2020 Nissan GT-R

Under the hood, you get a 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 powertrain that puts out over 500 horsepower to all wheels. A six-speed transmission is mated to the engine which, combined with a limited-slip differential, assist to optimize the use of all the car's power. With a lateral grip of more than 1.0 G around corners, the Godzilla sticks to the tarmac with immense grip. Many technological gizmos like an adjustable suspension further enhance the exhilarating experience, letting even novice drivers get the most fun out on the track.

Even though it offers surreal performance, its ever-increasing price tag make its competition tougher each year. Sure, the Godzilla could take on any supercar back in the day, yet its superiority is questioned with all the new players coming into the game and the old dogs that keep getting new tricks. This year, automobiles like the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and the Jaguar F-Type have overhauled in terms of performance, giving the GT-R a run for its money around the track. Even Lexus has stepped up the game with its LC500 coupe, which offers more luxury and performance with its new version. Now that the market has stepped up, let's see if the Godzilla is still the apex predator.

The 2020 Nissan GTR comes in three trim levels namely Pure, Premium and Track Edition. All of them share a common 3.8 liter twin-turbo V6 powertrain which is rated to produce 565 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive is standard. Starting price for the Pure trim is $99,900, the all-new Pure base trim has a slightly lower starting price than last year's entry-level edition. The Track edition comes with some additional bits like Recaro seats, Carbon fiber spoiler, and Nismo tuned suspension. And it is not just about performance expertise. A couple of enhancements around the interior and a Bose audio system make the Nissan GT-R easy to live with on a daily basis.

Trims	Pure	Premium	Track Edition
MSRP	$ 99,990	$110,540	$128,540
Features	3.8-liter DOHC 24-valve twin-turbocharged V6	Pure plus :	Premium Plus :
	ATTESA E-TS All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with a patented independent rear-mounted transaxle	Active Sound Enhancement	NISMO-tuned suspension
	20" Super-lightweight RAYS forged-alloy wheels	Titanium exhaust with Exhaust Sound Control	Carbon-fiber trunk lid
	Nissan/Brembo braking system	Bose audio system	20" NISMO black super-lightweight RAYS forged-alloy wheels
	3.8-liter DOHC 24-valve twin-turbocharged V6	Active Noise Cancellation	Black/Red interior treatment
	ATTESA E-TS All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with a patented independent rear-mounted transaxle		NISMO-tuned suspension Black/Red interior treatment
	20" Super-lightweight RAYS forged-alloy wheels		Carbon-fiber trunk lid

We Recommend

The GT-R Pure is the best bang for your buck. It comes well-equipped with performance-oriented components and a nicely appointed cabin, but it costs $10,500 less than the next step up.

"At the heart of every GT-R is an extremely potent twin-turbo V6, plus a fast-shifting automated manual gearbox, a sport-tuned suspension, powerful Brembo brakes and a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system. All these elements come together to make the 2018 Nissan GT-R an extremely capable sports car." -Autotrader

Engine and Transmission

The Supercar like performance at a fraction of the price comes from a humble twin-turbocharged 3.8 liter V6 which puts out 565 hp and 467 lb-ft of torque. An IHI turbocharger is integrated into the exhaust manifold for optimized flow and efficient cooling. Engine components are created from a variety of composite materials to make it as light as possible.

The hand-built titanium exhaust ensures proper cooling from the massive engine output. The engine is mated to 6-speed dual-clutch transmission which helps in snappy gear shifts in just 0.15 seconds. A dry-sump lubrication system sprays oil directly onto the gears during cornering at high speed.

Models	Nissan GTR pure	Corvette Z06 1LZ coupe	Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 coupe	Ford Shelby GT350 coupe
MSRP	$99,990	$80,900	$62,995	$59,140
Engine	3.8L Twin-turbocharged V6	LT4 supercharged V8	6.2L V8 Supercharged	5.2L V8 Voodoo Naturally aspirated
Transmission	6-speed A/T with paddle shifters	7-speed M/T	6-speed manual	6-speed M/T
Horsepower	565 hp	650 hp	650 hp	526 hp
Torque (lb-ft)	467	650	650	429

Every other rival possesses a V8 powertrain and the GT-R is the only one with a v6 engine. The Corvette and Camaro produce the highest amount of horsepower but it doesn't reflect on the tarmac. The Nissan GT-R has the best power delivery while the Ford Shelby stands at last.

Acceleration

The Nissan GTR is blindingly fast in a straight line, it can sprint to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds. It covers the quarter-mile mark in 11 seconds, topping out at 196 mph. The terminator grade horsepower spins through a quick-acting all-wheel-drive setup which is exceptional.

Models	Nissan GTR pure	Corvette Z06 1LZ coupe	Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 coupe	Ford Shelby GT350 coupe
0-60 MPH (sec)	2.9	3.3	3.5	5.4
Quarter mile (sec)	11.5	10.9	11.4	12.2
Engine	3.8L Twin-turbocharged V6	LT4 supercharged V8	6.2L V8 Supercharged	5.2L Voodoo V8
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15k mi/yr)	8.2	8.8	9.4	9.1

Most of the rivals have higher displacement powertrain yet they are slower when compared to the GTR. The Corvette Z0 6 takes 3.3 seconds followed by Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Shelby.

