You sit low, very low in the GT-R. It’s uncomfortable, initially. There are so many controls, it feels like you are in a cockpit. You take time adjusting to this marvel of a machine.

Then you fasten your seatbelt, press the brake pedal, and push a button to fire the engine. Checking the road in front, and sides, you engage the drive (D) mode, press the accelerator pedal, and wait for half a second.

After that, it’s madness.

In less than a second, you will find yourself getting pushed back into the seat as the GT-R shoots ahead like a fighter jet. The acceleration is intense, and it feels that everything around you is being fast-forwarded. The car touches a speed of 100kph in 3 seconds, with the engine in no mood to relent. If you don’t take your foot off the accelerator, the car will break all traffic laws.

You need a racetrack to experience the full power of the Nissan GT-R.

We experience a fraction of it, driving the GT-R in and around Delhi.

Also Watch:

Exterior

Even though the shape of the GT-R doesn’t look as aerodynamic as, say, that of a Porsche 911 Carrera or a Ferrari California T, it has one of the best drag coefficient (Cd) for any production car. The GT-R has a Cd number of 0.26—lower Cd number means better aerodynamics—matched only by some ultra-modern cars such as the BMW i8.

At the front, a large grille opening stands out—it allows more cooling air to key components. The rear fascia of the GT-R has been extended at the sides to accelerate air away from the back of the bumper, helping to pull hot gases away, to cool the exhaust.

Interiors

There are a lot of controls; in fact, so many that you might take days understanding the function of each button. The central display shows you RPM, and even engine oil temperature and pressure. If the cabin appears as if it is out of a video game, it’s because it ‘actually’ is. The multifunction display was designed by Kazunori Yamauchi, the Japanese game designer who developed the famed Gran Turismo video game. Therefore, as you sit inside the GT-R, it ‘talks’ to you.

There is ample use of leather. While the seats are leather—as is the norm in this class of super cars—even the dash cover is created from a single leather hide. Also, unlike many other super cars that have two seats, the GT-R has four seats, even though the rear seats have almost negligible legroom, and are best used for keeping your bags.

Engine

Instead of a large, heavy engine that guzzles fuel, the GT-R is powered by a mid-sized, twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 engine. It produces a peak power of 570 PS and an immense torque of 637 Nm. Driven sanely, the GT-R returns an ‘exceptional’ fuel-efficiency of about 10kpl.

The transmission is an engineering prowess—it changes gears in 200 milliseconds.

Performance

At over 1,700-kg, the GT-R is about a hundred kg heavier than most of its European counterparts. However, it is this extra weight that aids acceleration and handling.

How? Because the weight is evenly spread across all four wheels, it maximises traction and there is minimal wheel spin. Thus, all the power the engine sends to the wheels is turned into acceleration. The GT-R rides on super lightweight alloy wheels and tyres filled with Nitrogen. Now, while the ride is unruffled on smooth roads, even at high speeds, as soon as you hit a rough patch, the ride turns uncomfortable.

Verdict

At Rs 1.99 crore, the GT-R is priced lower than most other super cars available in India, including the Ferraris and the Lamborghinis. But as far as performance and exclusivity is concerned, it matches the best in business. Buy it if you want to own an iconic super car that embodies the pinnacle of Japanese engineering prowess and driving performance. Right now, it is available only at the dealership Neo Nissan in Noida, Delhi NCR.

(GT is short for Gran Turismo—Italian for grand tourer—a performance and luxury car capable of achieving high speeds and spirited long-distance driving. R is short for Racer. So, GT-R means Gran Turismo-Racer.)

vikram.chaudhary@expressindia.com