Nissan marks another milestone year celebrating its 50 years of GT-R heritage with the unveiling of the new 50th Anniversary Edition of 2020 Nissan GT-R Nismo at the New York International Auto Show.
For the 2020, Nissan engineers set out to take race-proven technology and make it accessible and comfortable for drivers of all skill levels. Vehicle control and predictability were critical in achieving this; thus, they adopted the theme “absolute street and track performance” when developing the car.
Setting the most potent and exclusive of all GT-Rs apart from the rest of the pack is the amount of carbon fiber found throughout the car, including the front and rear bumpers, front fenders, hood, roof, side sill covers, trunk and rear spoiler. Each component has been improved to cut weight, increase down force and enhance aerodynamics.
The front fenders now resemble those on the GT3 GT-R. Scalloped vents help funnel hot air away from the engine bay and provide exceptional down force onto the front tires, without additional drag. They also improve aerodynamics by smoothing out airflow along the body, with special consideration given to avoiding the rear spoiler, promoting high-speed stability.
It has an exclusive 20-inch RAYS forged aluminum wheels, which are lighter than before and incorporate a 9-spoke design that enhances their rigidity. Tires are courtesy of newly Dunlop designed, with a wider tread and fewer grooves, increase the contact patch by 11-percent.
Inside, the front seats are designed to focus on holding the shoulder blades and lower body points, giving the driver a better sense of car and body as one.
Power comes from a 3.8-liter V6 24-valve twin-turbocharged engine—each handcrafted by its own Takumi technician—remains the heart of the GT-R’s drivetrain. The car’s revised 6-speed dual-clutch transmission features a refined “R mode” that not only shifts faster but also optimizes gear selection, especially when exiting corners. This enhances the feeling of acceleration and deceleration on both road and track. The adaptive shift control has also been programmed to adapt shift schedules to the user’s driving style. The car’s exhaust note is the product of a revised titanium exhaust with handcrafted burnished blue tips.
Performance-wise, the 2020 GT-R Nismo has few equals. Its updated suspension tuning improves cornering stability, with enhanced yaw rate response and smoother ride quality. The absolute performance theme is also fittingly reflected by the addition of a carbon ceramic brake system.
“The 2020 GT-R Nismo has evolved into a balanced, yet extreme, performance car,” said Hiroshi Tamura, chief product specialist for the GT-R. “Pursuing driving pleasure is the most important concept behind GT-R, and the new Nismo’s performance suggest it is a car that belongs on the race track – but is also at home on the open road.”
“We have built the 2020 GT-R Nismo for our customers to be the ultimate track and street vehicle,” Tamura said. “It is about total balance management, not just chasing power figures. The new Nismo has been brought to a new level, with enhanced engine, handling, braking and aerodynamics.”