Nissan has released the first details of the updated 2012 GT-R. The company is continuing its evolution programme of its supercar by updating it every year, bit by bit, and the 2012 version is, again, a testament of this plan.
Performance figures
The most important figures to remember is that the 3,8-litre turbopetrol engine now produces 405 kW at 6 400 r/min and 632 N.m between 3 200 r/min and 5 800 r/min, up from the current car’s 390 kW and 612 N.m. According to Nissan, it have also been able to make a slight improvement on the fuel consumption.
The added performance is due to improved intake efficiency, reduced air-flow resistance, better exhaust-valve cooling while the air mixture ratio and ignition timing have also been improved.
Shifting through the transmission was made quieter and more refined due the use of a strengthened design of the shift fork arm as well as a firmer fixing bearing for the flywheel housing.
The added power and torque means that there should also be a slight improvement in the GT-R already almighty acceleration figures. Changes have also been done to car’s chassis while a stronger body has added to the car’s rigidity. Interestingly, the suspension setup on right hand drive cars is now asymmetric.
To best explain this, here is the extract from Nissan’s press release:
“Accounting for the added weight of the driver in a right-hand drive vehicle coupled to the fact that the propeller shaft for front wheels is located on the right side of the vehicle; the GT-R’s suspension in RHD versions has been set asymmetrically. For the front suspension, there’s a harder spring rate on the left side while at the rear the suspension arm has been installed upwards on the left side and downwards on the right. This means an imbalanced wheel load when the car is stationary, but which is equalised during driving, providing improved responsiveness, smoothness and steering feel, as well as enhanced cornering stability and riding comfort (for RHD only).”
There is also talks a track-focused version planned for the UK, so expect possible news of such a version for the South African market in the near future.
A spokesperson for Nissan confirmed that the first 2012 GT-R will arrive at the end of the first quarter next year. Japanese customers will be able to buy this model from 24 November.