Ride and Handling

Press the start button on central control and the 3.8-liter v 6 turbocharged powertrain burbles to life. Responsive, stable and poise ironically make up the handling attributes of this Godzilla. The mind-numbing horsepower is put down to wheel through an electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system that operates at 0/100 front-rear bias in normal conditions but can automatically switch to up to a 50/50 split as needed. The race-tuned Bilstein Damptronic suspension reads the road ahead and provides appropriate damping force for optimum control.

The steering is very precise and the car feels very confident in corners. Based on the midship platform which places the engine farther back in the chassis and the transmission is mounted in the rear with the transfer case for better handling. The all-wheel-drive system coupled with Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) is helpful in harsh weather conditions when most supercars stay in the garage.

Braking

Deceleration is as important as acceleration when we talk about supercars, so Nissan fitted the GTR with 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers. The lightweight and superbly rigid caliper are created from one piece of aluminum. Its sensitive and accurate pedal feel allows stopping the coupe quickly.

Models	Nissan GTR pure	Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 coupe	Corvette ZL1	Ford Shelby GT350 coupe
Front Brake (in)	15.35	15.3	15.2	15.5
Rear Brake (in)	15	14.8	14.8	14.9
Curb Weight (lbs)	3929	3883	3825	3760
60-0 MPH (ft)	94	107	105	96

The Nissan GTR is the best when it comes to braking while the Ford Shelby despite lower curb weight tales 2 more feet. The Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette ZL1 are similar in terms of braking performance.

The Nissan GTR with its turbocharged powertrain is good enough to deliver 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. You don't expect good fuel economy out of a sports car but 18 mpg combined sounds awesome.

Models	Nissan GTR pure	Corvette Z06 1LZ coupe	Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 coupe	Ford Shelby GT350 coupe
MPG (Highway)	22	27	20	21
MPG (city)	16	18	14	14
MPG (combined)	18	19	16	16
Tank cap. (gal.)	19.5	15.4	19	16

The Nissan GT-R is the most fuel-efficient because of the smaller powertrain and returns a similar number as the Camaro ZL1 Coupe. The Corvette and Ford Shelby also return 15 mpg combined.

"Those seats, though, are my biggest pain. Literally. For the life of me, I couldn't get comfortable in these contraptions, which Nissan claims to have redesigned to provide more comfort. Instead I felt like I was sitting up against a softball." -Cars.com

Seating and Comfort

The cabin of Nissan GT-R is functional like its exterior, but it is beginning to show its age when compared to modern rivals. It can seat four people but the rear seats are much suited for kids or short individuals. The hand-stitched semi-aniline leather seats are comfortable all day long with ample amount bolstering. The legroom is good enough and getting in and out the car is effortless.

On the technological front, the GT-R comes with a standard analog gauge and an 8.0-inch infotainment screen. The instrument cluster and multifunctional display are designed with polyphony digital, the developers for PlayStation GT games. It monitors everything from longitudinal and lateral G-Force, engine coolant temperature, boosts pressure, steering angle and whatnot. Nissan GT-R has always been depicted as high tech wizardry thing much like a video game.

Models	Nissan GTR pure	Corvette Z06 1LZ coupe	Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 coupe	Ford Shelby GT350 coupe
Passenger Capacity	4	2	4	4
Front row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	38.1/54.3/44.6	37.9/55.2/43	38.5/-/43.9	37.6/56.3/44.5
Weight Distribution(F/R)	54/46	51/49	52/48	58/42

The rear seats are small, but still, Nissan takes credit for being a 4-seater car in this segment like the Chevrolet Camaro and Shelby GT 350. The Nissan GTR and Chevrolet Camaro have the most spacious front seats while the Corvette and Ford comes after them

Interior Features

• Heated Front Sport Seats -inc: 8-way driver and 4-way passenger power front seats
• Driver Seat -inc: Power Rear Seat Easy Entry
• Passenger Seat -inc: Power Rear Seat Easy Entry
• Bucket Front Facing Rear Seat
• Manual Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column
• Proximity Key For Doors And Push Button Start
• Cruise Control w/Steering Wheel Controls
• Leatherette Door Trim Insert w/Carpet Lower
• Fixed Front Head Restraints
• Front Center Armrest and Rear Center Armrest
• Engine Immobilizer
• Air Filtration
• Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning

Infotainment

The GT-R comes standard with the NissanConnect infotainment system that seamlessly links to your smartphone and with its wide 8-inch screen, the menu is familiar looking and easy to use. The kind of detail that is visible on the new screen in terms of performance is sure to satisfy every sports car nerd's dream. The GT-R also comes with an 11-speaker Bose audio system that features active noise cancellation.

