Nissan Reveals 2017 GT-R At New York Motor Show

2017 Nissan GT-R unveiled at the 2016 New York Motor Show. Updates include new styling, revamped interior and a more powerful engine. 

Nissan’s wildly popular sportscar, the GT-R, has just been given a thorough makeover. Unveiled at the 2016 New York Motor Show, the facelifted GT-R gets revamped exterior styling, uprated powertrain and all-new interior among other tweaks and revisions.

According to Nissan, the 2017 GT-R ‘represents the most significant changes’ made to the car since it was introduced in 2007. That’s indeed true since the GT-R now gets small yet a long list of improvements. Design updates on the front fascia include a new chrome matte finish “V-motion” signature Nissan grille with enlarged opening and updated mesh pattern so as to allow better air flow for cooling the engine. The bonnet has been re-sculpted, too, and so is the front bumper. Among other aero-wizardry, the lip spoiler has been redesigned and the side sills are further pushed out to improve air-flow. Nissan claims the new GT-R develops the same amount of downforce although with less drag.

The Nissan GT-R has been often criticized for its interior, which looked a bit dated in comparison to most of its rivals. Nissan says that issue has been addressed in the refreshed model as it’s been made for “premium”. That means the dashboard and instrument panel are now swathed in leather. Among other improvements, the dashboard layout has been simplified since the number of switches has gone down from 27 in the previous model to only 11 in the one you see here. There’s also an enlarged 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system. The shift-paddles have been moved to the steering wheel as opposed to the old car’s column-mounted paddles.

Under the hood, the GT-R’s twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine has been uprated to produce 562bhp – an improvement of 20bhp over the outgoing model. The improvement in power output is largely thanks to individual ignition-timing control of the cylinders and extra boost from the turbochargers, says Nissan. Power continues to be sent to all four-wheels via a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic. 0-100km/h will be done within 2.8 seconds. And to ensure that the driver further enjoys the drive experience, the engine acoustics have been improved, courtesy a new set of titanium mufflers.

The new GT-R’s “cornering abilities” have been improved, too - it gets a reworked suspension setup and a more rigid body structure. Despite all that, Nissan is claiming that the 2017 GT-R is also the most comfortable model of the sportscar to date.

Nissan will also launch a more powerful Nismo version of the refreshed model in a while. The company hasn’t revealed anything about the next-gen or R36 GT-R (current one being the R35) but has hinted that this is the last big change for the current-gen GT-R. The facelifted GT-R is also India-bound and will go on sale around September 2016 in the country.

Also read: Interview with Guillaume Sicard, President, Nissan India Operation