Autocar and CAR first drive: Nissan GT-R
1. It's a Nissan
2. It's ugly
3. It's a Nissan
4. It's ugly
....
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The point is, yes, the GT-R is a monumentally rapid machine in a straight line, but it's also a refined, comfortable companion on a long journey. More like the world's hairiest GT car, rather than an out-and-out road racer.
Except there's rather more to the GT-R than an ability to cover ground as rapidly as possible. Nissan has developed this car to be as usable in the wet by a so-so driver as it is in the dry on the Nurburgring by Lewis Hamilton. The four wheel-drive system is so clever it makes rival systems appear crude by comparison, when they're not. Called ATTESA E-TS, it uses a massively complex transaxle arrangement at the rear and probably has sufficient computing power to bring down a Space Shuttle at 20 paces.
In practice it means you have more traction and stability across a wider range of surfaces than in any other competitor, plus a level of grip that will make even an experienced driver's eyes water. Nissan claims the GT-R pulls over 1.3g through a dry corner, and nearly 1.0g on a wet one. The steering, too, is deliciously precise, while the huge brakes are similarly mind boggling.
As for the interior, it makes you wonder just how heavily Porsche relies on its reputation to charge as much as it does for a 911 Turbo. The GT-R is as well made if not better than the Porsche inside, has much more space front and rear, more equipment to play with (including a flat screen display that imparts info abut everything from the wind direction to the level of torque at the front axle at any given moment), and a hugely bigger luggage compartment. True, the GT-R is still only a Nissan, and the 911 Turbo is one of Porsche's finest recent moments. But that's still no justification for adding nigh-on Pounds30k to the price.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Nissan-GT-R-3.8-V6/229393/