Picture Gallery: 2009 Nissan GT-R | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
 Click Image to Enlarge |
 Click Image to Enlarge |
Some may argue it does have supercar looks, but I have a feeling the average bystander won’t be taking as much notice as they would with the R8. Coincidentally, I took and Audi R8 for a test drive just this past Friday, and everyone in ear- or eyeshot from the car could not take their eyes off of it. I’ll report back my GT-R findings at the end of my blog.
The GT-R is a supercar for the playstation generation. It has been dubbed that for quite some time now with the success of the Grand Turismo racing game. To those that do not know the car, it could be mistaken for a 350z and passed by without a second glance, but to those that do know the car, there is no mistaking their enthusiasm — and at $81,900 this car sets a new bang-for-the-buck metric in Canada.
|
|
What do you get for $81,900? Well, you get a hand-built engine that, according to Nissan Canada, makes 480hp, but rumours have it that’s the least you’ll get with some cars being measured much higher. You’ll also get an incredible 430lb-ft of torque, all produced by a 3.8 litre V6 turbo-charged engine.
The power is transferred to the ground by a sophisticated AWD drivetrain and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters. And of course, as expected at this price, you get all the gizmos and toys you could ever want including navigation, satellite radio and a slew of performance-measuring computers for G-force and speed readouts.
2009 Nissan GT-R
MSRP as tested (including destination): $87,350
For more information on Nissan and the GT-R visit Nissan Canada
 Click Image to Enlarge |
Never, not once as a driver, have I lifted from the accelerator in sheer shock of the force with which this car can accelerate. Of course, after the first time, lifting was no longer a reflex but that very first awe-striking moment was certainly something to behold. But enough about the power (for now); I want to comment on the styling of this beauty.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
I almost forgot — day two is my interior day… not that anyone is too concerned about the interior, but here goes. The front seats: phenomenal; the back seats: bend your neck to fit if you are over five feet tall and hope the driver takes the smoothest roads around. I was able to fit four adults in the car, but those in the back wouldn’t want to go far like this. The dash has some great leather trimming, which is soft and cushiony all around. The centre stack is perhaps the weak point of the interior and does look a little on the low scale side. But honestly, it wouldn’t bother me… and it doesn’t.
The screen which provides all the driver information you could ever want and more is the centrepiece of the interior. Not only does it provide satellite radio, navigation and climate control displays, but it can be customized in what seems like an infinite number of possibilities with such readouts as: oil temperature and pressure; g-force for acceleration, braking and turning; boost readout; water temp and a cool gearing readout for the most efficient gear… I could go on and on, but it seems to have everything.
Note: The photo gallery has been updated approximately 60 new photos and with the possibility of more to come.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
It was quite the sight to behold last night: for two hours, people took pictures of themselves beside the car, drooled over the interior and stood back to take in the looks of the GT-R.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
There are three settings for the transmission, too: “snow” mode seems to start the car in second gear instead of first; lightning-quick “normal,” and crazy-lightning-quick “R” mode. It is hard to tell the difference between the last two, but I’m sure there is one.
Then, are three modes for the traction control: “standard”, “R” and “OFF.” Standard mode keeps you safe from understeer or oversteer, while the R mode lets some wheel slippage and other fun occur before intervening.
When driving the GT-R you are one with the machine. The interior is filled with noises from clunking gears, whining differentials, spooling turbos, intake air-sucking, squealing brakes at stop signs and road noise from the extremely large 20-inch wheels. You don’t drive the GT-R, you pilot it with utmost concentration as it tramlines on every groove in the pavement with 255 section tires on the front and 285s on the rear.
To many, I suspect, all the noise, brute force and mechanical harshess would become tiresome rather quickly. For this driver, though, it is missing something — exhaust noise. The GT-R is just too quiet. It is such a beast of a machine in every sense, except for the exhaust, which hums away so quietly you can’t be heard arriving at the party. But perhaps that is the idea: to be low key, and to let you the driver enjoy one of the best cars ever to hit our shores and not advertise his/her presence to the world — works for me.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
Does the GT-R attract attention? Well it does right now, but mostly from enthusiasts. It got a few stares from random people wondering what it is, but for the most part, it is the “fans” who follow you home and drool over the car. Countless people did not give the GT-R a second glance; it seems like you need to know what it is to “get it.”
It is definitely the most exciting car I have ever driven, period. It goes like stink, it sticks to pavement like glue and it feels like a serious track machine. I wonder if it will follow in the R8’s footsteps and win Canadian Car of the Year?
*Rating out of 5:
| 2009 Nissan GT-R | |
| Acceleration | 
|
| Handling |
|
| Comfort |  |
| Interior | 
|
| Audio System | |
| Gas Mileage | who cares |
*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2009 Nissan GT-R
MSRP as tested (including destination): $87,350
For more information on Nissan and the GT-R visit Nissan Canada
September 04, 2008, 01:09:58 am Found this picture today and it's from Ottawa! There can't be that many GT-Rs running around the city.
