Described by Nissan as a supercar that makes “records fall and dreams come true,” the Nismo version of Godzilla lives up to its hyperbolic billing with an upgraded twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 that produces 600 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque. Those figures, which represent gains of 55 ponies and 36 lb-ft over the normal GT-R, are achieved by way of larger turbochargers borrowed from the GT-R GT3 race car, revised ignition timing, and retuned intake and exhaust systems.
Of note, Nissan says the GT-R’s motor has more to give, but that engineers were limited by the capabilities of the car’s six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The changes go far beyond the engine bay, with the suspension receiving stiffer springs and dampers – complete with new Comfort, Normal and R damper modes – and reworked anti-roll bars with a 17.3mm hollow unit at the rear. Nismo even went so far as to use additional adhesive bonding and structural seam welding to increase rigidity and make the most of the chassis mods.
A new bodykit with model-specific front and rear bumpers, unique side skirts and a sizable rear spoiler give the GT-R Nismo an additional 220 lbs. of downforce at 186 mph compared to the standard car, while specially-developed Dunlop tires wrapped around six-spoke Nismo wheels maximize traction.
As if all that weren’t enough, Nissan and Nismo are also working on an as-yet-unnamed track package (not to be confused with the GT-R Track Pack) that will keep the GT-R Nismo’s powertrain but feature an even more aggressive bodykit, additional chassis tweaks, and extra carbon-fiber components that are expected to shave 143 lbs. from the car’s curb weight.
The results of those improvements were reportedly realized in September when former FIA GT1 champion Michael Krumm secretly piloted the track pack-equipped GT-R Nismo around the Nurburgring in a blistering 7:08.69.
The Nissan GT-R Nismo is expected to arrive in showrooms late next year with an MSRP under $200,000.
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