Nissan updates GT-R for Europe

Now that the initial excitement over the GT-R has died down, Nissan has launched a round of improvements aimed at improving its reliability, comfort and yes, even its ability to plaster a smile across your face.

Apparently so. Changes to spring and damper rates improve the pretty woeful ride comfort but also the handling, says Nissan, thanks to more accurate control of suspension movements.

At the rear, the stiffness of the suspension radius rod bushings has been increased, giving improved feel and responsiveness during cornering while the balance of the electronic brakeforce distribution bias has been moved slightly rearwards, giving greater braking stability in dry conditions.

Tweaks to the software controlling torque distribution reduce the diff wind up when moving at low speeds and make the dual-clutch gearbox more eager to kick down from fourth gear, but happier to rely on the engine’s torque in sixth. The new car is no faster or more powerful than the old but changes to the emissions system now ensure the GT-R is Euro 5 compliant and CO2 emissions drop 3g to 295g/km.

Two additional NACA cooling ducts have been added to the carbonfibre underfloor diffuser to provide additional cooling to the exhaust and gearbox while a new, larger diameter pipe connecting the oil cooler reduces gearbox temperatures.

Inside the focus has been on improving refinement by improving the insulation fitted to the rear seats, and adding a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) navigation system with improved screen resolution and a 9.3GB Music Box library that can store music from up to 300 cds simply by inserting them into the drive.

You’ll struggle to spot the 'new' R35 GT-R unless you get behind the wheel: the only visual tweaks are a double coat of lacquer on the front and rear bumpers and a gun metal metallic finish for the instrument surrounds. Prices remain unchanged, the entry-level -Premium Edition costing £58,100 and the Black Edition another £1300.

By Chris Chilton