The standard infotainment system consists of:

• NissanConnect infotainment system
• 8-inch screen
• USB connectivity
• Bluetooth
• HD Radio
• Eleven speakers Bose audio system

The optional upgrades include:

• Navigation
• Satellite radio

Cargo Capacity

Being a supercar there is not much space to store your belongings, still, the GT-R comes with 8.8 cubic feet of space. The rear-seats also open up and act as a cupboard for small items. You can carry a decent amount of luggage with the GTR and the trunk is pretty deep.

Models	Nissan GTR pure	Corvette Z06 1LZ coupe	Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 coupe	Ford Shelby GT350 coupe
Maximum interior cargo volume (cu.ft.)	8.8	15	9.1	13.5

"The 2020 Nissan GT-R gets a minor styling update, but it's still distinctively Japanese and almost restrained for the exotic car it is." -The Car Connection

Dimension and Weight

The design is always subjective and the Nissan GTR mixes form with function in a great manner. Rigorous tuning in the wind tunnel has incredibly reduced the drag coefficient to 0.26 CD which is equal to a mid-engine supercar. The grille is new and offers additional cooling to the engine with a 30 percent stiffer hood to avoid wind deflection at higher speeds.

Gigantic front-fender vents and chin spoiler helps to keep a check on downforce. The GTR doesn't have that look at me attitude of an Italian machine, rather it has odd angles, rounded contours and crisp edges for aerodynamic efficiency. The delicate C pillar diminishes into a vertical fence on the rear fender which is inspired by NISMO GT-R. The rear diffuser is also updated for optimum aero performance. The iconic twin taillights are synonymous with Nissan GTR.

Models	Nissan GTR pure	Corvette Z06 1LZ coupe	Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 coupe	Ford Shelby GT350 coupe
Curb weight (lbs)	3929	3524	3883	3760
Length (in)	185.4	177.9	190.2	189.6
Width (in)	74.6	77.9	75	75.9
Height (in)	53.9	48.6	52.9	54.2
Wheelbase (in)	109	106.7	110.7	107.1
Track width (in) F/R	62.6/63	63.5/62.5	63.4/62	N/A

By far the heaviest machine amongst its peers, the Nissan GT-R leads the way in terms of curb weight, at a bulky 3933 lbs. The Coupe also tops the list when it comes to wheelbase length (109.4 inches) and remains the tallest car in its class at 53.9 inches.

Exterior Features

• Wheels: 20" RAYS Forged Aluminum
• Body-Colored Front Bumper w/Black Rub Strip/Fascia Accent
• Body-Colored Rear Bumper w/Black Rub Strip/Fascia Accent
• Rocker Panel Extensions
• Black Side Windows Trim and Black Front Windshield Trim
• Aluminum Door Handles
• Body-Colored Power Heated Side Mirrors w/Power Folding
• Speed Sensitive Variable Intermittent Wipers
• Trunk Rear Cargo Access
• Fully Automatic Projector Beam Led Low/High Beam Daytime Running Auto-Leveling Headlamps
• LED Brakelights

It seems that the Nissan GT-R is still waiting to go through the crash tests conducted by the NHTSA and the IIHS. As the ratings are not available, we can't tell how well the GT-R protects its passengers. It is believed that due to the limited production numbers, the NHTSA and the IIHS didn't perform the crash tests.

However, the standard features like all-wheel drive and a rearview camera make it a safe ride. Nissan GT-R's stability control system comes with different modes that maintain street traction.

Safety Features

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Emergency Sos
• Front And Rear Parking Sensors
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Curtain 1st Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Pretensioners
• RearView Monitor Back-Up Camera

Nissan GT-R vs. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Camaro ZL 1 is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine, which puts out 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. For pure performance, the Nissan GTR is the hands-down winner. The Nissan GT-R stays ahead of Camaro on a track any day. Like the GT-R the rear seats in the Camaro are impractical and are only suited for little ones. The Nissan GT-R is a clear winner in terms of overall performance.

Nissan GT-R vs. Corvette Z06 Coupe

The Corvette Zo6 is $ 20, 000 less than the GT-R, from a performance standpoint the GT-R is slightly quicker and more agile. The Corvette Zo6 significantly raises the performance quotient with agile handling and driving dynamics. It is as fast as the GT-R in a straight but Nissan is best when it comes to windy roads. If you supercar performance at a fraction of a price than the Corvette Z06 is for you otherwise the winner is GT-R here.

Nissan GT-R vs. Ford Shelby GT350 Coupe

Ford Shelby GT 350 coupe is powered by a 5.2 liter 8 cylinder engine which puts out 526 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. The Mustang is roomier than the Nissan GTR and comes with a larger trunk and a more usable back seat. It is easier to live with as well, with better visibility and a pleasant usable interior. However, the Ford Shelby GT 350 isn't as sharp as GT-R. Nissan is a clear winner when it comes to overall performance. Priced around $60,000 the GT 350 takes the crown in terms of value.

 

The Nissan GT-R is no longer a scalding supercar bargain like it used to be but the performance levels are impressive. It has created a sensation since its debut because of its value. Proving a perfect daily driver, the GT-R has slowly earned a good slot among the prominent performance cars. However, its competition is slowly increasing, both in number and in magnitude. It remains to be seen if the GT-R will still hold its place strongly a few years down the line.