The R35 GT-R may be almost 10 years old but for Nissan, that’s not long enough for them to bring out an entirely new model despite previous GT-R models only having a three to five year production run. Over the years the R35 GT-R has seen some slight enhancements to give it more power and to keep it relevant. This time around, with power still being a factor, Nissan has focused on elements to improve the comfort of this Japanese GT.
Although the panels are more or less unchanged, the GT-R has been equipped with the now signature V-motion grille which has been slightly enlarged to improve airflow into the engine bay. The hood now makes use of a few more lines and the same goes for the front bumper which now sports a spoiler lip. The headlamp design has also been revised.
The rear bumper now makes use of a few functional air vents around the quad tip exhausts and is slightly higher in order to provide more of a wide and aggressive appearance. With all of these changes the GT-R maintains its 0,26 Cd figure, but Nissan claims it will be more stable at higher speeds.
The interior also makes use of a slight redesign which brings it into a slightly more modern setting. A new dashboard insert has been used and will be upholstered in Nappa leather. Cushioning in the instrument panels have also been thinned out and the seats now make use of a new side-support construction method in an attempt to shave some weight.
Sadly the 2017 GT-R loses a lot of its switches with the new infotainment system. It now features an 8-inch screen controlled by a command rotor that you find in current Nissan/Infiniti models. The paddle shifters are now mounted to the steering wheel rather than the column, meaning that drivers will now have the pleasure of changing gears mid-turn. The paddles have also been revised to feel and sound more interactive.
As with all of the GT-R facelifts, the 2017 model receives a power increase of 15 kW and 5 N.m giving it 421 kW and 633 N.m of torque. This is made possible thanks to the implementation of individual ignition-timing control of the cylinders and extra boost from the turbochargers. It’s also been equipped with a new lightweight titanium exhaust system with a (unfortunately) synthetic soundtrack for the driver’s pleasure.
Other enhancements include a more rigid body structure, a new suspension setup and a new 20-inch wheel design to provide the GT-R with improved handling characteristics.
The 2017 GT-R will be made available to international markets at the beginning of the third quarter.
