Nissan GT-R Makes North American Debut

The GT-R has landed. For the first time in the model's history, Nissan's sensational GT-R sportscar will be sold on US soil. And clearly for some - namely friend and industry colleague Ray Wert from Jalopnik - that news is just too hot to handle. Rear-ending aside, the GT-R is a 'multi-dimensional' performance vehicle - 'for anyone, at anytime, and anywhere' - debuted to North America at Los Angeles, post its Tokyo unveiling and ahead of the car's showroom debut in June next year.

Styled to perform, the functional design employs advanced aerodynamics which ooze what Nissan call the athleticism of a well-trained sportsman. Its aerodynamics produce a low drag coefficient of 0.27 but maintain high downforce across the car. The body is a hybrid of steel, carbon fibre and die-cast aluminium, with the new GT-R's platform utilising a world-first: independent rear transaxle all-wheel-drive coupled with a rear-mounted transmission and final drive for optimum weight distribution and handling abilities.

Having achieved a famed Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 7:38, one of the fastest laps by a production vehicle to date, the GT-R is a performance machine whose spec sheet statistics add up on the track. The new Nissan pumps out 480 horsepower and an estimated 430 lb-ft of torque from its all-new 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 engine and is mated to an all-new paddle-shift sequential 6-speed gearbox. And yet it still manages to meet ultra low emission vehicle standards.

In the cabin, optimal driving position is provided by the specially-sculpted performance bucket seats while a cockpit-style instrument panel and centre-mounted tachometer and muti-function display provide driving feedback. A 'set-up switch' allows for control over transmission shifts, shock absorbers and the car's Vehicle Dynamic Control system. With three settings - Normal, Comfort or R for ultimate handling - settings can be optimised according to driver requirements.

Pricing for the North American-marketed GT-R was also unveiled, with prices starting from $69,850 for the base model and $71,900 for the Premium model, which includes heated seats, side air bags and an 11-speaker Bose sound system.