2012 Nissan GT-R

NISSAN launched a twin-turbocharged ICBM directly into supercar territory when the company introduced the GT-R in 2009. Whether you're comparing 0-to-60 sprints. quarter-mile times. 60-to-0 braking. or lateral acceleration. the 2012 Nissan GT-R can hang with the best of them. and even beat a few six-figure cars at their own game. The current-generation model is the first GT-R to land on U. S. shores. and utilizes a hand-built twin-turbocharged 3. 8-liter V-6 mated to a hand-assembled six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission. For 2012. even more power is added to Nissan's so-called “Godzilla. with the GT-R now pumping out 530 hp and 448 lb-ft of torque. up a whopping 45 hp and 14 lb-ft of torque compared to last year's model.

A rear-mounted transaxle is used to optimize weight over the rear wheels and offer minimal load shift during acceleration. braking. and cornering. The dual-clutch transmission delivers a nearly uninterrupted flow of torque to all four wheels through Nissan's ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system. while the GT-R's Brembo brakes are tough enough for any track — even Germany's infamous Nuerburgring. where the GT-R put down one of the quickest production-car times. A combination of steel. aluminum. and carbon fiber provides a rigid. aerodynamic. and relatively lightweight body for the GT-R.

Though the GT-R's performance rivals that of some exotics. Nissan's flagship sports car also gets a few standard convenience and tech features that help make it an enjoyable ride both on and off the track. Features like Nissan's hard drive-based navigation system with seven-inch touch screen. dual-zone climate control. Nissan Intelligent Key entry and push-button ignition. an 11-speaker stereo system with DVD and MP3 playback capability. Bluetooth connectivity with streaming audio function. and a USB/iPod adapter all come standard on the GT-R. A programmable performance display is also standard. and can relay information like vehicle speed. turbo boost pressure. engine temperature. and average lap time through an 11-way split screen.

Body style: Two-door coupe
Engine: 3. 8L twin-turbo V-6
Transmissions: 6-speed dual-clutch automated manual 
MODEL: GT-R Premium

The big news for the 2012 Nissan GT-R is the significant bump in power from 485 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque to 530 hp and 448 lb-ft. an increase of 45 hp and 14 lb-ft. Nissan did this by modifying the boost pressure. valve timing. and air-fuel ratio of the GT-R's twin-turbo 3. 8-liter V-6. Nissan's engineers also reduced intake air resistance as well as exhaust air resistance by enlarging the pipes going to and from the engine. Aerodynamics have also been improved. with a decrease in drag as well as a 10-percent increase in downforce. This likely contributes to the minor bump in fuel economy. which increases to 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway from 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway in last year's model. The new Black Edition trim level joins the Premium model for 2012. and includes custom red-and-black leather-upholstered Recaro sport seats. along with a matching red-and-black interior trim with dark headliner.

The GT-R's styling sets it apart from other supercars. with a look that's chunkier and more muscular than your average Ferrari. Though Nissan's engineers primarily focused on function over form with the GT-R. the car still looks the part of an exotic. with a gaping front intake opening that flows into the grille for a menacing front end look. In back. Nissan kept true to the styling roots of past GT-R models (not sold in the ‘States). endowing the car with four circular red taillights and bulging rear fenders. All models get standard 20-inch lightweight forged alloy wheels. though the Black Edition gets special black-painted wheels in place of the standard ones.

The GT-R's interior is less impressive than its exterior. but still comes well-appointed with an array of standard features. Carbon fiber trim pieces line the dashboard and center console. while leather covers most other surfaces a driver will regularly come in contact with. Front seats in the GT-R Premium are also upholstered in leather. with synthetic suede inserts stitched in. The Black Edition model raises the stakes with custom red-and-black leather-upholstered Recaro sport seats. along with a matching red-and-black interior trim with dark headliner. Finally. the GT-R's list of standard features is suitably impressive for a flagship car. with Nissan's hard drive-based navigation system and seven-inch touch screen. dual-zone climate control. Nissan Intelligent Key entry and push-button ignition. 11-speaker stereo system with DVD and MP3 playback capability. Bluetooth connectivity with streaming audio function. and USB/iPod adapter included as standard equipment.

The GT-R is an engineering marvel. to say the least. The sub-$100K sports car placed second in our 2011 Best Driver's Car competition – beating out much more expensive cars like the Porsche 911 GT3. nbsp;Audi R8 GT. nbsp;Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. and Lexus LFA. The trick to the GT-R's awesome performance no doubt lies in its advanced electronics systems. like Nissan's Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system and ever-evolving traction control system with launch control function. Still. the car's twin-turbo 3. 8-liter V-6. which produces 530 hp and 448 lb-ft of torque. combined with the quick-shifting dual-clutch transmission and ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system probably doesn't hurt. Whatever magic allows the GT-R to do what it does. after numerous sessions behind the wheel of “Godzilla. our editors have reported that the car is somehow more than just the sum of its parts.

The GT-R gets dual-stage supplemental front airbags with seat-mounted sensors. driver and passenger front side impact airbags. and front roof-mounted side-curtain airbags with head protection as standard equipment. An advanced version of Nissan's Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system with traction control is also standard. as is an ABS system with Electronic Brake force Distribution and Tire Pressure Monitoring system. A LATCH child seat-anchoring system is standard. though baby barf bags are not.

GT-R (all models): 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway

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