
cooling, power output and fuel efficiency; a symmetrical independent intake and
exhaust manifold system featuring twin high-performance IHI turbochargers; a
secondary air management system for improved cold-start emissions performance; a
thermostatically controlled oil-cooling system; an oil scavenger pump to
maintain oil flowing to the turbochargers; and a lateral wet and dry sump oiling
system. All GT-R engines are hand-assembled in a clean room environment at the
Nissan Yokohama engine plant.
The VR38DETT 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 immediate shifts. It also
features Hill Start Assist for easy starts on uphill inclines.
Contributing to overall vehicle balance and low center of gravity, the
unique offset input and reaction shaft design of the rear transaxle enables a
shorter design profile versus a typical manual transmission, moving the
concentration of powertrain weight lower in the vehicle.
Putting the
power to the ground is an electronically controlled ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive
system specifically developed for GT-R. The rear drive-biased system can vary
torque split from 0:100 to 50:50 depending on speed, lateral acceleration,
steering angles, tire slip, road surface and yaw rate. Of note is a special
GT-R-specific yaw-rate feedback control, which measures the differences between
the target yaw rate calculated from steering angle and actual yaw rate detected
by the yaw-rate sensor and G sensor to adjust torque bias.
GT-R's
handling duties are managed by a sophisticated 4-wheel independent suspension
system mounted to high-precision six-point front and rear subframes. The front
suspension geometry has also been modified for 2012 to provide more balanced
handling. A special Bilstein DampTronic driver adjustable shock absorber system
utilizes multiple vehicle information systems to provide appropriate damping
forces and high level of control for a variety of driving situations. The
DampTronic system features three driver selectable settings - Normal; Comfort,
for maximum suspension compliance; or "R," for ultimate handling. The same
three-stage adjustability is also available for the VDC system and transmission
shift operation.
Stopping power is again provided by Brembo® monoblock
six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers with enlarged 15.4-inch front
(verses the previous 15.0) and 15.0-inch rear Brembo full-floating cross-drilled
two-piece rotors and low-steel high-stiffness brake pads that minimize fade and
provide intense stopping performance. The calipers utilize race car-style radial
mounting to minimize caliper flex during extreme braking.
GT-R-specific
lightweight forged 20-inch wheels, with special knurling to assist with securing
the tires during hard acceleration or braking, are wrapped with new Dunlop® SP
Sport Maxx GT 600 DSST CTT ultra high performance run-flat tires filled with
nitrogen, sized 255/40ZRF20 front and 285/35ZRF20 rear. Optional Dunlop® SP 7010
all-season run-flat tires are offered as part of the Cold Weather
Package.
Functional, High Performance Aerodynamics and
Style
The Nissan GT-R's dramatic styling - refreshed for 2012 -
again follows the "function over form" theory. Every styling aspect, from the
overall design to the smallest details, is created to maximize the vehicle's
driving experience ? as well as suggest GT-R's "supercar" level of performance.
The new front fascia is highlighted by double aerodynamic fins and integrated
high intensity LED running lights.
The GT-R's hybrid body construction is
created with a combination of steel, carbon fiber and die-cast aluminum,
providing a unique combination of stiffness, precision and lightness. The body
features a lowered coefficient of drag of 0.26 for 2012 (verses 0.27 for 2011),
again achieving high front and rear downforce, providing stability and handling
performance in a wide range of driving conditions.
GT-R's front fenders
express power and stability, while the "aero-blades" on the fenders' edges
provide optimum airflow around the tires and along the body. The vents in the
fenders' trailing edges assist in providing front downforce and optimizing side
air flow. The aggressive front end, with a large hood bulge and enlarged central
air intake for 2012, provide a sophisticated style as well as undisturbed
airflow for power and cooling. The "super wide beam" headlights feature three
additional sub-reflectors (compared to conventional lights) to give a wide
illumination spread. The speed-sensitive windshield wipers include an auto
on/off feature.
The Nissan GT-R's four-passenger cabin features a sloping
"aero blade canopy" roofline and a curved C-pillar "sword edge," which expresses
the distinctive GT-R identity, as well as facilitating air flow around the rear
of the vehicle. The signature rear view of the GT-R is provided by its hallmark
four-ring taillights, while air flow above and below the vehicle is managed by
the functional rear carbon fiber underbody diffuser (extended for 2012), new
rear venting, rear spoiler and large, integrated quad exhaust
tips.
