Nissan GT-R review: The brand’s performance saviour

Nissan’s GT-R 50th Anniversary celebrates half a century since the original Skyline GT-R first launched. These are five things we learnt:

The Nissan GT-R is one of the world’s most sought after supercar killers. The Japanese product is known for its Porsche-beating speed that comes at just a fraction of the cost of rivals. And it is now one of the last remaining non-SUVs in the brand’s local line-up.

Here are five facts about the 50th anniversary edition of the car known as “Godzilla”.

The GT-R is one of the world’s fastest cars.

1. An oldie but a goodie

The 50th Anniversary special edition of Nissan’s “Hakosuka” Skyline GT-R arrives as the now
12-year-old range welcomes new turbos, revised “R” mode for more aggressive downshifts, rev-matching and adjustments to suspension and brake feel. There’s no extra performance, so you have to make do with 419kW/632Nm from the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6. The half-century edition is one for the collector and is based on the GT-R Premium Luxury grade. Goodies include bonnet-to-boot stripes over white, silver or hero Bayside Blue paint, Twilight Grey two-tone leather, lighter wheels, badging and, between rear lights that resemble cooktop elements, a rather cheap-looking decal.

The GT-R is better in a straight line than through corners.

2. So very, very fast

The acceleration, otherworldly all-wheel drive grip and rapid responses to steering inputs make driving feel video game-like. It sticks to the road no matter the speed or corner angle. Nissan doesn’t publish official 0-100km/h times, almost adding to the GT-R’s mystique. About the three-second mark is generally accepted. Peak power arrives at a screaming 6800rpm, with most fun to be had near the redline. On the twisties, it can’t hide its width or porky 1765kg mass. In raciest “R” mode, the electronically controlled suspension is at its stiffest and the GT-R gets crashy over poor surfaces. You’ll forgive it that.

The GT-R is affectionately known as “Godzilla”.

3. It’s cheap and sensible

Relatively, anyway. Cheapest of all is the GT-R Premium at $193,800 before on-roads, while the 50th Anniversary, at $209,300 plus on-roads, is $9500 more than the Premium Luxury. That’s a lot of coin but just try finding anything cheaper that matches such hypercar performance. The mad dogs of the line-up — the $235,000 Track Edition and $378,000 Nismo (441kW/652Nm) — have race suspension tunes and will have you visiting the chiropractor. The 50th Anniversary does the Grand Touring bit far better, thanks to sensibly configured adjustable suspension settings and sink-in seats. Incredible but true, it’s comfy and well-insulated enough to use as a daily driver and claims 11.7L/100km.

The GT-R’s cabin is showing its age.

4. Cabin looks its age

Don’t expect the latest supercar dazzle inside — it feels very 2007, with no digital dashboard, active safety kit or ambient lighting. Leather and Alcantara abound, however. Where it trumps most cars of its ilk are the rear seats. Deep buckets mean two adults can travel back here — but they’ll have to cross their legs on the seat base. There are Isofix points so the kids can join the fun. There are six airbags, satnav via the eight-inch infotainment screen, rear camera, sensors all round, dual-zone climate control, Bose audio and heated seats. There’s a repair kit instead of a spare.

5. Performance saviour

Today’s Nissan showrooms have wall-to-wall SUVs — Qashqai, X-Trail, Juke, Pathfinder and Patrol — and the Navara ute, electric Leaf and now ancient 370Z bring scant cool factor. The GT-R stands out from the beige as a shining halo model of performance and engineering brilliance, a sports car staple that Nissan should celebrate and continue to develop. Nissan promises a new generation GT-R but appears to be wrestling with the almost inevitable move to hybrid or electric power to propel it. The current car may well be the last of its kind.