(Top: R35 GTR, Lower: R34 GTR)
Nissan GTR nicknamed Godzilla
claimed to be a supercar killer and is no doubt what it is said to be, a
supercar killer. I’m a huge fan of the GTR and I can’t really explain why. From
the time I saw it feature in 2Fast 2Furious, I’ve been in love with it. The
famous R34 Skyline GTR had the twin-turbo 2.6litres straight 6 magnificent RB26
engine and had one version stroked to a full 2.8litres. The stock R34 comes
with at least 280hp under the hood and its power is said to be easily over 800hp
just by changing the turbo kits. A proper 6-speed manual transmission from
Getrag was fitted to it. Many aftermarket tuners have parts in and out of the
car from body kits to titanium pistons and cranks. The R34 had active
differentials and a system that would sort out the power distribution to the
front and rear wheels. The car also had an in-car display showing fuel
consumption, all sorts of pressure, boost and the special G-force reading. The
car looks fantastic and is an absolute fun to drive.
In 2008, Nissan unveiled
the latest GTR R35 powered by an all new 3.8litres twin-turbocharged VR38
engine producing 480hp. The car was not only more powerful but even more
complex and smarter as well. It has a 6-speed twin-clutch paddle shift
transmission together with an automatic option for daily drive. The R35 had a
mad system that prevents the car from too much understeer and grips really well
around corners. It accelerates from a standstill to 100km/h in 3.5 seconds and
tops to about just over 310km/h. It is bigger and bulkier than its predecessor.
Very précised and performance based but nevertheless still very practical and
reasonably priced for the performance you get. However there were some problems
with the gearbox in the early batches of the R35 but the problem was fixed by
the GTR team for the later models. The R35 GTR was made with one thing in mind,
to beat the Porsche 911 Turbo on the famous Nurburgring circuit which was full
of all sorts of types of corners that really tests a car’s handling and performance.
They managed to do it and have been making progressively better lap times ever
since. Last year, the GTR team unleashed a new refined R35 GTR which was
psychotically fantastic. Improvements to the turbo boost, aerodynamics, brakes,
front and rear diffusers, gearbox and interior changes was impressive. The new
2012 version produced 530hp and was equipped with launch control. Engage it,
rev up to 4000rpm and let off the brakes ; the car will shoot from 0 to 100km/h
in less than 3 seconds ( tested 2.75secs). It’s a magnificent car and it is
said to have even more grip than the previous one. Nothing really to complain
about the 2012 R35 GTR, not even the price. You really can’t get the
performance from the GTR for a cheaper price.
But what some feel and rather
weirdly even I feel that the R34 GTR stands out more than the R35 with more
attraction to it. The R34 is sleeker and stylish, more street like and more fun
to drive which is what the R35 lacks. So what Nissan should do with the new GTR
is sort of design it towards the R34 looks and have a button that states ‘FUN’
which switches off the traction control and active differentials leaving JUST
the driver the control the car. Some
might say I’m an idiot to complain about an almost perfect car but well, I love
the GTR and I just want it better than it already is.
