When the Nissan GTR debuted in 2007 at the Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan Motors Philippines invited a select number of journalists to attend the highly anticipated event.
With then NMPI Marketing and Media Relations Director Raymond Tribdino (who is now Motoring Editor of Malaya) together with Col. Popong Andolong (currently spokesman of the Department of National Defense) of the Business Mirror and Charles Buban of the Inquirer, the four of us became part of motoring history as Nissan re-introduced Japan’s iconic supercar.
Prior to seeing the actual GTR on stage at the Makuhari Messe, Nissan first showed a 15-minute video about how the GTR broke the record of Porsche at the famed Nurburgring, Germany. With a camera behind the seat of Nissan test driver Toshio Suzuki, the jam packed crowd at the Nissan booth witnessed and experienced how the GTR managed to break the lap record set by Porsche. Once the GTR crossed the line at 7:29:03, the crowd broke into a thunderous applause, and fireworks lit up the stage, with very loud music ushering in the R35 GTR with Nissan big boss Carlos Ghosn behind the wheel. I had goose bumps because after a long hiatus, the mighty GTR is back!
After 2007, the Super Car World was never the same again as the Nissan GTR picked them off one after another. Now 10 years after that TMS launch, Nissan unveiled recently the 2017 version of its flagship variant. Although at first glance, the 2017 version looks similar to the 2016 variant, Nissan engineers argued that this supercar is the most significantly changed GTR since 2007.
Off the bat, you’ll notice subtle styling changes, including a mostly new and more aggressive front end with Nissan’s signature "V-motion" grille, which has been slightly enlarged to provide better engine cooling and a matte chrome finish and an updated mesh pattern. A new hood, featuring pronounced character lines flowing flawlessly from the grille, has been reinforced to enhance stability during high-speed driving. A freshly designed front spoiler lip and front bumpers with finishers situated immediately below the headlamps give the new GT-R the look of a pure-bred racecar, while generating high levels of front downforce.
"The new GT-R delivers a heart-pounding driving experience at all times, on any road, for whoever sits in the driver's seat. We have continued to push its performance boundaries to the limit – it's even more potent than before. At the same time, refinement has been added to take the driving experience to an entirely new level. We're proud to bring you what we feel is the ultimate GT-R that possesses amazing performance, newfound civility and a rich racing history," said Hiroshi Tamura, chief product specialist, GT-R, Z and NISMO, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
The engine is the familiar 3.8 liter twin turbocharged V6, but now producing an additional 20 hp for a total of 565 horses. The additional power comes from extra turbo boost and individual ignition timing-control of the cylinders. Each engine is built by hand by one of the takumi: four individual craftsmen at Nissan's Yokohama plant who hand-build all GTR engines.
Though the new GT-R is more powerful and the styling more aggressive, this model also promises to be the most comfortable. The cabin is quieter thanks to Active Noise Cancellation, new sound absorbing materials, and an acoustic glass windshield. While the new car has a more rigid body structure for better handling, the ride is also smoother.
Nissan Ph has long been teasing the local market about the availability of the GTR. Toti Zara, former Nissan Ph President announced last year that the planned launch was for the second quarter of this year.
When asked about the GTR, Dax Avenido, Nissan’s marketing man would only answer, “soon”. With 100 plus R35 GTR’s rolling around the country, GTR fans can't help but ask Nissan: Kelan ba talaga kuya? (How soon?)