Intelligence, GT-R Ownership Officially Independent Of One Another
Where's the "rolls eyes" icon when you need it? This sad GT-R owner in Canada has taken internet language to the streets, picking a fight against Corvette owners in the manner of an adorable little LOLcat. (If you don't get it, he's saying his Nissan would blow the doors off a Z06.) Obviously, the picture seems ripe for jokes and hilarious photoshops. And luckly, we've got the Car Lounge. See more through the forum link below.
http://forums.motivemag.com/zerothread?id=4011020
September 04, 2008, 07:39:09 am Haha, yes that is THE GT-R and my buddy Greg.
September 04, 2008, 08:17:17 am
September 04, 2008, 12:47:13 pm
September 04, 2008, 04:26:54 pm
Man I lost some IQ reading some posts on that thread. Morons...
September 04, 2008, 05:06:38 pm Wing there ripping into your buddy pretty good.
September 04, 2008, 05:27:27 pm who cares... it's just a bunch of jealous 16 yr old fucks....
September 16, 2008, 03:56:56 pm
Who care that sh1t is funny.
That threat is still going strong.
http://forums.motivemag.com/zerothread?id=4011020&page=3
This and the Balla G35 thread are my current favorite threads.
http://g35driver.com/forums/picture-share/243884-say-aint-so-bye-bye-g35.html
September 16, 2008, 04:09:02 pm
Does poor Greg know that he's been.. vandalized?
September 16, 2008, 06:08:27 pm Greg is cool with it.
September 16, 2008, 09:54:09 pm Sweet fancy moses! That's some funny stuff. Some of it is pathetic, but geez, some is really, truly, legitimately funny stuff.
glad to hear Greg has a good sense of humour about it.
September 16, 2008, 10:46:29 pm I was there when these pictures were taken.
I figured out that "I can Haz Z06 doorz", is slice towards Z06s. But what the heck does it mean? Wing, care to explain, cause I don't completely get it.
September 16, 2008, 10:50:25 pm Google lolcatz and you'll get it.
September 17, 2008, 06:53:29 am ....
September 17, 2008, 03:10:11 pm Every time you pass someone on the track, you 'get their doors.' Having a rep for being quicker on the track than a Z06, the GT-R could 'get the doors' of the Z06.
Am I right, Wing?
September 17, 2008, 04:03:31 pm
September 17, 2008, 11:35:08 pm
Am I right, Wing?
As in "blow the bloody doors off".
September 18, 2008, 11:01:40 am
Am I right, Wing?
As in "blow the bloody doors off".
Yup... though I thought it'd be better to paint little logos under the driver's window like the old WWI fighter pilots with the little German stars for kills.
September 18, 2008, 05:34:04 pm the G35 guy...
thank you all for your kind words!!
The car is ALL finished with the demoding!! I will have pics up later tonight or tomorrow morning...
Randy (caskyline) and Viet (rookie) are the best! They worked as hard as they can to get it done before my deadline. All i wanted really was my turbo and system taken out but they went way past that and touched every little detail of the car. The help doesnt just stop there, anyone who ever talked to me at a show, posts and PM's here on Driver, helped me pick out parts, installers, builders, drivers to and from shows/shops, friends, family, and anyone else who i forgot are all major help on this car and demod. Thank you to all of you for all your help.
on another note, I did talk to Infiniti and was told that if the inspector doesnt find any MAJOR DAMAGE (not including modifications) such as frame damage, major scratches, dents, and other things like that then they MIGHT take it as is, for a desplay car. Im NOT saying they will just take it like it is and im off scott free but its looking good updates will be on moday and all i can do is keep my fingers crossed.
Pics will be posted soon....
September 18, 2008, 05:38:05 pm Talked? Like on the phone? Did he mention it wasn't just like a different colour but many different colours? haha
John I believe this is the wrong thread
October 09, 2008, 01:18:29 pm Hahaha this is the GT-R I saw in hull 3weeks ago... It was parked in the View Hull near the water fountain (portage buildings) and I took some few pictures.... I always pass at the same place i saw the car hoping to see it again!!!
October 09, 2008, 01:21:08 pm I don't think you will ever see this car again.
October 10, 2008, 09:40:29 pm I would like to ask a question... I am seriously thinking of going to the Nissan and to buy (well order because of the waiting list) this marvellous car. But, I keep reading about the future GT-R V spec and I`m wondering if these will be available in Canada in a few years (some people over the Internet mentioned that the spec V will be around 120 000k?)
October 10, 2008, 10:09:19 pm
Are you a Montrealer that lost your way?
Railton
October 11, 2008, 10:40:06 am I don't get it