GT-R's advanced technology is present even in the vehicle's paint,
which utilizes a durable anti-chip paint and "double clear coat" process. The
2012 color palette includes two new colors, Deep Blue Pearl and Jet Black, along
with Solid Red, Gun Metallic, Pearl White and a limited production 4-stage
metallic Super Silver.
An Interior Suitable for Everyday Driving
or Supercar Duties
Key to the Nissan GT-R's usability as both a
daily driver and a high-performance machine is its interior, which is designed
to balance functionality and comfort. It provides comfortable four-passenger
seating and trunk capacity of two golf bags or suitcases.
Sculpted
performance bucket seats give the driver and passenger a comfortable driving
experience, and soft pads are utilized on the dash in front of the passenger and
both doors to give an extra level of comfort. The rear transaxle layout of GT-R,
with a flat floor and narrow center tunnel, allows GT-R to have an optimal
driving position.
The new GT-R Black Edition adds a unique red and black
interior color treatment and Recaro® leather-appointed seats. Also added for
2012 is new carbon fiber interior trim for all models.
The GT-R's
cockpit-style instrument panel surrounds the driver, with all meters and
multi-function meter at a uniform height to minimize the driver's head movement.
A large center-mounted tachometer, with gear display on its upper right, as well
as the easy-to-read graphics of the display, gives the driver instant detailed
information, essential for the performance nature of the GT-R.
Functional
style is also evident in GT-R's interior - each meter features a dial plate
design that evokes the idea of engaged gears, as well as a three-dimensional
metal-like ring, suggesting the multi-dimensional performance of GT-R. A large,
metallic-framed center console features an ergonomically designed shift lever
and a red "engine start" button.
The centerpiece of the instrument panel
is a video game-inspired multi-function display. Eleven pages of information are
available on this system, including mechanical and driving information,
acceleration, brake pedal pressure, steering angle and a recording function with
playback. Additional on-screen information includes a Navigation system, an
entertainment system with a 9.3 GB Music Box® Hard Drive and DVD video playback
capability and Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System. The navigation system
includes XM NavTraffic® with Real-Time Traffic Information and NavWeather™
capabilities (XM® subscription required, sold separately).
All 2012 GT-R
models include a specially designed 11-speaker Bose® audio system features two
forward-facing woofers in the rear center armrest area. Rigid aluminum die cast
panel-mounting of all speakers allowed Bose® engineers to perfect the acoustical
performance of the GT-R sound system. Streaming Audio via Bluetooth® is
standard.
The Nissan GT-R offers a long list of safety features,
including, for enhanced visibility inside and out of the vehicle, high-mounted
LED stoplights, bright LED rear combination taillights, "super wide beam"
headlights, heated door mirrors and flat-blade windshield
wipers.
Standard safety equipment includes a Nissan Advanced Air Bag
System for driver and front passenger, front seat-mounted side-impact
supplemental air bags for driver and front-passenger and standard roof-mounted
curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front seat occupant head
protection - along with front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters
and tension reducers, and three-point ELR/ALR rear seat belts.
GT-R Dealer Certification
We have attained "GT-R
Certification" status by meeting a number of strict sales, service and
facilities commitments - including dedicating a master technician to GT-R
service, special training for service managers and technicians, and designating
dealer principals, executive managers and general managers as the primary
communicators and negotiators in sales transactions.
Models and Options
The 2012 Nissan
GT-R is available in two models: GT-R Premium, which comes fully equipped with a
530-horsepower engine, dual clutch rear transmission, Nissan Navigation System,
custom-designed 11-speaker Bose® audio system, premium near-black finish wheels,
and heated front seats; and the new GT-R Black Edition, with special lightweight
metallic black aluminum-alloy forged RAYS® wheels, unique red and black
interior, Recaro® leather-appointed seats and a dark headliner.
Just one
option is available ? a Cold Weather Package, which includes Dunlop® all-season
tires and unique coolant/water ratio.