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2008 Nissan GT-R
"This was truly a global event," says Bruce Campbell earnestly. The vice-president for design at Nissan America (NSANY) is describing the $69,850 GT-R, a super car that has had auto aficionados drooling since its unveiling at the Tokyo Motor Show in October. The new GT-R is a redesign of an icon that has had a cult following since the late 1960s, and the result of a unique joint effort between Nissan's three design teams in Japan, Europe, and the U.S. Or, as Campbell puts it: "It is a rare, multicultural look at a typically Japanese product."
It's also a symbolic moment. In the past five years, Nissan's CEO Carlos Ghosn has inked an alliance with French automaker Renault (RENA) and engineered a sterling financial turnaround. The new GT-R is emblematic of this resurgent—and now global—company. The model is returning after a five-year hiatus, having gone out of production during a time of stark financial difficulty at the company.
The highly anticipated model made its North American debut on Nov. 14 at the L.A. Auto Show and goes on sale in the U.S. in June. With its launch, Nissan is not only demonstrating significant technical capability—the car powers from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds—but also a commitment to uncompromised design. From the toggle switches on the dash to the car's boxy haunches, designers were encouraged to make the most of every detail. "Frankly, it represents all that Nissan can do," says Shiro Nakamura, the company's chief creative officer and the leading design force behind the new car.
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The V12 Vantage RS is powered by a lightly overhauled version of the Aston DBRS9’s 6.0-liter V12 racing engine. Producing 600hp at 6250rpm and 509lb ft at 5000rpm, it’s been squeezed under the hood of the V8 Vantage, says Aston, “thanks to the design flexibility of the VH platform,” and features dry sump lubrication, revised camshafts and modified cylinder heads.
In attempt to pare down the weight added to the Vantage coupe, Gaydon has fitted a moulded carbon-fiber hood and trunk lid and carbon ceramic brakes to the car. The V12 Vantage RS therefore weighs less than 3400lb, says Aston – only 65lb more than V8 we weighed back in 2005 – and has a power-to-weight ratio of 375hp-per-ton. That's better than a Porsche 911 GT2 and Ferrari 430 Scuderia, and only marginally worse than a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera.
but to be on topic, i've heard that morrey nissan is taking deposits toward the GTR.
The GT-R beats a 911GT3 RS around the Nurb.
c2s > GT3